SierraCol Energy

Prior to joining SierraCol, Alejandra Castaño held various international leadership positions with Occidental Petroleum Corporation, gaining invaluable experience in human resources management and stakeholder engagement across the US, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Colombia. This diverse background gave her a global perspective and a profound understanding of how strategic people management and external relations drive business success and community impact. In 2021, she returned to Colombia with a clear vision to contribute to the local business landscape by fostering inclusion and empowering talent. As Vice President of People and Corporate Affairs at SierraCol Energy, she leverages her expertise to create people-centered strategies that align business goals with community well-being.

Recognizing Castaño’s visionary leadership and excellence in HR and talent development, this exclusive interview delves into her invaluable insights on driving growth, fostering equality, and promoting sustainable practices within the energy sector.

AT A GLANCE:

● Innovation and adaptability are most important to navigate through regulatory changes, ensuring a safe and diverse work environment and effectively managing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

● Our goal is to foster a work culture that promotes both personal and professional growth while staying true to our commitments to the community and the environment.

● Whether through educational programs, environmental conservation efforts, or health and human rights initiatives, sustainability allows us to make a tangible difference.

● A crucial part of enhancing human performance and value creation lies in leveraging AI advancements and technologies to improve transparency and build workforce trust.

“By prioritizing inclusivity and ‘doing things right out of conviction,’ we aim to humanize the work environment, empower our people, and create value for our employees, the company, and our stakeholders”

Driving Change: Fostering Equality, Growth and Inclusivity in Workplace

My aim is to create a meaningful impact in the energy industry. I want to develop Colombian talent, build stronger relationships with stakeholders and address gender equality in our industry.

With the strong support of SierraCol’s leadership, in 2022, we launched initiatives such as Leading My Career, a program designed to foster our team’s personal and professional growth. In 2023, we expanded these efforts with ALMA, the Leadership Academy for High Impact Women, an initiative to empower women in our workforce, contractor teams and local communities. Our ambitious goal is to enroll more than 500 women in this program over the next two years, fostering a new generation of inclusive leadership.

Drawing on my expertise in HR and talent development, I am focused on documenting the challenges and opportunities that will guide a comprehensive action plan to expand the impact of women in Colombian business. For me, this journey is not just a chapter in my career, but a firm commitment to promote growth, equality and sustainable practices.

Workforce Management: Humanizing Workspace with Integrity and Respect

At SierraCol Energy, our main challenge in workforce management and corporate affairs revolves around fostering great company performance while balancing our employees' needs with evolving expectations for transparency, inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and a strong commitment to human rights.

Innovation and adaptability are most important to navigate regulatory changes, ensuring a safe and diverse work environment and effectively managing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders. Our goal is to foster a work culture that promotes both personal and professional growth while staying true to our commitments to the community and the environment.

All these challenges are addressed with our core principles— recognition and respect for individuals, valuing differences, teamwork, integrity and a results-oriented approach. These values shape our strategies in workforce management, especially in the attraction, engagement and development of human talent. By prioritizing inclusivity and ‘doing things right out of conviction,’ we aim to humanize work environments, empower our people and create value for our employees, the company and our stakeholders.

We believe that by empowering human talent and promoting a culture that respects and supports diversity, we enhance our team’s engagement and also strengthen our company's positive impact on the broader community.

Corporate Values: Sustainability and Empowerment at its Heart

Sustainability is at the heart of SierraCol’s mission. Our SierraCol’s team actively works to promote initiatives that foster social, environmental and economic development in the communities in which we operate, while maintaining high standards of corporate governance and human rights.

Whether through educational programs, environmental conservation efforts, or health and human rights initiatives, sustainability allows us to make a tangible difference. My department works hand in hand with the Corporate Sustainability group to ensure that these initiatives are aligned with our corporate values, and are effectively bridging the gap between business objectives and community impact.

Personally, as I mentioned earlier, my responsibility is to transfer my knowledge to the people I can positively influence. With each person I work with and those who participate in the programs, I am committed to the transfer of knowledge that empowers and enables the individual to project into new possibilities.

Future Prospect: Integrating Technology to Enhance Human Performance

A crucial part of enhancing human performance and value creation lies in leveraging AI advancements and technologies to improve transparency and build workforce trust. These tools enhance human strengths in areas such as problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. Encouraging collaboration between technology and human capabilities unlocks greater value for employees and the organization.

Building trust among stakeholders is central to our work. Through attentive listening and active feedback, we address expectations and strengthen relationships crucial for long-term success and collaboration.

In line with this, we actively involve employees in designing people practices, ensuring initiatives align with their needs. For example, our hybrid working model fosters flexibility, autonomy and trust, creating a supportive environment for our workforce.

Our approach equips individuals with tools for autonomy and development, aiming to leave a legacy of ‘Commitment to Colombia’ that benefits all Colombians.

Leaders of Tomorrow: Cultivating Empathy, Resilience and Commitment

For those aspiring to a similar role, I recommend focusing on building strong communication skills and fostering relationships based on trust and integrity. Understanding the balance between corporate interests and community impact is essential, especially in a dynamic sector like energy, where adaptability is key. Cultivating empathy, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning will prepare you to lead effectively in areas critical to business success and social responsibility.

Remember, we operate in an interconnected world where people must come first. Recognizing the impact of our profession and our leadership is fundamental. Those in this role should embrace the responsibility to create a positive impact—not just as a job requirement, but as a core mindset that drives meaningful change.