Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Industry Leadership & Involvement
Timeline
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Sarah Kern

Sarah Kern

Tulsa

Summary

Strategic industry leader with over a decade of cross-disciplinary experience in engineering, operations, marketing intelligence, and external affairs within the energy sector. Known for championing thought leadership and collaboration to position oil and gas innovation for long-term sustainability. Recognized as a galvanizing force who amplifies others as thought leaders, celebrates cross-functional wins, and uplifts team narratives with clarity and strategic vision.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Principal Industry Affairs Specialist

Helmerich & Payne
01.2024 - 05.2025
  • Served as the lead subject matter expert for executive-level industry engagement, ensuring aligned messaging across keynote and panel presentations
  • Grew committee and technical paper participation by over 100%, reinforcing the company’s innovation leadership
  • Spearheaded creative methods to highlight thought leadership through nontraditional platforms and media
  • Positioned internal leaders for success by orchestrating behind-the-scenes strategy and messaging, elevating H&P’s industry presence and thought leadership reputation

Senior Industry Affairs Specialist

Helmerich & Payne
01.2021 - 01.2024
  • Designed and launched a Thought Leadership Incentive Program, exceeding participation KPIs and boosting internal engagement
  • Built new media partnerships and evolved industry organization collaborations to enhance corporate brand authority
  • Led the design, execution, and value tracking of exhibition strategy for global conferences
  • Developed and implemented specialized procedures for strategic abstract submissions, award entries, conferences and events

Senior Marketing Analyst

Helmerich & Payne
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Pioneered advanced reporting and visualization techniques to uncover hidden market signals, strengthening brand reputation among operators
  • Facilitated focus groups to clarify positioning and strategic objectives

Marketing Analyst

Helmerich & Payne
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Identified innovative performance analysis techniques and advocated for closer collaboration between sales and performance engineering teams while coordinating successful rig application deployment
  • Developed performance benchmarking tools and storytelling assets to support sales and operational excellence

Electrical and Performance Engineering Roles

Helmerich & Payne
01.2010 - 01.2018
  • Provided in-house engineer representation at operator office
  • Maintained close partnership with operators, suppliers, rig crews, and field personnel to ensure successful implementation of KPIs across all stages
  • Trained drillers in the autodriller automation system process, usage, and best practices, leading to optimization of the system and a roadmap for future wells that improved rig performance, and reduced NPT and cycle time

Education

Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering, Marketing

Oklahoma State University
Stillwater
05.2010

Skills

  • Industry engagement
  • Strategic messaging
  • Thought leadership
  • Conference strategy
  • Market analysis
  • Media partnerships

Industry Leadership & Involvement

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

• Program Chairperson, SPE ATCE, 2025 - Present
• Executive Advisory Committee, SPE/IADC International Drilling  Conference & Exhibition, 2025

• Executive Advisory Committee, SPE ATCE, 2024 – Present
• Drilling Advisory Committee, 2022 – Present
• Diversity & Inclusion Lead, SPE/IADC International Drilling  Conference & Exhibition, 2022 – 2025
• Program Committee, SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference & Exhibition, 2018 – 2025
• Program Committee Vice Chairperson, SPE ATCE, 2024
• Drilling Committee, Specialty Coordinator & Program Chairperson, SPE ATCE, 2023
• Drilling Committee, Vice Chairperson, SPE ATCE, 2022
• Drilling Committee, SPE ATCE, 2020 – 2021

International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC)
• Program Committee, Advanced Rig Technology Conference, 2023 – Present
• Chairperson, Advanced Rig Technology Committee, January 2023 – December 2024
• Recipient, IADC Exemplary Service Award, 2022
• Chairperson, Young Professionals Committee, June 2019 – December 2022

Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma
• Membership Committee, 2021 – Present
• President, Future Leaders Advisory Council, 2020 – 2021
• Future Leaders Advisory Council, 2015 - 2020

Timeline

Principal Industry Affairs Specialist

Helmerich & Payne
01.2024 - 05.2025

Senior Industry Affairs Specialist

Helmerich & Payne
01.2021 - 01.2024

Senior Marketing Analyst

Helmerich & Payne
01.2020 - 01.2021

Marketing Analyst

Helmerich & Payne
01.2018 - 01.2020

Electrical and Performance Engineering Roles

Helmerich & Payne
01.2010 - 01.2018

Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering, Marketing

Oklahoma State University

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