WOMEN in Oil and Gas Guyana (WIOGGY), an organisation created to assist women in the energy and mineral industry, on Sunday, elected its executive board as part of a formalised approach to securing participation in Guyana’s petroleum sector.
Founder of the Loncke group of companies, President of WeLead Caribbean and prominent businesswoman, Abbigale Loncke, was elected to serve as the first Chairwoman of the organisation.
Loncke is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a business enterprise consisting of three companies.
Her fastest-growing firm is MBW Energy Support Services, a comprehensive oil and gas service company that is an industry-leading authority providing guidance to companies entering the local energy market. She also recently joined Highland Poe, a company whose portfolio offers professional services in strategic and diversity communications, federal government and regulatory affairs, and investor and capital markets consulting. Loncke is a senior member of the company’s leadership, and she has direct responsibility for its Guyana operations.

Loncke, in addressing the importance of inspiring women and girls, especially young professionals, said: “They too have a role in the development of this sector, not only as employees, but as owners of businesses, as service providers through leveraging their technical skills and through becoming the individuals who will follow in the footsteps of these first members of the board, to take the organisation way beyond these initial steps.” Further, she said: “It is the building of capacity so that we can function that is integral to this entire conversation on Local Content.
“We must empower women and girls to occupy the spaces being vied for in Guyana’s energy sector through equipping them to compete, while we work as a collective to ensure that these opportunities are available on an equitable basis.” The new executive body of the organisation has advanced a plan that focuses on professional development and training of women. The organisation is also confident that, through its efforts, Guyana will see greater and equitable involvement of women in this sector of the economy.

The recent elections also saw the elevation of several prominent women from various fields of endeavour to serve on the board, including Dr. Melissa Varswyk as Vice-Chairwoman, Adele Acosta as Secretary and Michelle A. Nicholas as Director of External Affairs. Melissa Varswyk is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, educator and philanthropist, born in Georgetown, Guyana. She holds a Doctor of Medicine Degree and is the co-founder and CEO of the Georgetown American University. Dr. Varswyk has extensive knowledge in healthcare and associated training industries in Guyana, and is currently working diligently to expand emergency response programmes for the oil and gas, and other local industries.
She is committed to producing innovative and creative solutions for the transformative development of her country, which is reflected by her nominations for several local and international awards, with the most recent being the 25 Influential Women Leaders in Guyana award. Adele Acosta, an Attorney-at-Law with significant experience in Trinidad and Tobago’s Oil and Gas industry, entered the industry in a technical capacity as a Process Plant Operations Technician, a position which required her to work in a practical, hands-on capacity, operating plant equipment, vessels and controls.

She also had the honour of training and working with prominent petrochemical companies such as Atlantic LNG and World GTL Trinidad Limited.
She then specialised in the area of Law and Oil and Gas, through participating in the Oil and Gas specialist Legal Aid clinic, facilitated jointly by the Hugh Wooding Law School and PETROTIN (the then Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago). Apart from her oil and gas industry knowledge and legal acumen, Adele brings to WIOGGY her knowledge of occupational safety and health, alternative dispute resolution and industrial relations skills. Finally, Michelle A. Nicholas is an award-winning leader and dedicated advocate of women and children’s issues.
As the founder and CEO of The Nico Consulting Group (TNC), a boutique consulting firm which specialises in strategic planning, marketing and communications, and leadership development, she works closely with clients on a national, regional and international level. Her ability to increase a client’s market share while simultaneously increasing his/her social responsibility, speaks to her commitment to creating sustainable partnerships for all. Michelle has been recognised by the United States Embassy in Guyana, Caribbean Life, Business Council of Westchester, Women of Mission International and Face2Face Africa for her work in advocating for the equitable distribution of resources. Most recently, she co-created an award to honour influential women leaders in Guyana who are impacting their companies and communities.