Michael Willis

About Michael Willis

I’m a global energy executive and ESG strategist with 25+ years in oil & gas—focused on helping companies and investors turn ESG pressure into clearer strategy, stronger governance, and better outcomes.I lead ESG Advising LLC. I work with boards, private equity, and project teams when the stakes are high and the clock is running: diligence, financing, regulatory readiness, major stakeholder friction, and credibility gaps between what’s said and what can be proven.I’m also an Associate with Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies in the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program, which fits my day job: aligning interests, reducing risk, and getting decisions made.What I help clients deliver:• Materiality that actually drives strategy and capital allocation• Transition-risk positioning and regulatory readiness (CSRD, SASB, TCFD, IFRS S1/S2)• Governance and disclosure that holds up in diligence and investor scrutiny• Stakeholder strategy for complex assets and contested projectsEarlier, I served as COO of a Gulf of Mexico upstream company, leading E&P operations, enterprise risk management, and crisis recovery—plus complex transactions, restructuring, and significant settlements.If you’re facing investor questions, a financing event, a reporting deadline, or a high-friction stakeholder situation, let’s talk.

Experience

1. Associate

   Columbia University Negotiation And Conflict Resolution

   Jan 2025 — Present · NY, US

   Support Professor in teaching Conflict Resolution capstone, guiding and mentoring students.• Assisted in developing Resolution Strategies chapter, ensuring students\' understanding and engagement.• Collaborate with colleagues to enhance classroom experience and foster a positive learning environment.

Education

• Columbia University

  Master of Science, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

• Bishops Diocesan College

  Matriculation

• Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business

  MBA, Management

• University of Cape Town

  Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Accounting and Finance

Skills

• Offshore Drilling
• Reservoir Engineering
• Oilfield
• Human Resources
• Petroleum Engineering
• Finance
• Analysis
• Reserves
• Oil & Gas
• Oil
• Oil
• Energy Industry
• Energy
• Petroleum
• Logistics
• Contract Management
• Drilling
• Field Development
• New Business Development
• Strategic Planning
• Natural Gas
• Management
• Oil & Gas Industry
• Marketing
• Leadership
• Upstream
• Due Diligence
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Completion
• Negotiation
• Contract Negotiation
• Business Development
• Offshore Operations
• Gas
• Onshore
• Operations Management
• Pipelines
• Oil/Gas
• Reservoir Management