Stanwell is working hard to grow the size of its renewable energy and storage portfolio, providing the foundation for Queensland’s clean industry and technology future. And as General Manager Future Energy Investment, it’s Natalie Gordon’s job to negotiate the deals that make that possible.

Natalie leads a team of people responsible for executing the arrangements for the transition of the company’s portfolio, with a focus on renewable energy and storage. “We negotiate the arrangements and put the contracts in place to make projects happen,” she says. “That includes everything from identifying a project early on to bringing it through to financial close.”

By any measure, Natalie and her team have been successful. Stanwell already has more than 3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable generation projects and firming capacity either in construction or under development. Stanwell has also become Australia’s largest renewable energy offtaker, securing a number of power purchase or capacity agreements that will provide customers with the renewable energy they’re seeking to power their businesses and meet their decarbonisation ambitions.

But for Natalie, success isn’t just about executing deals. It’s about working with people to achieve meaningful results. “I think it’s about understanding people and working collaboratively,” she explains. “In this role, you need to engage with a lot of people – internal and external stakeholders at all levels. At the same time, we do always need to make sure that a deal stacks up commercially. Ultimately, we’re spending money on behalf of the State of Queensland.

“Negotiating agreements can be intense, but I try to see things from the perspective of the people we deal with. It’s about building understanding and fostering alignment. That’s where the best outcomes come from.”

This mix of business insight and emotional intelligence has driven her effectiveness in transforming Stanwell’s portfolio, and her ability to forge valuable partnerships. The stakes in these negotiations are high, but Natalie takes it in her stride.

“We’ve built a reputation for doing what we say we’ll do at Stanwell,” she says. “Our team doesn't make a song and dance about it; we just get on and deliver.”

Rising through the ranks

Natalie’s career in the energy industry has been defined by this willingness to take on challenges, and the ability to get things done. Since joining Stanwell in the early 2000s, she’s held a variety of roles, from managing coal, rail and water contracts to trading and analyst roles. In 2020, she took on the title of Commercial Manager - Renewables, and in 2023, she moved into her current role as General Manager Future Energy Investment, and has built the team integral to Stanwell’s portfolio transition.

“I’ve always been up for trying something new,” she says. “At a time when renewable energy wasn’t as widely prioritised as it is now, I put my hand up to take on a role in the sector, because I had the skillset and I wanted the challenge.”

Her work has often placed her in high-powered rooms and spaces where women have historically been underrepresented, but she says her experience hasn’t been defined by gender barriers. “I’ve never noticed the barriers, to be honest with you,” she says. “That probably says something about me, but I think it also says something about Stanwell as an organisation.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with people who’ve recognised my ability and provided me with opportunities. Of course, it’s been up to me to grab those opportunities and run with them, but I’ve always found Stanwell to be a supportive environment.”

In recent years, Natalie says she has noticed an increase in women in leadership roles. At Stanwell, for instance, 30.6 per cent of leadership roles were held by women in 2023/24 – up from 24.36 per cent in 2022/23, and exceeding that year’s target of 28.5 per cent.

Natalie believes internal programs like Leading for the Future, which she participated in last year, as well as opportunities to participate in external leadership programs, have helped foster leadership potential across the organisation. But she also credits the Executive Leadership Team for actively seeking to overcome unconscious biases in hiring.

“People often revert to hiring someone like themselves,” she says. “But if you’re conscious of your bias, you think, ‘Do I need someone like me, or should I be looking for the best person for the role – someone who can complement the skills and experience I have?’ That awareness is really important.”

The power of possibility

Looking back at her career so far, Natalie says she never could have predicted the sheer range of opportunities that would be available. “I kind of fell into it,” she says, reflecting on her early days in the sector. “What I’ve learned is that the breadth of skills required within an organisation like Stanwell is immense. It provides an incredible opportunity to explore a variety of roles and challenges, as I’ve experienced over the last 20 years.

“For those who may not be familiar with the energy industry, that’s one of its greatest strengths – it’s dynamic, interconnected, and touches so many different areas. Whatever your skillset is, there’s a place for you in the energy industry. There are countless opportunities to grow and contribute, and I wish someone had told me that at the start of my career. It’s what’s kept me engaged and excited about this work – it’s endlessly fascinating.”

The opportunity to explore new challenges has been a constant in Natalie’s career, but so has the importance of collaboration. “I think about a job as two things: what you do and who you work with,” she says. “I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of people, and that collaboration piece is so important. You can work on fascinating projects, but if you’re surrounded by difficult people, you won’t want to go to work. What’s kept me at Stanwell is the ability to tackle different challenges and the privilege of working alongside great people.”

Looking ahead, Natalie is energised by the opportunities on Stanwell’s horizon. “What excites me most is the securing our portfolio of renewable generation,” she says. “The external environment is complex, and making that transition happen is going to take time.

“But that’s what drives me – the challenge of making a real difference in this space. For me, that’s the crux of it.”