Darryl Willis

Microsoft

Corporate Vice President of Energy & Resources Industry

As Corporate Vice President of the Microsoft’s Energy & Resources Industry, Darryl Willis leads the multi-billion-dollar Energy & Resources Industry business and teams.  Using Microsoft unique and differentiated Microsoft cloud technology, Darryl and his team are responsible for driving digital transformation and empowering customers across Power & Utilities, Oil & Gas, and Mining sectors. In addition, Darryl and his team concentrate on helping companies thrive, using innovative Microsoft and partner solutions that enable operational efficiency, improve productivity, and uncover new business models, that help accelerate the energy transition while also meeting the world’s growing energy demand. Willis blends his technical and strategic acumen with his deep knowledge of the global energy sector to lead the global Microsoft team enabling the energy transition, reducing carbon emissions, and intelligently fulfilling growing demand with new renewable sources. Prior to joining Microsoft, Willis was Vice President of Oil, Gas and Energy at Google Cloud. His other past roles include president and CEO of BP Angola; head of Deepwater Horizon claims and spokesperson for BP; and senior vice president and deputy head of Subsurface for BP. Willis is passionate about empowering customers, partners, governments, and investors to drive the transition to clean energy, while providing equal access to all. Willis is an advocate for energy start-ups, supporting and fostering innovation in the field to enable next generation leaders to solve for the energy transition. Since joining Microsoft in 2019 Willis has grown the Microsoft Energy & Resources Industry organization to become a global leader in driving digital transformation across the energy sector. Willis holds an MS in business from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, an MS in geology and geophysics from the University of New Orleans, and a BS in chemistry and literature from North-western State University of Louisiana.

Sessions With Darryl Willis

Tuesday, 7 March

  • 04:05pm - 04:45pm (CST) / 07/mar/2023 10:05 pm - 07/mar/2023 10:45 pm

    Company Strategies to Lower Emissions
    Energy Transition/Climate & Sustainability
    In 2020/21, the pandemic brought accelerated investor interest in climate and ESG and fueled the narrative around the decline of fossil fuels (and fossil fuel producers). In 2022, these trends seemed to slow and—in some quarters—even reverse. The war in Ukraine revived the specters of inadequate energy supplies and high prices. There was more acceptance that conventional fuels will play a key role in the energy mix for years to come and this in turn raised concerns about underinvestment in existing energy systems. After several years of poor returns and share price underperformance, oil and gas companies—by a wide margin—led the market. While the direction of travel appears to be clear—increasing focus on climate and sustainability—the pace seems less certain. The focus has returned to the trilemma of energy security, affordability and sustainability, and the need to balance the energy transition with sustained investment in conventional fuels. Climate-focused policies remain uneven globally. COP27 responded to some longstanding demands but prompted new questions on how the promises will be implemented. For investors, the correlation between sustainability and market performance is much less evident, raising concerns around how to generate returns while meeting demands for sustainable portfolios. How should companies allocate capital between conventional and newer technologies? What role should conventional energy producers play in delivering the new energy technologies that are needed for the energy transition? How far can electrification realistically go to achieve net-zero goals? Are digital technologies delivering their promise to support sustainability goals? Is diversification the right approach, and will investors reward it?

Thursday, 9 March