Women in LPG 2024 Award Winners Announced

The Women in LPG Global Network (WINLPG) is an initiative that was launched in 2015 by the World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA). Recognizing the need to promote women — and young talent — in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry, the WLGA created WINLPG as a platform to meet, connect, exchange and learn. Today, WINLPG has approaching 4,000 members and has 14 active national chapters in the U.S., Nigeria, South Africa, Myanmar, India, Brazil, Poland, Mexico, Morocco, Kenya, Türkiye, Chile, Tanzania and Colombia. WINLPG was co-founded by Alison Abbott, WLGA communications director, and Nikk Brown. The current WINLPG global chair is Pam Indurjeeth, managing director of Oryx Energies South Africa and former WINLPG Woman of the Year. 

In 2018, WINLPG launched the Woman of the Year Award to acknowledge women who have made an important contribution to the LPG industry or who demonstrate significant motivation or show support for the cause of diversity, and who have enjoyed unparalleled career success. In 2019, WINLPG also launched a Young Woman of the Year Award, and in 2023, WINLPG launched a new award: the Field/Technical Groundbreaker award. 

Acknowledging the Award Winners 

This year saw a particularly impressive quality in applications for the three awards: Woman of the Year, Young Woman of the Year, and the second edition of the Field/Technical Groundbreaker award. 

The WINLPG Woman of the Year award recognizes women who have proven excellence in leadership, influence in their community and shown a significant contribution to supporting diversity within the LPG industry. The Woman of the Year 2024 was awarded to Refilwe Sebothoma, founder and CEO of Hakem Energies, South Africa. 

The WINLPG Young Woman of the Year recognizes achievements from rising young talent who have shown significant contribution and commitment within the business and epitomizes the values of WINLPG. The Young Woman of the Year 2024 was awarded to Stephanie Anton, based in Ultragaz, Brazil. 

In 2023, WINLPG launched a new award, the Field/Technical Groundbreaker award, to recognize women who work in the field or in technical roles, where they have overcome the specific challenges of working in these particular sectors and who can demonstrate success working within an environment where women are significantly underrepresented. The second edition of the Field/Technical Groundbreaker award was presented to Thais Soares, based in Ultragaz, Brazil. 

The winners were announced during LPG Week in Cape Town in November 2024, and everyone who submitted an application will appear on the Class of 2024 hall of fame. Hear from these inspirational winners below: 

“I am incredibly honored to receive the Woman of the Year award, a testament to the hard work and dedication we’ve put into Hakem, despite launching in an unknown industry filled with uncertainty and fear. This achievement serves as a reminder that if we invest the effort, success will follow. I dedicate this award to the pioneering women in the LPG industry whose paths have paved the way for us. I also commit to supporting and uplifting the next generation of women entering this field. This recognition inspires me to continue advocating for the eradication of energy poverty and empowering marginalized communities, as I firmly believe that LPG represents the most suitable, reliable, and accessible energy source for them. Together, we can create change and build a brighter future. One life, One family and One community at a time.” — Refilwe Sebothoma, WINLPG Woman of the Year and founder and CEO of Hakem Energies, South Africa 

“Receiving the Young Woman Leader of the Year award is a profound honour, not just for me, but for all women striving to make workplaces more inclusive. This recognition reminds us that regardless of our age, there is always room to create meaningful change if we believe in its impact. It reflects the resilience and courage of countless women who challenge the status quo and pave the way for future generations. I am proud to contribute to this movement and hope this award inspires more organisations in our sector to intentionally address gender equity.” — Stephanie Anton, WINLPG Young Woman of the Year 2024 and development and education manager, Ultragaz, Brazil 

“Winning the Technical Groundbreaker award is a reflection of the collective effort and dedication of my team at Ultragaz. This achievement inspires me to continue driving innovation and excellence in operations, while empowering other women to pursue their goals in technical and leadership roles. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow and contribute to such impactful projects, and I look forward to taking on new challenges that further enhance our Industry’s safety, efficiency, and inclusivity.” — Thais Soares, WINLPG Field/Technical Groundbreaker 2024 and production manager, Ultragaz, Brazil