Chief Executive Officer
Engie
After completing her diploma in General Engineering, Catherine MacGregor started her professional journey with Schlumberger in 1995, where she worked for 23 years in many roles across continents, including President of the Drilling Group, President of Europe and African areas, and Vice President of Human Resources. During this period, she also worked in various countries, such as the Republic of the Congo, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and France, etc.
In 2019, Catherine MacGregor embarked on a new chapter by joining TechnipFMC Group’s Executive Committee to lead Technip Energies. She was appointed the company’s President and oversaw engineering and construction activities. Here, her passion for energy transition took a drastic turn as she worked tirelessly to prepare for Technip Energies’ spin-off and IPO, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy initiatives. Certainly one of the most Inspiring Business Leaders in USA 2023
However, her appointment as CEO of ENGIE in January 2021 marked an important moment in her career and the global energy landscape. When McGregor took over as Engie’s CEO at 48, global energy demand had dropped by 7.6 percent due to lockdowns and corporate slowdowns. A year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy supplies and prices became even more erratic. Given the responsibility of leading ENGIE through challenges, MacGregor quickly outlined her ambitious plan for the company. Her vision was centered around accelerating the energy transition toward a carbon-neutral future. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality,” she often remarked, emphasizing the role of proactive change in achieving sustainable goals.
At the time, she was the sole female CEO within France’s CAC-40 stock index. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire expressed disappointment at the lack of female representation besides her.
From the beginning, Catherine MacGregor clarified that ENGIE’s focus would shift towards becoming a green energy champion, prioritizing renewable energy sources over fossil fuels. Her dedication and commitment to this cause never stopped despite the challenges of volatile energy markets and geopolitical uncertainties. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today,” MacGregor stated, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in green energy.
Under her leadership, ENGIE underwent a new transformative journey, from fossil fuel assets to ramping investments in renewable energy projects. Her strategic acumen and forward-thinking approach improved ENGIE’s corporate image as a sustainability leader and among the most inspiring business leaders in USA 2023. By the end of 2021, ENGIE had witnessed a remarkable growth in revenues and EBITDA, a testament to Catherine MacGregor’s ability to drive both sustainability and profitability hand in hand. With a portfolio with the maximum share of renewable energy capacity, ENGIE has emerged as a key player in the global clean energy transition.
However, Catherine MacGregor’s vision extends far beyond financial success. For her, sustainability is not merely a corporate buzzword but much more than that. A belief that has guided ENGIE’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental responsibility.
Her efforts and dedication to a greener tomorrow have resonated within ENGIE and across the broader energy sector, inspiring other industry players to embrace renewable energy solutions. Through her leadership, Catherine MacGregor has demonstrated that profitability and sustainability are not mutually different if we see from a keen eye but are integral components of a successful business model. “Change before you have to,” she advised, a quote reflecting her proactive approach to sustainable leadership.
As the world demands prompt actions on climate change, Catherine Fiamma MacGregor is a shining example of leadership in action. Her relentless pursuit of a carbon-neutral future is a guiding light for ENGIE and the entire energy industry, illuminating the path toward a more sustainable world for future generations.
