Office of Fossil Energy Celebrates Black History Month: Sheneè Turner

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) is celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting members of our staff whose exemplary work furthers the mission of FE every day.

Having more than 26 years of government service, Sheneè Turner currently provides her leadership to FE’s Office of Petroleum Reserves (OPR).  In her role as Director of the Management and Administration Office in the OPR, she manages the office’s human resources, acquisitions, congressional and legislative affairs, public affairs, and information technology program related activities. Prior to her role at the Department of Energy, she spent 12 years at the Department of the Interior, helping to establish the human resources program for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Washington, D.C. office. She is also certified as a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma, a program that helps to improve business processes.

Sheneè earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. She is an active member of the National Black MBA Association, Inc., Washington, D.C. Chapter. 

In hopes of sharing her professional experience and helping others, Sheneè has made it a personal commitment to be a mentor and advisor to others—especially young people, whom she hopes she can help become productive and successful citizens. In fact, she says she believes supporting career intern programs is paramount for defining the nation’s future. And, in May 2018, she started Turner Business Solutions, LLC, which specializes in providing career and leadership development skills to inner city youth and young adults.

For individuals seeking to begin their careers in management, Sheneè offers the following advice: “Determine if business and operational management practices are your passion. Obtain formal education and training that will ultimately help you to craft your area of expertise. Variety, with regards to skillset, is key in this business, which can translate to both the public and private sector.” In terms of personal development, she says, “Learn as much as you can and listen to what others have to say – friends, family, experts, and even yourself,” and she encourages people to “Never make excuses, address them, so that you become a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.”

In honor of Black History Month, Sheneè shared that someone whose leadership she admires is Coretta Scott King, describing her as a woman “of quiet strength, and also, someone who leads from behind the scenes.” To Sheneè, Mrs. King was a shining example of strength and leadership. “She, to me, was more than a helpmate, she was strong, obedient, courageous, and beautiful, and we were able to truly see her as she continued her international peace work until the end of her life.” One of her favorite quotes from Mrs. King is, ‘Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.’

Sheneè said Black History serves as an important reminder of the invaluable leadership and fortitude demonstrated by African Americans throughout our nation’s history.  

“Black history goes beyond observing one month out of the year, but as an official observance, it is a time to reflect, appreciate, celebrate, and create awareness for the contributions and sacrifices of blacks in U.S. history,” she said.