June 24, 2025 | The Leader

On June 23, 2025, engineers, educators, and advocates across the country celebrated National Women in Engineering Day, honoring the women breaking barriers and solving some of the world’s toughest challenges. Among those recognized was Heights resident Marie Teixeira Newton, a passionate leader in the energy sector who also devotes significant time to community service through the Junior League of Houston.

As the Vito Waterflood BOM Asset Development Lead at Shell, Newton has built a career in Deepwater operations, helping safely deliver energy across the United States and the world. Her work involves leading major offshore development efforts, ensuring new wells are safely drilled and efficiently brought online.

“I like solving tough problems and contributing to something bigger than myself,” Newton said. “Engineering was a natural fit—it aligned with how I was raised: to work hard, help others, and be able to provide for yourself and your family.”

Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry

As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, Newton said she’s seen the energy industry evolve and become more inclusive. Still, she brings a distinct perspective to her role—one she believes strengthens teams tackling high-risk, high-impact projects.

“Everyone brings their own experiences and knowledge. When that’s truly embraced, we can unlock the toughest problems,” she said. “For me, that’s meant multitasking while staying focused on details—both in the technical side of the project and in how people are feeling. You need to balance both. People are our best resource.”

Giving Back Through Service

Outside of Shell, Newton has been an active member of the Junior League of Houston, an organization with nearly 5,000 women committed to volunteerism, training, and civic leadership. She first joined the League on the advice of a college mentor who recognized how closely its values aligned with her own.

Since then, she has volunteered with several of the League’s 31 community partners, including Books Between Kids and Texas Children’s Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as Community Vice President, helping guide the League’s work through uncertain times.

“It’s taught me that it’s not enough to be good at the task at hand—you also have to raise others up,” Newton said. “The strength of many is greater than the strength of one.”

Where Leadership Meets Impact

Newton said her volunteer work and professional life constantly inform one another. At Shell, she manages complex projects and timelines. That same project management mindset helps her stay organized and focused when leading service initiatives.

At the same time, her community work has helped her grow personally—especially as a public speaker and mentor.

“It’s helped me unlock my full personality,” she said. “I get to work on large-scale projects at Shell, but also see how change happens at an individual level through the League.”

She believes organizations like the Junior League are essential for women in leadership. “The League’s mission is to advance women’s leadership through meaningful community impact. And we do that by pairing funding with trained volunteers who are ready to serve,” she said. “That’s powerful.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

When asked what advice she would offer young women interested in engineering or volunteer leadership, Newton didn’t hesitate. “Go for it,” she said. “We need more women in STEM—and more women serving the community. We have some tough challenges ahead, and women are tough.”

For Newton, National Women in Engineering Day is not just a celebration—it’s a call to action.

“I hope it inspires others who want to be engineers. There’s no mold,” she said. “It’s a platform for people to see and meet someone who looks like them, who shares their goals. That matters.”

As Houston continues to evolve and lead in both energy and civic innovation, women like Marie Newton are making sure the path forward is not only powerful—but inclusive.