Shawn Emerson Simmons, PhD

Shawn Emerson Simmons, PhD is currently the Environmental & Permitting Manager for the Gulf Coast Growth Venture for ExxonMobil Chemicals. Prior to this assignment she was the Water, Waste and State Regulatory Manager for the Central Safety, Security, Health, and Environment Organization of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Simmons has led global teams as a supervisor, responsible for environmental & regulatory issues in Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia, and Europe. From 2007 to 2012, Simmons worked and lived in Lagos, Nigeria with her family. Simmons is a 1989 graduate of Booker T. Washington’s High School for the Engineering Professions in Houston, Texas. She has a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Science in environmental engineering from Rice University, and a PhD in environmental toxicology from Texas Southern University. Simmons has worked for Exxon Mobil for 18 years.
Simmons received many accolades during her undergraduate years including the Black Engineer of the Year Student Leadership Award, Miss Black University of Oklahoma, and the Volunteer Spirit Award from General Motors Corporation. Her volunteer service continues today. Simmons is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and serves as At-Large Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation. She has served with several non-profit organizations including Child Care Council of Greater Houston, Bayou Land Conservancy, and United Way. Simmons holds professional memberships with the Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Simmons has received the “Tomorrow’s Leader Today” Award, the YMCA Young African-American Achiever Award and was featured in Ebony magazine as one of the “30 Leaders of the Future”. At work, she is an active participant with the Black Employees Success Team , serving as the organization’s president.
She and her husband Philip have been married for 23 years and have 2 children, Jonathan and Jacquelyn. Simmons is passionate about volunteer service and leadership development. Simmons credits a supportive family, friends and a countless number of formal and informal mentors who have helped her achieve academic, personal, and professional goals.

Shawn Emerson Simmons, PhD
Environmental & Permitting Manager
ExxonMobil Chemical Company
1735 Hughes Landing Boulevard
Woodlands, TX 77380
832.624.0583