Aura Cuellar
From environmental engineer to senior business leader, Aura Cuellar is determined to lead the energy industry on a path to profitable decarbonization. As LanzaTech’s President, Aura brings to her role extensive experience in manufacturing and a successful track record in global strategy development and implementation. Her time living and working in Europe, Africa, Asia and North and South America has shaped her inclusive world view and deep appreciation for regional approaches to address climate change and deliver growth.
Prior to joining LanzaTech, Aura served as Vice President of Energy Transition for Shell in the United States. In her 25-year tenure at Shell, she advanced across various global senior executive roles including Head of Projects and Turnarounds in The Netherlands where she oversaw an annual capital projects portfolio of $500 million. Aura’s leadership was forged in manufacturing assets, including P&L responsibility and strategic commercial partnership development for sustainable revenue pipelines. Aura is passionate about cultural transformation with a focus on innovation and social equity. She excels in building integrated, robust teams in which individuals are empowered to deliver impactful commercial results.
Aura also serves as Honorary Consul to the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Houston, a role in which she contributes to addressing the shared challenges of climate adaptation and resilience, health and vitality, sustainable mobility, and the energy transition. Originally from Colombia, Aura holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Civil Engineering from Seattle University, an MBA from Western Washington University, and completed Executive General Management from INSEAD and Harvard’s Women on Boards Program. Aura currently lives in Houston with her husband and two young boys and enjoys reading, traveling and long-distance running.