Cassandra M. McZeal '92 Cassandra leads the Modeling, Optimization & Data Science team in ExxonMobil Upstream Company’s Opportunity Evaluation & Analysis organization. She joined ExxonMobil in 2000 and began her career developing optimization algorithms for oil and gas investment portfolio planning and management. Over the past 23 years, she has subsequently held multiple technical, leadership and advisory roles including Computational & Data Science Manager in the ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company as well as Senior Advisor in the recently formed ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company

Cassandra holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Southwestern University and a PhD from Rice University in Computational & Applied Mathematics. She is a member of Southwestern University Board of Trustees and serves as the chair of the Spiritual Life Committee. Prior to her election as a trustee, Cassandra was a member of Southwestern University’s Board of Visitors. Cassandra served as an adjunct professor at Rice University in the Department of Computational & Applied Mathematics and is currently a member of the Rice University Engineering Advisory Board.

From 2017-2019, Cassandra was the co-chair of the United Way Women’s Initiative Steering Committee and has returned in 2023 to chair the UWWI once again.

Cassandra has also served as a board member for Girl Scout of San Jacinto Council as well as on GSSJC’s Board Development Committee. She was a co-leader and troop cookie manager in Bending Bayous Community for 15 years and is the proud parent of two Gold Award Girl Scouts.

Cassandra volunteers for her church, St. Luke’s United Methodist, where she has taught Sunday School, chaperoned church retreats, served on the Church Council, and the Houston Project.

Location: Houston