Faye is a Reservoir Engineering Team Lead at BPX Energy and Kirke is a Senior Reservoir Engineer at BPX.
Faye and Kirke are not your typical Booth couple. They met in high school and their families have been friends since before they started dating. The oil and gas industry dominates Oklahoma’s economy, and both gravitated towards it. They studied petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma, and after graduating they relocated to Denver to work for different employers. Faye transitioned to BPX in 2017 and Kirke joined two years later.
Both Faye and Kirke were interested in pursuing an MBA, especially before they had kids. While they were open to each attending different schools, they ultimately decided Booth was the best fit for them and that it would be exciting to have another adventure together. Kirke says, “It’s always worked out well for us to have shared experiences and we cherish the fact that we can understand each other so deeply because of them.”
Faye advises couples who work or are in school together to be intentional about making time to focus on their relationship. The Suters have a standing date night every week and check-ins to make sure they’re not just turning into co-workers but are still working at their marriage and growing together as a couple. They enjoy traveling together on the weekends and have some overlap in Booth friends, but they believe taking separate classes and growing their networks separately has been very good for them.
When asked if they have advice on balance for incoming students, Kirke says, “Do it with your spouse! It’s so much easier traveling together because neither one of us feels like we’re getting left behind. Every Friday when we fly to Chicago, it’s an adventure. It doesn’t feel like a work trip, it feels like a second home because we get to do it together.”
The Suters both aspire to continue to grow and develop in the oil and gas industry. Faye says, “I love providing energy to the world. It’s especially exciting now as there’s increased demand from the global economy to grow production while reducing emissions. It’s a pretty huge calling and I love being part of that. I think an MBA can broaden my horizons and allow me to approach my role from a more strategic, business-minded perspective and even consider other types of roles within my organization.” Kirke says his MBA is a chance for him to go out, learn, return to work and have a huge opportunity to change the business. His plan is to keep finding new ways to apply these innovative principles and advance his career at BPX.
The couple will be celebrating their 10th year together and 5th wedding anniversary this spring. Faye says, “Getting to explore a new city together has been a really cool experience. We love checking out the restaurant scene and making new friends. Pursuing our MBAs together has been a very unique aspect of our relationship that most couples don’t get to experience. We don’t take that for granted.”
Propel your career to new heights early on with Chicago Booth by your side as a Chicago Booth Scholar.
What Does it Mean to be a Chicago Booth Scholar?
Students, alumni, and faculty share stories about their experiences at Chicago Booth and beyond.
Celebrating Black History Month at Chicago Booth
Boothies Breaking Bread is a longstanding Booth tradition that gives students an opportunity to expand their Booth family by meeting alumni hosts and students from both our Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs. Weekend MBA student Neha Ashok talks to us about attending the event virtually this year.
