With over 30 years of experience in the upstream oil & gas sector, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in a wide range of roles—from field operations and operations management to business development, training, and technical support. My career has taken me across the globe, exposing me to a rich tapestry of cultures, perspectives, and career paths.
What has always fueled me, beyond the technical challenges, was the chance to help my colleagues and mentees grow. There’s no greater reward than witnessing someone I’ve mentored step confidently into their potential and become a top-class professional. At the same time, it was bittersweet to watch talented individuals leave their roles—or even the industry—to pursue careers that resonated more deeply with who they were. As a Technical Manager responsible for succession planning, those moments were tough, but as a coach at heart, I couldn’t help but feel proud of their courage to follow their calling.
Over time, I noticed a pattern: people often stalled in their careers when they followed titles, pay raises, or expectations that weren’t aligned with their personal values. That insight led me to look deeper—not just at resumes or skill sets, but at natural talents, motivations, and what truly lit people up. I began guiding mentees toward roles that made sense for them, even if that meant moving into sales, operations, training, R&D—or sometimes leaving the industry entirely to pursue passions like opening a business or becoming full-time parents. While this occasionally disrupted succession plans, it always felt like a win when someone found true alignment in their work and life.
My passion for mentoring eventually led me to deepen my qualifications and become a certified Life, Career, Vocational, and Executive Leadership Coach. Today, while I still enjoy the challenges of my technical day job, I find deep fulfillment in my coaching practice—helping individuals discover and build careers that align with their unique strengths and support a balanced, meaningful life.
