Leaving Shell

Wow! This day has happened. What an exciting career! You may know Shell from your neighborhood gas station but that is just one aspect of a complicated global business. Just to get fuel in your tank is a complicated process and Shell is much more.

I always worked on the corporate side based in Houston mostly in IT delivering projects and working on global programs. It’s been a great experience working on diverse, cross-functional teams. Working globally, you realized the value of diversity as it came naturally as part of cultivating high performing team. For someone who grew up in a small Texas town, meeting and working with people from around the world was truly eye-opening.

The work itself was exciting. I was proud to be part of the largest SAP implementation in the world from 2008-2015. It was a multi-billion program with the goal to consolidate over 135 global ERP systems into 1 SAP instance for our Downstream business—everything that happens after oil is extracted, like producing gas, diesel, and motor oil. Afterwards, I moved into Product and Change Management that involved smaller programs, but no less important as they involved data management/retention, cybersecurity and operational safety (HSSE).

Shell gave me countless opportunities to grow professionally—because in an environment that’s always changing, growth isn’t optional. You would commit to a 4-year assignment only to have a reorganization be announced 18 months in. One of my mentors was fond of saying, “If you are marketable outside, you are marketable inside.” I took that to heart and continued to learn. I was able to earn my MBA while with Shell and took advantage of professional development programs like Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, etc.

I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and excited about what’s next. For now, I’m taking a well-earned break—to relax, reconnect, and reflect. I’ll be spending more time with loved ones, exploring new interests, and enjoying the simple joys of life.

Thanks for reading my first blog post! I’m not sure where this journey will lead, but I’m excited to have this creative space to share and connect.