Career development

2020 Young Member Service Award Recognizes YPs for Their Impactful Contributions

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Last year was a challenging one; however challenges also mean opportunities. This is precisely what the 2020 SPE Young Member Outstanding Service Award (YMOSA) winners did—translating challenges into opportunities, and opportunities into actions. In an interview for TWA, these young professionals (YPs) share the contributions they made to the community, how if feels to support others, and why they have been honored with the award.

The SPE YMOSA recognizes contributions and leadership in public or community matters, to SPE, and the petroleum engineering profession. This is a community service award intended to encourage interests among the young members of the Society that are broader than the profession. This year, six young professionals were recognized with the award during the recently held SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE).

Jessica Iriarte, Research Manager at Well data Labs

For her volunteer social work for a non-profit organization benefiting underprivileged communities in Venezuela, her numerous leadership positions in the Denver Section and her role as founder and co-chairperson of the SPE Workshop: Applied Data Science.

How do you feel about winning this award? I believe that everyone’s dream is to be recognized and awarded for the work we do. I am greatly honored to receive this award; it is humbling to be recognized internationally by a community that I respect so much. SPE has been a fundamental pillar in my career, providing mentors, a network, and growth opportunities that have shaped me into the professional I am today. I want to extend my most sincere appreciation to my family, mentors, and colleagues who have played an essential part in this accomplishment. I also want to thank the leadership team at my company for supporting my volunteering activities with the SPE.

What's your favorite volunteer activity? My favorite activities have always been related to organizing technical talks. I love to grow and leverage my network and find the best speakers in the industry with the most diverse backgrounds and innovative topics. Since my involvement in the Colorado School of Mines SPE Student Chapter, I’ve done that throughout my tenure in the SPE Denver Section by chairing workshops and conferences.

What's your message to other YPs? Stay informed and relevant to where the industry is going. Focus on learning skills that will help you succeed in your career, regardless what kind of company you work for. Stay involved with SPE; it is an amazing community to build strong friendships, network, meet mentors, and lead the technical discussions that will keep driving our industry to the forefront of innovation.

Laura Weeden, VP Operations at CanWhite Sands

For her volunteer work with Girl Guides, mentoring and helping girls explore STEM career options, fundraising efforts for girls to attend international events and activities, and her quantifiable leadership impact in SPE in Canada.

How do you feel about winning this award? I am truly honored and extremely grateful to receive this award. It means a lot to me to be recognized for my time with SPE, however I could not have done it without all the help and support of my fellow volunteers and mentors.

What's your favorite volunteer activity? My favorite activity would have to be Energy Literacy events.  It is so much fun to organize an event like that and then watch all our amazing volunteers share their knowledge with the kids and parents. I am so proud of our volunteers and their ability to share some of our industry's key concepts with families in a way that everyone can understand. That is no easy task.

What's your message to other YPs? Follow your passion and stay positive. Things aren't easy right now for anyone, and we all have not so great days which is okay. But if there is something you truly love, go for it, do not let anyone tell you that you can't do it just because you don't have the experience yet. Put in the effort and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Guillaume Navez, Drilling Manager at TOTAL

For his contributions to the organization Kodiko, mentoring and supporting refugees as they integrate into French society, helping high school students understand petroleum engineering, and cofounding the "Beyond the Borders" initiative, a social connector for European societies assisting foreign young professionals to join a hosting section.

How do you feel about winning this award? I’m very honored to receive this award; beyond some specific and impactful contributions, in particular co-founding the Beyond the Borders Initiative, this award recognizes my long-term involvement with the Society, which started over a decade ago with the SPE Student Chapter-IFP School and continues today with SPE France, SPE Southern Africa, the ATCE committee, etc.

What's your favorite volunteer activity? My preferred activities are those in which various groups of members meet, in particular between YPs and students, and among YPs from different countries. This was one of the main reasons for founding the Beyond the Borders initiative.

What's your message to other YPs? Keep on doing what you’re doing. Keep on learning and sharing knowledge. Continue to expand your horizons. Believe in our industry and be part of having it contribute to the energy transition challenge.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Sr Surface Facilities Engineer at Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (A Subsidiary of NNPC)

For his volunteer service as a Road Safety Marshal in the National Youth Service Corp. and for his dedication to serving SPE colleagues by organizing activities, mentoring YPs, and pioneering professional programs in Nigeria.

How do you feel about winning this award? It felt like a dream that I did not want to wake up from. It felt like all the efforts finally amounted to something priceless; I'm super exited and uncontrollably ecstatic about it. I got a better understanding about the meaning of “hard work pays.”

What's your favorite volunteer activity? My favorite volunteer activity was carrying out energy4me activities in secondary schools, intermediate schools, and universities. I led many activities focussing on porosity, drilling, peak oil, cartesian diver, core sampling, and many more.

What's your message to other YPs? Always visit the SPE website and be well informed. (Download the app); use the mentorship resources available. Stay in touch with a mentor and act as a mentor for undergraduate students. Participate in all SPE section activities diligently, and most important, no matter what you want to be, be the best at it.

Maxim Kotenev, Senior Geoscientist at Sasol

For his promotion of international friendship and cultural awareness through the New Civilization social development projects, assistance to orphans, disabled people, charities, and Sport Relief and his special interest on social engagement, schools visits, sustainability awareness, and raising the profile of energy industry within the community.

How do you feel about winning this award? Firstly, congratulations to all the selected winners. SPE influenced my professional development enormously. This award means a great deal to me. Thank you to my fellow SPE members in the Europe region and from other parts of the world for this recognition, which will inspire me to continue to contribute to the petroleum industry, public, and the society.

What's your favorite volunteer activity? SPE provides a fantastic platform to learn, connect with others in the industry, and socialize with like-minded individuals. I enjoy volunteering for SPE at the local, regional, and international levels. Communication by using creative delivery methods of knowledge sharing is of paramount importance. Being part of the TWA editorial team earlier was probably my favorite SPE activity.

What's your message to other YPs? I encourage more people to nominate colleagues for their achievements in the oil and gas industry. I believe that a special focus should be placed on the activities and initiatives aimed at transition from a student to YP and then to a full member. Enjoy volunteering and be proud of what you do.

Meshal Al-Amri, Head of Operational Excellence and Compliance at Saudi Aramco

For his community services in environmental campaigns, blood donation, arranging visits to Dhahran General Hospital, and campaigns to promote the Qydati Safe Driving program; and for leading transformation of YPs’ roles in disseminating technical knowledge, initiating innovative development programs, and empowering women in leadership.

How do you feel about winning this award? I'm really honored and grateful for receiving the YMOSA this year due to my regional contributions. Back in 2017 I received the YMOSA regional award for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It actually showed me that hard work will pay off when you stay focused. SPE helped me in so many ways; it enhanced my technical capabilities and expanded my network as it gave the opportunity to work with top talent around the globe.

What's your favorite volunteer activity? SPE is the right platform to exchange technical knowledge where I had the chance to author and coauthor 15 technical papers that have been presented at regional and international venues. During my tenure as the chairperson of student outreach programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Section (SPE-KSA), organizing energy workshops, MENA Petrobowl contest as well as Ambassador Lecturer Program are experiences that I'm proud to be engaged with. Also, taking part in organizing the SPE-KSA Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, GCC paper contests, environmental campaigns, blood donations, website design, and apps development are other enriching activities.

What's your message to other YPs? It gives great satisfaction and pleasure to give back to our society and community in several endeavors, such as contributions to the technical arena and taking part in leading and organizing SPE events. I urge you all to always focus on your career goals and growing technical capabilities.

For additional information about the international and regional YMOSA, please visit the SPE website or click on this link.


Bruno S. Rivas is a member of the TWA editorial committee.