Our featured inspirational story brings to you with great honor Michelle des Etages, CEO of Renaissance Energy Limited (REL), a 100% family-run and locally owned company. Des Etages, a mother of two, who now leads oil and gas operations where her core competence spans finance, is certainly breaking barriers; thus, we could not miss this opportunity to share her story with our valued readers.
SPETT’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) chairperson Liana Roopnarine conducted a virtual coffee chat with Michelle, where she spilled her secrets to true success. Let’s dive right in!
Liana Roopnarine (LR): Tell us briefly about you and anything unique/special you would like to highlight about your professional growth.
Michelle des Etages (ME): My career was put on pause after my divorce. At that point in my life, my main focus was my two young children: Jean-Le—7 and Nicoli—2 at the time. Nicoli had a rare kidney disorder, which meant I had to be with him most of the time. I was a full-time mom and a part-time accountant. My first major challenge was understanding that my priorities had to change. My idea of a happy home was going to be different. I rose to face the challenges in front of me. I did freelance accounting for various small businesses, and I learned from every company I worked for. My situation may have changed but my goals remained the same. A happy home, and a successful career.
LR: What made you decide to pursue this career path?
ME: It wasn’t a decision, more of an opportunity. In 2016 my neighbor visited my home with his daughter, and he saw boxes of work under my staircase, he inquired about my job, and I explained. He asked for my assistance in sorting out his finances. A year later his wife passed away and he needed things done as soon as possible. I started working for him, sorting out one of his companies that led to another and another.
LR: What are your top recommendations for handling financial transactions?
ME: Always have a plan B, because when you are dealing with finances you cannot afford to fail. Always have a reserve. A budget must always be made at the start of every project. Don’t rely on credit.
LR: How were you able to approach financial institutions for the required capital needed?
ME: That was one of my hardest challenges to date. Financial institutions don’t like taking risks, so I had a clear budget, and a plan B. It worked!
LR: Describe a typical day in the life of “CEO Michelle."
ME: My days are unpredictable. My ideal day however starts with me working out, having my tea while I catch up on the stock market and international news, then heading to the office. I would usually drive through the field, check the wells, and chat with my production supervisor. We handle any new issues, and we then start our planned day of work. My day may start off in high heels and end in steel toe boots. I get home in the afternoon, turn on the kettle, set up dinner, play with my dogs, and call my staff in Tobago for daily updates on the day’s work. I own and operate a 10-acre seafront wedding/events destination in Tobago, “Sunsets at Culloden.” I have dinner with the family if they are home, check my emails, plan the next day, then retire for the day.
LR: Have there been occasions when you just wanted to give up?
ME: Most definitely! By nature, I like order and plans. I like my work to be transparent and balanced. In this industry you can never have a fixed plan and sometimes no balance.
LR: What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful leader?
ME: To be able to adapt to change because the only constant in life is change. You must be willing to learn something new every day. Lead by example: admit when you're wrong and give credit when it's earned.
LR: Who are some of your female role models?
ME: Mia Mottley—I first heard her at an energy conference, she made her speech, she was on point, and she nailed it! I really admire her so very much. Her grace under fire is an inspiration. Generally, women overall. Women who go out there facing the challenges and then go home and wear the many hats of being a mom, a wife, an income earner.
LR: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing female leaders today?
ME: Judging ourselves from a male's perspective, and not recognizing our strengths. We need to understand that we make significant contributions in our own way.
LR: What advice can you share to get more females in executive positions in the energy industry?
ME: I would encourage more females to work in this industry, because we love a good challenge, we are pros at multi-tasking and this industry demands.
LR: What do you think organizations can do to support and encourage more women to take on leadership roles?
ME: We can get the job, don’t turn us away because we have a family, or we need to stay home to take care of our sick child or prepare dinner. Know that we have a superpower where we could be doing our laundry but at the same time be preparing for the next board meeting. Give women the flexibility we need to get the job done.
LR: How did your male counterparts react to finding out that you were leading an oil company?
ME: In some cases, I don’t think they totally believed I was really the owner and operator. But the ones who knew assisted me.
LR: What would you say is your greatest accomplishment as a leader?
ME: Earning the respect of my peers and my team.
This interview was reprinted with permission from the SPE Trinidad & Tobago Section.
