With a few twists and turns Daniella Bordon has pursued her early fascination with the marine environment in a career that has now evolved into global ESG manager, BGP Offshore based in Rio de Janeiro. Much of her work in the last 16 years has involved seabed seismic technology companies working offshore Brazil including early adopters such as RXT, Oceangeo and ION Geophysical.
All started with biology
My parents came from low-income families in Brazil and worked very hard to put me and my siblings into good schools. I have always been a good student and in the first year of high school I had a list of possible careers in the back of my notebook. I loved science and my mother wanted me to go to med school. But, influenced by a great biology teacher who lived in Australia and worked with coral reefs, I decided to become a marine biologist. Many adventures came with this choice - living in amazing places doing internships and working with marine mammals.
Learning English in US
On my last day at university, I was given a brochure on my way out the gate for a work abroad programme. I did not speak English back then and it sounded like the next important step in my career plan. My parents did not approve of my choice. Anyway I sold my car and paid for the programme. From my first day of work at a hotel breakfast buffet, I was forced to learn English quickly (often making a fool of myself in the process). After three months in cold Pennsylvania, I went to Hawaii to fulfil one more dream. What was meant to be a three-week trip became the next chapter of my life. I got a job providing spray on tattoos, then selling cookies at a swap meet and later at a store in the mall. My main goal was to work at the Sea Life Park aquarium, but when I did get a job there I actually felt bad for the captive animals. I wanted to be back at sea working with wild animals, and so that’s what I did.
Experience offshore
After two years abroad I returned home but planning grad school back in the USA. However, at the time, there were lots of geophysical surveys happening in Brazil, and I was offered work as a marine mammal observer. It proved an incredible experience working with a multi-national crew, learning new things and getting five weeks off to travel some more which is a passion of mine.
First seabed seismic job
A company called RXT was coming to Brazil to work on a two-year project doing ocean bottom cable surveys for Petrobras, technology then in its infancy. They needed someone to manage the environmental aspects of the survey and liaise with local authorities. I was referred to them by a friend and later interviewed at the international airport by my future boss.
Career progress
I embarked on several courses from certificates in environmental management to a master’s degree in development practices while working with various companies in the seabed seismic business. Luckily I still work with many of the same amazing people from when I started, but these days focused on environment, social and governance (ESG), my real passion. My responsibilities range from managing risks at project level to developing BGP Offshore’s environmental and social strategies at corporate level. I have visited 40 countries and seen many interesting cultures, living the challenge and delights of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Community projects
My company started implementing at least one community outreach programme per project. For example we engaged with a local foundation in Sao Tome and Principe to support their school with supplies and their local orchestra with uniforms. In Suriname we donated wheelchairs and industry-recognised courses with our partners TGS and CGG. Now we are launching our first small grants programme focused on the recovery of our oceans.
On the dark side
It did take me almost 10 years to feel good about what I do. As a biologist, I felt like I was working for the dark side! What changed was understanding how energy access is essential to pull people out of extreme poverty and feeling like I was able to make a real change. Today, I believe my company is very much onboard with the idea of leaving a positive legacy for the environment and people.
Away from work
When not working I try and be on the beach and nature as much as possible with my children, and twice a week, religiously (when not travelling on business), I play beach volleyball … what a cliché for a Brazilian!
