Maria Angela Capello, an Italian born and raised in Venezuela, has championed diversity and inclusion in her distinguished career in geoscience and engineering, notably during a long period as a top executive in Kuwait Oil Company. Her tireless advocacy, honoured by both SPE and SEG, has included lecture tours and two books. She has also been ‘knighted’ by the Italian government. Outside work her passion is performing Baroque piano music.
What have been the main challenges in your life?
I had a strict education, but a happy upbringing with no special challenges. However, as an adult, I have experienced job losses, life-threatening illness and also ‘express kidnapping’ episodes with my daughters, husband and myself, overcome with resilience and faith. Also, in my career I have always been in the female or nationality minority. Gladly, I truly transformed my challenges into opportunities, and in retrospective, I believe they have made me who I am.
What aspect of geoscience do you particularly like?
The vision of the planet as a whole entity. I am certain that the understanding and perspectives you gain as a geoscientist in this respect are unique. For me this was the motivation to create a Geophysical Sustainability Atlas, and now one for the geosciences.
What do you do as a senior partner at Red Tree Consulting?
My main objective is to advance sustainability in the energy sector.
How was working as a senior executive in the Middle East?
I learnt that power and leadership comes with huge responsibility. My embrace of multiculturalism helped to make me more flexible, curious, enthused and passionate about teamwork. Diversity does in fact add value to life and work. I saw this in action.
What has inspired you to volunteer so extensively?
The opportunity to lead step changes across countries and company borders to benefit our professions and professionals. And with noble purpose, not commercial. Volunteering expands my networks and knowledge in every single topic I have an interest in: diversity and inclusion, empowerment of women, leadership, reservoir management, and now sustainability. As the EAGE motto says, ‘Quaere et Invenies’, Seek and you shall find.
What are the main messages from your books and lectures?
Firstly, we are not born resilient, but we can build our resilience. Secondly, we do not have to attach our success to a company rank, country, or even discipline. Success is for individuals to define and progress, and then to follow opportunities and ambition. Thirdly, let no one manage your career, it is up to us to apply our own leadership in managing ourselves to achieve our aspirations.
What is the key to your personal success?
Looking back (and forward) I think it is important to work in what you as a person are passionate about because each one of us is unique. So, in this context, I do not feel special, but I can say that I have always enjoyed wonderful support from my family in navigating hurdles and celebrating success.
Would quotas speed up diversity in O&G employment?
After years of battling to solve diversity and inclusion issues, especially at leadership level, I am now convinced that quotas are needed to accelerate progress. If the systems in place were efficient, in 2021, we would not be talking about how to enhance inclusion, right?
And that Italian knighthood?
The citation of my awards reads ‘for her outstanding trajectory in the energy sector’. The honour – Cavaliere, Order of the Star of Italy – was proposed by the Italian Embassy in Kuwait, for my accomplishments in the oil and gas sector of the country and also my role as president of the first Kuwait-Italian Business Council. The knighthood is awarded to Italians abroad who substantially raise the prestige of Italy.
Tell us about playing the piano and your favourite music?
My love story with the instrument started at seven years of age. I developed pianistic skills and played broadcasts at the Venezuelan national radio and TV stations, as well as at the concert hall of my alma mater, the Universdad Simon Bolivar and other venues. I am now passionate about the keyboard music of the Baroque period (approx. 1650-1750), so I play J.S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Antonio Soler, G.F. Handel and others. Baroque derives from a Portuguese word meaning ‘misshapen pearl’, but the pieces are very beautiful and perfectly formed.
