SPE Distinguished Lecturer Meeting–Marise Mikulis

Abstract: Managing change and responding to disruption have always been challenging aspects of energy professionals’ work, but lately they have accelerated and become more pressing and complex than ever. Technology advances, operational process changes, organizational shifts, the global energy transition, diversity and inclusion programs, the pandemic response, and working from home have underscored the need for successful change practices, but only 70-75% of change pursuits actually succeed well. What practices can we learn and apply from the 25-30% of these initiatives that do succeed? What is the current research in change management that can make a difference in our engineering endeavors? What professional competencies can shift our odds? This presentation discusses the core change variables of execution approach, resistance, and persistence. Fresh perspectives are offered on success levers ranging from neuroscience, to execution methods, the delivery team, performance metrics, and ultimately to establishing new norms. Woven throughout are practical, industry-relevant examples, such as new technology introduction and the global energy transition. Come get (re-)acquainted with our sister discipline, Change, in the context of the work engineers and geoscientists do. Take away best practices for addressing our sector’s challenges and shift your odds of success for reliably delivering project ROI, improving talent acquisition and retention, and advancing our ability to meet the world’s evolving energy demands. One idea you would like the members to take away from this lecture: Understand what change management competency is, the rigorous science underpinning it, core considerations for execution, and best practices that improve our odds of success in meeting today's challenges as professionals in the rapidly changing energy industry.

Biography: Ms. Mikulis is a broadly accomplished Upstream leader working with business Operations to lead and successfully implement change to produce measurable business improvement. She has extensive experience navigating the change dimensions of upstream technology introduction and management; business and organization integration; digital transformation; Diversity, Equality & Inclusion; and professional coaching. Marise’s work affiliations span oilfield service, operators, high tech, and her consulting company. An active SPE member, she is a prominent voice in this change arena for the organization (SPELive, D&I). She holds a B.Sc. in Geology and Mathematics from Tufts University, and change certification (CCMP) aligned with ACMP’s standard.

An Extra 45 Minutes Can Provide a World of Knowledge!
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