Her Story
About Laurissa
Laurissa Chauvin is an experienced professional in the oil and gas industry with over 16 years of experience. She began her career in the laboratory designing down-hole drilling fluids, production enhancement fluids to improve operational efficiency, performance and output, and designing cementing fluid systems to support well integrity for oil and gas applications. After approximately 10 years in research and development, she transferred into the Bentonite Performance Minerals group, where she now handles business development, sales, product commercialization, marketing and regulatory compliance as a Global Account Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree which is where her initial interest in the chemistry of oil and gas came from. Laurissa is a member of the Sorptive Minerals Institute. She attributes her success to consistently showing up every day despite life's challenges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laurissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to simply showing up for the job every day. It is not always easy - life gets busy, priorities compete, motivation comes and goes and at times exhaustion can feel overwhelming. But consistently showing up even on the hard days is often the clearest indicator of where you're headed and how committed you are to getting there. I remind myself that everyone is carrying something, and everyone experiences fatigue or setbacks. What sets people apart is the willingness to keep going anyway. Keep putting in the effort, because some days simply showing up is all you can do and this is still enough.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Best career advice: "It's not always just about what you know - it's also about who you know." For me, this means knowledge, experience, and hard work are essential, but opportunities are frequently created through trust, connection, and reputation. Being intentional with your relationships, treating people well, and finding ways to add value before asking for anything in return. Over time, those efforts build credibility and trust - two things that are often more influential than a resume or title alone.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Your technical knowledge matters, but so do your relationships, communication skills, and ability to follow through. Don't be afraid to get involved in operations and understand how the work is actually done. Stay curious, remain open to learning every part of the business and let your consistency speak for itself.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I truly value people who do not waste your time. People who are clear, honest, and intentional in their communication go a long way with me. Time is valuable, and I appreciate people who respect it - both their own and everyone else's.
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