Shara Patricia Ciravolo Fesser
Shara Patricia Ciravolo Fesser is a global enterprise and operations executive with more than 25 years of experience leading large‑scale, multi‑country, complex, high‑stakes organizations in the energy sector. She has held senior leadership roles across 21 countries in Europe, Asia‑Pacific, and the Americas. During her career at Schlumberger (SLB), she led global transformation initiatives and oversaw organizations of up to 5,000 employees. Patricia’s most recent executive roles included Customer Centricity and Digital Core Director at SLB, as well as Managing Director for regions including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor‑Leste, Atlantic Eastern Canada, Colombia, and Peru. Her work has consistently focused on operational excellence, leadership development, digital transformation, customer‑centric strategy, and energy sector innovation. She has guided organizations through growth, market volatility, and strategic inflection points with full P&L responsibility for businesses ranging from $160 million to nearly $1 billion.Throughout her career, Patricia has delivered measurable results at scale. While overseeing a significant portion of the Asia‑Pacific region from Perth, Australia, she doubled regional revenue from $511 million to $994 million over four years while maintaining a flawless safety record, strengthening operational capability, building leadership depth, and engaging the workforce. She has also led critical crisis management efforts, including navigating the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, ensuring operational continuity and safeguarding both employees and customer outcomes. She is widely recognized for translating strategy into operational results while fostering trust‑based leadership cultures that enhance both performance and organizational resilience. Patricia is passionate about advancing inclusive leadership, sustainable operational models, and the responsible integration of digital technologies into complex industrial environments. She holds an MSc in Management for the Oil & Gas Industry from Heriot‑Watt University and has completed executive education in decarbonization, digital operations, and AI for leadership at Stanford University and UC Berkeley. A strong advocate for gender balance in leadership, she actively mentors leaders, supports inclusive initiatives, and participates in charitable programs globally. She is now focused on executive leadership opportunities in Europe with technology‑driven organizations, board positions, and initiatives that integrate operational excellence with people‑first leadership.
• Leadership and crisis management certifications
• Heriot-Watt University - MSc
• Gold Member of Society of Petroleum Engineers
• Member of Worldwide Women's Association
• Regular blood donation across multiple countries
• Housing project support in Colombia for building small homes
• Youth outreach programs focused on anti-drug and anti-alcohol messaging
• Food bank volunteering at Houston Food Bank
• Indigenous inclusion program in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning, but also to how I approach leadership. I strongly believe that sustained outperformance comes from building environments where every member of the team can become the best version of themselves. Creating trust, clarity, and accountability allows people to perform at their highest level, especially in complex and high‑pressure situations. Alongside that, I’ve been fortunate to have a strong support system at home, rooted in the partnership I share with my husband. His belief in me and steady support made it possible to take on demanding international roles and continue growing professionally. Ultimately, success for me has always been about aligning leadership, teamwork, and personal support to deliver meaningful, lasting results.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to trust in my abilities and stay authentic, even in highly competitive or male-dominated industries.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to believe in yourself and stay true to who you are. Don’t try to change to fit in, you already belong, and people will value your unique perspective. Work hard, be flexible, and always carry yourself with confidence and respect. Keep your head up, trust in your abilities, and never underestimate the power of self-belief.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The energy sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and shifting global demands. I believe that leaders who embrace technology and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration will be best positioned to shape the future of the industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, leadership is grounded in credibility. I value authenticity over slogans or temporary gestures, people’s trust is built every day, not just for a moment. I also believe in balance: personal recognition is important because it builds confidence and helps guide your next steps, but it must be paired with giving back and supporting others. True leadership comes from maintaining that balance between personal achievement and meaningful contribution.
Locations
Katy, TX 77494