The Future of STEM
By Gloria Romano-Barrera
With a bright future in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
world, Latinas are leveraging their differences to succeed. Whether it’s
implementing environmental plans, specializing in diesel engine integration,
or managing new products, the Latinas profiled here are visionaries and inspiring the future
in technology.
Carina in her most recent field assignment in the Plurinational
State of Bolivia, October 2018.
Carina López
Environmental Engineer – Due Diligence
Integrated Gas – Commercial/NBD
Shell Exploration and Production Company
Born and raised in the island of Puerto Rico by Dominican parents, Carina López
developed a passion for environmental protection at a young age. “When I was
debating between careers, I remember a teacher once said: ‘As an engineer, you
will have more influence to protect the environment and people will listen to you’.
My dad is also an engineer so I decided to enroll in the only college that offered a
degree in environmental engineering at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.
The rest is history.”
Today, López is the environment engineer for Shell Exploration and
Production Company. She identifies and manages Health, Safety, Security and
Environmental risks within commercial mergers, acquisitions and divestments.
“I add value to Shell by conducting environmental due diligence as part of the
commercial negotiation process,” she shares. “I also make sure it is sustainable
for the long term by making sure accountability is clear and protection to human
health and environment is covered in commercial transactions.”
Her career at Shell started when she was a technical poster finalist at
the SHPE Conference in 2010, where she landed an internship with the Wind
Energy business, then for the Appalachia basin. Upon completion of the Assessed
Internship process, she was offered a full-time position with Shell where she was
responsible for environmental and regulatory compliance for operations in the
Permian Basin.
“My greatest accomplishment working in this industry has been hands-on
contribution to environment protection through an international assignment in
South America last year,” she shares. “I was able to directly work in exploration
drilling by developing and implementing environmental management plans in clear
support of our Shell Policy and Commitment with the environment and our
communities.”
Since starting her Shell career, she has been entrusted with increasing
responsibilities on the environmental and regulatory team, including the training
and development of new staff, prior to transitioning to a broadening commercial
role with the New Business Development for the Americas. She supported a
series of acquisitions and divestitures through due diligence for sensitive
commercial opportunities within North and South America. In her most recent role,
she set up environmental management plans in support of exploration drilling in
Sub-Andean well development in Bolivia.
López is also driven to increase the participation of Latinas in leadership by
giving back to the Houston Latino community through the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Shell Diversity & Inclusion events since she
graduated in 2013. She is also part of the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce Emerging Leaders Class of 2017, where she supports the strategic
advocacy efforts in support of the Hispanic community in Houston.
She has launched a Lean-In Circle at Shell, is an active participant within the
Shell Hispanic Employee Resource Group’s targeting STEM workforce development
and serves in organizations such as SHPE
Houston Chapter, contributed to the start of
SHPEtina (Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers, Latina-focused program) at
Texas A&M University and supports the
University of Houston’s Student Chapter
efforts. She also serves on the board for
Power on Heels Fund, Inc.
“To my amazing Latina STEM
students: please reach out for help in
reviewing your essays, applying for
scholarships, and make a commitment to
finishing your degree,” she shares. “There
are Latinas that have done it before – a
great starting point is to get involved
in is the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers. It is also key that you get
involved in either research or corporate
experience early on. Get it done, we are
Carina López. waiting for you on the industry side.”
16 LATINAStyle www.latinastyle.com Vol. 25, No. 1, 2019
/www.latinastyle.com
