Meet the women who are championing change
From India to the Netherlands to the United States, women at Shell are working at the forefront of technology as they contribute to our purpose of providing more and cleaner energy solutions.
Shell has an ambition to become one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive organisations, a place where everyone – including employees, customers, partners, and suppliers – feels valued, respected, and has a strong sense of belonging. Gender equality is one of our four DE&I equity focus areas, and we are working to increase female representation throughout our businesses. In 1997, when we set our first global diversity goals, just 4% of our senior leadership were women. Today we're working to reach or exceed 40% women in senior leadership by 2030, and to then make progress towards gender balance.
Women at Shell are driving change in every part of the company, from business analysis to supercomputing to software engineering, driven by a hunger to learn and a commitment to making an impact.
“I was delighted to see the breadth of Shell’s IT operations and I was able to see the real scope of its IT transformation and expansion after I joined.”
Just four years after Swati joined Shell as an intern while studying for an MBA, she is helping to drive forward new ways of working. She’s a business analyst in Design Engineering, a field dedicated to improving digital products, and she and her team are tasked with taking raw ideas and evolving them into usable solutions – for example, a chatbot employees can use to gather internal information.
“Our work means rolling out frameworks, bringing in new market standard tools, and ultimately revolutionising ways of working,” she says. “I was delighted to see the breadth of Shell’s IT operations and I was able to see the real scope of its IT transformation and expansion after I joined.”
Before her MBA, Swati had worked in a multinational IT company, but she found it to be a very different environment in Shell. “I admire the autonomy we are given to drive projects from beginning to end. There’s a lot of trust, no micromanagement, and you’re allowed to carve out your own space, lead your initiatives, and test new approaches. This ensures you have a lot of learning opportunities.”
Personal growth at work
For Pranshi, a business analyst in Bangalore, the biggest motivation is working on projects that are implemented across the world. “I’ve worked on tools that have been deployed across all Shell regions globally, and that was quite an experience,” she recalls. “People still ask me questions about it, especially when newer employees are introduced to it. Working on projects like these doesn’t just lead to the evolution of the product, it leads to personal growth as well.”
Digital and transformation lead Sofia agrees, looking back on the 16 years she has spent at Shell so far. “I've evolved,” she explains. “Change came when I started my family. When I returned to work, Shell supported me to grow and develop and I shifted from hands-on technical roles to more strategic thinking, like how we can continue to provide sustainable energy.”
She describes her role as looking at how the company can use digital technology to become more efficient. “I feel very fortunate because my work excites me. I'm growing professionally, and I'm involved in the energy transition. It's a really good feeling, because it's a big task and it matters. I'm actively playing my part and to me that feels good.”
Meet Sofia
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: How I'm thriving as I'm Powering Progress - Sofia's story
Duration: 2:12 minutes
Description:
This video follows Sofia, a Digital Transformation Lead at Shell, as she speaks about her home and work life, and the balance between the two which Shell has enabled her to achieve.
How I'm thriving as I'm Powering Progress - Sofia's story Transcript
[Background music plays]
Sound of Shell adaptation.
Child
Mommy, I’m making a video.
Sofia
So what’s it about?
Child
You!
Sofia
Oh, nice!
[Video footage]
We open on an inset centred against a white background. The inset displays shaky cell phone video footage, filmed from the point of view of the child holding the cell phone. The series of footage shows a residential estate and our protagonist, Sofia, bending over the trunk of her car to remove a model. She straightens, turning until she smiles into the camera, seen against the background of houses, green foliage and a blue sky. We cut to aerial drone footage of a commercial building flanked by large car parks.
Interview with Sofia
[Title]
Digital Transformation Lead
Sofia
My name is Sofia, and I’m a working mum, but I’m also a Digital and Transformation Lead at Shell.
[Text displays]
Sofia Digital Transformation Lead
[Video footage]
We see interior close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against an out-of-focus office background. A series of exterior slow-motion footage then shows Sofia striding across a paved entrance area towards the Shell building where she works.
Sofia
Every day, I’m looking at how we can use digital technology to become more efficient.
[Video footage]
Again, we see interior close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against the out-of-focus office background.
Child
But what do you do?
Sofia
Good question!
[Video footage]
We return to the inset centred against a white background. The inset displays shaky cell phone video footage, filmed from the point of view of the child holding the cell phone. The series of footage shows Sofia in her home, placing a bowl of fruit on a table and then looking into the lens as she answers her child.
Sofia
I’m a champion for change.
[Video footage]
Again, we see interior close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against an out-of-focus office background.
Sofia
I feel very fortunate, because my work excites me.
[Video footage]
We transition to a series of close-up shots that show Sofia zipping up her overall, clipping a gas detector to her lapel, and donning safety glasses beneath her Shell-branded hardhat. Next, we see wide low-angle footage of Sofia kitted out in safety attire, walking across an exterior paved area.
Sofia
I’m growing professionally, and I’m involved in the energy transition.
[Video footage]
Next, we see Sofia getting up from her desk, carrying her laptop with her. We cut to close-up footage of her speaking straight into the camera, and we see a poster on the wall behind her. The poster has two Shell workers standing in front of an industrial plant. A graphic of multiple red, yellow and white lines sweeps through the scene.
Sofia
It’s a really good feeling, because it’s a big task and it matters.
[Video footage]
Low-angle footage shows Sofia onsite again, kitted in her safety gear. We cut to an aerial view of the industrial plant, then back to Sofia, now speaking directly into the camera as it swivels around her before pulling back rapidly.
Sofia
I’m very proud of where I work. I’m actively playing my part. And to me, that feels good.
[Video footage]
A series of footage shows two of Sofia’s colleagues onsite, using handheld devices and pointing up at the large storage tanks alongside them. We return to interior close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against an out-of-focus office background.
Sofia
I’ve been working for Shell for 16 years now, and I’ve evolved.
[Video footage]
We pull back on an aerial view of the industrial complex, then cut to tracking footage of Sofia striding away from a reception area and passing several doors as she approaches the shot. Close-up low-angle footage shows Sofia at her desk, opening her laptop. We return to close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against the out-of-focus office background.
Sofia
Change came when I started my family. When I returned to work, Shell supported me to grow and develop.
[Video footage]
We return to close-up low-angle footage of Sofia seated in her office chair, lifting a photo frame from her desk. We cut to close-up footage of the image in the photo frame, showing her children, a boy and a girl. We return to close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against the out-of-focus office background.
Sofia
And I shifted from hands-on technical roles to more strategic thinking, like how we can continue to provide sustainable energy.
[Video footage]
Next, high-angle footage shows Sofia and colleagues seated around a boardroom table. We return to close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against the out-of-focus office background. We cut to close-up footage of wall-mounted screens, showing a presentation slide at frame-right and meeting software at frame-left, showing the other meeting participants. We return to footage of Sofia seated at the boardroom table.
Sofia
The culture here is collaborative, and that’s something I find invigorating.
[Video footage]
Tracking footage shows Sofia and a colleague walking down a corridor, seen first from behind, then in front view. Next, we see four colleagues walking side-by-side through a high-ceilinged open reception area, approaching the shot, followed by more footage of a group of colleagues engaged in discussion within an office environment.
Sofia
We know each other well. This facility and all the staff in it, we function like a family.
[Video footage]
A series of footage shows Sofia and other colleagues eating together around a table in a reception-style area with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides. We cut to close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against the out-of-focus office background, before returning to more footage of the colleagues gathered around the table and talking and laughing together.
Sofia
Just another day in the office. Let’s see who’s around.
Sofia
Morning, Craig.
Craig
Morning, Sofia.
Sofia
How are you?
Craig
Good as always.
[Video footage]
We see selfie footage of Sofia at work, speaking directly into the camera, then swiveling the camera around to film her colleague, Craig, as she greets him.
Sofia
I think our world is changing, and we’re seeing technology really come into spaces. So as that technology grows, it unlocks potential. Colleagues whose ideas inspire me, their resilience and focus is amazing.
[Video footage]
We continue to see Sofia filming in the office as we see another colleague speaking into the lens while standing next to some very hi-tech-looking equipment. We see more exterior footage of two colleagues at the industrial plant, one operating a drone controller while the other looks up into the sky. We return to interior footage of Sofia sitting down with a colleague in front of a large screen and looking at and discussing the data displayed on the screen. We return to close-up footage of Sofia speaking to the off-camera interviewer, seen against the out-of-focus office background, then another series of exterior footage shows the colleagues at the plant as they engage with data on their handheld screens and operate the drone.
Sofia
Shell enables me to be the best version of myself, at home…
[Video footage]
A series of footage shows Sofia at home with her children, as follows: sitting on the floor with the kids, playing with a snap circuit; brushing her daughter’s hair; sitting on the floor again as they color in together; Sofia in the kitchen, lighting candles on a chocolate cake; Sofia smiling down into the lens and waving.
Sofia
And at work.
[Video footage]
Exterior low-angle footage shows Sofia in close-up, holding a touchscreen display, which we see from behind, and smiling. Next, we see profile-view footage of Sofia working at her desk.
Sofia
The most exciting thing about working for Shell is the chance to be a part of the future of the energy transition.
[Video footage]
A series of footage shows Sofia on site at the industrial plant; we see her surveying the plant and using her touchscreen display, and end on a profile-view close-up of her face.
Sofia
And that’s something I really want to tell my kids about.
[Text displays]
Power Your Progress
[Video footage and animated sequence]
We zoom in on close-up footage of Sofia speaking into the camera, seen against the background of the floor-to-ceiling windows previously described. Over this, a yellow line draws the shape of a Pecten, and text displays below this. Then, concentric Pecten shapes pulsate out from the original shape until the frame is filled with radiating Pecten shapes.
[Audio]
Brand mnemonic played on strings.
[Text displays]
Explore careers at Shell shell.com/careers © Shell International Limited 2023
[Animated sequence]
The small classic red and yellow Pecten transitions in to display at frame-center against a white background. Text is displayed below this and along the lower frame.
Learning new transferable skills
Jennifer works in Europe thousands of miles away from Sofia but has also found her career expanding into new areas. She began at Shell working in data engineering supporting individual traders from the power trading desk. As this business grew, her role shifted focus to software development for bigger and more integrated projects across multiple markets in power energy trading. “It’s nice to feel part of this incredible machine, sharing energy across the seas and continents,” she says. “It’s great to say I am part of the future of energy. Providing the energy that people around the world need today.”
Balancing priorities
Bala was curious about whether an energy company would have the same room for the career growth she’d expect at large technology firms like the major software company she worked for in India. But when she joined, she found a well-established IT department that offered her both challenging and varied work. There have been other unexpected benefits. “My two kids grew up while I was working at Shell, I don’t think I could’ve done it anywhere else,” she says. She’s seen how Shell offers flexibility by focusing on getting things done rather than applying rigid rules on working hours.
When Mitali went on maternity leave, she was pleasantly surprised with the flexibility Shell offered. She describes what happened next: “When I broke the news of my pregnancy to my line manager, I vividly remember his words. He said, ‘Mitali, first of all, congratulations, and secondly, you can avail maternity leave even from the first day of joining Shell!’”
The moment she returned from leave she was warmly welcomed back into the team at Shell Technology Centre in Bangalore, India. Since then she has been working in high-performance computing, helping to solve Shell’s most challenging business opportunities faster – from earth sciences to the chemistry of batteries. “I am currently part of a project that will support Shell’s transition to become a net-zero emissions business while providing the energy that people around the world need today. It really excites me to be a part of the journey that will not only provide energy to power the world but will also make it a better place to live for future generations.”
Finding purpose developing energy solutions
In another continent, Elena is helping to develop a different kind of energy solution of tomorrow. “To me, there is no bigger challenge than the energy transition, and now I’m working at Shell doing exactly what I wanted to. I’m based in the Netherlands, working with low carbon fuels at a company that supports me in my career and my life goals. Right now I work in hydrogen and I’m absolutely loving it.” Elena is leading a project to develop a new business model for hydrogen trucks. “It's very empowering to be able to contribute to the energy transition. I'm constantly learning and that means I'm progressing.”
She adds: “The culture here has helped me thrive outside of work too, and that allows me to bring my best self into work. Plus I really have the ability to change lives for the better. That makes me feel very happy and fulfilled.”
Meet Elena
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: How I'm thriving as I'm Powering Progress - Elena's story
Duration: 2:43 minutes
Description:
In this video, we see how Elena, a Hydrogen Business Advisor in the Netherlands, has found
fulfilment through her job with Shell.
How I'm thriving as I'm Powering Progress - Elena's story Transcript
[Background music plays]
Orchestral Sound of Shell adaptation, starting with light, rhythmic keys and building to a crescendo.
[Video footage]
An inset displays against a white background. The inset shows archival footage of Elena, as a little girl
and gymnast, running across the floor at a Royal Dutch Gymnastics Union event, as we can see from
the banner at the side of the arena. Then footage of Elena applying make-up with a make-up brush fills
the frame. She is shown from behind, in slight profile view, and we see her reflection in the mirror
facing her. We return to the inset showing footage of the gymnastics event, and we see little Elena
waiting on her mark. Next, filling the frame, we see low-angle close-up footage of Elena’s face in the
mirror as she applies mascara to her eyelashes.
[Audio]
Announcer voiceover and crowd noise.
Elena
I’ve always pushed myself, and ever since I was little, I’ve loved a challenge.
[Video footage]
The inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event shows the camera zooming in on little Elena as
she waits on her mark. Next, filling the frame, we see close-up footage of Elena in the mirror, adjusting
her shirt collar.
[Video footage]
We return to the inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event, showing little Elena dismounting
from a vault and assuming her dismount pose to the sounds of applause. Still in the inset, we switch to
footage of a slightly older young girl doing her dismount pose, and then we see Elena, now a teenager,
walking away from a balance beam, as an older girl in a t-shirt and trackpants, possibly a trainer, joins
her, taking her arm as they walk off together, still with the sound of applause in the background. Next,
filling the frame, we see close-up footage, as though from behind Elena, of her hand picking up her
gold necklace from the basin.
[Audio]
Crowd applause.
Elena
I think I was ten or 12 when I realised the world was changing, and I wanted my work to have meaning,
while pushing myself in my career.
[Video footage]
The inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event shows teenaged Elena standing on the podium,
waiting to receive her medal. Next, filling the frame, we see Elena in the mirror, fastening the gold
necklace around her neck. Again, the inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event shows Elena
receiving her medal and hanging it around her neck. Next, filling the frame, we see Elena adjusting her
necklace.
Elena
And I knew that working at Shell, I’d be able to do exactly that.
[Video footage]
The inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event shows Elena striking a gymnast’s pose, her medal
now hanging around her neck. Next, filling the frame, we see a close-up, as though from behind Elena,
of her hands holding her mobile phone in landscape mode while the screen displays the archival
gymnastics footage. The point of view changes as we see low-angle close-up footage of Elena smiling
while watching the footage on her phone. Again, the inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event
shows a young girl doing a floor routine.
[Audio]
Crowd applause.
Elena
My name is Elena, and I joined Shell straight after university as a young graduate.
[Text displays]
Elena
Hydrogen Business Advisor
[Video footage]
Close-up footage shows Elena speaking to the off-camera interviewer against an out-of-focus office
background.
Elena
To me, there is no bigger challenge than the energy transition, and now I’m working at Shell, doing
exactly what I wanted to.
[Video footage]
Outside a multi-storey building, we see Elena mount her bicycle and set off. Next, low-angle close-up
footage shows Elena as she cycles down a street that is lined with multi-storey buildings, and we see
some trees in the background. Side-view footage shows Elena cycling past a building, outside of which
we see many bicycles parked. Next, a panoramic shot of a city street shows trams and other traffic
moving along the street, and of note is the many people cycling down the street. Next, we see a
moving tram in close-up, as well as other vehicles passing. A series of footage shows cyclists passing
over a bridge that crosses over a canal, again showing multi-storey buildings, trees and some vehicles
in the background.
Elena
I’m based in the Netherlands, working with low-carbon fuels at a company that supports me in my
career and my life goals.
[Video footage]
We return to low-angle close-up footage of Elena cycling down a city street, a wider series of footage
then showing her cycling past vehicles and bicycles parked at the curb. High-angle footage shows boats
moored along a canal, again showing multi-storey buildings, trees and parked vehicles in the
background. Low-angle footage shows many cyclists passing the shot as they cross a street.
Elena
Right now, I work in hydrogen, and it’s an exciting time, because Shell is tackling this at scale.
[Video footage]
Wide profile-view footage shows Elena cycling across a paved area and passing the shot. As she does
so, we see a Shell Hydrogen-branded car parked in a parking space. Close-up footage shows “H2 in H2O
out” written on the side of the car. We see Elena from behind, cycling towards a building in the
distance. Medium-angle footage shows Elena walking confidently through a large reception area,
approaching the shot.
Elena
I’m working on a new business model for hydrogen trucks. And today is a very exciting day. We’re
going live with the first-ever hydrogen trucks in Germany. And that’s a project that I’m actually leading.
[Video footage]
High-angle footage of Elena’s laptop screen as she tilts the screen. Displaying on the laptop’s screen is
an image of Shell’s black and white hydrogen truck. Close-up footage shows Elena speaking into the
camera, seen against a white background. Next, we see high-angle footage of the hydrogen truck
driving along a straight road in a rocky, mountainous area, then we see low-angle close-up footage of
Elena smiling down at her laptop, which is off-camera.
Christian Hoellinger
Hi, Elena. I’m doing well. How are you?
[Split-screen footage]
The frame is split into two side-by-side screens, one showing Elena in close-up, the other showing
Christian in close-up, with the hydrogen truck parked in the background. Their names display at the
bottom left-hand corner of their respective screens, and it’s clear that they are using a video
conferencing platform.
Elena
Can you maybe show a little bit of the truck that’s behind you?
Christian Hoellinger
Absolutely.
[Video and split-screen footage]
As Elena talks, high-angle footage shows Christian filling Elena’s laptop screen, as just described. We
return to the split-screen footage of the video conferencing platform, also as described above.
Christian Hoellinger
Everything is running smoothly. A very quiet truck, very good to drive.
[Video footage]
We see circling drone footage of the hydrogen truck, which is parked in a flat, open area in a
mountainous region.
Elena
That truck is looking really good.
[Video footage]
Close-up footage shows Elena speaking into the camera, seen against a white background.
Elena
It’s also very empowering and purposeful to be able to contribute to the energy transition.
[Video footage]
Partly rear-view/partly side-view footage of the hydrogen truck shows the three PH2P hydrogen fuel
storage tanks held in a frame behind the driver’s cab. In lower frame-right, a cameraman, seen from
behind, records footage. We briefly see low-angle close-up footage of Elena smiling down at her
laptop, which is off-camera, then we see high-angle footage of Christian on Elena’s laptop screen, as
described.
Elena
And I love the fact that I get to work with an incredible team.
[Video footage]
Close-up footage shows Elena speaking to the off-camera interviewer against an out-of-focus office
background.
Elena
There’s only water coming out of the tailpipe, right?
[Video footage]
Low-angle footage of Elena, seen against the white background, shows her looking down at her laptop
screen as she speaks.
Christian Hoellinger
Right.
[Video footage]
Drone footage shows the hydrogen truck rounding a hairpin bend in the mountainous, rocky area
mentioned previously. We see trees and low cloud in the background.
Elena
I’m constantly learning, and that means I am progressing.
[Video footage]
Close-up footage shows Elena speaking to the off-camera interviewer against an out-of-focus office
background.
Elena
My colleagues really listen to me. I really feel that there is a care for each other.
[Video footage]
Wide-angle footage shows Elena and a colleague in conversation as they walk down a corridor,
approaching the shot. Medium-angle footage of the two show them turning towards each other as
they share a laugh. Close-up footage of Elena shows her speaking to colleague in an office
environment. We see the colleague only partially in extreme frame-right. However, we switch to a
wider view and see that Elena is, in fact, speaking with three colleagues in an office environment. They
are sharing a coffee around a tall, round table.
Elena
Can meet the timeline, but there’s still a few things that we have to do.
[Video footage]
Close-up footage shows Elena speaking to her colleagues in the office environment just described.
Elena
To be able to tap into that wisdom, I find that incredibly inspirational.
[Video footage]
Extreme close-up footage of Elena shows her confidently walking through a large open reception area,
scattered with office plants, though the background is out of focus.
Elena
That culture has helped me thrive outside of work too, and that allows me to bring my best self into
work.
[Video footage]
High-angle footage shows boats moored along a canal, again showing multi-storey buildings, trees and
parked vehicles in the background. Next, medium-angle footage shows Elena in gym clothes, jogging
next to a canal. Next, a series of footage shows Elena doing some stretches next to the canal and then
resuming her jog.
Elena
There is a part of me that feels just like that little girl, but I’ve grown.
[Video footage]
The inset displaying footage of the gymnastics event shows a young girl running up to and launching
herself at a vaulting horse. Next, filling the frame, we see low-angle close-up footage of Elena jogging
over a bridge. We return to the inset displaying footage of the young gymnast assuming her dismount
pose on the mat, to audience applause. The inset then displays a video montage of archival footage of
the little gymnasts doing their routines.
[Audio]
Crowd applause.
Elena
I’m now part of the big discussion. I really have the ability to change lives for the better. This makes me
feel very happy and fulfilled.
[Video footage]
Profile-view close-up footage of Elena shows her confidently walking along a street, once more in her
business attire. Wider-angle footage shows Elena, seen from behind, walking towards a waiting ferry.
Profile-view footage of Elena shows her looking out over the water as her hair is lifted lightly by the
wind. High-angle footage of Elena’s shoes shows her striding across the ferry’s deck. Wide-angle
footage shows the crowd of people on the ferry. We then see close-up footage of Elena on the ferry,
smiling into the camera. The sun setting in the background causes the surface of the water to glimmer
and Elena’s hair to glow. Next, wide-angle tracking footage shows the light of the setting sun
shimmering across the surface of the water, and the buildings along the water’s edge are cast into
silhouette.
Elena
And to find all that in a job? Well, that’s pretty special.
[Video footage]
Close-up footage shows Elena moving in to fill the shot as she speaks into the camera. We see the ferry
in the out-of-focus background.
[Video footage and animated sequence]
Over close-up footage of Elena smiling into the camera, a yellow line draws the shape of a Pecten, and
text displays below this. Then, concentric Pecten shapes pulsate out from the original shape until the
frame is filled with radiating Pecten shapes.
[Audio]
Shell brand mnemonic played on strings.
[Text displays]
Explore careers at Shell
© Shell International Limited 2023
[Animated sequence]
The small classic red and yellow Pecten transitions in to display at frame-center against a white
background. Text is displayed below this and along the lower frame.