There aren’t many people in this world that can say they’ve celebrated a 100th anniversary, but this year, all of us at SLB get to do exactly that.

While I’m turning 46 (“level” 46, as the kids say these days), SLB is celebrating the incredible milestone of a century. And I’m proud to say that out of those 100 years, I’ve had the privilege of spending the last 20 alongside it.

Two decades with one company is a long time—although not unusual at SLB. And looking back, I wouldn’t change much about the journey. For I am a living example of the impact local initiatives can have on a dreamer’s life.

I left Romania in 2006 with the goal of building an oilfield career with the company everyone talked about as being the best. SLB recruited me as a field engineer straight out of the Oil & Gas University in Ploiesti, staying true to its commitment of investing in local communities and developing local talent.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d last even a year at the time. And yet, here I am today, honored with leading SLB’s business in Eastern Europe.

I feel that I’ve made it. I simultaneously built a career and a family, reminded constantly of what it means to grow in an organization that consistently puts people first.

Now, I consider it my duty to give back.

It wasn’t so long ago that Schlumberger boldly rebranded to SLB, marking a great opportunity in and outside the industry and reinforcing our core values. People continue to be at the heart of everything we do, and I’m ever grateful to play a part in shaping the next generation.

Just this past year, we supported the creation of a new laboratory dedicated to learning, training, and research at my university in Ploiesti. A full circle moment for me, as you can imagine, to go back to where it all began and offer my support to other pioneers in search of their paths to fulfillment.

We also completed the full refurbishment of an amphitheater at the University of Economic Studies in Bucharest and recently rebuilt and equipped a modern drilling laboratory at the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University in Ukraine. This alongside numerous initiatives focused on inclusion, sustainability, and humanitarian support.

With every initiative we lead and every local community we help, I can’t help but feel truly humbled and proud of what we can achieve together. Beyond the innovation. Beyond the business.

Happy 100th anniversary, SLB. The best years are still ahead of us!