The construction and energy industries stand as key pillars of modern society, essential for societal progress and sustainability. With urbanization trends and escalating energy demands, these sectors are crucial for shaping the infrastructure, economy, and environmental footprint of nations worldwide. From building tall skyscrapers to utilizing renewable resources, the construction and energy industries are integral contributors to growth, innovation, and resilience.
In an industry shaped by innovation and sustainability, professionals like Samantha-Anne Horwitch Nadolny, Associate General Counsel, play vital roles in driving progress. With a career spanning diverse sectors, including construction, oil and gas, and energy, she embodies resilience and dedication. Samantha-Anne’s commitment to her work and her passion for the industry is evident in her approach to her role and her contributions to the field. Through her endeavors, she not only shapes the legal sector but also advocates for diversity and empowerment within her industry.
At Select Water Solutions, Samantha-Anne’s expertise in legal matters intersects with her passion for business operations. Recognized for pioneering water management solutions, it stands at the forefront of driving transformative change within the energy sector. With a focus on efficiency and sustainability, Select Water Solutions continues to redefine industry standards, setting the stage for a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.
Let’s explore how Samantha-Anne’s is advancing the energy and construction sectors through her innovative approach:
Breaking Barriers in Construction and Energy
Samantha-Anne currently serves as Vice President, Associate General Counsel for Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: WTTR) in Houston, Texas. Prior to her current 3-year tenure there, she was General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Assistant Corporate Secretary at Citelum US, an EDF Groupe company in Houston, Texas, and headquartered in Paris, France. She also served as Corporate Counsel at Sterling Infrastructure (NTSE: STRL, formerly Sterling Construction Company) in Woodlands, Texas.
Samantha-Anne has spent the lion’s share of her career in construction, oil and gas, and energy. It wasn’t a huge shock that she went into this industry, having grown up in Houston in the shadow of the big boys—the Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Phillip 66s of the world. It is an industry that wasn’t always as female-friendly and diverse as it is now, and there is still room to continue growing.
Her challenge has always been how she can do her job to the best of her ability while helping further that cause. She strives to become the very best of her ability in a way that is visible to others and inspires them to pursue their dreams and work in whatever industry or position they want. The challenge is that it isn’t always about her; it’s about what she can do to better the industry for others following her.
Efficiency in Energy Production
Select Water Solutions is recognized as the leading provider of innovative, efficient, and sustainable water management solutions for energy producers. Their focus is on delivering infrastructure and chemical solutions to support their clients’ businesses.
Mastering the Art of Legal Solutions in Business
In the role of a lawyer, the first and foremost expectation is to have a thorough understanding of the law. Samantha-Anne’s has found that when working for an industry-based company like Select Water Solutions, it is equally, if not more, important to truly understand the business. This involves knowing what each aspect of the operations does, day in and day out; it requires speaking the language of the industry.
For Samantha-Anne, this means knowing everything from how saltwater disposal wells work to how manufacturing processes for production chemicals are developed. These are all things she had to learn herself to ensure she was an expert in business, along with being an expert in law. The law is something that can be applied to any industry, but to do so in a way that best protects and defends the company, one has to understand the intricacies of what the company does daily.
Samantha-Anne prides herself on knowing the business as well as the operations and field teams (at a high level, of course; she is certainly not out there turning a pipe wrench or laying hose). By knowing the business and understanding the industry, the operations team can communicate concerns and needs to her, knowing she has a true understanding of their perspective and how to provide the best legal solutions and support.
Transforming Legal Operations with Data Standardization
This year, one of Samantha-Anne’s main goals is to complete the implementation of contract lifecycle management (CLM) and matter management software for Select Water Solutions. She sees this as a key factor in growth, both by organizing existing data and putting it in usable formats for analysis and also by assisting the legal department and company in efficiency.
The goals of this CLM system are to automate some of the contracting processes—both generation and review—with the use of technology through form generation, artificial intelligence review, trend tracking, clause standardization for drafting, and data transparency. Once implemented, the legal department will have a tool to help make their day-to-day job more efficient, but more importantly, the business will have data in a standardized format to support operations.
Implementing the system has been one of the biggest challenges in her career (as a self-proclaimed non-techie, the IT department helpdesk is her best friend!). However, it has been such a learning experience to see how much technology can bolster a legal department and company.
The Role of Excellence in Personal and Professional Growth
She believes excellence is paramount. To succeed in any industry, one must be excellent.
Firstly, one must be excellent at their craft. They need to be the go-to resource in whatever they are doing so that everyone in the business knows they can rely on them and that they will get it done right. In today’s world, the luxury of being average is not afforded because someone else will seize the opportunity to be excellent. Secondly, one must be excellent at themselves.
They must know who they are and what they want, and then go out and get it. They must have excellent confidence in themselves. If they are doubting themselves, there could be someone else out there who is, too, so why let them? They should develop an excellent mindset and persona that they believe in and know what they bring to the table; everyone else will see it, too.
The Power of Desire and Determination
Her advice to aspiring professionals and fellow women resonates with the mantra, “Want it, work it, win it. You are the only one in charge of making your own luck and controlling your path, but you can only do that by wanting it and working for it, so you win it. Don’t let anyone stand in your way or affect your decisions and actions; you control what you can and keep your focus there. It’s all about you—once you understand that no one can stop you.”
