What first inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
My uncle (a surveyor) suggested I consider Mining Engineering when I was applying for UNSW in 1982 for 3 main reasons:
1) I’d get to spend a lot of time outside
2) I’d be well paid and
3) There are lots of boys
Well, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad!
What is biggest challenge you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome this?
A perception that if a woman had a view and expressed that view, then they were just being pushy. I’ve rarely heard the word ‘pushy' used in relation to men. Woman have exactly the same right, in fact they have a responsibility, to step up and express their views, especially when they are new and fresh ideas that will result in the simplification of processes and reduced costs, drive higher margins, or a call out about how we should treat people (Charter Values).
How did your time at UNSW Sydney prepare you for this?
I was the only woman in my year in Mining Engineering for most of the 4 year course, and that meant I had to learn to stand up for myself, or I would not be heard. And I’ve not stopped since.
What do you love the most about your role?
I love the different types of people – working across diverse cultures with people of more than 40 different nationalities. I love the cut and thrust of negotiations, the game theory behind commercial outcomes and the planning required in order to optimise realised prices. I love the customer interaction – the development of partnerships with major customers that can and do deliver win / win outcomes. I love the interactions with the assets – being on the leadership teams and challenging the operations over what is or is not achievable in terms of productivity.
Name a woman or women you look up to most – why do they inspire you?
Angela Merkel, German Chancellor. Any woman (or man for that matter) that can survive at the top of politics in one of the most economically advanced economies in the world, especially in a coalition government, must be first class at strategy and collaboration.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Believe in yourself. Never take no for an answer. Take charge of your own career and pick people to be on your own 'board table' to give you the advice you will inevitably need along your journey. Challenge yourself on what you can do – it will always be more than you think. Build a network of sponsors (people you’ve worked for) and promoters (people you’ve worked with) in order to navigate your way through a journey that will inevitably have many twists and turns. And most importantly, have fun!
Do you think your industry is doing enough to champion gender diversity?
Not as an industry, but I’m proud to work at BHP where we have an aspirational target of gender equality by 2025. In the last year we have added another 3% of female representation to now be above 21%. A long way to go but plans in place and an energised workforce to help us get there. This is one of the reasons I co-founded the Women in Mining and Resources (WIMAR) Singapore in 2013 – we now have more than 350 members, of which more than 30% of members are like-minded men.
Have you seen a change in gender diversity in the workplace over the last few decades?
Yes. At least it’s now a topic of conversation in the industry, and the emergence of WIM and WIMAR organisations in Australia, the UK, Singapore and Canada are also spreading the word. The business case for diversity in workforces (be it gender, ethnicity, experience, LGBTI or other) is compelling – having a mix of people who think differently, aren’t afraid to challenge the norms, and can offer different ways of thinking does drive better outcomes.
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