The nominations for Women in Resources Champion comprise Fortescue Metals Group director Sharon Warburton, FMG group manager people Linda O’Farrell and Snowden Group general manager geosciences Lynn Olssen.
The finalists for Outstanding Woman in Resources are Northern Star Resources company secretary Liza Carpene; Alliance Mining Commodities general manager corporate Bronwyn Barnes; Atlas Iron strategic project advisor Cheryl Edwardes; WorleyParsons regional director Geeta Thakorlal; and BHP Billiton Nickel West geology services leader Anousha Hashemi.
CME CEO Reg Howard-Smith said more than 94 nominations were submitted for the awards, now in its sixth year.
“The awards celebrate both the inspirational women we have working here in Western Australia, and the effort of companies in the sector to improve participation of women in our workforce,” he said.
“Nationally over the past 10 years the number of women working in the resources sector has more than doubled. It is vital to keep this momentum, particularly as the sector transitions to a production phase.
“To enable this momentum to continue it will be necessary for companies to re-examine existing strategies aimed at attracting and retaining women and give them renewed priority.
“Celebrating women in leadership roles provides inspiration for other women to explore a career in resources.
The finalists for the Outstanding Technician/Operator/Trade Woman are Alcoa’s Francesca Bardoe and Amanda Pearse-White; and Kentz Engineering and Construction’s Margeaux Janenko, while the finalists for Outstanding Young Woman in Resources are Woodside Energy’s Vanessa Bullock; Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Kalpana Maharage; and Mount Gibson Iron’s Samantha Wood.
The finalists for the Outstanding Company Initiative consist of Atlas for its Women in Atlas group; BHP Billiton Iron Ore for its Kworp Kooling mining skills program; Newmont Mining for its Global Inclusion and Diversity policy; and RTIO for the Diversity’s Edge recruitment campaign at Nammuldi.
CME has invited the public to vote for the finalists on its website ahead of the awards breakfast in Perth on March 6.
