Next voting of committee: end 2015 for 2016

Next voting of committee: end 2015 for 2016
WIMnet NSW Chair
Fiona Robertson has chaired WIMnet NSW since December 2012 and is the NSW
representative on the national WIMnet Committee.
She is a practicing non-executive director specialising in the resources sector. She has
more than 35 years’ experience in corporate finance, including over 25 years working with
mid-tier resource companies.
Her background includes roles with The Chase Manhattan Bank in London, New York and
Sydney and as a CFO with ASX-listed emerging mining and oil and gas companies.
Currently, she is a non-executive director of Drillsearch Energy Limited, an ASX 200
upstream oil and gas company, focused on Australia’s Cooper Basin, and Chair of private
equity backed One Asia Resources Limited, which is looking to develop two gold projects
in Indonesia.
Fiona is a strong advocate for greater female representation in the resources industry and
particularly for ways to increase the number of females at senior management and board
level.
Fiona has a Masters degree in Geology, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company
Directors and also a Member of AusIMM.
WIMnet NSW Vice-Chair / WIMnet Hunter Valley
Deirdra McCracken-Tindale is a seasoned public affairs professional, having provided
strategic advice to senior leaders in both the private and public sectors across four
continents.
Deirdra has been with BHP Billiton for four years, having started at the company’s London
office as a senior communications and government relations advisor to the company for its
West Africa iron ore projects. After two years of flying in and out of Liberia, Guinea and
Gabon, Deirdra moved to the company’s Group Media Relations team. She is currently the
Manager, Corporate Affairs (NSW) for BHP Billiton’s Coal business.
Prior to joining BHP Billiton, Deirdra worked in Canadian politics as a Director of
Communications and Deputy Chief of Staff to a federal Cabinet Minister. Some of her
bigger projects included overseeing the Royal Tour of Canada by the Prince of Wales and
the Duchess of Cambridge and coordinating the Canadian government’s communications
during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. In 2006, Deirdra was named
Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister on national television by a panel of four former
Canadian Prime Ministers.
Deirdra has a Master’s degree in Political Science from Laval University in Quebec and a
BA in Political Science from Laurentian University in Ontario and the University of
Limerick, Ireland. Deirdra co-founded the Hunter Valley WIMnet branch in 2013, an effort
which earned a nomination and finalist position in the 2014 NSW Women in Mining
Awards.
WIMnet NSW Treasurer
Philippa Sjoquist is an Environment Superintendent with Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Western
Australia. She is currently on study leave, pursuing a Master of Business and Technology
at UNSW.
Philippa has 10 years experience in the resources industry. During this time, she has
worked for, or consulted to, companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, FMG, Woodside
and Hancock Prospecting. She has also held an internship at the International Council on
Mining and Metals (ICMM) in London.
Philippa holds a Master of International Environmental Law and a Bachelor of
Environmental Management, both from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She is a
Member of AusIMM and also AIM.
Secretary
Suzana Vlahovic is a Director in the Assurance and Advisory practice at Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu.
She is also a member of the Deloitte Energy & Resources Group with over 13 years of
experience in servicing companies in the mining and resources sector.
As a professional in the mining industry, Suzana is passionate about supporting and
promoting diversity.
Suzana holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne and is a
member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Web Administrator
Hilary Goh is a geologist with over 5 years’ experience.
She is skilled in drilling supervision, grade control, program planning, data analysis and,
geological and tenement reporting. Her experience includes work in geothermal, heavy
mineral sands, coal, gold and dimension stone.
As webpage administrator Hilary seeks to make it easier for our members to connect with
each other and also to engage new people to our group.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Geology from The University of Wollongong and
completed her Honours year at The University of Tasmania. She is also a Member of the
AusIMM.
Web Moderator
Annette Au is a Mining Engineering student at the University of New South Wales and
MCA / BHP Billiton WIE Scholar 2014.
She’s an ambassador for Engineers Australia Sydney Women in Engineering and
pioneered the inaugural EA Sydney WIE Experience It! Student Conference, aimed at
attracting secondary school female students to study engineering at a tertiary level. The
response was overwhelming with 105 female students in attendance and 89 per cent now
considering a career in engineering. Student-led groups in NSW universities and a QLD
based sponsor are now discussing the launch of similar events in respective states to
promote and engage women in engineering.
A member of the UNSW WIE Student Leadership Team and ambassador for the UNSW
Faculty of Engineering, Annette advises students on engineering, its careers and
applications; and shares skills, experiences and passion for the minerals and mining
industry with others. She has also guest panelled at the inaugural MCA Gender Diversity
Luncheon 2014, held at UNSW.
Web Moderator
Ruvimbo Christine Nyangoni is a Financial Accounting Lead at Drillsearch Energy
Limited.
Starting off her career in Zimbabwe, and subsequently New York and Sydney, Ruvimbo
brings a diverse view to the team. Her broad experience includes external audit, financial
reporting, financial management, and strategic analysis. Ruvimbo has experience in
platinum mining, gold mining, oil, wet gas and unconventional business projects.
She is passionate about working collaboratively with other like minded individuals to
achieve equality in the resources sector.
Ruvimbo holds an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from the
University of South Africa and is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered
Accountants.
WIMnet Broken Hill
Katie Yamaguchi is the Geology Superintendent for Perilya Broken Hill.
She is a geologist with 13 years experience in underground base metal mining across QLD and
NSW. She started her career in her home town of Mount Isa with MIM, and worked in the both the
underground X41/ Enterprise copper and the George Fisher Zn/Pb operations of Mount Isa. Other
projects in QLD included Ernest Henry Cu/Au/Magnetite, and Mo/Cu exploration. In NSW she has
worked at the Tritton Cu operation, and currently in Broken Hill.
Katie believes that every mining professional must take personal accountability for their own
development. University studies equip professionals with foundations, however success in mining (or
any) industry is largely driven by each individual’s ability to develop their interpersonal and leadership
skills. In these times of industry belt tightening, mining professionals should be seeking mentoring
and investing in their own self development, to support their careers.
She studied at the University of QLD, attaining a BS Earth Science Honours, and is a member of the
AusIMM. Along with serving on the WIMnet and AusIMM Broken Hill committees, Katie also serves
on the RSPCA Broken Hill branch committee.
WIMnet Central West
Pamela Naidoo-Ameglio is currently the Manager Technical Services, CMOC- Northparkes Mine.
She is a geologist with more than 20 years’ experience in mining, exploration, project and corporate
roles. She was among the first women to work underground as a geologist in RSA and is the
founding Chairperson of Women In Mining South Africa.
Pamela joined the NSW Minerals Council’s Exploration forum and Women in Mining committees in
2012. She currently serves on the AusIMM Board, Geoscience Society committee and the AusIMM
Lachlan Branch. She is also a past President of the Geological Society of South Africa.
Pamela is an ardent believer in the value of coaching and mentoring to develop individuals and has
helped initiate technical and leadership mentoring programmes in WIMSA and Rio Tinto’s
Johannesburg office. She is keen to play a strong role in the Australian mining world, especially in the
area of professional development and encouraging diversity.
She has an Honours degree from University of Kwazulu Natal and a Masters in Exploration from
Rhodes University. Pamela is a Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa and Society of
Economic Geologists and a Member of the AusIMM Board for 2015 to 2017.
WIMnet Illawarra
Erica D’Silva is an Operations Engineer at the Hot Strip Mill at BlueScope Steel in Port Kembla.
She completed her studies at the University of Wollongong as a Cadet at BlueScope, graduating in
2012 with a Bachelor of Materials Engineering (Hons). Erica enjoys her role at BlueScope where she
is able to solve day to day problems, interact with the shift crews and gain a technical understanding
of the Hot Strip Mill.
During her time at University she was president of METSOC, the materials engineering society, and a
student committee member of AusIMM. Upon graduating she took a place on the AusIMM Illawarra
Branch Executive committee. At the steelworks, she also sits on the BlueScope Women’s Network
Steering Committee. In 2014 Erica was also a joint winner of the AusIMM's New Professional's
Award.
WIMnet Illawarra
Kristy Christensen is a Geotechnical Engineer at Illawarra Coals West Cliff Colliery in Appin.
She has 8 years experience in the minerals industry with experience in the Hauraki Goldfields of New
Zealand and Coal in the Bowen and Sydney Basin’s. Her work as a Junior Geologist in gold
exploration saw her supervising and planning drilling operations, conducting geological fieldwork and
resource modelling. As an Underground Geologist in coal she conducted extensive mapping of
underground workings, maintained the mines geological models and communicated with all mine
stakeholders. In her current role as Geotechnical Engineer she is required to ensure compliance with
the NSW Coal Mining legislation in regards to current strata control practices by designing roof and
rib support regimes and monitoring underground workings.
She studied at the University of Auckland to gain her BSc majoring in Geology and later studied a
Masters in Mining Engineering at the University of New South Wales. She is a member of the
AusIMM and Secretary of the Illawarra AusIMM Branch Committee.
WIMnet Hunter Valley
Michelle Lawson is a Financial Controller of Glencore Coal Asset Australia. She currently sits
on the Board of Directors of multiple companies within the Glencore group.
Michelle has extensive experience in Finance and Management gained from senior positions
held in global mining companies and “big four” accounting firms over the past two decades.
Michelle has worked in a variety of areas including Commercial Services, Audit, Taxation and
Credit Risk Management.
Michelle has a Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University, is a Fellow of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Member of the Australian Institute of
Company Directors and a Justice of the Peace in NSW.
WIMnet Hunter Valley
Kate Swain is a Senior Associate in the environment and planning team at McCullough
Robertson Lawyers in Newcastle.
Kate regularly advises clients in the mining and resources industry on the provisions of the
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Local Government Act, Mining Act, Water
Management Act, Protection of the Environment Operations Act and all other aspects of
environment and planning law. Prior to returning to her home town of Newcastle in 2011 to join
McCullough Robertson, Kate worked in the environment and planning team at Minter Ellison
Lawyers in Sydney for five years.
Kate is one of the co-founders of the Hunter Valley Chapter of WIMnet and is the WIMnet
representative on the Hunter Valley Chapter of AusIMM.
WIMnet Hunter Valley
Kimberley Peckett is the Principal Geotechnical Engineer for BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal. Kim
has worked in the coal mining sector in New Zealand, Queensland and NSW.
She is responsible for the geotechnical optimisation of highwall’s and lowwalls. Including
regular pre mining highwall, endwall and lowwall stability assessments as well as on the job
consultation with operations personnel.
Kim maintains the geotechnical management
procedures and conducts geotechnical training of mine site personnel.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Geology) (Hons), a Master’s of Science Degree
(Geology) both from the University of Auckland, and a Masters of Mining Engineering
(Geomechanics) from the University of NSW.
She is also recognised as a registered
professional engineer Queensland (RPEQ) and has AusIMM Chartered Professional status
(Geotech). Kim is also the Secretary of BOHOGS (Bowen Basin Hunter Valley Open Cut
Geotechnical Society).
WIMnet Hunter Valley
Kimberly Ohmsen is the Team Leader (Mining Supervisor) for B/D Crew at Bengalla Mining
Company (Rio Tinto) and is the first female supervisor at this site.
Prior to Bengalla she was also the first female supervisor at Mt Arthur Coal (BHP Billiton). As a
mining supervisor she managed pit operations in the form of overburden removal and haulage
as well as legislative compliance in the open cut execution area.
She originally started at BHP as an open cut operator at Mt Arthur Coal and has worked in a
number of roles for both BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto over the last seven years. These included
operating heavy vehicles, responsibilities in emergency response, processing plant work,
control room dispatcher and training of new operators. In some of these roles she was one of
the first females to work in these teams.
Kimberly has an Open Cut Examiners licence (1 of 10 women out of almost 1000 people in
NSW) and she has also commenced her Master’s In Mine Engineering & Mine Management at
the UNSW.
Laura McCormack is an Associate Director of Research & Analysis within the Natural
Resources Group at ANZ.
She manages the credit analysis of a portfolio of clients within the NSW business, including oil
and gas, coal, coal port terminals, gold, contractor accounts and subsidiaries of multinational
investment companies. Laura joined the Natural Resources team in October 2011.
Laura has been with ANZ for over seven years and prior to her current role, worked within
various diversified portfolios across ANZ Corporate Banking, managing credit analysis and
relationships for predominantly privately owned companies.
Laura is currently a member of the WIMnet NSW Committee and holds a Bachelor of Business,
majoring in Accounting and Finance from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Dr Mary Stewart is the General Manager – Consulting for Energetics, a specialist energy and
climate change consultancy where she works with the ASX200 companies, helping them to
address the challenges of rising energy prices and carbon policy uncertainty.
After completing her PhD at the University of Cape Town she lectured in Chemical Engineering
at the University of Sydney, and was a program leader in the Centre for Sustainable Resource
Processing. She is a globally recognised expert in Life Cycle Assessment and delivered much
of the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) project’s work in this area.
Mary is currently a member of the committee of the NSW branch of WIMNet, previously she
was on the Sydney branch committee of the AusIMM. Mary sought out a place on the WIMNet
NSW committee as she is passionate about supporting diversity in an industry she loves,
particularly through programs which address the challenges faced by people trying to find a true
work-life balance in the sector. Mary is also a member of the Board of CEEC, the Coalition for
Eco-Efficient Comminution.
She holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, a PhD and is a Member of both the AusIMM
and the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Rachel Charles is a Partner of EY, specialising in providing tax services to companies
operating in the Australian mining, oil and gas and mining services sectors. Rachel has worked
with EY since 1997 in their Sydney, Perth and Brisbane offices.
Rachel is seeking to expand and enhance the networking and development opportunities
available to NSW WIMnet members and other women in the resources community through her
role on the committee. Rachel is also on the committee for EY Sydney’s Network of Winning
Women.
Rachel holds Bachelors of Law and Commerce from The University of Western Australia and is
a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Chrissie Clark is a Senior Policy Officer in the NSW Government.
She is an experienced policy manager who previously held the position of Policy Manager
People and Skills at the NSW Minerals Council. Whilst in that position, she established the
NSW Women in Mining policy area, awards and network, and was a driving force in bringing
this network together with the WIMnet NSW group, now to create a stronger and more active
entity.
During her time at the NSW Minerals Council, she also sat and advised on a number of
committees including the Australian Women in Resources Alliance, Diversity Council of
Australia's Gender Diversity Working Group and Minerals Council of Australia Gender Diversity
Reference Group, as well as a number of skills and employment networks.
Chrissie is a passionate advocate for greater representation of women in the resources sector
and brings her professional background in government, policy and diversity to the Committee.
Also
Central West- Sarah Stark
Hunter Valley- Angela Moore, Helen Squires