“[…] you must know a bit about finance, geology, engineering, law, corporate social responsibility and more to understand this business. Companies need people who know what they’re doing. If a man is more qualified for the job, he’s hired. Now, if a woman is more qualified, then she’s hired.”

Siri Genik, who has been very successful with her consulting company, completing global deals with clients in Chile and Peru. With her background in law, she shares the importance of “building on your strengths”. In Siri’s case, corporate social responsibility is the objective for most of the projects she’s involved with - she enjoys helping others and learning about other cultures. She comments, “hard work and passion is key”, as with everything in life. However, she shares that “learning more than one language is an asset and knowledge in finances is crucial. Both have helped me greatly throughout my career”. 

Maureen Jensen continued to build on this idea as she spoke about project management, its importance and how very few people have experience with it. Management is integral for corporate operations. Similarly, project management requires discipline to carefully design, develop, analyze and evaluate projects in order to successfully achieve goals; whether it’s about resource projections, controlling reserves or ore-shipment methods. As Mr. Vaughn states, “it’s about money!” and “…proper management and knowledge will result in positive numbers, if the deposit is right”.

Deborah McCombe lists other essential skills such as leadership, logical and strategic thinking, execution of plans, technical and technological skills, strong team dynamics and building relationships, communication and presentation skills, adaptability to change and having a high degree of integrity and focus.

Though all these skills are applicable to many senior leadership roles, they only come with experience and the path

chosen to walk on will not always be straight - “expect detours”, says Jodi Hackett, whose career had several detours, unknowingly guiding her to VP of Communications at Stornoway Diamonds.

“If you were to ask me ten years ago if I saw myself working for Quebec’s first diamond mine, I’d nod my head, no”. 

Mrs. Hackett’s background is in marketing and she has previously worked for a magazine company, completed voice-overs for cartoons in Korea, and led Disney boat cruises. She advises to “be open to new jobs because you never know where it may lead”. Experience will always ease transition between new opportunities because there is a network of transferable skills developing with each job. 

In the new national action plan conducted by Women in Mining Canada, they are striving to hire a minimum of 50 women in the mining workforce over the three year plan. New generations of female students entering industry will increase these numbers - not simply because they’re women, but because they are qualified to do the job. It’s about awareness and educating yourself on the position you wish to achieve.