Meet our 2025 Speakers
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Ashlea O’Reilly
Peabody Energy
Breony Benson
Glencore
Cameron Carr
Anglo American
Caoilin Chestnutt
Thiess
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Celine Mangan
Mineral Resources
Debbie Morrow
Miners’ Promise
Dermot Tomelty
Talisman
Eliza Young
Thiess
Elizabeth Broderick AO
Champions of Change Coalition | EB&Co
Evelyn Ng
Callidus
Jacqui Coombes
Sage Ability
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Janette Hewson
Queensland Resources Council
Jaya Prasad
New Hope Group
Jenny Agnew
Sedgman
Katie Wyatt
BHP
Kelsie Clarke
Woodside Energy
Keryn Zambrowski
Whitehaven Coal
Kristy Purdon
Anglo American
Krystal Findlay
Roy Hill
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Lucy McClean
Australian Women in Mining and Resources
Marghanita Johnson
Australian Aluminium Council | Alpha HPA
Matthew Ireland
Newmont
Nicola Semler
Critical Minerals Group
Rob Jackson
South32
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Steph Byrom
WISER | Loop
Su Nee Tan
Orica
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Suzanne Hunt
Hunt Consulting | IGO
Tracey Hayes
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility
Vaughn Sheahan
BHP
Katie Wyatt
Global Head of Diversity, Equity & InclusionBHP
Katie Wyatt is a Noongar/Yamatji woman based on Wurundjeri Country with over 20 years of leadership and business experience. She leads Global DEI at BHP and brings deep expertise in organisational development, social innovation, and multi-sector change—driven by a passion for harnessing business to create meaningful social impact.
Speaking at
09:00
Facing the headwinds: keeping diversity on track in challenging times
Vaughn Sheahan
Head of Organisational Development & AnalyticsBHP
Speaking at
09:00
Facing the headwinds: keeping diversity on track in challenging times
Elizabeth Broderick AO
Founder | Principal | Former UN Special Rapporteur | Former Sex Discrimination CommissionerChampions of Change Coalition | EB&Co
Speaking at
09:30
Navigating cultural change in mining: insights from Elizabeth Broderick AO
Breony Benson
Human Resources ManagerGlencore
Speaking at
10:40
Fireside Chat: The myth of meritocracy – How can we truly level the playing field?
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Steph Byrom
Committee Member | General Manager, DecarbonisationWISER | Loop
Steph is a dedicated professional with over fourteen years of experience in the field of decarbonisation and policy, currently serving as the General Manager of Decarbonisation at Loop Decarb. Loop is at the forefront of providing strategic and technical solutions, particularly for the mining industry, where Steph plays a pivotal role in helping clients to operationalise their decarbonisation strategies. Her work involves climate policy and regulation advice, identifying opportunities for emissions reduction, and implementing innovative and cost-effective projects to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Throughout her career, Steph has focused on translating strategy related to ESG and decarbonisation into tangible actions.
Speaking at
10:40
Fireside Chat: The myth of meritocracy – How can we truly level the playing field?
Matthew Ireland
Mining Manager & Acting Head of ProjectsNewmont
Matthew Ireland is an accomplished mining professional with international experience across eight countries in Australasia, Africa, and the Middle East. Specialising in underground metalliferous mining, he has worked in both client and contractor roles, delivering high-performing projects underpinned by ethical leadership, safety excellence, and operational strength. With qualifications in mining engineering, extractive metallurgy, and business administration, Matthew brings a rare combination of technical expertise and strategic management. He is a passionate advocate for workforce empowerment, collaboration, and strong team culture, and holds multiple leadership certifications including WA and NSW mine manager accreditations. Matthew is a Member of AusIMM.
Speaking at
11:40
Building everyday support for DEI at all levels playing field
Eliza Young
Senior Advisor – Community, Diversity & InclusionThiess
Eliza-Jane Young is the Senior Advisor – Community, Diversity & Inclusion (QLD) at Thiess, with a career spanning operations, strategy, and social performance across Australia’s mining sector. She is a board member of AWIMAR (Australian Women in Mining and Resources) and an executive advisor with IWIM (International Women in Mining). Eliza is known for her systems thinking approach, inclusive leadership, and deep commitment to creating culturally safe, diverse workplaces. Her work connects people, purpose, and data to drive meaningful change across communities, sites, and corporate settings.
Speaking at
12:10
Resilient leadership in an era of reactionary pushback
Jacqui Coombes
Executive DirectorSage Ability
Jacqui Coombes is a recognised polymath in the minerals industry, known for advancing industry capability through strategic innovation, thought leadership, and technical excellence. Her expertise spans mining technologies, sustainability, mineral resource estimation, governance, law, and finance. A published author and respected mentor, Jacqui has shaped professional standards through competency frameworks and global research leadership. She has established centres of excellence and led projects on battery technologies, resource estimation, and sustainable mining operations. Jacqui is the 2025 recipient of the SME Harry M Parker Award for Excellence & Leadership, reflecting her outstanding contribution to public reporting and the broader mining sector.
Speaking at
12:40
Inclusion as a strategic capability: practical strategies for embedding DEI initiatives
Rob Jackson
Vice President Global Commercial and Supply ChainSouth32
Rob was appointed Vice President Global Commercial and Supply Chain for South32 in 2020 and prior to this was Vice President Operations, Cannington Mine and Groote Eylandt Mining Company. Rob has 30+ years in the industry working across various commodities and countries and holds an Honours Degree in Mining Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Finance. Rob is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Graduate of INSEAD LEAP and currently serves as a Director of the Queensland Resources Council and numerous South32 subsidiary companies. Rob has also been on the committee of the Women in Mining and Resources Queensland since 2019 and Co-Chair since 2021.
Speaking at
14:10
Beyond allies to active participants: Engaging male leaders in driving change
10:50
Panel discussion: How can we empower women in mining to create value for their teams & organisations?
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Keryn Zambrowski
Senior Manager – Investor RelationsWhitehaven Coal
Keryn Zambrowski is a seasoned commodities professional with nearly two decades of experience across global coal and physical commodity markets. She has held senior roles in marketing, contracts, and investor relations at Whitehaven Coal, as well as trading and logistics positions at Deutsche Bank and globalCOAL. Keryn’s expertise spans strategic marketing, contract negotiation, commercial planning, and stakeholder engagement across Asia, Europe, and Australia, offering deep insights into global commodity supply chains and capital markets.
Speaking at
14:40
Guiding the way: How industry veterans can help advance women in mining
Kelsie Clarke
Principal Business Improvement PlanningWoodside Energy
Kelsie is an engineering leader and currently Business Readiness Lead for S/4HANA at Woodside Energy, overseeing operational readiness for over 4,000 staff. With a background in rotating equipment and project engineering at the Karratha Gas Plant, she is a passionate advocate for STEM, inclusion, and diversity. Kelsie serves as Vice Chair of Engineers Without Borders Australia and is an alumna of Homeward Bound. Her leadership has earned recognition, including the 2023 CME Outstanding Young Woman in Resources Award. Kelsie brings a unique perspective from both corporate and social sectors and is committed to engineering a more equitable future.
Speaking at
15:10
Breaking barriers and advancing in your career
Lucy McClean
ChairAustralian Women in Mining and Resources
Speaking at
Roundtable 2: Driving sustainability in mining: balancing growth with environmental responsibility
Ashlea O’Reilly
Principal Mining EngineerPeabody Energy
Ashlea is the Principal Mining Engineer at Peabody. She has consistently demonstrated expertise in optimizing mining operations and ensuring sustainable practices. Her strategic approach and innovative solutions have significantly contributed to the efficiency and productivity of mining projects. Her ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders has been instrumental in driving successful project outcomes and embedding sustainability strategies.
Recognised for her leadership and technical acumen, Ashlea is dedicated to continuous learning and professional development. She actively participates in industry conferences and workshops, staying informed with the latest trends and advancements in mining technology, and regulatory and policy changes.
Speaking at
Roundtable 4: Technology skills for the future: preparing for an evolving mining landscape
Dermot Tomelty
General Manager – Health, Safety & ComplianceTalisman
Dermot is a seasoned and accredited Health, Safety and Compliance professional with an extensive career spanning over 18 years in the resources industry. He boasts a demonstrated history of successfully advancing safety and compliance initiatives in alignment with industry best practices. Dermot’s expertise encompasses WHSE, statutory compliance, and operations, showcasing a proven capability across all facets of health, safety and risk management. His wealth of knowledge extends to the contractor management arena, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping and optimising the contractor management process and operations, particularly in large underground settings. Dermot’s professional journey includes notable positions with industry leaders such as Rio Tinto and Anglo American, attesting to this impactful contributions to several tier one mining operations.
Speaking at
Roundtable 6: Risk management in mining: staying compliant & navigating regulatory changes
Cameron Carr
Workplace Support SpecialistAnglo American
Speaking at
09:00
Maximising the business value of authentic DEI
Jaya Prasad
Assistant Company Secretary & Senior Sustainability AdvisorNew Hope Group
Jaya Prasad is the Senior Sustainability Advisor and Assistant Company Secretary at New Hope Group (ASX: NHC), an Australian coal producer with associated port, oil and gas, and agricultural operations. Jaya has experience advising mining and energy companies on transactional, regulatory, corporate governance, and sustainability matters, and before New Hope worked for Herbert Smith Freehills and KPMG. Jaya holds a dual Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Commerce from the University of Queensland. In 2024, Jaya was awarded the Queensland Law Society’s Excellence in Law ‘Emerging Leader Award’ and was recognised as the Rising Star of the Governance Top 100 Finalists. Jaya is passionate about opening pathways for young professionals in the mining industry and through her volunteer involvement in the industry serves as President of the Young Professionals Committee for the Energy & Resources Law Association (formerly known as AMPLA) and previously served as Secretary for Young Mining Professionals Brisbane and Women in Sustainable Energy and Resources (WISER).
Speaking at
09:30
Achieving buy-in from middle management to build true support for change
Nicola Semler
Chief Technology OfficerCritical Minerals Group
Speaking at
10:50
Panel discussion: How can we empower women in mining to create value for their teams & organisations?
Debbie Morrow
Executive DirectorMiners’ Promise
Deb is a C-Suite Executive and ASX and NFP Board Director with over 25 years’ global experience in leading major capital and large-scale construction projects complemented by several years in corporate leadership roles in mining and oil & gas.
Executive leadership experience includes strategy development, business transformation, organisational design and implementation of change, health, safety, wellbeing & environment, cultural design and enabling major people change. Deb is extraordinarily passionate about People, Health, Safety and Wellbeing and is a competent and experienced crisis leader.
Deb is a GAICD, was a Finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2019 and was a 40 under 40 winner First Amongst Equals in 2007.
Speaking at
10:50
Panel discussion: How can we empower women in mining to create value for their teams & organisations?
14:30
Finding the right organisation for you: from big to small to boards
Janette Hewson
Chief Executive OfficerQueensland Resources Council
Highly regarded industry leader, Janette Hewson, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Resources Council.
Janette is a born and bred Queenslander with more than 25 years’ experience in resources at a senior executive level.
Her past positions include Executive Vice President, Environment, Sustainability & Governance at Santos and senior positions with global resources companies South 32 and Peabody Energy.
Janette has served on the Climate Advisory Panel for the Minerals Council of Australia, and the Boards of the Queensland Resources Council, NSW Minerals Council and Low Emissions Technology Australia. She has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queensland University of Technology, a Bachelor of Arts (Modern Asian Studies with a major in Japanese language) from Griffith University and is a former winner of Queensland’s Exceptional Woman in Resources award.
Janette is married to Scott and they have two sons and a daughter.
Speaking at
10:50
Panel discussion: How can we empower women in mining to create value for their teams & organisations?
Krystal Findlay
Production SuperintendentRoy Hill
Speaking at
10:50
Panel discussion: How can we empower women in mining to create value for their teams & organisations?
Su Nee Tan
Senior ManagerOrica
Dr. Su Nee Tan is a Senior Research Fellow at Orica and serves as the Technology and Science Advisor for Explosives and Automation Systems. She provides crucial guidance and expertise on technology projects, ensuring their technical viability and alignment with organizational goals. Additionally, Su Nee collaborates with various departments and external bodies to integrate scientific insights and foster innovation. In 2025, she was honored with the Exceptional Women in Technological Innovation award by NSW Women in Mining for her outstanding contributions to the field.
Speaking at
11:30
Navigating AI, automation & the next generation of technology in mining
Tracey Hayes
ChairNorthern Australia Infrastructure Facility
Speaking at
12:00
Communicating with impact – amplifying women’s voices in leadership
Celine Mangan
General Manager Environment & HeritageMineral Resources
Speaking at
12:30
Building the skills that will define the next decade in mining & your career
Evelyn Ng
Group Manager – Materials & InnovationCallidus
Evelyn Ng, PhD, MBA, is a chartered professional engineer with two decades of global experience in mining operations, R&D, teaching, and consulting across five continents. As Group Manager of Materials & Innovation at Callidus Group, she pioneered two coating technologies that address critical sustainability challenges in the mining industry and significantly enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and safety by extending the lifespan of critical equipment. Recognized for her expertise, Evelyn contributes to academia as a guest lecturer at University of Western Australia and the University of Toronto in Canada. In 2024, she won both State and National Women in Resources Award for Technological Innovation.
Speaking at
14:00
Navigating a project in crisis and building resilience in the workplace
Kristy Purdon
Social Performance/Community SpecialistAnglo American
Speaking at
15:00
Harnessing the power of mentorship, sponsorship & networks
Suzanne Hunt
Founder | former General Manager, ExplorationHunt Consulting | IGO
Suzanne has developed great depth and experience in Resources and Energy sectors leadership and management. Having had Executive leadership and Senior management roles in engineering and geoscience and experience in high market capitalised corporations as well as experience in the education and academic sectors (Curtin and Adelaide University), oil and gas resource sector (ASX listed – top 100), resource sector (ASX listed top 100), founding Board member “Women In Resources South Australia”, Head of Sustainability for energy corporation, International Scientific Journal review body for engineering disciplines, many leadership positions across scientific and engineering societies including the Institute of Engineers Australia, the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (Energy for a Better Australia). Experience in leading both technical and people related complex systems, strategic projects, and operating model development/organisational change. She has had significant budget responsibility and led large teams, budget >$500M/annum programs and teams >500 staff incl contractors and external partnerships. Suzanne is a strong supporter of STEM and has mentoring roles and encourages diverse, inclusive, transparent, and engaging leadership by embracing complex system thinking and polarity management to drive best-practise decision making for achieving the highest value outcomes for all stakeholders.
Speaking at
15:50
Embracing and flourishing in a non-linear career
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Caoilin Chestnutt
Head of Corporate – Technical ServicesThiess
Almost 30 years postgraduate experience in the resources sector. A geologist by profession and has worked across the globe in gold, copper, nickel, coal and CSG in both exploration and development. Currently Head of Technical Services at Thiess Pty Ltd leading Engineering, Geotechnical, Geology and Geospatial teams across their global business. Non-executive Chair of ASX listed Pacgold, Member of RFC Ambrian’s Investment Committee in critical minerals and Deputy Chair of the Queensland Exploration Council. Previous roles include Resources Investment Commissioner, Queensland Government, Head of Business Development at BHP and management roles at Xstrata, Anglo American and Arrow Energy in both technical and commercial disciplines. Twice finalist in the Women in Industry Australia Awards and Winner of Queensland Resources Council/WIMARQ Exceptional Women in Exploration Award.
Speaking at
16:20
Panel discussion: How can we challenge stereotypes and redefine career success?
Marghanita Johnson
Chief Executive Officer | Non-Executive DirectorAustralian Aluminium Council | Alpha HPA
Marghanita Johnson has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Aluminium Council since 2019. She has over 25 years’ experience in the Australian mining and manufacturing sectors, predominantly within the aluminium industry. Prior to joining the Council she led government engagement and advocacy on behalf of Rio Tinto’s Pacific Aluminium assets and prior to that held key climate and sustainability roles at Rio Tinto.
Marghanita has Environmental Engineering and Chemistry degrees from the University of Western Australia. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Alpha HPA Limited, Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and the Energy Users Association of Australia. She has previously been a non-executive director on the boards of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter and the Tomago Aluminium Company.
Speaking at
16:20
Panel discussion: How can we challenge stereotypes and redefine career success?
Jenny Agnew
Business Sustainability ManagerSedgman
With 23 years in the resources industry at Sedgman, I leverage my engineering and strategic planning experience to link people and ideas across disciplines both at a company and industry level. I love getting the most out of all the expertise in a room to develop effective strategies to deliver the mission of the teams I work with. Alongside leading ESG strategy at Sedgman, I am contributing to a more sustainable resources industry through organisations such as enviroMETS QLD (as Non-Executive Director), AusIMM’s S&E Committee (as Chair) & Decarbonisation Accelerated (on the Leaders Group).
Speaking at
16:20
Panel discussion: How can we challenge stereotypes and redefine career success?