MCA supports future female mining leaders

The MCA has awarded three scholarships to women working in Australia’s world-leading minerals industry to help them secure company board positions.

The scholarships, valued at $12,000 each, have been awarded to enable the recipients to complete the world-class Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors’ Course.

After considering a strong field of applications, the MCA expanded the scholarships awarded from two to three in recognition of the depth and breadth of female talent in the minerals sector.

The scholarship winners are Katie Serjeantson, Nima Sherpa and Bernadette Harris.

Katie is currently Superintendent Drill and Blast at Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Hope Downs 1 Operations in Western Australia. As a technical leader and committed STEM ambassador, Katie hopes to use the scholarship to demonstrate the capability of diverse leadership in improving diversity and inclusion outcomes for the industry.

Nima is currently Principal Global Technology Strategy at BHP and is based in Adelaide. Nima hopes to gain the knowledge and skills gained through the scholarship to participate as a younger board member and use the opportunity to inspire broader diversity and inclusion in the industry. Nima is also currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Outer Space Resources.

Bernadette is currently Principal Indigenous Development at Rio Tinto. With over 20 years’ experience in mining, Bernadette hopes to use her scholarship to mentor and encourage Indigenous people to take on leadership and board positions in community organisations.

The scholarships are an MCA initiative to encourage more female participation on mining company boards.

The Company Directors Course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the major challenges facing company directors in today’s business environment, as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively undertake the duties of a company director.

The 2020 scholarships continue the success of a program which has seen twenty women complete the Company Directors’ Course since 2013.

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