International Women's Day - Women in Resources event

Diane Dowdell is a sustainability leader in the mining industry with over 20 years of international experience in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices across greenfield and brownfield mining developments in Australia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Holding an MBA and a Master of Environmental Science, Diane is currently completing her PhD at the University of Queensland, focused on social responsibility in the mining sector.

Diane has held several high-impact roles throughout her career. As the Global Environmental Manager in Alcoa’s Alumina business, she successfully led environmental initiatives, including securing Aluminium Stewardship Initiative certification for WA operations in just 6 months. Additionally, at Fortescue Metals Group, Diane served as the foundational Group Manager of Environment, where she established key approval, compliance, and sustainability frameworks for its iron ore operations, delivered the company’s first public environmental report, and co-founded the Port Hedland Industries Council to provide a collaborative industry forum to address regional environmental issues.

As an executive consultant with RPM Global, Diane advises mining clients on ESG compliance, strategic approvals, and due diligence, with experience across commodities such as rare earths, iron ore, potash, gold, and alumina. Her expertise supports clients in aligning ESG initiatives with project financing and development goals.

Diane is a Fellow of both the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). She currently chairs AusIMM's Social and Environment Society Committee, serves on the national board of EIANZ, and is a Non-Executive Director for Bicycles for Humanity (WA).

Michelle possesses more than 20 years of professional and management experience, predominantly in the mining, resources and construction. Michelle has worked at all levels of organisations - designing, constructing, commissioning, operating, and across multiple business models from Alliances, Public Private Partnerships, EPCM and Joint Ventures.

Michelle’s holistic and inclusive approach is a hallmark of her leadership. Her strength lies in deep technical competence, a broad knowledge and people skills. She has both the eye and passion for detail, while still maintaining the long term goal front of mind.

Michelle enjoys working in operations innovation, continuous improvement, corporate governance and risk management. Michelle can add value at the Board and executive level on: strategy development; audit & risk (committees); finance & cost modelling (AASB) and governance systems. Her unique blend of management and technical skills helps to drive strategy and business planning cycles in order to improve competitive positioning and improve efficiencies. She is an experienced strategic thinker, who can "paint" the pathway to value creation for an organisation.

Michelle holds a number of committee positions including Chair for Centre of Leadership and Management at EA WA, and is a member of PMI and Engineers Australia.

Amy has extensive experience in the mining industry, both operationally and in management, and is passionate about the health, safety, and wellbeing of all employees.

She is an Organisational Psychologist, currently undertaking a PhD on the return to work of individuals suffering silicosis and mine dust lung disease. This research project is funded by the Queensland Government and involves conducting a gap analysis of current processes for return to work, and best practice approaches. This will then inform development of a comprehensive return to work systems, improving the health and wellbeing of those affected by lung disease.

Karen is currently the Site Director of Albemarle’s Kemerton Operations including the largest Lithium Hydroxide Plant in Australia.

Karen is an experienced Plant/Operations/General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the chemicals and oil and gas industry. Karen’s operational skills background is in the Petroleum, Process Control, Water Treatment, HAZOP Study, and the Manufacturing fields.

Paige Bekkers was our inaugural IWD Leadership Panel event organiser/facilitator. Paige has gone on to complete a degree in mineral science and is now a metallurgist at Global Advanced Metals in Greenbushes WA.

Paige brings her perspective on what it takes to return to study, change career direction and be a new professional in this dynamic industry. Paige is active member of the South West WA AusIMM Committee and a New Professionals Network Ambassador. Paige is also active in the equine community and is studying to become an Equine Sports Therapy Practitioner.

Turia Pitt's story is forever divided into two parts: before the fire, and after the fire. Read how she survived against the odds and rebuilt her life.

Turia Pitt is one of Australia’s most admired and widely recognised people and keynote speakers. You may have heard of her story - she’s the girl that was running in an ultramarathon and was trapped by a grassfire receiving burns to 65% of her body.

Since then? She’s written four best-selling books, coached over 40,000 people in her digital courses, shared a stage with Tony Robbins, competed in the Ironman world championships, sailed a boat around French Polynesia, rubbed shoulders with Harry and Megs, been an answer on the game show Hard Quiz, met some amazing people and grown a team and a thriving business. She’s been a finalist for Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, a finalist for Australian of the Year, been named a Westpac Women of Influence, and has been a mentor alongside Julie Bishop and Janine Allis.