The Gold Industry Group’s Women in Gold Great Diversity Debate will be held in Sydney for the first time, as part of a national tour, on Thursday 14 November at Untied.
With an expected crowd of more than 150 guests, the inaugural debate will thrust diversity into the spotlight as a panel of four leading industry speakers take to the stage to explore whether a diversity debate that begins and ends with gender is doomed to fail.
Evolution Mining Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer Lawrie Conway will conduct the event as Master of Ceremonies.
Adjudicator for the Perth event last Friday, Gold Industry Group Vice Chairperson and Gold Fields Vice President Legal and Compliance Kelly Carter will also lead the esteemed panel of speakers in Sydney.
“We are delighted by the enthusiasm and interest that this event continues to attract year on year, so it is an exciting development to be able to tour the debate to our east coast members, showcasing speakers from each of the regions.
“It is an interesting and intentionally challenging topic, which prompted some really insightful discussion in Perth, so we have very high hopes for replicating that success in Sydney and Melbourne,” Ms Carter said.
The line-up includes Bob Fulker, Chief Operating Officer, Evolution Mining; Kerry Stevenson, Managing Director, Symposium; Janie Simpson, Managing Director, ABC Bullion; and Lyndsay Potts, Cadia Valley Manager - Mining, Newcrest Mining.
An experienced mining engineer, Bob Fulker has spent more than 33 years in the minerals industry, across Australia and Africa, in strategic leadership through corporate and operational roles. He strives to continuously improve operating and company performance through innovative solutions in safety, operations and profitability as the Chief Operating Officer of Evolution Mining.
“I recognised the value of diversity and inclusion early on in my career. When I first started underground, 100% of the workforce was male, women did not work underground. I am proud to say our industry has continued to change and make progress.
“In my role I work with our leaders to grow an inclusive and diverse workplace where every employee is treated fairly, respected and can contribute to their full potential,” Mr Fulker said.
A globally recognised entrepreneur, Kerry Stevenson founded the Gold and Alternative Investments Conference to help people understand the benefits of investing in gold and gold equities. She is also passionate about creating new ways to communicate and is delighted to be a part of the Gold Industry Group’s debate on diversity.
“I am sure the discussion will be robust and, most importantly, will give rise to more discussions around key issues. It is important that we keep pushing the issues forward and work on delivering the best outcomes for all. But it's not just a debate affecting the mining industry, it's one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, or workplace,” Ms Stevenson said.
Having worked in the precious metals industry for over 25 years, Janie Simpson has been instrumental in promoting precious metal holdings in Australian investment and superannuation portfolios. She is now a Director of Pallion and the Managing Director of ABC Bullion.
“While I agree that a focus on gender is to the detriment of other dimensions of diversity, I would argue that the bigger problem is that focusing on gender has created diversity fatigue and a backlash," Ms Simpson said.
A geotechnical and mining engineer, Lyndsay Potts has worked at a range of sites in Australia and overseas during the past 14 years. As the Manager of Mining at Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley operations, she ensures safe production from underground, surface movements and transfers, and tailings dam management and construction.
"An inclusive workplace see's everyone the same with no limitations - diversity is more than gender, it is in all aspects of life and thought, but we need to start somewhere," Ms Potts said.
The 2019 Women in Gold Great Diversity Debate in Sydney has been made possible thanks to sponsors Evolution Mining, ABC Refinery and Newmont Goldcorp Australia.
A third debate will also be held in Melbourne on Friday 15 November.