We recently spoke to Gold Industry Group Gold Class Facilitator and Evolution Mining Investor Relations Manager Liesl Kemp about her role and what excites her about working in Australia’s gold industry.
What about gold industry really excites you?
The variety of opportunities available and the option of working in many different countries.
Tell us about your position with your company?
My main role involves communicating Evolution’s financial and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance to investors and other stakeholders.
What is your favourite part of your role?
For me, it is the people I work with that makes me love going to work. Evolution also allows me to have flexible working times. I am also able to contribute to other areas of the business such as Corporate Governance, Sustainability and Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.
What is your biggest achievement and why?
A big aspirational achievement that I am trying to conquer in my part time role (often full time) is to achieve the elusive work/life balance. I’m not sure if it is even possible in my demanding role.
My kids are my priority and luckily my husband is happy to work full time. I enjoy working as it helps me be a better mum and role model to my kids. Getting the balance right for me is an ongoing challenge.
What is your most memorable experience?
Getting paid to work and travel around Europe and then spending the weekends exploring the country I worked in that week.
Why did you become a gold-class facilitator of the Gold Industry Group’s National Gold Education Program?
I had no idea about mining when I was looking at career options (Pharmacy was what I had chosen). By going to a career’s night, I found out that geology and mining existed, and I thought “this sounds fun” and it still is. If I can showcase the gold mining opportunities to kids that aren’t exposed to mining and just one of them follows my interest, it will be worthwhile volunteering as a Gold Class Facilitator.
What advice would you give to those considering studying in a mining related discipline?
Take all the opportunities and experiences (good and bad) while you can. You don’t know where it will take you!
What do you do with your spare time?
I spend around two hours a day ubering my kids around and any spare time I have, I take long walks with a golf club.