Driving Diversity in the Resources Industry

As we approach the 13th Annual Resources awards for women, Hastings Deering is proud to be represented again this year through both our finalist Danielle Weston, and last year’s winner Karen Alexander.

Taking out the honour and receiving a highly commended award in the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources category last year, Karen has been invited to sit on the panel discussions at this year’s conference.

In 2018, the panel discussions for the conference aim to discuss gender diversity targets, with the leading debate asking; should they be part of the mix to improve gender diversity in the resources sector?

As the winner from 2017, Karen Alexander holds a strong belief that the issue of gender diversity needs to be addressed through crucial conversations, that goals support the drive for gender balance, and that as businesses, we need to open discussions without restriction of gender, ethnicity or sexual preference.

“These awards become critically important for both genders to be able to drive home where change is happening and the difference that it can make to a company’s performance. Businesses reap the benefit when they are able to capture the full diversity of the workforce that is available to them as well as when they encourage employees to engage and leverage their whole of life experiences,” says Ms Alexander.

It is through the continued efforts of these organisations, where businesses can recognise and continue to work towards gender diversity in the industry.

“There is still more we can  do, for example,  making sure that we are encouraging women to enter into the non-traditional spaces. There is more to be done in terms of having conversations, and those conversations are in the kindergartens, in the school rooms, at home, at the BBQ’s and in the board room. They allow us to understand what is available to us and how to maximise it.”

With a powerful cohort of previous winners, this year’s debate is sure to inspire conversations around gender diversity and put them at the forefront of the industry.
The awards presented by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) in association with Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ), recognise companies and individuals who champion gender diversity. 

At the 2018 awards, we wish the best of luck to Karen during the panel discussion and to Danielle Weston who is a finalist in the category for Exceptional Tradesperson. 
The conference will be held on International Women’s Day on March 8th.