Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Jodie, and I’m employed by Anglo American where I hold the position of Operating Model and Business Improvement Manager. My primary responsibility revolves around providing support to our mining sites across Australia. In essence, my role entails aiding these sites in comprehending and executing the foundational processes and systems necessary for maintaining a stable operation.
My most important role is that of a wife and mum; I am the very proud mum of Nixon, 4 and wife of Nic, who also works in the mines.
When did you start in the mining industry and what was your first job?
I embarked on my mining journey 17 years ago when I was just 22 years old and in the midst of pursuing my law degree. I relocated to Glenden at that time and took on a role at the Mine Town Office. There, my responsibilities included overseeing the maintenance management of all the mine-owned houses in the town. This experience provided me with a wonderful opportunity to forge connections with the local community and gain my initial insights into the mining industry.
How different is your job now to what you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Very different! During my childhood, mining and the concept of business improvement were completely foreign to me. I didn’t have a clue about these topics! Instead, I aspired to become a naval lawyer, most likely influenced by the TV show JAG. What’s truly remarkable about the mining industry is the unexpected and amazing opportunities it can present. Over the years, I’ve occupied various roles within mining, and each one has contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth. It’s an incredibly rewarding industry to be a part of.
What’s a usual day at work entail?
My daily routine tends to vary; some days, I find myself on-site, actively engaged in projects and initiatives. On other days, I’m focused on crafting or updating standards, collaborating with colleagues at our Brisbane office, and offering feedback and recommendations.
I truly appreciate the flexibility I enjoy in my schedule, and I’m grateful for the progress the mining industry has made in fostering this flexibility over the past few years.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Easy, the people! I feel so fortunate to work with such a wonderful team of people that bring all their talents and share them so generously.
The worst thing?
Most people would say the coffee, but I actually have an affinity for International Roast! Sometimes it feels like there are a lot of balls to juggle but we always manage to get there with team work.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Upon reflection, my biggest challenge being a female in a male dominated industry, has been the limitations I set upon myself. Time and time again, I have been offered opportunities that I sometimes felt I was not ready for, or worthy of, because of my own limiting beliefs. This is not to dismiss the challenges women face in the resource sector (gender bias is certainly a serious constraint), however I think we first need to win ourselves over with a strong sense of self belief and confidence in our capacity to rise to challenges.
What has been your proudest achievement?
Being a part of a process and culture transformation at the mine I previously worked for. I was tasked with leading the implementation of a new way of working at all levels: from business strategy to work execution. All team members now benefit from a culture where we are comfortable to look at old problems in new ways; where we embrace change with absolute resolve that we never want history to be repeated; and where we see by leveraging the unique skills that diversity brings, our plans are more robust and well rounded.
What’s something about your job that would surprise people to know?
The number of PowerPoints I do!
What do you do in your downtime?
Weekends are spent either in Moranbah or Mackay, we love going to the beach, and playgrounds and shopping. Equally, we relish the simple pleasure of being at home, cherishing one another’s company. I’m also studying a Master of Business Psychology so I spent a lot of time learning all about the human brain and what complex creatures we are!
The mining industry gets more than its fair share of criticism. What is your view of our industry and the impact it has?
I hold a deep affection for the mining industry, recognising that it’s far from perfect. However, I firmly believe that collectively, we can transform it into an inclusive environment where everyone is not only welcome but also empowered to thrive.
