BHP 2025 WIRNA Winners
Georgia Denisenko
Director, Just Outcomes
Georgia Denisenko is a leader in native title law and a trusted legal advisor to miners, Traditional Owners and government. With over 30 years’ experience, she played a pivotal role in the creation of Victoria’s pro forma native title agreements - still used today - which streamlined mining negotiations and set a national precedent.
Georgia has negotiated more than 70 resource agreements across Australia, including Victoria’s first voluntary benefits-sharing agreement. She is known for her deep expertise, collaborative leadership and inclusive approach to complex negotiations. As a sole practitioner and mother of four, Georgia has modelled resilience, integrity and long-term impact across both industry and community.
Recognised for her pioneering achievements in native title law, Georgia demonstrated visible advocacy and delivered significant industry impact through strategic leadership. Her nomination showcased clear, evidence-based examples of influence at a national level, and she has been instrumental in changing the way industry thinks about this key issue.
Ashley McCarthy-Griffiths
Principal Business Improvement, Stanmore Resources
Ashley McCarthy-Griffiths is a mechanical engineer and business improvement leader whose career spans consulting, technology strategy, and operational leadership across the resources sector. With a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and International Business from QUT, she has held roles at Deloitte, BHP, and now Stanmore’s South Walker Creek Mine, where she leads a site-wide improvement program delivering over $120 million in value.
Ashley is passionate about inclusive leadership and has driven measurable change in workforce diversity, notably as the first female Maintenance Supervisor in five years at her site. She is known for her ability to combine engineering, innovation and people-centred thinking to solve complex challenges and create high-performing teams.
An influential advocate for diversity in STEM and mining, Ashley impressed judges with her authentic leadership style, strategic thinking, and strong environmental focus. Her nomination stood out for its well evidenced, metric-driven achievements that have delivered measurable business and sustainability outcomes.
Dona Carter
Group Project Delivery Manager, Titeline Drilling
Dona Carter is a long-standing and passionate advocate for women in mining, with over two decades of experience driving diversity and inclusion across the resources sector. Beginning her career as one of the first women in the drilling industry in Kalgoorlie, Dona has consistently challenged outdated practices and championed structural change to make the industry safer, more inclusive, and future-focused.
She has led transformative recruitment and retention initiatives, personally mentoring over 40 women into field roles and spearheading national programs to attract the next generation of female talent. As Vice Chair of WIMnet Victoria Dona plays a key leadership role in shaping education, policy, and advocacy across the sector.
Dona was named Inclusion and Diversity Champion for her extensive industry experience and credibility, strategic vision and innovative thinking. For over 20 years, Dona has been an advocate for women in mining. She has driven inclusive recruitment practices, pioneered field-worker maternity policies and mentored more than 40 women into field roles.
Dr Nikky LaBranche
Dust and Respiratory Health Program Lead, The University of Queensland
Dr Nikky LaBranche is a mining engineer and researcher whose career spans operational, technical, and health and safety roles across the US, South America, and Australia. Following the 2010 Upper Big Branch disaster, she shifted her focus from production to mine worker health, contributing to global research at NIOSH before relocating to Australia.
Now based at the University of Queensland, Dr LaBranche leads a $3.6 million program developing innovative methods to better understand and manage dust and respiratory risks in mining. She serves on the AusIMM Board of Directors, chairs the Health and Safety Society, and mentors future industry leaders.
Dr LaBranche was recognised for her exceptional technical achievements in dust and respiratory health, with clear, measurable industry impact. Dr LaBranche's work has driven dust control advancements, influenced industry standards and earned international recognition. Her comprehensive stakeholder engagement and innovative approach set a benchmark for technological excellence in the sector.
Growth Empowerment Management Self-Care (GEMS) Program
Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC)
The GEMS Program 2024 was established as a retention strategy. Developed as a mechanism to build the confidence and capability of women in industry to remain in industry, and to grow their opportunities to progress. The focus of the program is on increasing women's leadership skills, achieved through mentoring and industry connections as well as structured and applied learning.
GEMS was celebrated for its collaborative, industry-wide approach, backed by quantifiable outcomes and tangible societal and policy changes, including domestic violence leave and menopause policy initiatives. The program’s scalable model for gender equity and workforce development positions it for lasting national impact.
Kylee Frankee
Electrical and Instrument Technician, South32
Kylee Frankee is a dual-trade Electrician and Instrument Technician with a career built on resilience, adaptability, and a passion for hands-on problem-solving. After nearly two decades of persistence, she secured an electrical apprenticeship at South32’s Cannington Mine, where she now serves as second-in-charge of the Electrical Maintenance team.
Kylee is a trained Emergency Response Team member, Peer Support Officer, and mentor, known for her leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to creating inclusive workplaces. Her journey has broken generational barriers and helped pave the way for more women in trades.
Kylee demonstrated great persistence and resilience in forging her career in the mining industry. Her personal journey and peer-focused leadership have driven meaningful cultural and operational improvements on the ground. Her resilience, technical excellence, and ability to inspire others positioned her as a standout in the category.
Nadine Heal
Congratulations to Nadine Heal, winner of the Bloomfield Group Outstanding Tradewoman / Operator / Technician Award at the 2024 BHP Women in Resources National Awards!
Nadine is an Open Pit Supervisor at Evolution Mining's Cowal Gold Operations (CGO), where she is currently the only female in this role. Nadine began her professional life in Melbourne, where she managed a florist by the age of 18.
Her career took a pivotal turn in 2007 when she joined CGO as a Haul Truck Operator, initially intending to save money for her own business. However, Nadine quickly fell in love with mining and CGO, rapidly advancing through various operational roles, including Blast Hole Driller, Backup Dispatcher, Drill and Blast Leading Hand, and Mine Production Leading Hand.
Ashara Moore
Congratulations to Ashara Moore, winner of the Newmont Australia Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources Award at the 2024 BHP Women in Resources National Awards!
Ashara is a civil engineer who graduated in mid-2018, balancing full-time work with an extended study load during her tertiary education. Ashara began her career as a Site Engineer, quickly adapting to her role as the sole engineer on major projects in Queensland, which enhanced her technical skills and interpersonal resilience in a male-oriented industry.
Her rapid career progression to Project Engineer, Senior Engineer, and Project Manager led her to work on major projects across several states. After achieving her goal of becoming a Project Manager, she joined BHP as a project specialist and pursued leadership roles while starting her doctoral studies in applied geochemistry, aiming to develop green technology for primary industries. As a portfolio lead, Ashara manages over $35M in projects and six directr reports, emphasising empathetic leadership and team skill development.
Kanae Dyas
Congratulations to Kanae Dyas, winner of the Rio Tinto Inclusion and Diversity Champion in Australian Resources Award at the 2024 BHP Women in Resources National Awards!
With over three decades of experience, Kanae Dyas is a Guinea-born advocate for inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E), focusing on psychosocial hazards, mental health, and cultural and gender safety.
Kanae's journey began with volunteer work in gender safety and women's health programs in PNG, leading to managing health and safety programs in the USA supporting culturally and racially marginalised individuals. Returning to Australia in 2006, she joined Rio Tinto Australia, where she developed the Acheive Health Program to address women's health in mining.
Her lived experience as a woman of colour has informed her work, allowing Kanae to create impactful programs and drive change. Kanae has presented a major conferences, served on multiple committees, and developed numerous programs focused on intersectionality, psychosocial safety, and the support of marginalised groups. Kanae's current role at Anglo American Steelmaking Coal involves leading initiatives recognised as best practice in psychosocial hazard management.
Dr Evelyn Ng
Congratulations to Dr Evelyn Ng, winner of the Maptek Woman in Resources Technological Innovation Award at the 2024 Women in Resources National Awards!
Dr Evelyn Ng holds a PhD, MASc, and BASc in Materials Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada, where she also taught engineering as a teaching assistant. Her passion for engineering was ignited during her undergraduate studies in Japan, where she was inspired by a prominent female leader to pursue graduate studies.
Dr Ng's professional journey spans five continents, including roles in Canada, Japan, Finland, Zambia, and Australia. Dr Ng began her career with First Quantam Minerals at Africa's largest copper mine in Zambia. After moving to Australia, Dr Ng progressed from a materials engineer at Callidus Group to a Subject Matter Expert in forensic investigations, and eventually to her current role as Group Manager of Materials & Innovation. In this role, she has developed four patents, with two already commercialised and a third in the pipeline.
THIESS
Congratulations to Thiess, winner of the Mitsubishi Development Excellence in Company Programs and Performance Award at the 2024 Women in Resources National Awards!
In March 2021, Thiess launched the Mt Arthur South Indigenous/Inclusive Trainee Employment (MASITE) Program. The Program is targeted at new to industry indigenous and/or female candidates to better enable development of new workers from within the local community and encourage more Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and women to work in the mining industry.
The participants of the MASITE Program come from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, and life experiences. Over the course of the 12-month traineeship they develop the skills of a Production Operator and upon completion are awarded a Certificate III in Surface Extraction, CAT 793 rear Dump Truck Skill, Light Vehicle competency and First-Aid Certificate. Participants are provided theoretical, and practical experience under the guidance of industry leading mentors and trainers providing a solid platform for a successful career in the industry.
Josie Fourie
Congratulations to Josie Fourie, winner of the Dyno Nobel Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award at the 2024 BHP Women in Resources National Awards!
Josie studied Chemical Engineering at RMIT. Embarking on a 25-year career in upstream energy, Josie earned recognition for her achievements in engineering, operations management, and business leadership. She became the most senior woman in offshore drilling in Australia, breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Her commitment to inclusive leadership reshaped teams, enhancing safety, culture, and performance.
Josie has led ground-breaking projects, such as the Enfield well abandonment and the contracting of a world class, modern drilling rig for the Australian decommissioning, drilling and well completion programs. Beyond her professional success, Josie actively contributes to the industry, holding leadership roles on industry committees and mentoring others.