Our Founder, Sam Houston, had the pleasure of attending the recent Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) MinExchange conference in Phoenix, and what an exhilarating week it was! The conference provided a platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate achievements, all while advocating for diversity and inclusion within the mining sector.
A highlight of the conference was the Women of SME Breakfast 2024, a vibrant session focused on ‘Impactful Leadership: The Importance of Confidence and Resilience.’ Sam had the privilege of hosting this inspiring event, which included the presentation of prestigious awards such as the WAAIME Founders Award and The Cindy Moore Award. Congratulations to the deserving recipients, Blanche Blattner and Julie Lucas, for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
Furthermore, Sam had the opportunity to moderate the insightful panel discussion featuring Sarah Loomis, Melissa Harmon, and Casey Stazick, whose stories inspired attendees and highlighted the importance of amplifying diverse voices in mining.
The session included a fun video featuring various participants, expertly crafted by Strategist Solutions and Keen Ltd. Sam hopes that this video will continue to serve as a testament to the vibrant community of women in mining, inspiring future generations of leaders.
The success of the Women of SME Breakfast would not have been possible without the dedication of the committee members, including Karin Harrington, Laura Nelson, Jaqueline Herrera, Rebecca Siwale, and Emma Li Salditt. Their thoughtful planning and execution ensured a thought-provoking program that resonated with attendees.
Sam also extends heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, whose support made the conference and student participation possible. Special thanks to Bechtel Corporation, Ecolab, FLSmidth, Freeport-McMoRan, Hecla Mining Company, Nalco Water, Newmont Corporation, Arcadis, and Boart Longyear for their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the mining industry.
As the conference ended, Sam expressed gratitude to all involved and wished luck to those attending #PDAC. With such a successful event concluded, Sam eagerly anticipates the possibility of attending both conferences next year!
#WomenOfSME #MINEXCHANGE2024 #Leadership #DiversityInMining #ThankYouSponsors #SafetyFirst #StrategistSolutions
