Although we’d expect nothing less of our MEC powerhouse Maria Joyce, we’re delighted to share that she has been named one of the world’s top 100 women in mining.
Non-profit UK organisation Women in Mining (WIM) has named Maria, MEC’s General Manager – Strategy and Business Development, as one of its ‘Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining’. Their search extended across the entire mining sector, including related and supporting industries, and all roles, ‘from mine to office, from explorers to C-Suite, from finance to compliance and ESG to government/non-government agencies’.
Since 2006, WIM has worked to promote and progress the development of women in the mining and minerals sector. 2018 marks the third edition of their Top 100 list.
‘To be represented in this top 100 is an extraordinary privilege,’ said Maria. ‘I am passionate about the work that I do in mining, and equally passionate about advocating for women in our industry.’
Maria has worked tirelessly to ensure that MEC provides an inclusive, flexible work environment that facilitates diversity. She was pivotal in MEC’s success in joining Work180 – an international jobs network that pre-screens advertising employers based on criteria such as pay equity, flexible working, paid parental leave and equal opportunities.
As Committee Chair for Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ), Maria volunteers her time to support women in the sector in Queensland. Through these platforms she also advocates for change at a national level supporting everything from participating as a judge for Minerals Council of Australia’s national awards to paneling at events such as Deloitte & Queensland Government’s Women on Boards initiatives.
Maria has also embraced opportunities to mentor others in mining and in business, using her position as a high achiever to improve the prospects of women from a range of backgrounds. She is a big believer that inclusion is the key to making diversity in the workplace sustainable and uses every opportunity to shape and influence the working cultures of businesses in mining.
Simon Cohn, MEC’s Director congratulated Maria on her achievement: ‘Maria’s talent and hard work have elevated her to the top of her field in a heavily male-dominated industry, while her passion for fairness has kept her grounded and dedicated to helping others. Her enthusiasm for revolutionising workplace diversity is infectious, and she is an outstanding role model for women across Australia.’