Name: Kristy Purdon
Industry: Mining & Resources
Company: Anglo American
Role: Work Management
Location: Moranbah, QLD, AUS
If we had to step into your (she wear) shoes (pun intended), what could we expect a day in your life to feel like?
Awake up to my morning sadhana ritual (the 5am club before I knew it was a club. Quick prep for school duties before waking the kids up and getting them ready for before school care. March I will clock over my first year as Anglo American’s social performance specialist. This role I’m deeply passionate about as it looks at our social license to operate. With the leadership team across Moranbah North and Grosvenor and our Social Way framework, we actively engage, partner and collaborate with the businesses, community and organisation in our Area of Influence. This includes regular community forums, participation and commitment to community events, partnership with key stakeholders to provide services to the community and the running of an annual community grants process.
I’ve swapped my green she wear boots for Supports 2 sneakers to run around the community in. Most days just before finishing for the day I will do a bit of work on the planning and organising of the WIMARQ Bowen Basin chapter, we have big events and goals for 2025 and I can’t thank my newly formed chapter committee for the support for the year ahead.
After this head home to my family, dinner and quality time with my two sons and amazing husband.
On occasions I get to go underground and awe at how brave and confidence our workforce is to work deep into the earth.
What do you enjoy about your role?
The connections, the conversations and seeing firsthand the value and appreciation from our partners in the community. Being present and involved with Moranbah community on behalf and/or with my leadership team.
How did you get into your industry or role? What did you study or how did you learn your skills?
I studied business on the Gold Coast before returning to the Bowen Basin were I literally drove from Middlemount to Emerald knocked on doors (when HR were onsite) in search of my big break. Even with the bachelors degree I applied and got a traineeship in cert 5 – business management and volunteered for everything, all departments, roles, leave coverage – everything. I landed in maintenance and engineering filling a system officers role then moved into work management – honing my experience and knowledge in lean maintenance, SAP and using my passion to find out what I didn’t know.
Have you won any awards, earned any special recognition or been involved in something “out of the box”?
Upon returning to the industry after my first son was born. I have been involved in WIMARQ for around 10 years in Moranbah and the regional lead for around 8 years.
In this time, I have been a finalist for WIMARQ/QRC Women in Mining awards twice, and the winner in 2022 and finalist in the national awards in the same year.
Finalist in our local council run “inspiring Isaac awards”, speaker and panellist on industry I&D events. I have always been a part of my companies I&D councils locally and part of their corporate council.
With my current employer we created our own company led women networking group WoMine, introduced beautiful parental gift boxes for employees and spread the word of mental health with those funky trade mutt shirts.
I also represent WIMARQ in the international women in mining organisation and the alliance group to globally improve the conditions and experience of women in mining all across the globe. This representation has recently turned into an advocacy council with IWiM.
What advice would you give to other women? What are some tips you’d give to other people in your industry?
Support each other, it’s a tough industry to belong in without the addition of “perceived competition” from other women. Like WIMARQ’s motto – connect, support and nurture. Value what all individuals bring to the table. A rich tapestry of different, beautiful insights and experience.
Do you have a favourite saying or quote, or mantra that you live by?
Where focus goes, energy flows. What you focus on you will get more of, so chose to focus on the good and have an attitude of gratitude daily.
Have you ever encountered any negative experiences that, although difficult at the time, may have helped shape who you are today?
Being in the industry for over 15 years, yes I have encountered many experiences that haven’t been respectful or kind. Including a very raw experience where I was targeted and victimised at work. This incident was a very big growth lesson for me. I could have said nothing, walked away, saved myself the anguish of mental health concerns, it would have been so easy. But, I didn’t, I chose to stand up and speak out not just for me but as an example for anyone in a similar situation. It is not okay to be treated with disrespect especially when you are giving the role, the business and your team your everything for them.
How do you feel about your she wear boots?
I love, love, love them. I brought my first pair back when Stacey showcased them at one of our WIMARQ networking event in Moranbah. They were a perfect fit, no breaking them in, no soreness, blisters or pain. I have since brought a new pair every time I start a new role or every 2 years including my latest additions – she inspired green boots (which I get so many comments about them). I encourage my team to buy them and highly recommend to anyone who listens. Can’t wait to try the leisure wear sneakers.
Check out Kristy's fave she wear boots for on site - the Achieves here. And for day's in the office, Kristy wears the Supports sneaker.