Helen Degeling is a geologist and recognised, influential advocate for minerals development that delivers positive ESG outcomes and meets the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation. She has previously held roles as a researcher, exploration and mine geologist, and exploration manager for junior precious, base and critical metal explorers, as well as leadership positions in critical minerals and sustainable mining across government and industry. Helen is now Director of Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3, where she combines her traditional geological expertise and passion for circularity, sustainability and traceability to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions for the resources industry’s ‘next generation’ challenges.

As the CEO of Coreo, Ashleigh is catalysing the transition to a circular economy. In five short years Coreo’s dynamic team has delivered hundreds of highly impactful projects across a broad range of industries and supply chains, including the largest producers and consumers of metals. Ashleigh drives strategy and execution of initiatives to create value across the life-cycles of iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper, aluminium and other critical minerals, for global clients like Fortescue, Anglo American, BHP, Rio Tinto, South32, Alcoa, the Aluminium Council of Australia and the Australian Government. Globally recognised for her circular economy leadership, Ashleigh is a member of the AusIMM ESG Advisory Council, and a responsible mining expert with working groups for the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) and The Copper Mark Chain of Custody. She holds advisory roles across mining, textiles and renewable fuels industries, and serves on the board of the Australian Circular Economy Hub.

Helen Degeling is a geologist and recognised, influential advocate for minerals development that delivers positive ESG outcomes and meets the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation. She has previously held roles as a researcher, exploration and mine geologist, and exploration manager for junior precious, base and critical metal explorers, as well as leadership positions in critical minerals and sustainable mining across government and industry. Helen is now Director of Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3, where she combines her traditional geological expertise and passion for circularity, sustainability and traceability to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions for the resources industry’s ‘next generation’ challenges.

Panel Synopsis: How can critical minerals developers, producers and professionals deliver genuine benefits to community, and how do we demonstrate our contribution to the environmental, social and government ambitions of an increasingly engaged stakeholder community? As governments, local communities, landholders, traditional owners and investors look to our industry to generate new social and economic value, this panel bring together the sector’s leading thinkers to explain the what, why and how for our collective ESG agenda. Panellists will explore the new forms of value sought, the stakeholders involved, and the role of professionals play not only in ‘doing what we say we will do’ for the community, but in demonstrating our value to build social licence and ensure critical minerals developments remain viable and beneficial across the life of mine.

Jules is an experienced leader in the mining and energy sectors, with more than 25 years’ experience spanning mining engineering, environmental management, approvals, social performance and sustainability strategy. She began her career as a mining engineer and has spent the past two decades specialising in sustainability and environmental performance. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) and a Master of Environmental Management, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Jules has worked across operational, corporate and consulting roles throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, with expertise in strategic planning, risk and project management, governance and assurance, approvals and compliance, mine closure, and operational HSE management. In her most recent role at BHP as Head of Sustainability Governance and Assurance, Jules led the global assurance of climate, environmental and sustainability standards and minimum requirements. She also governed BHP’s Social Value Framework and 2030 sustainability goals, and social investment portfolio. Jules has been actively involved with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) for over 25 years, holding a range of leadership and committee roles, including with the Social and Environment Society, the Life of Mine Conference Committee, and WIMnet. She is currently serving her second term as a Director on the AusIMM Board.

Mikaela is the founder and CEO of Indigital. She is a visionary leader who bridges the worlds of ancient cultural knowledge and emerging technologies to create opportunities that honour Country and support thriving communities. With a background in environmental biology and a passion for innovation, Mikaela has spent more than a decade translating between cultural and digital worlds. She has guided Indigital from its roots in augmented reality storytelling to a national leader in systems change programs that unite community, culture, and corporate Australia. Mikaela is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council. She holds a Master of Applied Cybernetics (with Commendation) at the ANU’s School of Cybernetics and was awarded the Schwab Foundation 2022 Social Innovators of the Year award. Recognised globally for her thought leadership in Indigenous technology and systems transformation, she continues to shape how industries and communities work together toward equitable, sustainable futures.

Chris McCombe is General Manager – Sustainability at the Minerals Council of Australia, the national peak body for the Australian minerals industry. He has more than 25 years’ experience in geoscience, sustainability policy and practice across the public and private sectors in Australia and overseas. Chris leads MCA initiatives to strengthen the minerals industry’s environmental, social and governance performance, including implementation of Towards Sustainable Mining in Australia and development of the Global Consolidated Mining Standards initiative. In 2018, he worked with the International Council on Mining and Metals on global water issues and mine closure. Previously, Chris managed major abandoned mine rehabilitation projects for the Queensland Government and worked as an environmental consultant and technical specialist in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Lauren McGregor is Director, Investments (Resources) at the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC), where she leads investments across the critical minerals and broader resources value chain. With extensive experience in corporate and project finance, private equity, and resource sector investment, Lauren works closely with industry, government, and financial partners to support projects that strengthen Australia's critical minerals capabilities, value-added processing, and supply chain resilience. Prior to joining the NRFC, she held roles with Resource Capital Funds, Commonwealth Bank, and Lloyds Banking Group, bringing expertise across both debt and equity financing in the resources sector.

Narelle is General Manager Professional Standards at AusIMM. She is a long-term advocate for the importance of Professional Standards, ESG and DEI in enhancing value for the mining sector for almost 30 years. She has worked across various commodities and jurisdictions within AngloGold, Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Xstrata Coal, Rio Tinto, Arrow Energy, MMG Limited and St Barbara Ltd. Narelle has developed and driven strategies, systems and processes that assess, lift and monitor internal and external performance for organisations. She is passionate about empowering teams by providing structure and building the capability of practitioners and organisations. Narelle is a Fellow of the AusIMM and Industry Fellow at Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland. She began her career as a geologist but has spent the bulk of her career in a variety of site and corporate ESG and Social Performance companies. Narelle has served on AusIMM Branches, Committees and Societies during her career and is proud to be supporting capability development through this and other AusIMM courses. In her current role Narelle’s responsibilities include overseeing the review of our Codes (JORC and VALMIN), supporting the AusIMM’s integrity via the Professional Conduct and Ethics processes, elevating our standing via Government and Advocacy forums, enhancing our Chartered Professional program, advancing Future Talent and Diversity initiatives and driving our ESG Capability Partnership with Government.