Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Melanie Stutsel

Ashgrove,QLD

Summary


Dynamic leader with proven track record of successfully achieving desired business objectives in the Australian and global minerals industry. Expertise in reputation management, stakeholder relations, public policy, ESG and Indigenous relations. Skilled in developing and executing strategies, managing budgets and resources, and leading cross-functional teams, supported by excellent communication skills and a commitment to sustainable development.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Program Director - Future Technical

Rio Tinto
07.2024 - Current
  • Provide strategic direction and leadership for a Group wide business transformation program focussed on OBK and mine planning and its interface with business planning.
  • Evaluated plan and technical performance through diagnostics and comprehensive stakeholder engagement to identify >$1bn of additional Group value per annum.
  • Leading change management initiatives focussed on a revised operating model for the Group and aligned to other business programs, in partnership with the Product Groups and Group Technical.

General Manager Strategy and Optimisation

Rio Tinto
03.2020 - 06.2024
  • Accountable for Group wide strategy and related initiatives to effectively manage the Rio Tinto Closure liability for its operating assets (currently $17.2bn), including leading a $12m p.a. closure related R&D program; asset related risk and performance improvement initiatives and the establishment and operation of a JV Regeneration Enterprises, a social enterprise focussed on remining and restoration (www.regeneration.enterprises).
  • Partner with external stakeholders incl industry, civil society organisations and governments to co‐design novel and contemporary approaches to closure and the socio‐economic transition of communities. Examples include implementing a traditional owner led agribusiness project to support food and economic security at Nhulunbuy; and the development of a closure microcredentials program with Curtin University and the University of British Columbia.
  • Designed and championed continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced operational performance across the Group to reduce closure cost and risk. Examples of this included working with traditional owners and Government to support the repurposing of the port and related assets as part of the Gove refinery closure; and the establishment of a tyre and conveyor recycling partnership in Northern Australia.

General Manager - ESG

Rio Tinto
05.2023 - 12.2023
  • Seconded to the Jadar LT and responsible for leading the CSP and Environment teams and developing the ESG performance criteria for the Jadar Project.
  • Designed and implemented a local engagement strategy for the project in Loznica to demonstrate public acceptance for the project, which provided direct engagement sessions for 10% of the local population over a 3‐month period, led by the Jadar team and led to a positive sentiment rating.
  • Responsible for direct engagement with Government, NGO's and academics in relation to the environmental and social aspects of the project, including providing the first public presentation on the Project since the Government's withdrawal of the permits at the Serbian International Mining Conference, and presentations to the Government of Serbia's independent environmental consultants on key social and environmental impacts and mitigations.

GM- Safety, Environment and Social Performance

MMG Limited
06.2017 - 11.2019
  • As a key member of the Executive Management Team, define and support the site level execution of strategy, organisational standards and business requirements and performance metrics across portfolio responsibilities, including at operations in Australia, Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos, Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru and development projects in Australia and Canada.
  • Initiation and establishment of key global partnerships with NGO’s and organisations of the United Nations across child rights, health, education, resource transparency, resettlement, artisanal mining and biodiversity to support the delivery of social development initiatives in Peru, Democratic Republic of Congo, PDR Laos and Australia. Examples of this include the 1000 Days Program with UNICEF and the Government of Laos and the establishment of the Ubuntu Farm in the DRC.
  • Engagement with external stakeholders including the United Nations, NGO’s, investors and the media and support all ESG related corporate communications and sustainability reporting including Exchange related disclosures, public GRI based reporting, regulatory compliance and MMG’s development focused website www. wemineforprogress.com

GM - Social Development and Public Policy

MMG Limited
10.2015 - 06.2017
  • Designed and led MMG social investment strategy, including alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (approximately US$17M per annum). Examples include a global partnership with UNICEF (US$4.3M over 3 years) delivering a comprehensive health program to support the first 1000 days of a child’s life in PDR Laos. The project influenced PDR Laos Government reforms on pre‐service and in‐service nursing training, policy on micronutrient supplementation and led to positive changes in selected national health indicators for the target group.
  • Developed global sustainability strategy including determining relevant international frameworks and initiatives and the development and execution of corporate strategy to support acceptance into the initiative and the effective implementation of the requisite standards across diverse geographies and dispersed management practices.
  • Provide expert advice to the Board, Executive Team and Operations on key social risks and opportunities and design strategic and tactical responses for the Group focussed on international or national policy advocacy or the implementation of specific controls by operations. This included a strategy to secure NGO support for the social development programs to support a community resettlement program at Minera Las Bambas in Peru.
  • Development and maintenance of strategic organisational relationships with key external stakeholders including NGO’s, key Government agencies, development organisations, research organisations and industry associations including the ICMM and national associations.

Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Affairs

MMG Limited
04.2015 - 09.2015
  • Seconded from the MCA to lead the development of a strategic response to deliver improved social performance for MMG and to define the business approach to ‘We Mine for Progress’.
  • Developed a company social and environmental strategy to enable the responsible divestment of an ‘end of life asset’ - the Century Mine - and the establishment of a business process for social and economic transition as an alternative to mine closure in partnership with the Waanyi Traditional Owners and senior Indigenous leaders and Downer EDI.
  • Structuring of the Community Relations, Social Development and Land Access functions for a site‐based team of over 200 professionals at a tier one copper project in Peru. This included the development of a social competency framework for the business, individual competency assessment of all social performance professionals across the global business and development and delivery of tailored training programs.
  • Collaborated with internal teams to align corporate affairs strategies with business objectives.

Director Health, Safety and Environment

Minerals Council of Australia
12.2008 - 04.2015
  • Representation, policy advocacy and leadership on all HSES issues on behalf of the MCA Board of Directors to external stakeholders including Government, unions, Indigenous leaders and NGOs.
  • Cultivated close working relationships with key Government Departments and agencies to achieve five year, $2.5M partnership on Indigenous economic development and mining.
  • Spearheaded the development of key public policy initiatives, including a new trust structure to drive Indigenous economic development from land‐use agreements, in partnership with the National Native Title Council and senior Indigenous leaders.
  • Established a coalition of industry, Government and civil society representatives culminating in a national pilot of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and Government commitment to domestic implementation.
  • Development of national materials stewardship framework and advocacy in international and national waste management and materials classification and handling legislation.
  • Government appointee to key policy design and implementation groups relevant to the MCA’s advocacy agenda, including the ‘One stop shop’ on environmental approvals and the Remote Jobs and Communities Programs.
  • Established a national minerals industry agenda on mental health and resilience, including a strategic partnership with key medical, union and research organisations to develop a model for remote service delivery - Mates in Mining.
  • Led MCA media and communications across all health, safety, environment, Indigenous and regional development issues, including lead articles in major newspapers, frequent radio appearances and television interviews on National news and the 7:30 Report.

Director - Environment and Social Policy

Minerals Council of Australia
06.2005 - 12.2008
  • Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on minerals industry projects and operations, including industry representation, advocacy, media, communications and performance improvement initiatives.
  • Developed and maintained effective and cooperative relationships with Ministers and Ministerial staff, Government Departments, national and international agencies and non‐government organisations on matters related to the industry’s social and environmental policies and performance.
  • Representation of the Australian minerals industry in key international sustainability fora and program development initiatives including the ICMM, ISO Committees and technical working groups, intergovernmental fora on mining and the WWF Mine Certification Evaluation Project which led to the formation of industry certification programs like the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices.

Assistant Director - Environment and Social Policy

Minerals Council of Australia
04.2000 - 05.2005
  • Development and Management of Enduring Value ‐ the Australian Minerals Framework for Sustainable Development. Promotion of the value and benefits of Enduring Value to industry and external stakeholders, including leveraging opportunities to raise awareness and understanding of the Framework as an alternative to increased regulation.
  • Identification and analysis of issues of strategic importance to the MCA’s environmental and social agenda.
  • Identification, planning, design and development of new social and environmental policies to address emerging needs in the Australian minerals industry in concert with relevant industry representatives.
  • Development and maintenance of effective and cooperative relationships with relevant government, non‐government and other national and international agencies dealing with environmental, social, governance and business ethics issues.
  • Analysis of relevant legislation, reports and publications, assessing them for their impact on the Council’s policies and programs and the activities of its members, and developing and implementing an appropriate response on behalf of the MCA.

Chief of Staff

Shadow Minister for Sport, Youth Affairs & IT
02.1999 - 04.2000
  • Inter-party and Intra-party liaison on all relevant political and portfolio matters, and engagement with community and industry groups on key portfolio issues.
  • Production of legislation briefs, amendments, speeches, submissions, Shadow Ministerial Papers, Questions, detailed briefs for the Senate Estimates Process and other work as required for Shadow Ministry.
  • Responsible for research, formulation and negotiation for Youth Affairs and Information Technology sections of the National Party Platform and the production of briefing material and supporting documentation for National Policy Committees.

Senior Advisor

Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage
10.1996 - 11.1998
  • Development of National Party Policy on Environmental Management and Heritage Protection, including policy for the 1996 and 1998 Federal Elections.
  • Briefing Opposition members, including the Leader of the Opposition, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate on key environmental issues and opportunities.
  • Policy research and the development of Opposition policy on proposed environmental and Native Title reforms.
  • Relationship management and engagement with conservation, community and other interested parties.
  • Preparation of speeches, correspondence, media releases and liaison with media

Education

Certificate - Leading Sustainable Corporations

Saïd Business School
University Of Oxford
08-2024

Certificate - Executive Leadership

Saïd Business School
University Of Oxford
04-2020

Bachelor of Applied Science - Environmental And Resource Science

University of Canberra
Canberra, ACT
11-1998

Skills

  • Government relations and public policy
  • Partnership development and stakeholder engagement
  • Reputation management
  • Complex problem-solving
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Excellent communication

Awards

  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australia India Council Environment Speaker of the Year, 2014.
  • Australian Financial Review and Westpac Inaugural 100 Women of Influence Award for leadership in public policy, 2012.

Timeline

Program Director - Future Technical

Rio Tinto
07.2024 - Current

General Manager - ESG

Rio Tinto
05.2023 - 12.2023

General Manager Strategy and Optimisation

Rio Tinto
03.2020 - 06.2024

GM- Safety, Environment and Social Performance

MMG Limited
06.2017 - 11.2019

GM - Social Development and Public Policy

MMG Limited
10.2015 - 06.2017

Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Affairs

MMG Limited
04.2015 - 09.2015

Director Health, Safety and Environment

Minerals Council of Australia
12.2008 - 04.2015

Director - Environment and Social Policy

Minerals Council of Australia
06.2005 - 12.2008

Assistant Director - Environment and Social Policy

Minerals Council of Australia
04.2000 - 05.2005

Chief of Staff

Shadow Minister for Sport, Youth Affairs & IT
02.1999 - 04.2000

Senior Advisor

Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage
10.1996 - 11.1998

Certificate - Leading Sustainable Corporations

Saïd Business School

Certificate - Executive Leadership

Saïd Business School

Bachelor of Applied Science - Environmental And Resource Science

University of Canberra

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