Sandy Sibenaler finalist in CME Women in Resources Awards

Congratulations to Sandy Sibenaler, our Vice President Finance, who was recently announced as a finalist in the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) Women in Resources Awards.

Sandy’s nomination is in the Women in Resources Champion Award category, recognising people who have encouraged, promoted, and advocated for the attraction, retention, inclusion, and promotion of women in the resources sector.

We spoke to Sandy to find out more.

Congratulations, Sandy! How do you feel hearing you’ve made it to the finals?

I’m really honoured to have been nominated and selected as a finalist. It has been a fantastic experience to support the Living our Code (respectful behaviours) training at South32 and have both operations and functional leaders show incredible commitment and focus on this across our business.

Why do you think you were nominated?

I don’t feel I’ve done anything special, but I’m told it was my passion for inclusion and diversity and my role in our Living our Code training and conversations that led me to being nominated.

Where did this drive and passion come from?

I was a senior leader in an operational role with another resources company and had just returned from parental leave. I found myself receiving ‘advice’ from colleagues that I should be at home looking after my child, and I think that was the catalyst that led me to start advocating for women and for an equal seat at the table.

Can you tell us more about your role in the training?

I knew how powerful the inclusion conversation could be from some of the work I’d done previously, so when we started contemplating our response to sexual harassment and psychological safety at South32, I was keen to trial a one-hour, leader-led conversation, starting with our Lead Team. This is now known as ‘Living our Code’ training, and the focus is on respectful behaviours, the role of bystanders and sexual harassment and provides us all with clear expectations of behaviours and the skills we need to intervene and speak up.

How do you encourage inclusion and diversity at South32?

We’ve had great feedback on Living our Code training, so I’ve been partnering closely with our HR team to broaden and extend the conversation. The next phase will build more on tools for bystanders to leverage to be able to intervene and support their colleagues.

I’ve also been leading the I&D working group to deliver on the CFO Team’s I&D commitments and help us build an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued for who they are.

Congratulations again and good luck Sandy!

The awards will be presented in Perth in March 2023.