Insights from Industry Allies: Men's Feedback on Femina Collective

In the captivating mining world, where challenges and opportunities intertwine, Femina Collective is a vibrant community within the natural resource sector, driven by a shared mission to empower and elevate women. Our focus is clear: to bring more women into the industry and champion their journey toward equity and inclusion.

Our efforts to promote women's representation in the Natural Resource sector have received tremendous support from men working in the industry. The positive feedback we have received indicates that we are moving in the right direction. Let us all unite to empower and support women in this sector and continue on this path toward progress and equality.

In this blog post, we invite you to hear directly from these supportive men as they share their thoughts and reflections on the transformative role Femina Collective plays in promoting gender equality and empowering women. Their feedback shows our commitment to empowering and uplifting women in this traditionally male-dominated field. We’ve created questions and stories about empowerment, support, and collective growth within the natural resource sector. This story inspires us all, regardless of gender, to embrace change and create a more inclusive future. Join us as we delve into the voices and experiences of both men and women who champion the cause of gender equality in mining and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Recognizing the Power of Community and Collaboration

First, we asked them to share their thoughts and views on Femina Collective.

Kevin D’Souza, Chief Sustainability Officer at Resource Capital Funds &
Femina Collective Advisor

Kevin said he appreciates the unique space Femina Collective offers within the mining industry. He acknowledges that the collective is more than just a platform for venting frustrations; it fosters allyship and constructive support. Kevin emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus from individual accomplishments to personal fulfillment and the collective impact that Femina Collective can have on women's lives and careers. By providing a safe environment for sharing ideas, challenges, and experiences, the collective enables women to find camaraderie and support amidst the industry's unique demands.

Driving Positive Change and Empowerment

We asked them, “Do you believe Femina Collective is creating and making a difference for women in the industry?”

Steve Virtue, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for
SmartCentres REIT

According to Steve , Femina Collective is influential in shaping a progressive future for the natural resource sector. He commends the dedication and commitment of the collective's leaders and supporters, recognizing that meaningful change within the industry would be easier to achieve with their inspired leadership and focus. Steve believes Femina Collective's engagement structure and commitment to driving positive evolution will continue pushing the industry forward, benefiting shareholders, stakeholders, and employees.

Amplifying Voices and Fostering Inclusion

Then we asked, “If someone asks you, ‘What is Femina Collective?’ - what would be your response?”

Mike Mayhew, Founder of Mayhew Performance Ltd.

Empowerment. Community. Progress.
Mike highlights the importance of Femina Collective as a safe and professional platform that empowers women in the natural resource sector. He acknowledges the challenge of competing for corporate dollars but emphasizes the unique value that Femina Collective brings. Mike raises the crucial aspect of inclusivity, ensuring that the collective serves as an allyship space where all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, feel supported and represented. Femina Collective's commitment to diversity and its focus on sharing ideas, challenges, and successes can help raise the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour within the industry.

“The Femina Collective” is a network of strong, experienced, professional women in natural resources. By becoming a member of the program, will allow your company to engage with industry-like-minded experts around the world by creating a “safe” and “open” transparent platform for professional women to share ideas, challenges and real-life experiences.”

This year, Mayhew Performance Ltd. provided support for The Femina Collective Scholarship. We are grateful for their significant efforts in providing opportunities for young women entering the natural resource sector.

Building a Supportive Network and Inspiring Growth

Finally, we asked, “What do you hope to see Femina Collective become and grow into?”

Aaron Steeghs, VP of Health & Safety, Environment, and Communities at IAMGOLD Corporation

Aaron recognizes the transformative power of Femina Collective in providing a supportive network for women in the mining industry. He highlights the importance of mentorship and the opportunity to collaborate and share experiences within a safe environment. Aaron envisions Femina Collective expanding its influence by partnering closely with boards, executive teams, and HR departments to foster an organizational culture that embraces diversity. He believes that as the cultural shift occurs, Femina Collective's work will benefit organizations, shareholders, and communities while solidifying its position as an essential business strategy.

The heartfelt feedback we received from these remarkable men in the mining industry and natural resource sector speaks volumes about the transformative power of Femina Collective. It serves as a testament to the profound impact we can have when we come together as allies, embracing a shared vision of equality and empowerment. Their voices echo the importance of creating a nurturing space where women can thrive, find fulfillment, and contribute to the industry's collective growth. With the unwavering support of these male allies and the continued expansion of Femina Collective, we are charting a new course toward a future where all voices are heard, valued, and celebrated.

Together, we can break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and build a mining industry that is genuinely inclusive and prosperous for all.

The Magic of Our First Femina Collective Retreat

We live in a fast-paced world where the demands of everyday life can be overwhelming. As women, we often find ourselves caught up in our professional lives, and we forget to connect with our greater selves and with other women. That's why I decided to host the first women’s retreat, where we could do just that. In this blog post, I’m going to take you through our incredible journey and explain why taking time off is not just a want, but a need that every woman should prioritize at least once a year.

Our retreat was set in a tropical location to give us a luxurious and relaxed atmosphere where we could disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our programming included daily morning meditations and group sessions followed by free time in the afternoon to connect with each other and share our stories. This allowed us to develop deeper connections with each other and nourish our souls.

On the first morning of the retreat, we had coach Diane Gies lead us through personal whiteboard journeys. We examined the messages we’ve carried with us throughout our lives from childhood, adolescence, high school, our first jobs, and families. These messages can shape us and sometimes hold us back from being our authentic selves. This exercise was especially powerful because each woman was given the opportunity to share their experiences and hear stories from other women who may have gone through similar struggles.

Our journey began with Sustainability Coach Carmen Turner, who guided us through a series of journaling questions focused on unpacking our belief systems. We started by reflecting on the expectations that others have placed upon us and analyzing the beliefs we hold because of them. The discussion that followed was insightful and thought-provoking, as we shared our professional and personal expectations, and the impact they have on our lives.

Our retreat was a huge success. The energy was palpable from the moment we all came together to the last time our last transfer left the resort. We returned to our busy lives with newfound strength and inspiration after taking time to connect with ourselves and each other.

One of the biggest takeaways from our retreat was the importance of taking time off. Many women neglect their own physical and mental wellbeing while juggling family and work responsibilities. This retreat taught us that by taking some time off, we can practice self-care, invest in ourselves, get inspired, and come back refreshed.

Another crucial takeaway was the power of connection. Women often face the challenge of not feeling supported or heard. Developing close relationships with other women can create a support system where we can lean on each other and share our experiences. The connections we made on this retreat were invaluable and we now have newfound connections and support systems we can tap into no matter what life throws our way.

In conclusion, our first women’s retreat was a success, and we proved to ourselves that taking time off is more than just a luxury – it’s a necessity. We left the retreat filled with inspiration and a newfound support system. If you’re a woman juggling a high-pressure work environment, a family, and a social life, I encourage you to schedule time every year to detach yourself from all your responsibilities and prioritize self-care. In doing so, you’ll return to your daily routine with newfound strength, inspiration and be ready to tackle everything again with a new energy.