Fortescue Metals : CEO for a Day at the forefront of innovation

Jul 26, 2018

Fortescue Metals Group's (Fortescue) latest CEO for a Day, Kellie Gesah, joined Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines and the Core Leadership Team for the launch of the Company's June FY18 quarterly production report.

Kellie began her journey with Fortescue via the Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) program in 2012. Today, she is a Mine Control Supervisor for Cloudbreak based in Perth's Integrated Operations Centre.

Kellie and her team ensure Cloudbreak's mine plan is met every day in the safest, most efficient and cost effective manner possible. In her position as Mine Control Supervisor, Kellie is at the forefront of the Company's rollout of autonomous haulage technology.

'I have been learning the Autonomous MineStar platform at Solomon so I can prepare our Cloudbreak Mine Control team for the new Autonomous Haulage System. We are working to ensure we have the right training and procedures in place to enable a smooth transition to autonomy,' Kellie said.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said, 'Without a doubt, the key to Fortescue's successful automation projects is our people; anyone can use a smart phone, but it is how you use the applications and functions that delivers the real gains. Similarly, it is the people and processes behind the technology, people like Kellie, who achieve the genuine benefits of automation.'

'Training has always been at the heart of everything we do at Fortescue. Having started her Fortescue journey with VTEC, and now completing our Leadership Excellence in Aboriginal People (LEAP) program, it's terrific to see Kellie continue to embrace the opportunities Fortescue has offered and capitalise on the training the innovation projects we have provided. I am delighted she could join the team and me as CEO for a Day,' Ms Gaines said.

While Kellie credits the LEAP program for helping her to become a leader, she believes you don't have to be in a supervisor role to show leadership.

'Leading by example is something that I have always strived for and lived by,' she said.

Background
Inspired by GenerationOne's CEO for a Day competition, Fortescue's CEO for a Day program sees Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines host an aspiring Aboriginal leader at each quarterly results release.

Fortescue is committed to providing training and employment opportunities to Aboriginal people. 14.6 per cent of Fortescue's workforce at 30 June 2018 was Aboriginal, while Fortescue's female participation rate was 17.4 per cent.