Podcasts

Episode 43

Ship loaders, sheep stations & uranium dreams: Marnie Finlayson’s view on authentic leadership

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David Beilby speaks with Marnie Finlayson, Managing Director of ASX-listed uranium explorer DevEx Resources. A minerals processing engineer by training, Marnie spent 17 years at Rio Tinto across iron ore, gold, uranium, battery metals and rare earths, culminating in the role of Managing Director of the company’s battery materials business, and played a key role in implementing recommendations from Rio’s landmark workplace culture review. This is a candid, high-energy conversation covering Marnie’s upbringing on a remote sheep station north of Kalgoorlie, why she walked away from a major ASX company to build a junior uranium explorer from scratch, what authentic leadership really looks like at the top, and how AI has become a genuine part of her leadership team. A warm, honest conversation from one of WA’s rising resource sector leaders.

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Episode 42

Site visits, self-esteem & succession planning: Debra Bakker’s view on mining culture

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David is joined by co-host Gail Triston to speak with Debra Bakker, professional non-executive director sitting on the boards of IGO and Yancoal. A former corporate banker turned career NED, Debra has spent decades navigating boardrooms, project financing, M&A transactions, and corporate strategy across the resources sector. This is a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what genuine leadership looks like at board level versus the executive level, why empathy and encouragement matter more than authority, and the real value of governance training. A genuinely warm and honest conversation from one of WA’s most respected directors.

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Episode 41

The remuneration specialist: Mining pay structures are breaking & how to fix them | Allan Feinberg

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David sits down with Allan Feinberg, MD of Remsmart, a remuneration and reward strategy consultant with more than 20 years of experience advising boards, REM committees, and HR executives with a particular focus on the mining industry.

Far more than a conversation about pay structures, this is a masterclass in understanding what truly drives people, builds trust, and shapes culture inside resource companies. Allan unpacks why mining remuneration is fundamentally different from every other industry, how poorly designed incentive plans can quietly destroy a culture, and why the difference between an incentive and a retention plan matters far more than most boards realise. He also shares refreshingly candid reflections on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and what it really takes to show up well as a consultant and as a leader. Whether you work in mining, people management, or any business where relationships are the currency, there’s something here for you.

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Episode 40

From net zero to world first: Darren Stralow on building Bellevue Gold from the ground up

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David sits down with Darren Stralow, MD & CEO of Bellevue Gold. Over four years, Darren has led Bellevue through one of the most ambitious journeys in modern Australian mining, from exploration project to the world’s first net zero gold producer, built from the ground up as a single-asset company.

Far more than a gold story, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, culture, resilience and people. Darren reflects candidly on navigating the inevitable challenges of building a mine, what it really takes to retain and inspire a high-performing team, the dance floor versus balcony philosophy of great leadership, and why doing the right thing by the environment turned out to be brilliant business. Whether you work in mining, resources, or any people-driven organisation, the lessons here are universal.

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Episode 39

Leadership insights from the man who took the West Coast Eagles to 5 Grand Finals and 4 Premierships

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David sits down with Trevor Nisbett, former CEO of The West Coast Eagles and leading businessman. Over more than two decades at the helm, Trevor transformed the Eagles from a financially troubled interstate newcomer into one of the AFL’s most commercially successful clubs, competing in five grand finals and winning four premierships. Far more than a football story, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, culture, resilience and people. Trevor reflects candidly on navigating the club’s darkest chapter, the qualities that define great leaders, what it really takes to build a winning culture, and the wisdom he’d pass on to his 25-year-old self. Whether you work in sport, mining, or any people-driven organisation, the lessons here are universal.

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Episode 38

Leading with heart: Mia Gous on breaking barriers in global mining

In this episode of Hearts & Minds, we speak with Mia Gous, Regional Operations Manager at First Quantum Minerals. Mia is an accomplished engineer with extensive global experience, famously serving as the first female General Manager in Chile’s large-scale mining sector. She shares powerful reflections on leading through the COVID-19 pandemic and her journey across diverse cultures, commodities, and languages. The conversation explores the critical pillars of trust and purpose in leadership, the importance of culture in executing strategy, and the evolving challenges of maintaining competitiveness in the Australian mining landscape. A deep and empathic discussion with a pioneering leader dedicated to mentoring the next generation of industry talent.

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