Overview
The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) is an independent, non-profit organization that leads collaboration among mining and exploration companies, organized labour, contractors, educational institutions, industry associations and Indigenous groups to identify and address the human resource and labour market challenges facing the Canadian minerals and metals sector.
Our Mission
To lead collaboration across the Canadian mining sector to analyze and disseminate labour market information and develop actionable solutions to industry HR challenges.
Our Vision
An inclusive, skilled and sustainable Canadian mining workforce that anticipates and adapts to volatility and innovation.
Our Values
- Inclusiveness – Foster an inclusive environment that respects and values the diversity of perspectives and cultures within the Canadian mining sector.
- Collaboration – Cultivate effective and ongoing communication and relationships with all stakeholders and communities of interest to be aware of their evolving needs and to promote collaborative approaches that consider all input to increase effectiveness of MiHR programs.
- Integrity – Commit to the highest ethical and professional standards, integrating honesty, integrity and trust in all individual and organizational relationships.
Our Strategic Priorities
Labour Market Information
Objective: To be the leading and trusted knowledge centre of labour market information for the Canadian mining sector.
Career Development
Objective: To increase awareness of and access to Canadian mining careers.
Respectful and Inclusive Workplaces
Objective: To enable respectful and inclusive workplaces in the
Canadian mining industry.
Skills Development and Recognition
Objective: To ensure training and skills are aligned and recognized to the needs of industry.
Collaboration and Partnerships
Objective: To collaborate with partners to respond to Canadian mining labour market challenges.
Governance
MiHR’s governance structure reflects our industry
From our board of directors to our program committees, representatives from Canadian mining employers and contractors form the largest membership of each group. In addition to employers, our board and/or standing committees may also include representatives from organized labour, education, associations and Indigenous groups.
Board of Directors
MiHR is governed by a 12 person board of directors that represent a cross-section of mining industry employers, organized labour, mining associations, equity groups, and educators from across Canada.
Jenine Ellefson (Chair)
Vice President, Human Resources
North America Newmont
Sherry Iskander (Vice-Chair)
Principal Advisor, Talent
Rio Tinto
Dean Winsor (Past Chair)
Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer
Teck Resources
Shanyn Bzowey
Director, Talent and HR
Suncor Energy
Geoff Smith
Vice President, Government Relations
Mining Association of Canada
Jered Heigh
Talent Acquisition and Development Manager
Cameco
Jan Romo
National Representative
Unifor
Mario Santos
National Representative
Unifor
Brian Vaillancourt
Vice President, Business Development
College Boreal
Kevon Stewart
Director – District 6
United Steelworkers
Michelle Edwards
Senior Global Director, People
Agnico Eagle
Anne Johnson
Assistant Professor, Smith Engineering
Queen’s University
Our Team
Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Ryan Montpellier
Executive Director
Ryan Montpellier Executive Director
Ryan has over 15 years of experience in identifying and addressing human resources and labour market challenges in the Canadian mining industry. Appointed as Executive Director in 2008, he leads all of MiHR’s strategic activities and represents the Council on various industry and government committees and advisory panels. Ryan is a past recipient of the Canadian Institute of Mining – Young Leadership Award and the International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill award. He is a regular speaker and panelist at industry conferences and events and was a past Distinguished Lecturer for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). Prior to joining MiHR, Ryan held various leadership positions with high-tech companies in the Ottawa region. Ryan holds a number of degrees including an MBA and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
Dana Imbeault
Senior Director, Operations & Skills Development
Dana Imbeault Senior Director, Operations & Skills Development
Dana is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of MiHR’s programs and activities. She also leads a team in the development of a suite of National Occupational Standards to be used by industry to help develop the required skills and competencies of its workforce, and leads the implementation of MiHR’s Canadian Mining Certification Program – a national program that recognizes the expertise of the industry workforce. Dana also provides oversight and guidance on the implementation of MiHR’s Mining Essentials Program: An Essential Skills and Work Readiness Program for Aboriginal Peoples.
William Meyer
Director, Communications and Career Development
William Meyer Director, Communications and Career Development
William Meyer is responsible for planning and providing strategic direction to effectively promote and build awareness of MiHR and its programs, projects and services. A strategic, results-oriented communications professional, William has nearly 15 years’ experience in the non-profit, association and government sectors – and has served as the head of communications for two industry associations. William also leads the development and implementation of marketing and communications activities that support all aspects of MiHR’s strategic plan.
Pascale Larouche
Director, Skills Development & Diversity
Pascale Larouche Director, Skills Development & Diversity
Pascale develops and distributes tools that help employers effectively engage with Indigenous peoples. She leads the continued expansion of the Mining Essentials Program through engaging partnerships, and her focus is to increase the participation of Indigenous peoples in the mining industry and assist in building a work-ready and safety conscious Indigenous workforce.
Jamie Wolcott
Director, Labour Market Information
Jamie Wolcott Director, Labour Market Information
Jamie is responsible for the continuous intellectual development of MiHR’s labour market research and forecasting for Canada’s mining industry. He has collaborated with numerous industry stakeholders across the country and has been a key contributor to several of MiHR’s research projects. His focus is to identify and understand the primary challenges and opportunities facing in the mining labour market in Canada.
Taylor-Faith Blenkarn
Senior Manager, Skills Development & Recognition
Taylor-Faith Blenkarn Senior Manager, Skills Development & Recognition
Taylor manages the development and maintenance of MiHR’s suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS) defined and validated by the Canadian mining industry. Taylor is responsible for the ongoing implementation of MiHR’s Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP), working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure a credible process for the assessment and recognition of the skills, knowledge and experience of mine workers. She leads the development, implementation and testing of new programs and initiatives using MiHR’s suite of National Occupational Standard. She contributes to project proposals, maintains budgets, prepares and executes work plans and compiles reports.
Lindsay Kajiura
Senior Manager, Skills Development
Lindsay Kajiura Senior Manager, Skills Development
Lindsay is responsible for implementing projects that support the engagement of all potential sources of labour to develop an inclusive and diversified workforce across the mining sector. She works on the business development and proposal activities around inclusion and diversity opportunities. She participates in building awareness in careers in mining to various audiences including newcomers, Indigenous people, women and youth, and manages engagement with MiHR’s inclusion and diversity programming. Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Women’s Studies and brings 4 years of Human Resource experience.
Maeva Callier
Senior Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development
Maeva Callier Senior Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development
Maeva is responsible for overseeing MiHR’s career awareness, education and wage subsidy programs to support the mining industry’s efforts to attract, recruit and develop a skilled and diverse workforce. Prior to joining MiHR, she managed corporate projects in the private sector, taught FSL in the public sector and ESL to newcomers to Canada. Maeva holds an honours bachelor’s degree in applied linguistics and a master’s degree in humanitarian action.
Gustavo Jurado
Senior Labour Market Economist
Gustavo Jurado Senior Labour Market Economist
Gustavo collaborates in the planning and development of MiHR’s labour market research and forecasting for the Canadian mining industry. He brings experience in e-commerce and data science, having worked in both public and private sectors. His previous projects have focused on understanding the potential impact of automation on the labour market.
Brandon Belo
Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development
Brandon Belo Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development
Brandon manages MiHR’s wage subsidy programs and supports various other inclusion, diversity and career development projects. Brandon has over 10 years of business management experience.
Irene Cunningham
Manager, Finance
Irene Cunningham Manager, Finance
Irene is responsible for accounting and financial reporting at MiHR, offering accounting support for both staff and projects. Irene has worked in a variety of industries and has previous experience working for not-for-profit organizations.
Bahareh Karimi
IT and Accounting Officer
Bahareh Karimi IT and Accounting Officer
Bahar is responsible for day-to-day office functions, supports staff and projects and manages accounts payable and expense claims at MiHR. She brings several years of experience in computer and network administration, accounting and customer service.
Alex Parsons
Communications and Graphic Design Officer
Alex Parsons Communications and Graphic Design Officer
Alex works with the communications team to write, edit and design market-ready content for the websites, social media pages and other facets of MiHR’s public face.
Vickey Sobhani
Labour Market Economist
Vickey Sobhani Labour Market Economist
Vickey contributes to the research, analysis and interpretation of labour force data to explain economic conditions and forecast labour market trends in Canada’s mining industry, applying econometric models and statistical techniques. She brings experience in private sector market analytics, as well as public sector economic assessment and management consulting across all levels of government.
Amanda Seguin
Coordinator, Recognition of Skills & Training
Amanda Seguin Coordinator, Recognition of Skills & Training
Amanda is responsible for providing ongoing support to the development and delivery of new and existing initiatives and training programs based on MiHR’s National Occupational Standards. She has previously worked in administration and event management with an educational background in business administration as well as project management.
Nicole MacLean
Coordinator, Skills Development & Stakeholder Engagement
Nicole MacLean Coordinator, Skills Development & Stakeholder Engagement
Nicole is responsible for planning, leading and coordinating a wide range of administrative functions which support MiHR’s National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP). She has over 10 years’ experience supporting the non-profit sector with a background in event management, gerontology and recreation studies.
Danielle Delaney
Office Coordinator
Danielle Delaney Office Coordinator
Danielle is responsible for day-to-day office functions as well as supporting staff and projects at MiHR. She offers experience working with numerous businesses and organizations to develop initiatives to support a variety of needs.
Career Opportunities at MiHR
Thank you for your interest in joining our team!
Please note that MiHR is not an employment agency, and does not offer positions other than those listed on this page. Resumes sent to MiHR related to general mining positions are not accepted. Please refer to job boards and company websites for mining industry job openings.
MiHR is dedicated to striving for inclusion and diversity in its staff. Please refer to our Inclusion & Diversity Policy and Procedures for more information.
MiHR is not currently hiring.
