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 understand labour market trends, identify opportunities, and develop solutions.
Our Vision
An inclusive, skilled and sustainable Canadian mining workforce that anticipates and adapts to volatility and innovation.
Our Values
- Collaboration
- Engagement
- Inclusion
- Efficiency
- Respect
- Integrity
- Knowledge
Our Strategic Priorities
Inclusion, Diversity & Career Development
As the national organization that leads collaboration across the Canadian mining sector to understand labour market trends, identify opportunities, and develop solutions, MiHR will:
- Increase industry’s ability to attract employees from diverse groups.
- Increase industry’s action to develop and implement inclusion strategies to support retention of diverse employee groups.
- Increased awareness, interest and improved perception of careers in mining.
- Improved link/connections between career seekers, education and industry.
National Occupation Standards & Workforce Development
As the national organization that leads collaboration across the Canadian mining sector to understand labour market trends, identify opportunities, and develop solutions, MiHR will increase:
- The common understanding of the current and relevant knowledge, skills and abilities of select mining occupations.
- Recognition of MiHR’s NOS across all PT governments and mining stakeholders.
- Alignment of training to the skills requirements of the mining industry.
- Recognition of MiHR’s national training standards and their value in aligning training to NOS.
- The pool of workers trained to the NOS.
- Access to certification for mine workers in all of MiHR’s NOS occupations.
- The pool of workers with nationally recognized skills.
- The employability and transition of workers in select mining occupations.
Strategic Engagements & Partnerships
As the national organization that leads collaboration across the Canadian mining sector to understand labour market trends, identify opportunities, and develop solutions, MiHR will:
- Increase cooperation and collaboration among industry stakeholders.
- Increase knowledge of, and improved ability to address, industry HR trends.
- Improve stakeholder engagement.
- Address sector needs through efficient and representative programming.
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 14 person board of directors that represent a cross-section of mining industry employers, organized labour, mining associations, equity groups, and educators from across Canada.
Keith Harris-Lowe (Chair)
Vice President, Special Projects
Agnico Eagle
Jenine Ellefson (Vice-Chair)
Vice President, Human Resources
North America Newmont
Dean Winsor (Past Chair)
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
Teck Resources
Shanyn Bzowey
Director, Talent and HR
Suncor Energy
Viviane Ajub
Head of HR for Ontario Operations
Vale
Geoff Smith
Vice President, Government Relations
Mining Association of Canada
Jered Heigh
Talent Acquisition and Development Manager
Cameco
Sherry Iskander
Principal Advisor, Talent
Rio Tinto
Jan Romo
National Representative
Unifor
Mario Santos
National Representative
Unifor
Brian Vaillancourt
Vice President, Business Development
College Boreal
Steve Ball
Mining Project Manager
Hatch
Glenn Nolan
Vice President, Government Affairs
Ring of Fire Metals
Myles Sullivan
Director – District 6
United Steelworkers
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, NOS and CMCP
Dana Imbeault Senior Director Operations, NOS and CMCP
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, Marketing and Communications
William Meyer Director, Marketing and Communications
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.
Leslie Woolcott
Director, Inclusion, Diversity and Career Development
Leslie Woolcott Director, Inclusion, Diversity and Career Development
Leslie manages a team of professionals who carry out programs and projects to increase the mining industry’s ability to attract and retain employees from diverse groups and to increase awareness, interest and improve the perception of mining careers. A strategic corporate leader with extensive human resources management, adult education, and stakeholder engagement experience, Leslie has spearheaded large-scale culture change and capacity-building programs focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, workplace harassment and violence in the education and community sectors. Using collaborative, multi-faceted strategies, Leslie and her team are available to support unique sites, diverse stakeholders, and the overall mining sector.
Pascale Larouche
Director, Training and Workforce Development
Pascale Larouche Director, Training and Workforce Development
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.
Jennifer Trepanier
Senior Manager, Finance and Administration
Jennifer Trepanier Senior Manager, Finance and Administration
Jen is responsible for the day-to-day financial management and administrative operations at MiHR. Jen holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Laurentian University and has over 10 years of experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining MiHR and the not-for-profit sector, Jen held various intermediate and senior financial analyst positions in the professional service, hospitality and manufacturing industries in Ottawa.
Taylor-Faith Blenkarn
Senior Manager, NOS and CMCP
Taylor-Faith Blenkarn Senior Manager, NOS and CMCP
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, Training & Workforce Development
Lindsay Kajiura Senior Manager, Training & Workforce 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.
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.
Joel Downham
Manager, Inclusion, Diversity & Career Development
Joel Downham Manager, Inclusion, Diversity & Career Development
Joel is responsible for designing, managing, delivering and evaluating projects which support MIHR’s strategic inclusion, diversity and career development objectives. He has an international background working in peace and security projects and most recently in the diplomatic services. Joel is currently undertaking a BA (honours) degree in business management with Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom.
Ghazoua Ouerghi Saada
Manager, Inclusion, Diversity and Career Development
Ghazoua Ouerghi Saada Manager, Inclusion, Diversity and Career Development
Ghazoua is responsible for designing, managing, delivering and evaluating projects that support MiHR’s strategic inclusion, diversity and career development objectives. Prior to joining MiHR, Ghazoua managed projects and programs in the non-profit sector in Canada and Tunisia. She is a Fulbright alumna and has a master’s degree in public administration.
Victoria Burnie
Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development
Victoria Burnie Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development
Victoria is responsible for managing MiHR’s wage subsidy programs and career development initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and brings five years of human resource experience.
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.
Julie Graves
Manager, Communications
Julie Graves Manager, Communications
Julie manages and contributes to the development of MiHR’s marketing and communications activities, such as social media campaigns, web material, reports and publications. In addition, Julie also leads MiHR participation at events and monitors media hits and opportunities.
Tabetha Sheppard
Manager, Marketing and Outreach
Tabetha Sheppard Manager, Marketing and Outreach
Tabetha (She/They) leads MiHR’s marketing and outreach activities, including the newly launched We Need Mining. Mining Needs You. Career Ambassador Program. They are a geoscientist and science communicator who has over 5 years of experience managing and delivering outreach programs across Canada. Tabetha earned her master’s degree in science communication from Laurentian University, where their research focused on youth perceptions of the mining industry.
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.
Louise Briglio
Project Coordinator, Training
Louise Briglio Project Coordinator, Training
Amanda Seguin
Project Coordinator, Training and Certifications
Amanda Seguin Project Coordinator, Training and Certifications
Amanda is responsible for supporting the administration of team projects by planning, leading, coordinating and organizing a wide range of project-related functions that support the effective management of IDCD projects. She has previously worked in administration and event management with an educational background in business administration as well as project management.
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.