Joanne Farrell has worked in the mining industry since 1981, following an earlier career as an economist. She has a BSc (Psychology and Economics), a Graduate Diploma (Management) and has completed Business Leadership Programmes through the University of NSW and London Business School. Joanne was appointed Rio Tinto’s Group Executive, Health, Safety and Environment in July 2016, and additionally holds the position of Managing Director Australia, a role that overseas Rio Tinto’s representation in Australia.

During her career, Joanne has held a variety of leadership roles in human resources, training, communications, health, safety, environment, government and community relations at both a corporate level and in Rio Tinto’s key commodities including iron ore, exploration, energy, aluminium, diamonds and coal. She has worked in most of the states of Australia as well as in the UK and the USA. Joanne is a director of the Business Council of Australia and a member of their Economic Policy and Competitiveness as well as their Governance and Citizenship Committees.

She is a director of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, a member of Chief Executive Women and is a special advisor on the Male Champions of Change. She was also one of the co‐chairs for 2017’s B20 Energy, Climate and Resource Efficiency Taskforce. In 2012, Joanne was awarded the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA Women in Resources Champion and was recognised as one of the Australian Financial Review and Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence for 2016.