Meet the women mining what’s next

Macarena Zegpi

Director, Pipelines, North America

“From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an engineer — and today, I have the privilege of leading projects that move vital resources across remote regions, helping communities, industries, and growth take shape.”

Lina ElSetouhy

Project Manager

“My work in environmental planning is about shaping projects that respect ecosystems and communities, because the true impact we leave should be measured by how well we protect tomorrow’s environment.”

Genevieve Hughes

Graduate Engineer, Electrical

“As one of the 12% of women in Australia’s electrical engineering workforce, I’m passionate about inspiring more girls and women to become engineers and helping create an environment where we can all thrive and make an impact.”

Mia Broedelet

Electrical Engineer

“As a female electrical engineer at Ausenco, I see myself making an impact on the engineering world by delivering reliable, practical designs that keep our operations running safely and efficiently. I’m focused on building strong technical capability in electrical systems while contributing to projects that improve performance and reduce risk on site. At the same time, being a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry is extremely important to me, and I want to help foster a more diverse and inclusive environment by showing that different perspectives add value and strive to be someone other young female engineers can relate to or look up to. As I progress in my career, I hope to grow into an engineer who is not only technically strong but also helps create a more balanced and supportive industry culture.”

Erin Holmes

Environmental Engineer in Training

“We will always need mining, but success is measured not only by what we take from the earth, but by how well we restore and protect it for those who come after us. I have always been passionate about minimising my environmental footprint and protecting the health of our ecosystems. I am excited to carry these values into my professional career, applying them to help develop responsible, sustainable solutions that balance resource development with environmental stewardship.”

Hongyan Sun

Principal Structural Engineer

“Every project is a chance to solve problems, create value, and open doors for the next generation.”

Seonaid Hair

Process Analyst

“My goal is to foster a welcome and fun environment for all professionals.”

Zarina Figueroa

Senior Structural Designer

“There’s room in engineering for creative minds too.”

Sally Gillies

Technical Director - Geology & Compliance

“The Canadian mining industry is recognized globally for its integrity and credibility. A key reason for this reputation is Canada’s transparent technical disclosure regime, built around National Instrument 43-101. NI 43-101 provides a clear framework for mining companies raising capital based on Studies done by companies like Ausenco. I am proud to apply the skills and experience gained at Ausenco and elsewhere, to collaborate with industry groups in contributing to the ongoing refresh and modernization of NI 43-101.”

Marianne Denegri

Legal Director

“Being a woman in senior mining leadership means opening pathways and creating opportunities. My purpose is to lead with excellence, promote a culture of respect and inclusion, and help more women find in mining a place to grow, innovate and drive change.”

Soledad Marquina

Field HSE Advisor, Intermediate

“Being a mining engineer is the result of trusting in my own potential and challenging prejudices that belong in the past. Inclusion opened the doors, but it is our talent, resilience and the character of women warriors that allows us to stand out in this industry. Today we are breaking barriers and building a new path full of opportunities, demonstrating that the mining and engineering of the future are forged by our capability and passion.”

Cielo Torres

Project Control Engineer, Graduate

“I believe in a mining industry where different perspectives come together to create better solutions. As a woman in engineering, I want to contribute through my work and demonstrate the value we can bring to the industry.”

Catalina Rivera

Constructability Engineer, Junior

“Talking about the inclusion of women in mining goes far beyond meeting a gender quota. It is about respect, recognition, and trust in our professional abilities. At the Ausenco PAO Project, I feel part of a team where everyone contributes to the development of our country. Being part of this initiative means opening pathways so that more women feel encouraged to take part in building a more just and equitable world.”

Florencia Martínez

Designer, Principal, Technical Services

“I believe my impact on engineering and mining is reflected in my daily work and in the role I take on within the industry. On one hand, I contribute from a technical perspective, bringing my capabilities and experience to the projects I work on. On the other, I understand that my presence in this space is, in itself, part of the change we are building. As more women grow and develop in these fields, we help transform organisational culture and move toward more diverse and inclusive environments.”

Rafaela Pedrosa

Environmental, Lead

"Since childhood, I have always been the ‘environment person.’ I chose to become an environmental engineer so I could contribute in a practical way to a more sustainable world. Today, at Ausenco, I feel that purpose coming to life. We are constantly seeking solutions that align mining with responsible practices, mitigating risks and reducing environmental impacts. Our focus is on the efficient management of water, soil and emissions, always with the commitment to turn challenges into opportunities for a better future."

Natalia Simas

Estimator Engineer, Senior

"I learned to appreciate the construction industry from an early age. My uncle was an architect and had a great passion for the profession, and it was with him that I developed this interest."

Azin Hosseini

Senior Structural Engineer

"I’ve been fortunate to work on a range of complex mining projects throughout my career, where every project brings a new set of challenges to solve. What I enjoy most is seeing how collaboration and good engineering can come together to turn large and often complicated ideas into something real and valuable for the industry."

Afarin Hosseini

Graduate Mechanical Engineer

"Engineering is a discipline that is inherently collaborative, and collaboration requires inputs from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Being part of that environment means I can challenge how things are done, question existing processes, and help develop new approaches to problems that may not have been considered before. The more diverse the perspectives get, the more practical a solution to a problem becomes and moves away from being solely based on theory."

Juliana Genovez

Designer

"My passion for design started early, with a curiosity about how things worked and how design could improve them. Today, with a background in Architecture and Urban Planning and almost five years working as a Designer in the mining industry, I enjoy turning ideas into practical solutions. I am proud to contribute to projects that bring Safety in Design principles into real-world outcomes, helping create safer, more efficient, and sustainable mining operations."