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.

Debra Bakker🔗 linkedin.com/in/debra-bakker-gaicd-4660b81

David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/

Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/

ivy & gecko 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko

Timecodes:

(00:00) Preview & Highlights

(01:00) Welcome introducing Debra Bakker

(03:50) Early life, upbringing & running away to the mining camps

(07:00) How Debra fell into a career in mining finance

(08:30) Life on the farm in Margaret River

(10:15) Something not many people know about Debra

(12:10) Leadership at board level vs executive level

(14:40) Why leadership is about empathy and encouragement

(17:15) The value of the AICD Director's Course and failing the exam

(20:45) Advice for aspiring non-executive directors

(23:10) Board diversity and the gender gap at executive level

(26:15) Why independent directors matter

(28:45) The risks and rewards of being a board director

(30:45) The biggest challenge facing Australian mining today

(33:50) The graduate shortage in mining engineering

(36:20) Will US attitudes to diversity influence Australian workplaces?

(40:40) Career highlight Debra's proudest moment

(41:25) Future aspirations and what's still to come

(42:20) What energises Debra and what drains her

(45:00) Best career advice Debra ever received

(46:10) Who Debra has mentored throughout her career

(48:50) Final question: advice to her 20-year-old self

(49:55) Closing reflections

 

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Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.