Site Visits, Self-Esteem & Succession Planning: Debra Bakker's View on Mining Culture

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   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines 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.