Stacy was recently named President of the Mining Association of Manitoba, one of many roles and activities she performs in addition to her day job.

Late last month, Stacy Kennedy was named Head of Operations in Thompson, Manitoba, becoming the first woman to hold this role — and an inspiration to women in mining hoping to follow in her footsteps. 

“I’m humbled and excited about the opportunity,” said Stacy, who has lived in Thompson since 2007 and worked for Vale for nearly 16 years. “I think it really shows how far we’ve come as a business and industry, one that historically has been really male dominated. I’ve worked hard to get here. I’ve gained a lot of experience in a lot of different roles, and I’ve learned as much as I can from our amazing team to be the best leader I can be.” 

A geologist by training, Stacy’s previous roles at Vale include Mining Projects Development Group Lead Geologist, Chief Mine Geologist, Operations Superintendent, Mine Manager, and most recently, Manager of Health, Safety and Operational Risk. She recalls earlier in her career when Gary Annett, her mine manager, recommended she apply for the operations superintendent position. Stacy had little ops experience at the time and thought the offer was a mistake. It wasn’t. “Gary believed in me,” she said. “That was my first operational role, and the rest, I guess, is history.” 

Passionate, Driven, Committed to Community 

Gary, Stacy’s predecessor as Head of Operations at Thompson, said Stacy brings endless reserves of energy to whatever she is doing. “I knew right away we’d work great together,” he said. “She has a lot of passion and drive, both at work and when she’s doing the many different things she does in the community. She cares for the community and about ensuring we’re making decisions that protect Thompson and northern Manitoba. She is very deserving of her role.” 

Stacy is a member of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, serves on the City of Thompson’s Community Wellness & Public Safety Advisory Committee, participates in Vale’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Co-Chairs Manitoba Mine Rescue, and recently became President of the Mining Association of Manitoba. When not at work or in the community, Stacy is raising a son together with her wife, Angie. Asked how she finds time for it all, Stacy just laughs and says she likes to stay busy. 

Colleen Smook, Mayor of the City of Thompson, said she was pleased to hear Stacy had been named the new head of Manitoba Operations. 

“We are also glad that Vale has recognized the vital importance of having locally based leadership for Manitoba Operations residing on Treaty 5 in the City of Thompson,” Colleen said in an email to Vale News. “Stacy is trailblazing a new path for leadership in the industry and joins a group of strong female leaders emerging across the north, in First Nations, municipalities, commerce, and industry. We look forward to working closely with Stacy on issues and projects of mutual interest to our community and Manitoba Operations and wish her success in her new leadership role.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stacy (left) with wife Angie at Vale Family Day event at Mystery Mountain Winter Park. 

 

Action-Oriented Leader 

While many women who work in mining have had to cope with gender-based bias and discrimination, this was not a formative part of Stacy’s experience. “I don’t speak for all women in mining, by any means, but being a woman wasn’t the challenging part of my career: mining was the challenge. It’s a complex world with many moving parts, and you have to learn fast and act fast! I was surrounded by so many knowledgeable people, and it was important to listen to them, and learn to work together with them. Those skilled and determined people were a huge part of my success. We were tenacious in dealing with implausible goals, and we made it happen together.”  

Stacy describes her leadership style as ‘action-oriented’. She said she likes to keep things moving, which she does by surrounding herself with a great team of experts in their respective fields. “Collaborating with those experts is key,” she said. “My job is to make sure those efforts are all consistently pushing towards our goals of producing safely and reliably, building a future for our business and our community.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stacy at the Thompson tailings dam. 

 

Honesty and integrity are also fundamental to Stacy’s leadership approach. Before becoming a geologist, she studied equine science and her riding coach, Noreen Caldwell, became a mentor. 

“She was powerful,” Stacy recalls. “She had natural presence and when she spoke, you listened. But the thing I remember is her integrity. Noreen was honest, even when it was hard to be; she had strong morals and always did what was right. I have never forgotten my time with her and all that she taught me.”    

Safety is Paramount 

When it comes to her priorities for Thompson, Stacy said safety is paramount. “I want to ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.” 

Community engagement is also important, Stacy said, noting that many mining jobs today are rotational, but not so at most of Vale’s North American mines. “Vale’s mines in North America offer people the chance to come home every day and put down roots in their community,” she said. “That’s part of the appeal of working with us. We can host great community events with community partners like Mystery Mountain Winter Park, or a bonspiel at the Burntwood Curling Club.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From left to right: Stacy with Thompson Emergency Response Team members Jennifer Rickets and Bridget Corriveau. 

 

Mining Full of Opportunities for Women 

Stacy said mining is an amazing industry full of opportunities for women. “It’s so much more than the image it had in the past. From designing blasts and infrastructure, robotics and operating equipment, to more organizational roles like human resources, the opportunities are endless, and there is a place for you. Diversity is key to growing this industry.” 

Asked where she sees herself in five years, Stacy said staring out at a massive stockpile of high-grade ore from the Howling Wolf Deposit. 

Asked who she goes home safe for, Stacy said there’s still so much she wants to see and do in her life. 

“I want to grow old with my wife Angie, and I want to see our son grow up together. Safety needs to be a precondition to everything we do — at work and at home. I want to live my life to the absolute fullest: no less.”  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stacy (Right) with wife Angie and their son Jase.