American Rare Earths bolsters cross-cultural diplomacy and diversity expertise with director appointment

American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR) has strengthened its cross-cultural communication and inclusivity expertise with the appointment of Melissa Sanderson as a non-executive director.

Sanderson has 30 years of international experience in diplomacy and mining, bringing leadership experience in inclusivity and diversity issues and providing her extensive expertise in cross-cultural communication.

At global mining leader Freeport-McMoRan, she sited, staffed and ran a corporate office focused on government, public relations and social responsibility programs.

She served the United States of America as a senior diplomat in the US Department of State. As chargée d’affaires, she led the US Embassy in Kinshasa.

Sanderson has numerous awards, including the prestigious Athena Award for the Private Sector and the Phoenix Business Journal’s Dynamic Women in Business. She serves as chair of both the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and the Arizona District Export Council.

“A wealth of experience”

“We are delighted with Mel’s appointment and welcome her to the board. Mel brings a wealth of experience to the company and will play a key role helping us shape our ESG strategy and governance,” American Rare Earths chair Creagh O’Connor AM said.

“ESG is central to everything we do and Mel’s leadership at the board level will be instrumental to ensure we make a difference today, but also for future generations.”

Sanderson has lived in nine countries and speaks seven languages, fluent in French and Spanish. She believes “that businesses and investors thrive when they embrace cultural diversity and the power of personal relationships”.

She is also experienced in multi-cultural management, gender/minority issues, strategic planning, negotiations, political and economic analysis and economic development.

Her awards and honours include:

• 2019 Global Champion Mayor of Phoenix;
• Athena Businesswoman of the Year 2015 Private Sector Award, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce;
• 2018 Global Business Executive of the Year, Global Chamber;
• Twenty-Five Dynamic Women of Business 2014, Phoenix Business Journal; and
• 2020 Member, Flinn-Brown Fellowship Civic Leadership Program.

Melissa’s leadership roles include:

• Chair, Arizona District Export Council;
• Chair, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations;
• Chair, Mining Committee of Arizona Mexico Commission;
• Director of Trade and Consulting Operations, Africa Business Portal;
• Chair, International Advisory Council, Global Chamber;
• Past president, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (2015-2017);
• Board member, Arizona Mexico Commission;
• Board member, Arizona Council for Economic Education;
• Board Member, Japanese Friendship Garden;
• Member, Arizona Association of University Women;
• Member, Advisory Council, Global Leadership Coalition; and
• Member, International Leadership Council and Global Advisory Board of Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

Story by ProactiveInvestors