Jessica Farrell
Pronoun
Vice President Innovation
BHP
Jess has worked in the mining industry for more than 19 years, and held senior leadership roles across operations, maintenance, strategy, human resources and commercial fields. Jessica has worked across a range of commodities and in a range of locations in Australia and internationally. Jess is passionate about people, the industry and creating sustained positive impact for society and communities.
Jess’s current role is the leading the global innovation portfolio, as the Vice President Innovation for BHP. Previous roles include Asset President Nickel West, General Manager Integrated Planning and Remote Operations, General Manager Port and Marine Operations within Rio Tinto, Manager Business Transformation, Mining Executive, Mine Services Manager, and Senior Manager - Strategic Initiatives for Copper. Jess holds bachelor’s degrees in business and arts and has undertaken a number of postgraduate studies through INSEAD, Duke, London Business School and IMD across Australia, Singapore, France, the United States and Switzerland. Jess is a director on the Fremantle Dockers Football Club and an appointed member on the Executive Council of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy. Jess grew up in Perth, Western Australia where she currently resides with her husband, and their two children.
SESSIONS
Day 1
3:20
Mini Leadership Labs
Lab A: Resilience in High-Pressure Environments
How do you keep people motivated when the pace is relentless? This session helps you sharpen the ability to make clear decisions in uncertain conditions, sustain your team’s energy, and remain composed when pressure builds.
Skills Learned: Decisive decision-making, stress management, sustaining team motivation, and role-modelling resilience.
Olivia Trembath, Executive Coach, Grace Papers; UN Women Perth Chapter
Lab B: Building Executive Presence and Self-Belief
Executive presence is critical for leaders who want to influence decisions and advance their careers. This lab will help you strengthen self-belief, communicate with confidence and authority, and position yourself effectively for progression opportunities while staying authentic to your leadership style.
Skills Learned: Strengthening executive presence, communicating with authority, building self-belief, and strategic self-advocacy.
Peta Slocombe, Chief Executive Officer, Performance Story
Lab C: Leading High-Performing Teams
What separates good teams from great ones? This lab explores the leadership practices that create accountability, trust and sustained performance. You will learn how to lead effectively through conflict, address underperformance and bring out the best in diverse teams.
Skills Learned: Building trust, fostering accountability, leading inclusively, and resolving conflict to sustain performance.
Jessica Farrell, Vice President Innovation, BHP