Sarah Wilson

Biography

Ausenco’s Vice President of Project Delivery for Eastern Canada, Sarah Wilson has more than 15 years in the mining industry, drawn to the natural resource sector after a degree in Chemistry and Environmental Science from Queen’s University, and an early career working on hydroelectric projects. 

Her change in career path may have been unplanned, but it was clearly the right move.  She is passionate about the impact of the mining industry on society, and the potential minerals and metals have for the betterment of civilization.

That passion extends particularly to the relationships she’s forged in the mining community. Over a decade in Business Development has put the importance of relationships in the mining industry into perspective. Wilson believes negotiations are most successful when you consider the human beings on either side of the table and place the value of your relationship with them on equal footing with finding the ideal commercial or technical result. And it’s not a zero-sum game.

That collaborative approach has kept her engaged and excited about the industry her entire career. Wilson sees the mining community as a group like no other – close-knit, aligned, dedicated – and most significantly, woven into the fabric of Canada’s major cities and industries. She is proud to be part of a community she sees as working together to make smart decisions that will deliver value to society in the most responsible and least impactful ways.

But a successful career has not been without its travails.  Wilson is regularly reminded of the perception of mining among the general population and takes seriously her responsibility to continuously educate and justify. As the industry continues to invest in, and succeed at protecting the environment, it can feel like much of society still maintains the perception that mining is destroying it.

Wilson’s ability to understand people’s concerns and educate them on the role of mining in the technologies people use every day – especially those that will help us achieve a lower carbon future – has helped people outside the industry understand the realities of modern, responsible mining. Too often, she believes, people form their opinions based on misperceptions, and the industry’s rare but newsworthy failures. They fail to see the millions of hours of safe operation, the economic opportunities, and standard of living improvements for communities and countries that more accurately characterize the realities of mining.

She also maintains a keen awareness of the under-representation of women across the profession and in key decision-making roles like hers.  Recognizing and providing a platform for women at work, and giving them a voice, is high up on Wilson’s priorities. By raising the visibility of women and expanding their impact, future leaders are developed, and critically, we attract and retain more women to the industry.

In addition to providing mentorship, Wilson has strongly committed to giving back to the industry she loves. Wilson credits her involvement with the Canadian Mining Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (CIM) with advancing her career, providing ongoing education and expanding her network of mining professionals. She has enjoyed building relationships through her contribution to the CIM and encourages students and early professionals to tap into this unparalleled Canadian mining industry resource. She has been actively involved in the Toronto and Oakville branches and held the role of Vice President for the Central District on the CIM National Council. She currently chairs the CIM Awards Committee.

Her personal focus on the environment, children, and animals, has allowed Wilson to align her volunteering and charitable work in areas where she can make a difference while enjoying her role in making positive change.  A lifelong equestrian, Wilson has shared her love of horses as an instructor with children’s riding programs.  She continues to raise money for environmental protection and land remediation programs across the country.