Wendy Tyrell

Executive Director Development Partner Institute

Wendy Tyrrell is Executive Director of the Development Partner Institute, a role she has held for just over five years. The Development Partner Institute (DPI) was launched in 2017, working on leadership in sustainability and ESG across the mining value chain. Through collaboration and partnership, the DPI develops platforms for creative ideas that bring new approaches to tackling some of the intractable sustainability challenges facing mining and the value chain.

In Wendy’s role as Executive Director, she is focused on creating opportunities to advance mining’s contribution to society across the value chain through development partnership. Wendy seeks to highlight and support inclusive approaches – particularly for women, indigenous people, and young people. As a non-executive director, Wendy works with boards and senior teams internationally.

Wendy’s first experience of the mining sector was as a child when exploration geologists came to her family’s farm. That experience was not a happy one. Yet it has propelled her for more than 30 years to advance sustainability in mining. Her passion evolved working in the sector across different geographical and cultural contexts. She has seen first-hand the transformative potential of mining. And that new ways of working which emerge through collaboration can positively contribute to sustainable livelihoods and the prosperity of countries and regions.

Wendy has held senior sustainability roles in BHP and Orica and led a niche consulting firm that works internationally. Wendy’s early management career focused on developing ESG / environmental / community / sustainability expertise, in BHP, a major, multi-national resources and extractives company. She held the role there of General Manager Environment, Community, and Sustainable Development with responsibilities for strengthening divisional performance globally (across operations in South Africa, USA, Colombia, and Indonesia). She established and implemented global standards. As General Manager Community in Orica, a global mining services organization with manufacturing in 50 countries, she developed and implemented a new global community engagement and partnerships program.

More recently, Wendy has chaired a start-up technology company that reimagines management of water and she has been a Director of AVI, an international development company. Previous Board roles include Transparency International Australia and the global Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative.

Wendy is a Graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds a Masters’ degree in International Relations and was originally trained in science and ecology, holding a Bachelor of Applied Science degree.