Seven employees from Rusal were honored at the third international ceremony celebrating Talented Women in the Mining Industry. The awards were presented in four categories at an event held in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, drawing finalists from 57 companies and 120 women who advanced to the final stage this year. The ceremony highlighted the breadth of talent and leadership among female professionals in mining, metallurgy, and related sectors across the region.
According to the company’s human resources leadership, a notable 34 applications from female staff were received this year—a significant rise compared with the previous year. This uptick underscores Rusal’s commitment to recognizing and empowering female professionals who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and a drive to improve both the organization and the broader community. The emphasis placed on these applications reflects a strategic focus on inclusive talent development and succession planning within the company.
Two statements from the deputy general manager for human resources management emphasized the impact of this trend. First, the larger pool of applicants illustrates a growing confidence among female employees in pursuing high-impact roles. Second, the high rate of selection into the finals signals that the expert jury identified a group of applicants with strong leadership potential, clear vision, and a tangible commitment to positive change within the company and beyond. The comments highlight a workforce that values capability, compassion, and the desire to lift both colleagues and communities through responsible leadership.
Finalists in the Leader of the Future category include Maria Karkavina, who heads the personnel development and organizational culture department at KraMZ; Tatyana Nikishova, the head of personnel development and training with organizational culture at TaAZ; Kristina Khakberdieva, chief engineer at SibVAMI; and Maria Khomutetskaya, the director of the press service at VgAZ. This category recognizes rising professionals under 35 who have demonstrated exceptional performance and emerging leadership qualities that bode well for the industry’s future.
In addition, Olga Savicheva, director of ecology at IrkAZ, reached the finals in Ecologist of the Year, while Natalya Portnova, head of quality services at IrkAZ, advanced to the Innovator of the Year category final. Ekaterina Vidasyeva, head of the IrkAZ press service, also reached the Intracomm of the Year final, reflecting a broad spectrum of talent recognized across different facets of mining operations and corporate communications.
The winners in the respective categories were Maria Karkavina, Natalya Portnova, and Maria Khomutetskaya, with the final decision made after a two-stage evaluation process designed to ensure fairness and accuracy in recognizing outstanding achievement. The award program is administered by the Russian Association of Women in Mining, which aims to celebrate the contributions of professionals who advance mining, metallurgy, and manufacturing, set strong examples for colleagues, and engage actively in social and charitable activities.
Through its recognition program, the association highlights the essential role women play in shaping safe, innovative, and sustainable practices in mining and related industries. By celebrating leadership, innovation, and community involvement, the event reinforces industry-wide standards for excellence and serves as a catalyst for increased participation of women at all levels of mining and manufacturing operations. This emphasis on role models and mentorship helps create pathways for younger professionals to pursue careers in science, engineering, and production, contributing to a more diverse and resilient sector. [Source: Russian Association of Women in Mining]