Leadership insights from the man who took the West Coast Eagles to 5 Grand Finals and 4 Premierships

From Net Zero to World First: Darren Stralow on Building Bellevue Gold from the Ground Up

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David sits down with Darren Stralow, MD & CEO of Bellevue Gold. Over four years, Darren has led Bellevue through one of the most ambitious journeys in modern Australian mining, from exploration project to the world's first net zero gold producer, built from the ground up as a single-asset company. Far more than a gold story, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, culture, resilience and people. Darren reflects candidly on navigating the inevitable challenges of building a mine, what it really takes to retain and inspire a high-performing team, the dance floor versus balcony philosophy of great leadership, and why doing the right thing by the environment turned out to be brilliant business. Whether you work in mining, resources, or any people-driven organisation, the lessons here are universal.   Darren Stralow 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-stralow-88158432/ David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/] Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/] ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko]   Timecodes: 00:00 Gold Versus Printing Money 00:52 Bellevue Update 03:08 Net Zero Goldmine 07:03 Early Life Roots 08:51 School Mines Years 12:33 Switching Off 14:06 Sports And Leadership 16:19 Leadership Essentials 23:00 Trust Through Visibility 25:12 Storytelling That Sticks 28:35 Stories That Teach 29:32 Empathy And Fair Judgement 30:13 Trust And Communication Filters 31:42 Board Versus Executive Leadership 33:27 Stakeholders License To Operate 35:04 Incentives And Retention 36:49 Values Beyond Money 38:25 Three Cs Of Engagement 39:17 Culture Is 100 Small Things 40:56 Making Values Real 43:40 Mining Industry Challenges 44:31 Exploration And Red Tape 46:47 Rapid Fire Reflections 46:52 Hope In Next Generation 48:03 Hard Assets And Gold 48:54 Proudest Achievements 50:15 Future Aspirations And Balance 51:57 Dinner With Schwarzenegger 53:40 Best Advice Stay Grounded 55:14 Advice To My 20 Year Old Self 56:57 Closing Thanks And Farewell   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines] Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ [https://podwavestudios.au/] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.

Leadership insights from the man who took the West Coast Eagles to 5 Grand Finals and 4 Premierships

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, David sits down with Trevor Nisbett, former CEO of The West Coast Eagles and leading businessman. Over more than two decades at the helm, Trevor transformed the Eagles from a financially troubled interstate newcomer into one of the AFL's most commercially successful clubs, competing in five grand finals and winning four premierships. Far more than a football story, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, culture, resilience and people. Trevor reflects candidly on navigating the club's darkest chapter, the qualities that define great leaders, what it really takes to build a winning culture, and the wisdom he'd pass on to his 25-year-old self. Whether you work in sport, mining, or any people-driven organisation, the lessons here are universal.   David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/] Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/] ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko]   Timecodes: (00:00) Opening highlights on leadership, mistakes and resilience (00:45) Welcome introducing Trevor Nisbett, CEO of the West Coast Eagles (02:00) Trevor's career in review from WAFL to four AFL premierships (03:00) Growing up in Bunbury a humble beginning and the role of discipline (04:45) Early influences football coaches and the lessons of team sport (07:00) Something most people don't know a passion for horse racing (08:00) Career highs and lows from 14 staff and $14M in debt to 100,000 members (09:30) The Wirrpanda Foundation and community legacy (10:30) Post-Eagles plans family, grandkids and leadership education (11:15) The qualities of great leaders toughness, empathy and mentorship (14:30) Vulnerability in leadership Hayden Bunton Jr. and owning your mistakes (17:45) The biggest challenge navigating the Ben Cousins drug saga (21:00) What the club learned acting sooner and the power of a strong board (23:15) Engaging a team of individuals getting young men to collaborate (26:15) What makes a strong and healthy culture and why "culture" is overused (29:00) Trevor's question to David how do you recruit from a shallow pool? (33:45) Rapid fire dinner with Nelson Mandela and the question he'd ask (35:00) The wisest person Trevor has met Ron Evans and the art of not recruiting (36:30) The greatest AFL coaches of all time Norm Smith, Sheedy, Malthouse (37:45) The greatest AFL players of all time Farmer, Ablett, Judd (39:30) Book recommendation The Power of Choice by Neale Daniher (41:15) What Trevor is most optimistic about (42:00) Will a woman ever coach a men's AFL team?  (43:00) What energises him (45:00) Advice to his 25-year-old self (45:45) Closing remarks   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines] Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ [https://podwavestudios.au/] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.

Leading with Heart: Mia Gous on Breaking Barriers in Global Mining

In this episode of Hearts & Minds, we speak with Mia Gous, Regional Operations Manager at First Quantum Minerals. Mia is an accomplished engineer with extensive global experience, famously serving as the first female General Manager in Chile’s large-scale mining sector. She shares powerful reflections on leading through the COVID-19 pandemic and her journey across diverse cultures, commodities, and languages. The conversation explores the critical pillars of trust and purpose in leadership, the importance of culture in executing strategy, and the evolving challenges of maintaining competitiveness in the Australian mining landscape. A deep and empathic discussion with a pioneering leader dedicated to mentoring the next generation of industry talent.   Mia Gous🔗 linkedin.com/in/mia-gous-49688450 David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/] Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/] ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko]   Timecodes: 00:00 Trailer 01:05 The Courage to Stay: Leading a Chilean Mine through COVID-19 04:00 Reflections on the "Pivotal Decision" to put people first 06:36 Formative Years: Growing up in Apartheid-era South Africa 08:00 The Impact of Nelson Mandela’s Moral Leadership 10:25 Navigating Different Cultures, Commodities, and Languages 14:45 Career Highlights: Becoming the first female GM in Chile 18:00 The Future of Mining: Changing the Industry’s Global Image 19:55 Mining Families: A daughter’s perspective on a FIFO career 23:45 A Day in the Life of a Global Operations Manager 28:50 Three Pillars of Leadership: Relationship, Trust, and Purpose 32:15 The First Quantum Values: Bolder, Smarter, Driven Together 36:30 Why Culture is the Bedrock of Strategy and Execution 39:40 Challenges Facing the Australian Mining Jurisdictions 43:55 David’s Formula for Trust 46:10 Rapid Fire: The 10:00 PM Club and Advice to her 25-year-old self   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines] Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ [https://podwavestudios.au/] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.

Building a Modern Gold Producer, Leadership Lessons with Matt Nixon, CEO of Genesis Minerals

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, we speak with Matt Nixon, CEO of Genesis Minerals. Matt is a mining engineer with around 20 years’ experience across operational, technical and executive roles in both underground and open pit mining. He shares insights from his journey through the industry and discusses the strategy behind Genesis Minerals’ growth as a gold producer in Western Australia’s Laverton and Leonora districts. The conversation explores leadership in mining, building high-performing teams, and the realities of operating and expanding assets in today’s gold market. A practical and thoughtful discussion with one of the sector’s emerging leaders.   Matt Nixon🔗 linkedin.com/in/matt-nixon-2991ba44 David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/] Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/] ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko]   Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 00:47 Welcome Genesis Minerals' New CEO 04:04 Early Life And Sport 05:47 Coaches And Resilience 08:19 Family Life And Recharge 09:16 Proudest Achievement 11:08 Leadership Values 14:42 Volatility And Resilience 19:06 Trust And Last 8% 20:24 Courageous Decisions 22:17 Staff Engagement And Brand 23:20 Aspire 500 Growth Plan 23:55 Agility And Community License 24:48 Values Led Culture 27:01 Building Belonging At Work 28:33 Hiring For Authenticity 29:56 AI Risks And Upside 34:35 Permitting And Red Tape 41:44 Habits Books And Learning 49:25 Advice Balance And Closing   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines] Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ [https://podwavestudios.au/] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.

From the Mine Site to Executive Leadership, Tim Hewitt on Scaling Gold Operations

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Hewitt, Chief Operating Officer of Ramelius Resources, to discuss what it takes to scale a Western Australian gold producer toward 500,000 ounces by 2030. A mining engineer with more than 30 years’ experience, Tim shares leadership insights from senior roles at Lihir Gold, St Barbara, Newmont and Gold Fields. The conversation explores operational leadership, growth execution, and the realities of running large, complex mining operations.   Tim Hewitt🔗 linkedin.com/in/tim-hewitt-b0416529 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hewitt-b0416529/] David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/] Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/] ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko]   Timecodes: 00:30 Welcome 00:51 Company Growth Goals 01:56 Early Life in UK 03:29 Schooling and Mining Bug 04:52 Uni and MBA Shift 07:36 Leadership Essentials 09:29 Authenticity and Introverts 13:27 Resilience and Failure 15:34 Scrutiny and Role Modeling 17:47 COO Challenges Today 19:48 Engagement on the Ground 20:17 Recognising Progress Wins 20:50 Why Work at MIUs 22:55 Culture Drives Performance 25:23 Managing Site Subcultures 27:11 Mining Talent Image Gap 30:12 WA Investment Risk Red Tape 32:05 Infrastructure Energy Constraints 33:21 AI in Mining Today 34:56 Dream Interview Leaders 37:03 Rapid Fire Personal Insights 41:19 Habits Advice Closing   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines] Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/ [https://podwavestudios.au/] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.