Our People

STEPHEN McDONALD

Steve holds a Masters Degree in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Business and Administration. He is a Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute (of which he was formerly Vice President) a Member of WorldatWork (the American Compensation Association) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Steve served as an officer in the Australian Army for seven years as a Psychologist involved in staff selection, training, and performance management. During that time he also completed assignments for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Antarctic Research Stations and Commonwealth Police.

He subsequently spent seven years with a major iron ore mining company at their site operations and corporate office where he was Corporate Human Resources Manager. He was responsible for apprentice training, job evaluation, remuneration structuring, organisation reviews, succession planning and human resources management policy.

In 1987 he established a Human Resources Management Consultancy specialising in minerals and resource industry matters. In addition to his consultancy duties Steve regularly lectures at tertiary institutions in Western Australia and has contributed articles to a number of professional journals.

IAN WATSON

Ian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, a Masters Degree in Electronics and a Graduate Diploma in Business and Administration.

Ian worked in the Titanium Minerals Industry for eighteen years in both technical and human resources roles. As Technical Services Superintendent he was responsible for quality control, environmental compliance and occupational health and safety. Later, as Employee Services Superintendent, Ian managed and conducted staff professional development and training, carried out corporate / industry industrial relations negotiations, and played a major role in corporate and remuneration restructuring.

In 1992, Ian commenced a consultancy in Human Resources, Safety, Training and Development. He has worked as a consultant to McDonald & Company (Australasia) Pty Ltd since 1997.

GEOFF RAY

Geoff has more than 30 years experience in the Human Resources field, gained mostly in the mining industry in Western Australia.

He joined a major iron ore mining company in 1968, and progressed through a variety of HR roles at operating sites and in the corporate office.

He was Superintendent - Personnel on site for four years, responsible for HR administration, site security and first aid services, graduate and apprentice training programs; and local public relations activities. During this time he was also a Director of the Trustee for the company’s superannuation fund.

He subsequently became Manager- Personnel Services responsible for corporate remuneration management; development and implementation of HR policy and practice; provision of policy advice to line management and site HR departments; company-wide recruitment and selection functions; and, management of the company’s HR information system.

As Principal Personnel Advisor, Geoff worked on a number of major change initiatives in corporate head office, including remuneration and benefit issues associated with the company’s “all staff” (harmonisation) program including playing a leading role in the design and implementation of the performance appraisal and pay for performance systems.
He qualified in Personnel Administration from RMIT (Melbourne) and has completed a number of professional development programs including the Advanced Management Programme at UWA and Strategic Human Resource Management at the AGSM.

Geoff is a Member of the Australian Institute of Management and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

In 1997 he established his own business and has worked as a consultant to McDonald & Company (Australasia) Pty Ltd since 1998.

ROS WORTHINGTON

Ros has 20 years’ experience in the Human Resources field, gained in the finance, insurance and mining industries in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Her last appointment before starting her consultancy practice was for five years as Group Human Resources Manager for a gold mining group. Her responsibilities included the establishment of the Human Resources Management function and then “hands on” experience in industrial relations including the negotiation of industrial agreements; establishment and management of remuneration and benefits; training, development and performance management; and the development and implementation of human resources policies.

Ros holds a Personnel Management Certificate and is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

PETER HAYWARD

Pete has more than 30 years experience in the fields of Human Resources and Training in the mining, rural services, defence and training industries.  With nearly 10 years in the mining industry, Peter has worked in the north-east goldfields, overseas and in the corporate office.

Peter is experienced in both generalist and strategic HR. He has a detailed understanding of the HR field covering the areas of Remuneration & Compensation, Payroll, Recruitment and Retention, HR Information Systems, Performance Management, HR Administration, Policy & Procedures, Expatriate Management and Training & Development. 

He has also been a key participant in the planning and implementation of new mine developments and mine mergers.

Prior to joining the mining industry, Peter held leadership roles in the Australian Defence Force and served throughout Australia including as part of the lead team responsible for the development and start-up of Tindal air base.  Peter is tertiary qualified and a member of the Australian Institute of Human Resources.

MIKE FREEMAN

Mike has 30 plus years of “hands on” experience working in the Human Resources field across  Industrial Catering, Township Administration, Mining (Iron Ore & Diamonds), Food Manufacturing and Engineering & Construction (Mining and Oil & Gas). 

His responsibilities have covered the areas of Payroll, Recruitment (staff positions), Graduate Program, Employee & Industrial Relations, Training & Development, Performance Management, Policy & Procedures, HR Performance & Reporting, Remuneration & Compensation, Communication and HR Information Systems.

Mike has a sound knowledge and understanding of the Mining Industry, having spent 14 years working in it.  Prior to joining McDonald & Company (Australasia) Pty. Ltd in January 2006, he worked for a leading National Engineering Construction & Maintenance Services Company as their Group Human Resources Manager for 12 years, where he played a key role in the development of the Human Resources function for the Group.

IRIS FINKELMAN

Iris has 15 years of experience in Human Resources Management in the chemical processing industry (fertilizers, bromine & magnesium production).

Her last appointment was five years as Group Human Resources Manager where her responsibilities included industrial relations; negotiation of industrial agreements; development and implementation of remuneration, compensation & benefits policies; the development and implementation of human resources policies; training, development and performance management; development of special programs for organizational leadership and managerial excellence; and, knowledge management, communication and HR information systems.

Previously, Iris held positions as the Group Safety & Occupational Health manager for 3 years and the QA manager for a year.

Iris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration & International Relations degree and a Master of Science in Industrial & Management Engineering.

STEPHANIE DRURY

Stephanie has over 15 years experience in Human Resources gained primarily in Oil and Gas companies in Australia and North Africa. Stephanie spent 10 years in HR roles in a major international oil and gas company in Perth. Her responsibilities included recruitment and selection, salary administration, policy development and expatriate administration.

Her last appointment was as an HR Consultant in Libya over 5 years where she consulted to various large international oil and gas companies. Her responsibilities included the development and implementation of local HR polices; expatriate management; performance management; recruitment; training and development; and salary administration.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Majors in HR, IR and Management) and has recently joined the McDonald Australasia Team .

SUE-ELLEN DAVIS

Sue-Ellen has 20 years experience in Human Resources Management in a range of industries including Steel Manufacturing; Mining; Financial Services; Local Government and Defence.

She has held senior generalist and specialist Human Resources management roles on industrial and mine sites as well as in corporate offices with a number of large global resources companies.  Prior to joining McDonald and Company (Australasia) Pty Ltd, Sue-Ellen held responsibility for Remuneration and Planning for the Coal group of a major Mining house.  Her experience has included strategic HR planning, negotiating industrial agreements, managing remuneration and benefits, HR policy development and implementation, performance management, recruitment and selection, talent management, training and development, change management, workforce planning and implementation of HR information systems.

Sue-Ellen has a good understanding of the resources industry having spent 14 years working in the industry including 5 years based on steel manufacturing sites and 2 years as the site based Human Resources Manager for an underground coal mine in Central Queensland.

Sue-Ellen holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma of Industrial Relations and is a member of the Australian Institute of Human Resources.