How are policies around mining determined in British Columbia? As the President of the Association for Mineral Exploration in BC, that is Todd Stone’s job. He helps shape the policies and regulations through advocacy and meetings with stakeholders and decision makers in government. His mission is to provide informed solutions, and not just complaints.

Vicky Yehl lives for mining. In her job at the British Columbia Securities Commission, she helps mining companies include information that they are required to share with the public, ensuring maximum transparency. She knows what she’s talking about as well – her background as a geologist gives her a wealth of knowledge to draw from. “It’s a bit of a dream job,” as she says. “I get to read geology all day [and] every day and someone pays me to do it.”

As the CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia, Michael Goehring represents the entire mining and smelting industry of the province and advocates the sector’s interests to the government.

Mohammad Doostmohammadi’s work days are long – to him, it is not always a bad thing because his work is his passion. “I am doing what I enjoy,” he says. “It’s my life.” He sees himself as an inventor and entrepreneur, finding ways to turn various forms of electronic and mining waste into recycled materials. To him, his passion drives the fun in running his start-up – in fact, passion is vital in order to succeed.

Balancing acts are nothing new to Christine Kennedy. As president of Woodfibre LNG, which is essentially a giant construction project, she has to balance relations with First Nations, local residents, and project stakeholders.