AJBCC Future Leaders Speaker Series Event – Rio Tinto

02 Jul AJBCC Future Leaders Speaker Series Event – Rio Tinto

Posted at 10:04h in Webinars by

On Monday 20th May, AJBCC marked the exciting launch of the AJBCC Future Leaders Speaker Series, and what an inspiring session it was!  

We were honoured to have Ms. Rowena Albones, Managing Director of Projects APAC at Rio Tinto, as our distinguished guest speaker for this inaugural event. Rowena’s expertise sparked an engaging discussion on resilience, strategy and invaluable career advice, significantly enriching the session. 

We were delighted to welcome around 20 AJBCC and JABCC Future Leaders, both in-person and online via the Rio Tinto Tokyo office, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment for learning and growth. 

 Some key highlights from the session: 

  • Corporate Resilience: Rowena reflected on her experience in London during the GFC, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to handle future business shocks. She highlighted the need for a clear and deliberate strategy and the importance of surrounding yourself with talented teams. 
  • Business Partnerships: We examined the Robe River Joint Venture between Rio Tinto and Japanese corporates. Rowena stressed the importance of developing both customer and operational relationships. She cited Japanese blast furnaces calibrated for the ‘Pilbara blend’ of iron ore as an example, underscoring the foundation for long-term collaboration. On the customer side, she advised ‘walking in their shoes’ to build deeper relationships. 
  • Career Advice: Rowena encouraged developing a culture of curiosity and gaining diverse experiences early in your career. She emphasized being clear about your values—such as integrity, teamwork, and respect—and letting them guide your decision-making. 

A heartfelt thank you to Rowena for her generosity in sharing her time and expertise, and to Rio Tinto for hosting our event.  

 Interested in becoming an AJBCC Future Leader or nominating young talents from your organisation? Learn more HERE and get involved. 

Let’s continue shaping the future of Australia-Japan business collaboration!