Aluminium stands at the core of global manufacturing, along with other sustainable metals, presenting an essential material for everything- from sophisticated aircraft to everyday consumer products we rely on. It’s one of the pillars of today’s industrial revolution, combining innovation in engineering and supply chain advancements. Behind this gleaming metal and the outstanding production figures, however, is a workforce story that is evolving.

When we think about the aluminium value chain, we visualise mines, refineries, huge smelters, and fabrication plants, all of which are primarily dominated by male resources. This imagery is most certainly not without some merit—this is one of those industries where men, historically, from mines to all the way to the boardroom, have taken control. The demand for strenuous physical work, safety requirements and traditional recruitment patterns have built a gender barrier that has been hard to break through.

Besides, societal norms, scepticism, preconceptions, and a lack of representation have limited the participation of women in the aluminium industry. Despite these challenges, women are carving out a niche in this male-dominated area, knocking down boundaries and reinventing the industry’s future. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate these trailblazers who are rewriting aluminium’s industrial history. But before highlighting their achievements, let’s look at the historical obstacles that have traditionally limited women’s participation in this field.

Barriers to entry: Historical challenges facing women

Women’s participation in the aluminium sector has historically been limited due to many reasons. Some of these are as follows:

• Workplace norms were different: Historically, the manufacturing sector did not recruit women due to a lack of proper facilities and gender-positive policies in the factories.
• Educational and skill limitations: Earlier, not too many women were encouraged to take up technical education. Streams like engineering and metallurgy were the obvious choices for men. Therefore, there was a dearth of technical skills among women and hence, their participation in the workforce was largely limited.
• Physical work perceptions: The misconception that women lack strength barred many capable women at that time from entering the aluminium industry.
• Cultural and social constraints: The metal industry’s ingrained “men only” culture in olden times isolated women professionals. With few female mentors or role models around them during that time, women struggled to build essential networks for advancement, often feeling like outsiders in an environment not designed with their participation in mind.
• Economic and structural barriers: Among other difficulties women faced were insufficient amenities, inflexible work hours, and restrictiveness of maternity benefits.

Changing dynamics: Emerging role of women in the aluminium industry:

The good news is- the landscape of manufacturing industries is changing; and so is the scenario in the aluminium industry. Women empowered with technical education are carving their way forward into the industry, assuming important roles in the technical, managerial, and research spheres across various organisations.

Workplace norms have also evolved. Maintaining diversity and inclusivity in the workforce is mandatory now. However, forward-thinking aluminium firms see diversity not merely as a compliance thing but as a business imperative. For instance, many have begun implementing targeted recruitment strategies for qualified women across all levels. These could include flexible scheduling, parental leave, and professional development opportunities intended to retain feminine talent within the firm. Certain organisations have, in addition, established women’s networks and mentoring programs to encourage female development within their sectors. All these positive changes have made a difference, driving the number of women executives in the aluminium industry.

Following are some of the pioneering women executives who are spearheading a transformative change in the aluminium industry-

Success stories: Women in leadership roles in the aluminium industry

• Negisti Gebreegziabher Gared: Negisti Gebreegziabher Gared is the founder and General Manager of N A Y S Aluminium Engineering PLC, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Negisti completed her graduation with a B.Sc degree in Industrial Engineering and started working in the Engineering Capacity Building Program of Ethiopia-German (GIZ) cooperation. The experience imparted the necessary skills and industry knowledge, gearing her spirits to choose entrepreneurship. She started her own company, NAYS Aluminium Engineering PLC, which manufactures high-end aluminium fixtures and propositions. Her company grew from a small to a medium-sized firm, thanks to her exceptional leadership qualities and team spirit, fetching her “Women with Metal- the Role Model” award of 2024.

• Ramona Tosone: Ramona Tosone is the Head of the Centre for Material Innovation at Austria Metall AG (AMAG). Her consistent efforts in the field of innovation through AI and sustainability through environmentally friendly aluminium have largely contributed to the aluminium industry while setting it on the track of achieving net-zero targets. She was honoured as a Sustainable and Innovative Leader with the “Women with Metal – the ALUMINIUM Awards” in 2024.
• Duygu Saymen: Duygu Saymen is the Secretary General of The Turkish Aluminium Industrialist Association (TALSAD). Saymen notably graduated from Kocaeli University under the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, which largely contributed to her industry knowledge and insights. She started her career at TALSAD in 2019, working as a Communication and Member Relations Coordinator. She was promoted to Deputy Secretary General in 2021 and Secretary General in 2024. Her career progression in the aluminium industry has set an exemplary drive for future generations to explore the aluminium industry.
• Pernelle Nunez: Pernelle Nunez is the Deputy Secretary and the General Director of Sustainability at the International Aluminium Institute. Pernelle completed an MSc in Geology from the Royal School of Mines. She also completed a postgraduate certification in sustainability leadership in sustainable value chains from the University of Cambridge’s Institute. The academic knowledge has enabled significant industry insights. She is currently responsible for IAI’s sustainability programs and runs collaborative industry projects like aluminium life-cycle management, waste management, and reduction in GHG. The initiatives have been helping to impact the aluminium industry’s sustainable initiatives.
• Nadine Bloxsome: Nadine Bloxsome, the CEO of the UK Aluminium Federation (ALFED), has contributed extensively to the aluminium industry with a decade of industry knowledge. Her role as an Editor and Content Director at Aluminium International Today has carved her way to successfully unravel sustainability initiatives within the industry. Recently, she has been contributing to bringing together top representatives of the aluminium value chain. Her initiatives have revolutionised sustainable technology implementation, promotion of sustenance, and development of industry-specific guidelines and frameworks, aligning with the 2050 roadmap.
• Suneela MVS: Suneela MVS, the Head of Project Management Operations at BALCO (Vedanta Group, India), is an example of effective leadership in the aluminium sector. She oversees BALCO’s expansion projects, which are ongoing initiatives. Furthermore, she leads a team of female engineers to ensure effective expansion. Suneela believes in equal merit and is focused on empowering female engineers in the sector as it is becoming more skill-oriented.
• Karla R. Lewis: Karla R. Lewis has been the key figure in designing the strategic discourse of Reliance Steel and Aluminium Co., working as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the business. Her relentless endeavours have contributed to the growth of the business through a proven record of raising and deploying capital.
• Geetika Anand: Geetika Anand is the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer at Hindalco, India. Geetika plays a pivotal role in Hindalco by ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, she has been extending extensive support to the business in meeting its strategic objectives by incorporating corporate governance standards into its operations.

The story of women in aluminium is evolving. With more female students taking up mining and metallurgy as their subjects for higher education, the introduction of more women-friendly policies in factories and administration, and the advancement of technology in terms of automation, the participation of women in the sector will further increase. It is just a matter of time before more and more aluminium companies follow in the footsteps of behemoths like Vedanta Aluminium to foster an inclusive workplace, ensuring women take on diverse responsibilities across mining, refining, smelting, supply chain management and logistics, power generation, and so on.