By Alimey Díaz | The Asset Management specialist, with extensive experience in mining operations reliability, advocates for greater inclusivity in the industry and more opportunities for professional women.
Raising awareness and demonstrating the contribution of professional women to asset management and creating safe spaces to encourage personal and professional development is the central objective of Women in Reliability and Asset Management (WIRAM), the organization led by Maura Abad and operating under the umbrella of the Association of Asset Management Professionals (AMP). In our Profile section, we interview Andronica Kwapeng, an asset management specialist with extensive experience in mining operations reliability, who shares her perspective on how to enable more professional women to advance and thrive in an industry that has been traditionally male-dominated.
Andronica is Marketing and PR Manager for the WIRAM Africa Chapter and hopes to use her voice to advocate for policy changes that promote gender equality in the asset management industry. Women from around the world, grouped into chapters by continent, share their knowledge and experiences through WIRAM webinars and activities, demonstrating how organizations improve thanks to the innovative solutions and approaches that women bring to the table.
1. Andronica, tell us a little about your current job.
I am currently working as a Reliability Specialist in one of the Mining operations, focusing on optimising the lifecycle performance of the mining processing plant. My role involves maintenance tactic reviews, defect elimination, and loss profile analysis within mining operations. I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, and procurement, to develop and implement asset management strategies that align with organisational goals. My daily responsibilities range from data analysis, coaching maintenance and operational teams on downtime allocations and reliability best practices.
2. When did you start working in the asset management industry, and what sparked your interest in this field?
I embarked on my journey in the asset management industry over a decade ago, shortly after completing my studies in engineering. My interest in asset management was initially sparked when I started my career in the oil and gas industry, there were vacancies in the Reliability Department that I applied to join the reliability team. Through mentorship and training, I had learned how broad asset management is and the impact it has on ensuring longevity and productivity of the Energy and utilities sectors. The opportunity to solve intricate problems and make a tangible impact on business outcomes motivated me to pursue this path further.
What changes do you think are essential for women to advance professionally in asset management?
To foster the advancement of women in asset management, several key changes are needed. Firstly, organisations must actively promote diversity and inclusion through mentorship programmes, targeted recruitment, and leadership development initiatives tailored for women. Creating a supportive work environment that values diverse perspectives is essential for professional growth. Transparent career progression pathways, equal access to training and development opportunities, and policies addressing work-life balance are also crucial.
What have been the most important events in your career that made you think about solutions to the problems faced by professional women in the mining industry? Do you have any personal experiences you would like to share?
Several moments in my career have prompted me to reflect on the challenges faced by women in the mining industry. I encountered numerous situations where my technical expertise was underestimated due to gender biases from male colleagues. These experiences underscored the importance of advocacy and the need for systemic change.
What does your current work at WIRAM in the Africa chapter mean to you, and what would you like to achieve?
My involvement with WIRAM (Women in Reliability and Asset Management) in the Africa chapter is deeply meaningful to me. I currently serve as the Marketing and PR Manager; through the work, I have an opportunity to contribute to a broader movement aimed at supporting and uplifting women in reliability asset management across the continent. Through WIRAM, I aspire to create a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering mentorship, and advocating for policy changes that advance gender equality in asset management industries. My goal is to see more women empowered to take on leadership positions, drive innovation, and shape the future of asset management in Africa. I hope our collective efforts will pave the way for lasting change, greater representation, and a more inclusive industry landscape.To learn more about WIRAM’s work and how to promote the presence of women in the asset management industry, please check out the link https://assetmanagementprofessionals.org/about-wiram/
