My name is Thierra Clanton

I am a proud Nyoongar, Wangkatha, Yamatji and Gija yorga.

My journey into the resources sector began in 2006 after the family relocated to South Hedland during the explosion of mining related activities in the Pilbara. I graduated from Hedland Senior High School in 2008 I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the life changing opportunities that the mining industry offers earlier on in my career.

I began as an administrative officer as part of a Traineeship with BHP Billiton, I completed the Traineeship after two years.  It became evident to me that I needed to pursue my real passion, which was to complete a Bachelors Degree at University with a focus on Veterinary Science and become a Vet like ‘Dr Doolittle’.

I relocated to Perth in 2014 and completed the Waardong Bridging Course at Murdoch University.   

After completing the Bridging Course I enrolled in Animal Science at Murdoch to realize my dream of become a Veterinary Scientist, it soon became evident that becoming a Vet was not going to be part of my destiny, I made inquiries on how to transfer my tertiary unit into a different pathway.    In 2015 I transferred to a Bachelor of Science program, majoring in Environmental Management and sustainability.

During my Undergraduate course, I worked for the

not-for-profit organisation AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) as presenter and facilitator working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to encourage and support their transition to university.   A philosophy that drove my passion in this space was.

If you can see it, you can believe it, representation is key! Giving back to the younger generation and mentorship is vital to the transition of success.

In 2015 I was part of the Woodside Cadetship program that allowed me exposure to the Oil and Gas sector, I was part of that program for two years.   In 2018 I continued with my role at AIME, only this time as a full-time employee whilst continuing the journey to complete my studies.

December 2018, I celebrated the entry into Motherhood at 27 years of age.   In 2019 I was back at school as a full-time student with a newborn and completed my undergraduate degree.

In 2019 I completed summer vacation placement with Chevron for greater exposure in the Resources Sector.   During placement I was offered a Graduate position at Chevron and another offer from Water Corporation.  To have a greater work-life balance as a young mother, I chose Water Corporation.

At Water corporation I gained experience in the Heritage sector and was soon appointed as a Senior Heritage Advisor.   This allowed me to utilise my expertise in Environmental Sciences, whilst building my community liaison skills to engage in community engagement that made a difference to the Organisation as well as the Aboriginal Community stakeholders.   I completed the Water Corporation Leadership Program in 2021. My second child arrived the year I turned 30.  I re-entered the workplace with a four-month-old.

In 2023 I resumed my participation in mining with a position at Fortescue working with the Heritage Team.

I assumed a leadership position as Principal, as well as being selected as a member Director for Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service.

In 2024 I was the recipient of the AICD First Nations Director Scholarship for the Foundations of Company Directors course.  In October of 2024 I was appointed chairperson of the board of Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services, the largest Aboriginal community-controlled Health organization in Western Australia.

In 2025 I now operate in the Approvals Planning space at Fortescue.

THIERRA CLANTON

Principal Approvals Planning