Sue Steele

Sue Steele is a trailblazer in occupational health, safety, and emergency response, dedicated to improving the wellbeing of workers and communities across Australia’s most remote regions. With more than three decades as a Registered Nurse and WHS professional, she has built her career on the belief that practical health and safety is not just compliance—it’s culture. 

Her journey began in the Goldfields-Esperance region, where she provided vital healthcare to remote Aboriginal communities and developed a lifelong commitment to Indigenous health and resilience. Transitioning into the mining sector, Sue became a driving force in health, safety, emergency preparedness, and leadership development across the resources industry. 

In 2010, she co-founded Red Earth Health Solutions (REHS) and the Mining Emergency Response Competition (MERC), now celebrating 15 years of excellence and international recognition through iMERC. These initiatives have delivered thousands of hours of hands-on training to first responders, supported countless volunteer hours, and strengthened a culture of preparedness and practical learning. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Sue invests deeply in people and communities. She provided seed funding for the Blue Tree Project, supports the Western Desert Race, and mentors emerging women leaders. Her transformative leadership has been recognised with the Harry Steinhauser Award—where she remains the only female recipient—for her outstanding contribution to mines rescue in Australia.