Isabella Carter
Project Lead, Cape Lambert Capital Projects · WorkPac, Rio Tinto
About
Originally from Scotland, Isabella migrated to Australia at age ten and despite experiencing personal and family challenges, she has built a thriving career in the resources sector. She channelled her resilience and determination into education, graduating in the top 5% of her cohort with First Class Honours in Construction Management, earning multiple academic awards and commendations.
Isabella began her career at Turner & Townsend while completing her studies, gaining experience across infrastructure and real estate projects before moving into the mining industry. Now just 24, she leads multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects, including an $18 million overhead protection project, addressing over 55 class III and IV safety risks. Her efficiencies and strategic thinking accelerated delivery by 12 months and achieved up to $4 million in savings, capturing additional safety risks and significantly improving site conditions.
Simultaneously, she led a multi-site safety initiative in response to a call to action on falling objects, spanning across Cape Lambert, Dampier Port and Salt, driving safety enhancements, culture and operational improvements.
Transforming “too hard” jobs into success stories, Isabella designed a new Tool Store and Wellness Facility, featuring parents and prayer rooms, reflecting her commitment to creating safer, supportive environments. Passionate about mentoring and continuous improvement, she has become a respected emerging leader recognised for her innovation, collaboration, and care for people.