Ask an Expert: Diversity & Inclusion in Leadership (Pt 2)

Following last month's Diversity & Inclusion in Leadership Q&A series, Emma Roberts, Vice President of Maritime and Supply Chain Excellence from BHP, answers your questions at the topic from a female perspective in this month's Ask an Expert.

Q: As a woman in leadership, what are some of the most common barriers you’ve faced, and how have you navigated them?

A: I’ve been fortunate in my own journey not to have encountered many direct barriers, but I’m very aware that this isn’t the case for everyone. Like many women, I’ve had to figure out how to balance work and family at different stages of my career, so I understand how challenging that can be. I’ve also seen many other women navigate similar pressures, in addition to stereotypes about what they can or should do. Earlier on in my career, especially in private practice law firms, these issues were a lot more obvious than they are now. It’s encouraging to see firms pushing forward, although there’s still room for improvement. 

One of the reasons I value working at BHP is its commitment to driving real change. Over my 10 years here, I’ve watched the company try to tackle structural barriers. Achieving gender balance is a significant milestone for BHP, and it reflects how seriously the organisation takes this agenda. But that work’s still ongoing, and it definitely needs continuous focus and momentum if we want to make lasting change.

Q: What are some aspects of being a woman in a leadership role that surprised you, be it positively or negatively?

A: Many women I’ve spoken to say that having female leaders around makes a meaningful difference. More than just visibility, it’s also about being understood. Women who have navigated similar challenges often know how to support others so they can thrive. That creates a work environment where more people feel they can succeed. 

This doesn’t just benefit women. The lived experiences, guidance, and support that female leaders often bring can lift everyone and strengthen the team as a whole.

Q: In your experience, what are the most effective strategies for fostering an inclusive culture in leadership teams?

A: Inclusive leadership isn’t something that just happens—it takes conscious effort every day. 

It’s important that we keep actively challenge bias, whether it’s in how we work, the decisions we make, or even within ourselves. Leaders have a big influence, so it helps when they take time to reflect, ask questions, and stay open-minded. When leaders demonstrate humility, provide a platform to those who aren’t always heard, and are open about not having all the answers, it signals what we truly value. And these everyday behaviours are key to creating an environment where people feel respected, supported, and confident to contribute.

Q: What changes would you like to see in the next few years regarding women’s representation and advancement in leadership positions?

A: Looking ahead, I really want to see us continue building momentum when it comes to increasing women representation across the maritime and mining industries. We’ve already seen encouraging progress, and it’s especially powerful to work alongside partners who share the same vision. Our collaboration with Oldendorff, one of our biggest shipping partners, to help drive gender diversity in the maritime sector, is a great example of this. 

Real change takes everyone working together and stepping up. In the end, supporting women into leadership isn’t just about fairness - it’s about building stronger, more resilient organisations that are ready for the future.
 

Q: What advice would you give to women who are striving to break into leadership positions but face resistance or biases along the way?

A: Trust your strengths, keep learning, and always show up as your authentic self. 

Build your confidence by seeking advice that helps you grow as a leader and stay curious about your blind spots—understanding and working on them to close the gaps is part of the journey.

Remember, there’s no single way to lead. You can shape the kind of leadership you want to see.

Ask an Expert is a monthly series in which we call on subject experts within the AustCham Singapore community to answer questions that we may have on a specific topic. The strength of our community is in the diverse expertise within our membership, and we want to use this initiative to tap on the knowledge of our members to enrich the community as a whole.

Our expert for this month is Emma Robert, Vice President of Maritime and Supply Chain Excellence at BHP, where she leads the company’s global freight and supply chain organisation from Singapore.

Emma brings a wealth of international leadership experience to the conversation. Prior to her current role, she served as Chief of Staff to BHP’s CEO in Melbourne, and before that was Vice President International Relations and Public Policy, based in London, where she led a global team across trade, policy, and government relations. With BHP being one of the world’s significant users of global maritime services, Emma is passionate about the company’s opportunity and responsibility to help uplift diversity across the maritime sector and its supply chains.

Connect with Emma on LinkedIn.