Breaking Ground: Women in Mining USA President Julia Potter on Geotechnical Leadership, Mentorship, and Building Community
- GEOVERT
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
In the latest interview of our Breaking Ground series, Geovert's Hannah Thomas sits down with Julia Potter to discuss her journey from history major to geotechnical leader, and her work advancing diversity and inclusion in the mining industry.
About Julia Potter
Julia Potter is the Director of the Geotechnical Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona's School of Mining, Engineering and Mineral Resources, and the current President of Women in Mining USA. Her career path is anything but conventional - starting as a history major contemplating law school, Julia eventually found her calling in geology after taking an inspiring oceanography class that changed everything.
With 12 years of experience at Call & Nicholas Inc. (CNI), where she became the firm's first female shareholder in 2018, Julia has built a reputation for technical excellence and collaborative leadership. Her transition to academia has allowed her to bridge the gap between industry needs and academic research, while continuing to champion diversity and professional development in the mining sector.
Key Highlights from the Conversation:
An Unconventional Path to Geotechnical Engineering
Julia's journey began far from the technical world. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, she spent her college years exploring various majors - English, philosophy, women's studies, political science - before landing on history with plans to attend law school. It wasn't until an engaging oceanography professor suggested her for a mapping internship in Montana that geology captured her imagination.
"I just never thought of myself as like a science and math person," Julia reflects. "So it just hadn't occurred to me to make that a priority."
That single internship led to field mapping jobs with the Montana Bureau of Mines and the British Columbia Geological Survey, including living on a boat for two summers mapping the coast of British Columbia. These early experiences shaped Julia's understanding of what being a geologist could be - and sparked a passion that would define her career.
The Value of Field Experience
One of Julia's strongest pieces of advice for early-career professionals is to prioritise field time. Those boots-on-the-ground experiences, she argues, build the technical credibility that becomes invaluable later in your career.
"Get your field time early on in your career. Those early years saying yes to field time is so important. Getting that boots on the ground experience, those experiences really build credibility later."
Whether it's sitting in drill rigs, logging core, or conducting site investigations, the hands-on knowledge gained in the field provides context that makes you a better analyst, modeller, and decision-maker down the line. It's the foundation upon which technical expertise is built.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
As a geologist working in an engineering firm, and often the only woman in the room, Julia wrestled with imposter syndrome throughout her career. She initially viewed her differences as potential weaknesses, gaps to be filled or downplayed.
"I went through some stages of trying to fit in and not hide those differences - downplay them and not use them to my advantage. And I learned over time that those differences often made me stronger and better at my job."
Her advice? Embrace what makes you different. The soft skills that might not seem "technical", like communication, empathy, and relationship-building, are often the very capabilities that senior professionals struggle with most. Being able to communicate complex technical concepts, explain risk and uncertainty, and connect with diverse stakeholders isn't just valuable, it's essential.
Building the Women in Mining Mentor Network
One of Julia's proudest achievements is co-creating the Women in Mining Mentor Network with Flor Rivas from Caterpillar. What started as a Google form and manual matching process has evolved into a platform connecting over 500 professionals across the mining industry.
The network is open to everyone - not just women, not just members - and provides opportunities for 30-minute to one-hour conversations with industry leaders. Top mentors include executives like Fio Gianna, GM at Morenci, and Vicki Seppala, another Freeport GM, who generously share their time and insights with early-career professionals.
"Sometimes those conversations may turn into longer-term relationships, or sometimes that mentee may have a different conversation that they want to have with a different leader in the industry. Anyone can be a mentor because even five years in, you have knowledge to share."
Scaling Women in Mining USA
Under Julia's leadership as President, Women in Mining USA has experienced exponential growth, from around 300 members when she started in 2019 to nearly 2,000 today. This rapid expansion has brought exciting opportunities but also organisational challenges.
The organisation remains almost entirely volunteer-run, with just one part-time administrator. Julia's current focus is on capacity building - expanding the committee structure, professionalising operations, and working toward hiring an executive director within the next 3-5 years to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Geotechnical Center of Excellence
Julia's role at the University of Arizona allows her to combine technical work with community building in unique ways. The Geotechnical Center of Excellence (GCE) is an industry-funded organisation where mining companies, consultants, and technology providers support research, professional development, and outreach initiatives.
What makes the GCE distinctive is its collaborative model. Industry advisors guide research priorities and professional development topics, ensuring that academic work remains relevant to real-world challenges. The center’s professional development programs bring together top industry experts to share their knowledge, like the open pit geotechnical course that Hannah experienced.
Finding Your People
Perhaps Julia's most powerful advice is simple: find your people. Whether through professional organisations like Women in Mining, SME, or other affinity groups, building a community is essential, especially for those who feel isolated or underrepresented in their workplace.
"Don't be the me wrinkling my nose at my mother suggesting I join an affiliation group," Julia laughs, recalling her initial resistance to seeking out other women in her field. "Get out there and find folks that will continue to support you."
Sometimes the best mentors come from outside your company, offering perspectives free from organisational politics or vested interests in keeping you in a particular role. These external connections can provide honest feedback, open doors to new opportunities, and remind you that you're part of a broader community navigating similar challenges.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for What You Want
Julia's final piece of advice? Advocate for yourself. Whether you need accommodations, different working arrangements, or simply want to explore a new opportunity, speaking up is essential.
"Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. There's always balance to that, but at the same time, that kind of comes back to celebrating your differences a little bit. If you need to work a little bit differently, ask for things you might need."
Suffering in silence only breeds resentment. Clear communication about your needs, boundaries, and aspirations creates space for solutions and demonstrates the kind of professional maturity that leads to long-term career success.
Resources:
Women in Mining Mentor Network: Free to join for anyone interested in mentorship opportunities in mining
About Breaking Ground
Breaking Ground is an interview series featuring conversations with leaders in geology, mining, and geotechnical engineering. Hosted by Geovert's Hannah Thomas, the series explores career journeys, technical expertise, and the evolving landscape for women in the construction and mining industries.
Previous Episodes:
Episode 1: Marianne Rogers
Episode 2: Carrie Heaven
Comments