Striking gold with AI, Emma earns WIRA honour
Woodsider Emma Eltringham has been acknowledged for her sterling work in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) across our global operations at a glittering awards night in Perth.
Emma, Principal AI Product Manager, took home the Technology Award at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia’s Women in Resources Awards (WIRA) last Friday evening. Accepting the award, Emma told the audience she hadn’t used AI to write her speech – this one was a product of the heart.
“As a little girl from country Victoria, I never expected to work in resources, and my career path has been far from linear,” she revealed.
My story is about going after what you’re passionate about. If you do that, you’ll succeed."
She added: “I’m grateful to all the people who supported me along the way, from my family to my Woodside leaders.”
Emma was speaking to more than 1,100 people who had gathered at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for the 17th annual WIRA event which recognised 18 individual finalists and three companies across seven categories.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy Chief Executive Aaron Morey said the finalists demonstrated the depth of talent powering the sector’s future.
“The women recognised through WIRA are shaping the future of WA’s resources sector at every level – from operations and engineering through to leadership and entrepreneurship,” Aaron noted.
“By showcasing these leaders and innovators, WIRA sends a powerful message to women and girls that there is a place for them in this industry and that their skills and ideas are not only welcome but essential.”
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Since joining Woodside a decade ago as a Graduate Geospatial Analyst, Emma has played a role in several major digital initiatives. She was part of the pioneering Fuse digital twin project, which connected operations teams with 3D and 2D views of live plant data to support operational decision making and safer working environments across our remote facilities.
Emma now leads our AI strategy and is a key member of the leadership team behind Lumina, the company’s internal AI tool, which hosts more than 40 enterprise agents across the business. AI is helping to support safe, reliable and efficient operations at Woodside, where teams are already unlocking new ways of working smarter.
She pointed out to the WIRA crowd the role leaders can play in helping others adapt to emerging technologies, encouraging organisations to support employees to reskill and explore new opportunities.
“We’re in an exciting moment in technology and AI,” Emma declared.
“As leaders we need to be involved in helping shape that, backing our teams to learn new skills and adopt these tools for the positive.”
Emma’s win makes her eligible to apply for the Women in Resources National Awards, which will take place in September in Melbourne.
Congratulations to the CME for another outstanding awards night.
And from all of Woodside, congratulations to Emma, all nominees and finalists – including Operations Technician Jackie Stone – for their outstanding achievements. We couldn’t be prouder!
