Ms Gaines led Fortescue as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from February 2018 to August 2022, after joining the Executive team as Chief Financial Officer in February 2017.

A highly experienced business leader, Ms Gaines has extensive international experience in all aspects of financial and commercial management. Ms Gaines has significant experience in the resources sector and exposure to the impact of the growth in Asian economies, particularly China, on the Australian business environment and economy as well as a deep understanding of all aspects of financial and commercial management at a senior executive level in both listed and private companies. Ms Gaines has extensive exposure to the drive to transition to green energy and has been a key driver of the goal to decarbonise Fortescue’s mining operations by 2030.

Elizabeth is a part time Executive Director and Global Ambassador for Fortescue. She is a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of Greatland Gold PLC, a Non-Executive Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of the West Coast Eagles (AFL) Football Club. In September 2024, Elizabeth was announced as the newly elected Chair of the West Coast Eagles Football Club, commencing 1 January 2025.

Ms Gaines was ranked second in the 2019 Fortune Magazine’s Businessperson of the Year and in 2020 the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia awarded her the ‘Women in Resources Champion’ at the annual Women in Resources Awards. In 2020, Ms Gaines was awarded Joint Australian Business Person of the Year by the Australian Financial Review.

Ms Gaines is a former Chief Executive Officer of Helloworld Limited and Heytesbury Pty Limited and has previously held Non-Executive Director roles with Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited, NEXTDC Limited, Mantra Group Limited and ImpediMed Limited.

Ms Gaines holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University, a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University and an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Curtin University. She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chief Executive Women.

Sera Naiqama is an Australian rugby union player. She plays Lock for the Wallaroos at an international level, and for the Western Force in the Super W competition.

Naiqama is a remarkable athlete with an indomitable spirit, representing the epitome of sporting excellence. Born to a Fijian family in Australia, Sera's journey in the world of sports began at an early age, shaped by a childhood filled with endless hours of playing alongside her brothers.

Raised in a sport-loving household, Sera's passion for athletics flourished, particularly in the realm of rugby. Her formative years were marked by a deep-rooted love for the game, nurtured by the unwavering support of her family. It was during her school days that Sera discovered her exceptional talent for Rugby Sevens, a game she wholeheartedly embraced and thrived in.

As her skills developed, Sera transitioned seamlessly from the Sevens format to the rigorous challenges of the 15-person game. Initially finding her place as a winger, her natural abilities quickly caught the attention of coaches and teammates. With an innate drive for growth and adaptability, she seized an opportunity to showcase her versatility in various positions, ultimately establishing herself as an impressive force in the second row.

Melanie is the Head of Health in the Global Health & Hygiene team within Group Health, Safety and Security.

She has over 20 years’ experience in workplace health and wellbeing and is an experienced leader, psychologist, therapist, coach and facilitator and HR professional. Melanie has significant professional experience in such job design, human factors, behavioural and psychological safety and psychosocial risk assessment, safety investigations, mental health and fatigue, executive leadership and learning and talent, culture change and psychological assessment.