Kate Gadeke

Strategic Finance, Risk & Operational Excellence Executive | GAICD | FCPA | Driving Safe, Productive & Sustainable Performance

Burrup, Western Australia, Australia

About

As a senior executive in finance, strategy, and operational excellence, I bring a practical, people-focused leadership approach shaped by deep experience across BHP and Rio Tinto. I specialise in building aligned, resilient teams that deliver safe, productive, and sustainable outcomes particularly within complex mining, ports, and remote operations. Whether leading site-wide strategy deployment, embedding governance and risk frameworks, or driving enterprise-level transformation initiatives, I focus on creating clarity, culture, and capability. I’m passionate about enabling continuous improvement not just through tools, but through mindsets and behaviours that support high-performance environments. I am a qualified FCPA and GAICD, with advanced credentials in risk leadership, Lean Six Sigma, and change management. Having spent over a decade in Pilbara-based roles, I understand the importance of strong regional relationships and thriving local communities. I thrive in settings that require both strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, and I’m energised by opportunities to lead through complexity, build capability, and shape what’s next.

Experience

  • Finance Business Partnering Manager at Pilbara Ports
    Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Volunteer: Treasurer at Hampton Harbour Boat & Sailing Club
    Dec 2025 - Present · 8 mos

  • Volunteer: Board Member (from 2023) and Chairperson of the Board (April 2025) at Karratha Senior High School
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Volunteer member of Board from late 2023, Chair of Board from June 2025.

  • Manager Operational Excellence at Rio Tinto
    Feb 2021 - Aug 2025 · 4 yrs 7 mos

    I led the Operational Excellence team at Dampier Ports & Marine, responsible for embedding Rio Tinto’s Safe Production System, driving strategy alignment, and strengthening governance and risk frameworks. My team supported key functions including business risk, contractor management, central administration, and cultural initiatives. I partnered with senior site leaders to enable safe, sustainable operations and foster a high-performance culture across the port and marine teams. I also supported relationships with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and STARS foundation. This role was initially Superintendent Business Services & Strategy, I was then promoted as the team and remit grew.

  • Planned Travel around Australia at Australia
    Sep 2019 - Jan 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Planned travel with family around Australia, including caravanning until COVID-19 travel restrictions, and then living, working and schooling at Pardoo Station.