Our Board of Directors
Nicole Piggott, Canada
President
Nicole is the Co-Founder and President of Synclusiv and Chief Operating Officer at Women in Governance (WiG). Her career includes leadership roles at Bombardier, RioTinto, FedEx Canada, and Royal Bank of Canada. She has implemented and overseen HR policies and engagement programs and negotiated the first impact benefit agreements between the Iron Ore Company of Canada and indigenous communities in Labrador. Nicole holds board positions at the Black Academic Scholarship Fund, Women in Governance, and National Safety Council and is co-lead for the Goodman Cancer Research Institute lecture series at McGill University. She advises Global Affairs Canada and the CN-Paul Tellier chair at the University of Ottawa on gender issues.
Shivani Kannabhiran, France
Vice President
Shivani is an expert on the OECD’s framework on due diligence, integrating international standards on human rights, labour, and the environment in global value chains. With decades of experience working with businesses, investors, regulators, and policymakers, she supports climate, biodiversity, and development goals through responsible investment and collaboration. Of Malaysian Indian heritage, Shivani has lived and worked in numerous countries, developing a global network of stakeholders, particularly in the extractives and agri-food sectors. A champion of gender equality, a just climate transition, and nature-based solutions, Shivani has advised companies on corporate strategy and operations and is an experienced fundraiser. She holds degrees from Smith College and INSEAD (MBA).
Edward Blight, United Kingdom
Treasurer
Edward is the LBMA’s Chief Finance Officer. He directs and defines the organization’s Financial and Business Operations strategies and is the business process lead for all Membership matters. He is also responsible for the LBMA’s Human Resources, Technology, Contractual Support, Commercialisation, and Office Management functions. His career includes 31 successful years in the British Army, where he saw service in many countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Since leaving the Army, he has worked successfully within the commercial sector, running major multi-site logistics and fulfillment operations with significant P&L responsibility. He moved into the Precious Metals sector in 2012, and before joining the LBMA, he led the development of all Precious Metals Operations capability and facilities at G4S Cash Solutions UK Limited, where he worked in partnership with Deutsche Bank AG to build and operate a state-of-the-art Precious Metals vaulting capability.
Carl Bruch , United States
Board Member
Carl is the Director of International Programs at the Environmental Law Institute and founding President of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association (EnPAx). His work centers on environmental peacebuilding, governance, adaptation, and emergencies, especially in post-conflict settings. Carl has assisted numerous countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe in strengthening environmental laws, institutions, and practices. He has edited more than ten books and authored over 80 journal articles, book chapters, and reports. Carl is an adjunct professor at American University School of International Service. He holds a JD from the Northwestern School of Environmental Law of Lewis & Clark College, an MA in physics (with additional majors in mathematics and anthropology) from the University of Texas-Austin, and a BS in physics from Michigan State University.
David Dapto Onyalo, Canada
Board Member
David is the founding director of Ujeengo Global Community International (Canada), with partners in Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. Ujeengo focuses on extractive industries, women’s economic development, and GBV. He also directs two Canadian social enterprises promoting solar energy in rural communities and potable water access in Africa. David has extensive experience in international development in sub-Saharan Africa, advocating for the ILO Decent Work Agenda, union capacity building, good governance, informal sector worker rights, HIV & AIDS prevention, poverty reduction, gender equality, and human rights. He has held senior roles with the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Canadian Labour Congress, including as national director of Human Rights.
Gavin Hilson, United Kingdom
Board Member
Gavin is Professor and Chair of Sustainability in Business at the University of Surrey. He is a leading global authority on the environmental and social impacts of the small-scale mining sector, with over 300 publications to his name. His expertise is recognized internationally, having delivered talks at United Nations headquarters, the World Bank, and numerous universities. Gavin has provided consultancy services for the UK Department for International Development, World Bank, EGMONT, Alliance for Responsible Mining, WWF Guianas, Newmont Gold Mining, and Gold Fields. Gavin is editor-in-chief of The Extractive Industries and Society (Elsevier Science) and is on the editorial boards of The Journal of Cleaner Production, Resources Policy, Mineral Economics (Springer), and The International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment (Taylor & Francis). He is also an executive board member of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), an NGO established to improve awareness and eliminate the circulation of ‘conflict diamonds’.
Guus Houttuin, Netherlands
Board Member
Guus was Senior Trade Advisor to the EU’s External Action Service until August 2022 and chaired the OECD Multi-stakeholder Steering Group on responsible minerals until April 2023. He led the foreign and development policy pillars of the EU Responsible Minerals Regulation, drafting the EU guidelines on conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Guus initiated the EU-OECD relationship on responsible minerals and due diligence/RBC and advised on EU laws on corporate sustainability, critical raw materials, and labor rights. He represented the EU at the WTO and was a Legal Adviser to the Council of the EU in Brussels. He also advises the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals and is a part-time associate with the German lobbying/law firm Alber & Geiger.
Hilary Holmes, Canada
Board Member
Hilary is a human rights activist working for Amnesty International Canada as a crisis and tactical campaigner. As a young leader, Hilary developed youth participation and leadership development programs at the national and international levels before shifting to strategic campaigning. Over the years, they have focused on a wide range of thematic and country-based files, including children affected by armed conflict, the arms trade, international justice, the human rights impact of national security measures, and mass surveillance.
Issa Dominique Konate, Burkina Faso
Board Member
Issa is a seasoned Strategic Management Consultant with over 45 years of diverse professional experience. He has served as an independent consultant and was a Special Advisor to the President of Burkina Faso, focusing on Energy, Mines, and Quarries. Issa has significant expertise in the management of extractive and energy industries, strategic partnerships, and corporate governance. His previous roles include Regional Director for West Africa at AECOM Consultants and various top management positions at Shell Oil. Issa holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Montreal. He is also a dedicated educator and board member for several institutions.
Louise Ouimet, Canada
Board Member
Louise has dedicated her career to international development, joining the Canadian International Development Agency in 1973. She served in West Africa, including as Ambassador and Head of Development in Burkina Faso and Mali. Louise specialized in governance of public institutions and performance management through consultancies in Africa and Pakistan. She was Chair of the Africa Study Group and is a board member of Oxfam-Quebec. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from ENAP, Canada, and is a certified Mediator (Third Party Neutral) from the Canadian Institute of Conflict Resolution.
Pamela Fierst-Walsh, United States
Board Member
Pamela is the CEO of PFW Advisory, offering advisory services on regulatory and supply chain needs, focusing on environmental, social, and governance aspects. She is the former U.S. Representative to the Kimberley Process and Senior Advisor for Conflict and Critical Minerals at the U.S. Department of State. Pamela has over 18 years in global affairs, including as VP of Traceability at PVH, overseeing global traceability for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. She holds a J.D. from the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University, and a Master’s in National Strategic Studies from the National War College.