As general manager, External Affairs for Rio Tinto Canada, Carolyn Chisholm is fervently dedicated to driving positive change and assisting the mining company in achieving exemplary environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. In her role, Chisholm oversees the Canadian External Affairs team, spearheading strategic initiatives at both federal and provincial levels.

Prior to joining the company in 2014, she worked for more than two decades in external affairs and public policy. This included serving as the vice-president of the Natural Resources and Environment Group at a prominent public affairs firm. She’s also an esteemed member of various boards and associations, representing Rio Tinto's interests, including chair of the Mining Association of Canada.

A mother of two, Chisholm is equally impassioned about guiding the next generation of young women towards professional fulfillment, drawing from her extensive experience in the natural resources industry.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree (first class honours) in political science from St. Francis Xavier University and a master’s in public administration from Carleton University. She lives in Ottawa with her husband, Ron, and their two daughters, Mairi and Emily, and is active in community service as a member of the Board of Directors of her local hospital, a founding member of Women for Nature, and a board member of the Terry Fox Research Institute.