Actuality¹⁷⁴

Portrait of Arrielle Fanfan

HIRING, TRAINING AND RETENTION OF TALENTS

Par

Marie Pelletier

JCCM - Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal

Gestionnaire de projet bénévole du comité marketing et création de contenu

As part of our March Portraits series, the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal is spotlighting dedicated women who actively contribute to the vitality and influence of our community.

Portrait – A Conversation with Arrielle Fanfan, a forward-thinking strategist.

Arrielle is a long-term planner at Rio Tintoo, where she focuses on strategic planning and the long-term optimization of mining operations. Her expertise lies at the intersection of mining engineering, strategic analysis, and project management in complex environments.

In addition to her professional duties, she is actively involved in Montreal’s economic and professional ecosystem. She serves as president of Women in Mining Montréal, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the advancement of women in the mining industry. She is also a member of the Strategy and Innovation Committee of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal, where she contributes to discussions and initiatives addressing economic and societal issues.

Thinking Today to Build Tomorrow

What particularly excites Arrielle about her work and her commitments is the opportunity to contribute to projects that have a tangible impact.

She especially enjoys tackling complex challenges that require long-term thinking and analyzing how decisions made today can create value for the future. This strategic perspective guides both her planning work in the mining industry and her involvement in various initiatives.

Through her role with Women in Mining Montreal, she also hopes to help open doors and support the next generation of women leaders in a sector that has historically been male-dominated.

Inspiring female role models

Several women have shaped Arrielle’s journey and influenced her vision of leadership.

She cites Angela Merkel, in particular, for her strategic leadership and her ability to handle complex issues with calm and rigor, as well as Michelle Obama, whose strength, eloquence, and commitment she admires.

But her primary role model remains her mother, an entrepreneur who instilled in her from an early age the values of hard work, courage, and independence. Her mother’s example taught her that a woman can build, lead, and forge her own path.

Dare to seize opportunities

To young professional women in Montreal who aspire to advance in their careers, Arrielle offers a simple yet important piece of advice: don’t wait until you feel perfectly ready to seize an opportunity.

In her view, careers are largely built along the way. Having confidence in your ability to learn, surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, and daring to aim higher than you think is possible are key elements for professional growth and development.

Ongoing challenges

Despite the progress made, Arrielle believes that one of the main challenges for women today remains access to decision-making forums and positions of power.

Beyond simply opening doors, it is also essential to create professional environments where women can fully contribute, express their ideas, and influence decisions. Promoting greater representation in leadership roles remains a key issue in many sectors.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

By embracing new challenges and stepping out of her comfort zone, Arrielle discovered she was capable of much more than she ever imagined.

According to her, the limits we set for ourselves are often influenced by fear or doubt. Yet it is precisely by accepting new responsibilities and exploring opportunities that we fully discover our potential.

Taking the time to refocus

To stay centered in her daily life, Arrielle places great importance on taking the time to slow down and reflect on her priorities.In Montreal, she particularly enjoys the quiet spaces near Mount Royal or certain peaceful cafés that allow her both to reflect and to observe the city’s energy. It is often during these moments of pause that the best ideas emerge.

Inspiration

Among her recommendations, Arrielle suggests Michelle Obama’s book *Becoming*, an inspiring work that chronicles her journey and highlights the importance of staying true to oneself while pursuing one’s ambitions.

She also recommends the *Women at Work,* podcast, which offers practical insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in the professional world, particularly in the areas of leadership, communication, and career development.

Connect with Arrielle!