Vanessa Bullock
Vice President, Critical Minerals and Energy, Macquarie Capital | AGSM MBA 2021
Funding the future of energy
As a leader in Macquarie Capital’s Critical Minerals and Energy team, Vanessa is addressing the pressing issues of a global transition to net zero.
Her priority is ensuring the sustainable energy sector has the resources to sustain itself.
Macquarie Capital primarily works with companies critical to the energy transition: lithium, copper, nickel and rare earth producers number among their clients.
Financing critical minerals mining is complicated – with high capital requirements, technological complexities and market uncertainty. With her engineering background and financial experience, Vanessa is uniquely equipped to guide successful investment in the sector.
The energy transition ahead is the challenge of my generation. We all need to address it in our careers. It's a big meaty problem that's going to take decades to solve. I find that exciting because it gives me a long career trajectory.
Leading from curiosity and connection
Bridging the gap between technical experts and financiers is every bit as challenging as it sounds!
Vanessa spends a lot of time consulting with experts, visiting mines and processing plants, and analysing financial data from debt and equity markets like the ASX.
The ability to translate complex engineering concepts into financial terms is essential to aligning the interests of both parties.
"Financiers want certainty: to understand what they’re putting their money into and when they’re likely to see a return.”
Vanessa’s deep understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with critical mineral projects supports investors to be well-informed and confident in their decisions.
"I think it's about being curious. You have to learn about the industry and embrace a mix of perspectives in conversation. The problems we're solving are getting tougher –just one perspective or set of capabilities is not going to be enough.”
Finding opportunity in adversity
Vanessa’s early career was defined by heat, dust and determination as she led a team responsible for power generation and utilities at one of Australia's largest liquefied natural gas facilities in Karratha.
“The plant runs like a small city, generating all its own power, compressed air, nitrogen and fuel gas, and treating sewage onsite.”
This job was very much a baptism by fire for the young engineer. Yet Vanessa’s never been afraid to take on difficult roles that others may have thought risky to their careers.
All the best jobs I’ve had have pushed me outside of my comfort zone - but I saw them as an opportunity.
The Karratha role was an early lesson in leadership: finding overlooked, open space in which to succeed – no matter what!
Tackling the energy transition challenge
The decision to pursue an MBA was driven by a desire to address what she describes as "the problem of our generation" – the move to sustainable energy.
After receiving a Women in Leadership Scholarship, Vanessa moved to Sydney to complete the AGSM MBA she’d started online.
Determined to leverage her technical skills for a more future-facing role, Vanessa pivoted to finance, believing that she would be able to make an impact as she has a practical understanding of the problem.
"I’ve found that the solutions lie in close proximity to the problem. We need to leverage existing expertise to drive change.”
An introduction from an AGSM MBA colleague led to the offer of a role in Macquarie Capital’s Critical Minerals and Energy team.
My AGSM MBA challenged me to take a big leap – then helped me make it! I changed careers to help our world transition.
Choosing AGSM for growth and connection
Vanessa’s AGSM MBA experience taught her to value her own expertise and apply it in new contexts. It shifted her perspective from a purely technical focus to a more strategic and managerial outlook, enabling her to tackle challenges from multiple angles.
The AGSM MBA gives you tools and frameworks to filter and simplify large amounts of information to get to the root of an issue or challenge. Essentially, how to make sense of a mess!
Unlocking potential via leadership education
"I went in there thinking I was going to be the worst person in this class. But I soon realised I had a lot to contribute."
She also emerged feeling better able to manage boundaries and conflict - grasping the importance of taking a structured approach to leadership and decision-making.
These standardised frameworks have enabled her to provide consistent guidance to her team, ensuring fairness and clarity in her management style.
“Leadership is all about removing barriers and helping people to solve problems.”
After ten years as an engineer Vanessa’s big leap has enabled her to create a far more impactful career.
What are you made for?
AGSM equips forward-looking leaders to make it in an accelerated world.
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