MONROVIA – Jutta Kikeson, a young Liberian metallurgist at ArcelorMittal Liberia, has successfully completed the prestigious International Women in Resources Mentoring Programme, emerging as the only participant from Liberia and one of just three representatives selected across the company’s global operations.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The six-month international initiative, organized by International Women in Mining (IWiM) in collaboration with project delivery partner Metisphere, brings together promising women from more than 40 countries to strengthen leadership skills, build professional confidence and promote gender inclusion in the mining and heavy industries.
Kikeson’s selection marks a significant milestone for Liberia, placing her among a select group of women chosen to participate in the global professional development program.
The program featured one-on-one mentoring sessions, introductory training modules, virtual webinars and international networking opportunities designed to help women overcome career barriers and advance into leadership positions.
Although the core program was conducted virtually while Kikeson was based in Liberia, she traveled to London on October 17, 2026, to participate in the final week of activities. These included high-level networking sessions, an intensive leadership workshop and the official closing ceremony held on October 22 and 23.
Reflecting on the experience, Kikeson expressed appreciation to ArcelorMittal Liberia for providing her with the opportunity, describing the program as an important milestone in her professional development and a proud moment for her country.
She said the mentorship experience strengthened her knowledge, boosted her confidence and provided valuable lessons that would guide her throughout her career.
Kikeson also described her selection as an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and potential of Liberian women in the mining industry, particularly in a sector where women continue to seek greater representation.
According to her, one of the most important lessons from the program was understanding that technical expertise alone is not enough to succeed in the modern industrial environment.
She emphasized the importance of self-confidence, effective communication, relationship-building and the willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone.
Stationed at ArcelorMittal Liberia’s state-of-the-art iron ore Concentrator Plant in Yekepa, Nimba County, Kikeson said she intends to apply the knowledge gained from the mentorship program and London leadership workshop to her daily technical and operational responsibilities.
She believes the experience has better equipped her to approach workplace challenges strategically and make more confident decisions as a metallurgist.
A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Kikeson encouraged young Liberian women to believe in their abilities, invest in education and pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), regardless of gender stereotypes.
She said persistence and dedication could enable more women to succeed in the mining industry and inspire others to follow similar career paths.
Looking ahead, Kikeson said her ambition is to deepen her metallurgical knowledge and problem-solving abilities while developing into a leadership role where she can promote continuous improvement, mentor emerging professionals and create opportunities for future Liberian talent in the mining sector.
ArcelorMittal Liberia, which served as a gold sponsor of the mentoring initiative, continues to support professional development programs aimed at strengthening local capacity, advancing technical excellence and promoting diversity and inclusion across its operations.
Kikeson’s achievement adds to growing efforts to increase the participation and leadership of Liberian women in the country’s mining and industrial sectors.
