ANU Alumna and Rio Tinto China senior Executive, Ms Julie Song, has won this year’s Australia China Alumni Award for Women in Leadership.

Ms. Julie Song – General Manager – External Relations for Rio Tinto China and Australian National University alumna, Ms. Julie is the winner of this year’s Australia China Alumni Award for Women in Leadership.

Ms Song graduated from Beijing University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1984 and was granted a Master of Business Administration from the Australian National University in 1996, as part of an Australian Government Scholarship, where she majored in Managing Business in Asia.

Ms Song joined Rio Tinto China in 1997 and has remained based in Beijing. Julie Song has held various roles while working in the Rio Tinto China office – starting as a Administrative Manager and progressing through the company as a Senior Project Coordinator, a Sales and Marking Manager, a Chief Representative of the Rio Tinto Beijing Office, to her current position as General Manager – External Relations for Rio Tinto in China. 


Before joining Rio Tinto, Ms Song held posts with the China Metallurgical Information and Standardization Research Institute, including roles in business analysis, project management, international cooperation and communication and foreign affairs management. 
 Working for the world’s second largest mining company, in its most important market, Julie Song is one of few women to hold such a senior position in the mining industry. 

Ms Song was praised by the judging panel for her consistent contribution to Rio Tinto as a quiet achiever who, in her 16 years with the company, has seen it through highs and lows. Her long-term commitment to Rio Tinto, her depth of experience and her steady career development, also generated praise. ■

To read about the other winners of this year’s ACAA / IELTS Australia China Alumni of the Year 

ACAA IELTS 2013 Australia China Alumni of the Year: Mr Zili Shao

ACAA Young Chinese Australia China Alumni of the Year Award: Ms Jingjing Xi 

ACAA Young Australian Australia China Alumni of the Year Award: Mr Timothy Coghlan  

Australia China Alumni Award for Research and Innovation: Dr Aihua Wang 

Austrade Australia China Alumni Award for Entrepreneurship: Mr Kai Chen 

CPA Australia, Australia China Alumni Award for Banking and Finance: Mr Derek Chan 

ACAA Australia China Alumni Award for Corporate Achievement: Dr Weihua Sun  

Australia China Connections Magazine Australia China Alumni Award for ICT and New Media: Dr Peng Tao