Lisanna Lewis (UCC ‘94) never planned to have a career in mining, but 22 years in, she is grateful she swallowed her fear and said yes to a new opportunity. 

In 2004, Lewis was employed full-time and working to complete her accounting degree. She was busy but feeling uninspired in her role, so when a recruiter encouraged her to explore jobs in the mining sector, she was curious. An interview with Borealis Mining Company Ltd. followed, and after they offered her a job, Lewis had a decision to make. 

“I had been at my job for 12 years and in a lot of ways they were like family,” she says. “But I made a leap of faith and I’m glad that I did. I’ve travelled the world and I have a very unique job for an accountant.” 

Lifelong learning journey

Lewis’s willingness to take chances began long before her mining career. After starting an accounting program on Vancouver Island, she found herself needing a new option when the program was cancelled. That’s when she made the move to Kamloops to attend University College of the Cariboo (now TRU). 

She hasn’t stopped learning since. After completing the accounting technician program at UCC, she enrolled in a certified general accounting program and later earned credentials in both accounting and human resources. Nowhere in her formal education was the focus on mining, but what she lacked in mining knowledge, she made up for with determination and curiosity. 

Over time, she took on increasingly complex responsibilities, learning financial systems, regulatory frameworks, and operations across both Canada and the United States, working her way up from office manager to chief financial officer (CFO). 

“I think I was the only female in the company for the first 10 years, and I learned everything on my own. I didn’t know anything about mining when I started. I didn’t know anything about stock markets,” she says. “Now, I feel like I could truly work for any mining company in the world.” 

Lewis’s career at Borealis progressed through years of leadership changes and instability. Over a span of only a few years, she had 14 different bosses. 

“There were a couple of times when they let everybody go except for me,” she says, attributing much of her value as an employee to the importance she placed on keeping detailed records and safeguarding data. 

Early on, she took the initiative to digitize records and organize information in ways that would prove invaluable, scanning every document she could get her hands on and creating a server that still exists today. 

Leading with respect

Working in male-dominated environments for most of her career, Lewis got used to standing up for herself when needed, but she also modelled a mindset that emphasizes communication and fairness over authority. 

“I have always believed in treating people how I want to be treated in this life, and I think that’s really carried me a long way,” she says. “We’re all equal, whether you’re the janitor or the CFO. We all have a job to do, and we all have a common goal.” 

Promoting understanding across roles is one of the ways Lewis strives to create a cohesive environment. When she became frustrated by assumptions employees were making about each other’s workloads, she implemented a job-shadowing initiative at the mine site. Administrative staff experienced night shifts in operations. Operations staff spent time in accounting and payroll. Lewis herself tried several roles and required others, including leadership, to do the same. 

The goal was simple: eliminate misconceptions and foster respect. 

Afterward, at a company picnic in front of family and friends, she asked every employee to speak about the experience. 

“I saw a huge difference… people respected each other more,” she says. “I saw a big swing in friendships being made and it really warmed my heart.” 

Taking a leap

After navigating years of acquisitions and leadership changes, another major shift came in 2023 when Borealis sold once again. During the transition, she was encouraged to start her own company. Although apprehensive about going out on her own, she took the advice and Lisanna Lewis Consulting was born. Demand for her expertise was immediate.  

Now, after more than two decades in the mining industry, Lewis remains focused on growth. She’s interested in expanding her skillset and eventually plans to move into advisory roles. But she’s also realized the importance of finding time for life outside of work. 

Redefining balance

She credits living through a pandemic with helping her find joy in embracing a slower pace. Throughout her career, Lewis split her time between Canada and the U.S., but after years of constant travel, COVID-19 offered her something new: time at home. 

During that period, she got to know her neighbours while social distancing in the great outdoors, building lasting friendships she values to this day. The closed border also allowed her to spend time with family, including caring for her grandfather. 

“I was actually able to move in with him, and I’m very proud of what I was able to do for him in the last two years of his life,” she says. 

When the border reopened and travel expectations resumed, Lewis admits returning to her frenetic schedule was a shock to the system. She continued to meet her obligations but also began to think more intentionally about her priorities and finding balance. 

“My whole life I wanted to go on a girls’ trip, and I never had,” she says. “Now I’m proud to say… I’ve been on several.” 

While she loves her job and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon, Lewis has a bucket list of things she’d like to accomplish, and she says she’s always open to exploring unexpected opportunities.