Born in Argentina, Monica Moretto immigrated to Canada in 2003 and was drawn to the mining industry because she felt that she could contribute to the challenges that the industry currently faces in areas related to communications and social license. She holds a communications’ degree and has 18 years of experience as a journalist in radio and TV in Buenos Aires.

Monica’s expertise in Latin American affairs created the right platform for her job with Pan American Silver, where she works in Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR ). She designs and publishes the company’s Sustainability Report, following Global Reporting Initiative standards.

In her CSR role, Monica travels frequently to the areas where Pan American’s operations are located and visits with the communities. She meets with the company’s local CSR teams to evaluate each area’s needs and the social plans offered to local people. She engages with NGOs and other organizations to maintain and improve the quality of the programs and explore partnerships.

“Working in CSR is a very emotional job and sometimes there are heartaches. It is all about people. Journalism is also a people career, but it doesn’t have that direct contact — the ability to shift and improve things in communities. That’s something about CSR that not many careers can give you.”

Monica is currently working on a Masters in Environmental Management through Royal Roads University. “There is so much going on in CSR , a lot of people are going back to get additional education so they can better understand the new requirements,” she said. “Communities are more aware and are asking more questions. Opportunities in CSR are growing.”