Megan Cole

megan.cole [at] smithschool.ox.ac.uk

Megan Cole is the Programme Manager for the Rwanda Strategy on Green Growth and Climate Resilience.  Megan worked closely with the Government of Rwanda, donors CDKN and DFID, and academic experts in the Oxford area to deliver a series of reports and the final Strategy, which was approved by Cabinet in October 2011. The Strategy provides a long term vision, strategic objectives and 14 programmes of action to be implemented in the coming years across key sectors: energy, water, land, forestry, agriculture, mining, transport, built environment, industry, education, health and finance. Megan worked on the energy and mining sectors in depth for the project.

Before moving to the UK in 2010, Megan worked for Anglo Platinum, the largest platinum mining company in the world, in South Africa. She worked on an open pit operation for four years, developing and implementing new technology, software and systems, followed by four years at the head office in Johannesburg. As a Research Manager she focused on bringing sustainable development into the research agenda through cross-discipline collaboration, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and innovative projects. She led a team of graduates in developing a vision of the mining company of the future; contributed to a Water Strategy for Anglo Platinum; initiated the integration of the true value of water into business plans for all Anglo operations; initiated and managed a groundbreaking project, Sustainability and Extraction Efficiency, which integrates corporate sustainable development goals into operational and strategic decision making.  

Megan was first recognised for her contribution to the mining industry in 2008 when she was asked to join the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) Council to bring in new ideas and a fresh perspective. Megan was a guest lecturer on the Graduate Diploma of Engineering (GDE) at the University of the Witwatersrand from 2006 to 2010. In August 2009, she was featured in the Mail & Guardian (M&G) Book of South African Women and in April 2010, Megan was nominated for South Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government.