Human Resources is a profession that demands versatility, resilience, and a deep understanding of both people and business. Tanya Hibbard’s 21-year career perfectly embodies these qualities as she has navigated diverse and challenging industries—from automotive to heavy industry, mining, and oil & gas. Her story is one of transformation from a nervous graduate to a confident, commercially savvy HR leader who champions people-first strategies while delivering tangible business outcomes.
In this article, we explore Tanya’s unique journey, her insights into the commercial side of HR, her approach to stakeholder management and change, and her thoughts on gender diversity within the HR profession. Tanya also shares practical advice for early-career and senior HR professionals, along with reflections on her passions beyond the office. Whether you’re an HR professional looking to deepen your impact or simply curious about thriving in male-dominated industries, Tanya’s perspective offers valuable lessons.
From Automotive Beginnings to Heavy Industry and Oil & Gas
Tanya’s career began in the automotive sector, where she quickly moved from an HR coordinator supporting a director and manager to taking on the HR manager role herself. This early phase was formative, teaching her the commercial realities of a cutthroat, KPI-driven environment where margins are razor-thin.
“Automotive is all about the dollar,” Tanya explains. “You better know your bottom line at the end of every meeting or you better go in and hit those targets.” The automotive industry’s focus on sales performance and customer service profitability ingrained in her a strong commercial mindset that would serve her well in later roles.
After nearly a decade in automotive, Tanya transitioned into mining support services and heavy industry, overseeing teams across vast regions including the Bowen Basin, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, and even Papua New Guinea. This shift was a natural fit given her rural upbringing on a farm and her deep respect for blue-collar workers.
“I call myself a ‘pracademic’—someone who combines practical experience with academic knowledge,” she says. “I learned far more through experience, listening to people, and seeing their wins and falls than I ever did in a classroom.”
Today, Tanya works in the oil and gas sector, leading pioneering projects such as implementing the first Aboriginal workforce at a remote site near Darwin. Her role requires her to balance operational demands with cultural sensitivity and community engagement, demonstrating the evolving scope of HR in heavy industry.
The Commercial Mindset: The Heart of HR Success
One of Tanya’s defining characteristics is her unwavering focus on the commercial value HR can bring to a business. Early in her career, she encountered skepticism about HR’s role in driving revenue and profitability. “I had leaders say, ‘HR sounds like a luxury item to me. Can’t imagine how you bring in any money,’” she recalls.
Determined to prove her worth, Tanya made it her mission to connect HR initiatives with financial outcomes. For instance, by reducing employee turnover and presenting the cost savings in clear dollar terms, she gained executive buy-in and credibility.
“I better prove myself that I’m going to make money for this business because I can’t sell cars or fix cars. So I’ve got to do something well.”
This commercial acumen has become a cornerstone of her approach. Tanya always brings data and financial implications to meetings, ensuring HR is seen as an integral part of strategic decision-making rather than just an administrative function.
Navigating Change: The Importance of Stakeholder Mapping
Change management is a familiar challenge for any HR professional, but Tanya emphasizes a common pitfall that can sabotage even the best-intentioned initiatives: failing to identify and engage all stakeholders.
“In the past, I’d get excited and run ahead with six out of nine stakeholders on board, only to have the other three come back and say, ‘What have you done?’” she admits. “You have to know exactly who you’re affecting right through to the last person—finance is usually the one you miss.”
This lesson in slowing down and thoroughly mapping stakeholders before executing change is advice Tanya offers to early-career HR professionals to build stronger, more sustainable outcomes.
Balancing Compliance, Wellbeing, and Commerciality
Working in industries like mining and oil & gas, Tanya faces the daily reality of compliance and safety—non-negotiable elements in high-risk environments. But she also brings a nurturing, people-centered approach, especially in areas like return-to-work programs for injured employees.
“Compliance is not just paperwork. It’s there to protect you and get you home to your family,” she says. “I’m very comfortable being approachable and easy to get along with, but I’m not your best friend who will cover for you. There’s a clear line.”
Tanya credits years of experience with helping her “turn on and off” these different facets of HR, balancing the supportive and the regulatory with confidence.
Why Tanya Loves HR: Behind the Scenes Impact
Tanya’s passion for HR stems from her love of supporting others to succeed—often quietly behind the scenes. Whether it’s coaching an executive struggling with leadership or helping a frontline worker articulate their value, she finds joy in making a difference without needing the spotlight.
“I enjoy making somebody else shine. I don’t expect anything back. The joy is when I hear from their team members, ‘He’s changed a lot lately.’ That’s really good.”
She embraces the role of the “Nick Fury of the Avengers,” influencing outcomes from the background while letting others take the credit.
Gender Diversity in HR: A Challenge and Opportunity
Despite working in predominantly male industries, Tanya notes that HR itself remains overwhelmingly female—about 84%. She wonders if this gender imbalance might deter men from pursuing HR careers, especially when the profession is still often perceived as nurturing and supportive rather than strategic and business-focused.
“Are we describing HR as a profession that’s great for males as well? It’s a strategic role—you have to have good business sense,” she says. Tanya challenges the stereotype that men won’t be approached with problems or that HR is a “female-only role.”
This conversation highlights a broader challenge for HR: how to attract and retain diverse talent within the profession to better reflect the diversity it champions in the workforce.
Advice for Early-Career HR Professionals
Tanya offers two key pieces of advice for those just starting out in HR:
- Master face-to-face communication: “Get yourself into public speaking clubs and build your confidence in delivering difficult messages in person. You can’t email or text serious conversations like terminations.”
- Map your stakeholders: “Know exactly who your change initiatives affect before you move forward. Slow down and check your list to avoid costly oversights.”
She candidly shares how she struggled with nervousness early on but overcame it through practice and experience.
Advice for Senior HR Leaders
For more experienced HR professionals, Tanya stresses the importance of owning your expertise and the value you bring to the table.
“Don’t ever forget that the CEO trusts you as the expert. Tell them what they need to know. They don’t know what they don’t know.”
She advises keeping communication authentic and straightforward, avoiding flashy presentations in favor of honest, relatable updates. One memorable lesson came from a director who asked her, “When you’re having a wine with your girlfriends, how do you describe my business?” That simple, candid perspective is what leaders need to hear to improve.
Current Challenges in HR: Technology and Social Connection
Among the many challenges Tanya faces, one stands out: the impact of technology on workplace culture and social connection. While AI and digital tools offer efficiency, Tanya worries about isolation and loss of community.
“I see people working alone with headphones in, typing away in silence. The natural end-of-week debriefs, casual chats, and social bonding just don’t happen anymore,” she laments. “I even send out invites to just sit together, and some respond they’re too socially anxious.”
For Tanya, workplace connection isn’t a luxury—it’s essential to employee wellbeing and engagement. She fears future generations might miss out on lifelong friendships and informal support networks built at work.
Personal Insights: Beyond HR
Tanya’s life outside HR is as vibrant as her career. She and her husband share a passion for farming and cattle, running a farm near Lamington National Park with plans to expand. This connection to the land reflects her rural roots and love of the outdoors.
Surprisingly to many, Tanya also spent years practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu and boxing, even winning titles at the PCYC. While she no longer competes, she maintains her fitness for mental health and enjoys lifting weights.
Her favorite holiday destination is Ela, a quiet town in Crete, Greece, where she appreciates the rich history, stunning nature, and even the unique volcanic soil that produces exceptional tomatoes—a nod to her tomato-farming upbringing.
Recommended Reading and Final Thoughts
Currently, Tanya is engrossed in the book Sapiens, which explores human nature, evolution, and how our instincts influence behavior under pressure. She recommends it for anyone in HR seeking deeper understanding of the human condition.
“A man will always see the world with what he carries in his heart. If I’m getting angry, I reflect and ask myself why. Usually, it’s something going on with me.”
This quote encapsulates Tanya’s thoughtful, empathetic approach to HR and life—recognizing that people are generally good and want to be treated well.
Conclusion
Tanya Hibbard’s HR journey—from the fast-paced, numbers-driven world of automotive sales to the rugged, safety-critical environments of mining and oil & gas—reveals the multifaceted nature of human resources. Her story underscores the importance of combining commercial savvy with genuine care for people, and the power of experience in shaping confident HR leaders.
Her insights into stakeholder management, gender diversity, and maintaining authenticity in communication offer practical wisdom for HR professionals at all career stages. Tanya’s passion for making others shine behind the scenes, alongside her commitment to nurturing workplace community, remind us that HR is truly about people—both as individuals and as drivers of business success.
For anyone looking to thrive in challenging industries or elevate their HR impact, Tanya’s approach is a compelling blueprint: know your business, know your people, and never stop learning from every experience.
Legal Support for HR Professionals and Businesses
Human Resources leaders like Tanya Hibbard often navigate complex workplace challenges that intersect with legal considerations. Whether managing compliance, workplace investigations, or employment contracts, having access to expert legal advice is crucial. Employment lawyers at South Geldard Lawyers offer tailored support for employers across industries, helping to ensure fair workplaces and mitigate risks.
For HR leaders working in industries such as mining, oil & gas, and heavy industry, understanding industrial relations and workplace compliance is essential. South Geldard’s expertise in industrial arrangements and workplace investigations can support HR professionals in navigating these complex processes effectively.
Moreover, for businesses and HR professionals interested in legal updates, resources, and expert insights, South Geldard Lawyers provide a comprehensive legal news and resources portal, including articles, videos, and podcasts that cover relevant topics across employment law and business compliance.
Whether you are early in your HR career or a seasoned leader like Tanya, integrating legal expertise into your HR strategy ensures robust support for your people and business objectives.
