Bringing it to the Surface
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 3 | 1:30pm
Location: Carlton Room
Canadian Diamond Drilling Association Abstract: Breaking the Silence, Building a Stronger Industry
Speakers: Louise Lowe and Clint Gore
What does it really mean to be fit for duty? In an industry built on strength, resilience, and getting the job done, mental health has often remained below the surface.
“Bring It to the Surface” was created to change that. What began as a conversation about the challenges people face in our industry has grown into an initiative focused on awareness, open conversations, and creating workplaces where people feel supported to speak up before they reach a crisis point.
Clint Gore brings this message to life through his personal story of surviving a workplace explosion and navigating addiction, anxiety, depression, and recovery. At a time in his life, Clint was not fit for duty—physically, mentally, or emotionally—but, like many in our industry, he continued to push forward. His journey demonstrates the importance of recognizing when someone is struggling and creating an environment where asking for help is viewed as a strength.
Together, we will explore what fit for duty truly means and how bringing mental health to the surface can help create safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces.
Speakers
Louise Lowe, Canadian Diamond Drilling Association
Louise Lowe has been a dedicated member of the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) for over 26 years, serving as a strong advocate for the diamond drilling industry and the people who work within it. As Executive Director, she leads and manages the association, works closely with its Board of Directors, and builds relationships with industry, government, education, and safety partners.
With a deep passion for the industry and the people who make it successful, Louise has become a champion for mental health and wellness in the workplace. Her commitment to this work helped bring the CDDA’s “Bring It to the Surface” initiative to life, creating a platform to encourage open conversations about mental health and challenge the stigma that can prevent people from asking for help.
Louise’s goal is to help build a stronger, safer, and healthier industry where bringing challenges to the surface is seen as a sign of strength.
Clint Gore , Canadian Diamond Drilling Association
Clint Gore is a mindset coach, speaker, and mental health advocate with the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association’s Bring It to the Surface initiative. His powerful personal story of surviving a workplace explosion, followed by his journey through addiction, anxiety, depression, and recovery, gives him a unique perspective on mental health, resilience, and the challenges faced by people working in high-pressure environments.
Clint understands firsthand what it means to struggle while trying to maintain the image of being strong and capable. His experiences have shaped his passion for helping individuals recognize the importance of mental wellness, build resilience, and understand that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
Through his speaking and coaching, Clint encourages people to look beyond the surface and have honest conversations about the challenges they may be facing. He works to create environments where people feel connected, supported, and comfortable speaking up before they reach a crisis point.
As part of Bring It to the Surface, Clint shares his story to help challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage meaningful change within the workplace. His message is simple: when we bring our struggles to the surface, we create the opportunity for hope, healing, resilience, and lasting change.
Chair
Stacey Stockham, Hudbay
Stacey Stockham is the Director of Human Resources for Hudbay Minerals Inc., bringing 20 years of experience to the mining sector. Her leadership approach is deeply informed by her personal journey as a triple-negative breast cancer survivor and Type 1 diabetic, an experience that drives her conviction that sustainable organizational performance starts with putting people first.
In her role at Hudbay, she drives strategic workforce development centered on northern jobs for northern people, champions equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embeds holistic employee well-being at the heart of the organization’s culture.