In a world increasingly in need of sustainable solutions, individuals like Kristina Miller stand at the forefront of driving positive change. Having earned her Bachelor of Social Science in Organisational and Clinical Psychology in 2006 and a Masters in Labour Law in 2011, she further solidified her expertise by completing her PGDip in Sustainable Development in 2022.
Kristina’s impressive career has seen her venture into various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, civils, SHEC training, and global consulting in the garment, tannery, and shipbuilding industries. Her accolades are numerous, ranging from speaking engagements at esteemed institutions like Harvard University’s Urban Health Symposium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to being the youngest and first female Chair of the Institute of Safety Management in South Africa. She is also the founder of a successful non-profit social enterprise called Great Girls, aimed at empowering young women.
In 2015, Kristina joined the De Beers Group before moving to the Anglo American Corporate Head Office in 2020, where she played a pivotal role as the principal of global Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Standards and Assurance. Her contributions included the launch of the SHE Way Version 2 and the first-ever Anglo American SHE Policy. In 2022, she transitioned to the Strategic Projects and Integration team within the Sustainable Development discipline.
When asked about her motivations for enrolling in the PGDip in Sustainable Development, Kristina shared a two-fold reason. Firstly, it was a strategic move to support her transition to the Sustainable Development Team at Anglo American, enhancing her understanding of the disciplines she engaged with and facilitating integration. Secondly, her deep passion for sustainability drove her desire to bring her expertise and impact to this vital field.
Reflecting on her experience during the PGDip programme, Kristina emphasized the rewarding aspect of being exposed to diverse and differently informed minds. Interacting with people from various backgrounds and fields, she found herself eager to learn from their knowledge and experiences.
“I reveled in immersing myself in the abundance of knowledge in all its forms that flowed from not only the lecturers and speakers but my fellow students as well.”
Regarding how the PGDip prepared her for future career opportunities, Kristina emphasized that it cultivated both a generalist ability in the domain of Sustainable Development and an aptitude for rapidly upskilling in specific areas while engaging with more profound concepts. The programme laid a solid foundation for her professional growth.
When asked for advice for prospective students considering the PGDip, Kristina stressed the importance of dedicating sufficient time to engage with the course content thoroughly.
“You serve yourself by diving into the reading and watching materials both ahead of time and during the learning modules and being able to fully benefit from the subject matter experts presenting the content. And come to every experience with an open mind and an open heart.”
Looking to the future, Kristina aims to continue building her career in the Sustainable Development space, seeking to integrate her passions and skills to amplify her impact in this critical field.
Kristina’s dedication to sustainable development and her commitment to making a positive impact on society make her an inspiring role model for current and future students of the PGDip programme in Sustainable Development at CST. As the programme opens doors to new possibilities, it equips aspiring changemakers with the knowledge and skills to drive a sustainable and thriving future for all. Learn more about the PGDip in Sustainable Development here.