Note from the incoming Consultants Society Chair - March 2026

Hello and welcome to the first Consultants Society newsletter for the year.

It’s a pleasure to be writing to you as the new Chair of the Consultants Society and I would like to extend a sincere thank you to departing Chair Lisa Park for her outstanding leadership and dedication during her time as Chair over the past 2.5 years. Lisa has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the Consultants Society, providing clear guidance and steady leadership to the committee through a period of growth and renewal. Under her stewardship, the Society introduced and strengthened a number of key initiatives, including the Consultants Society Forum, the Study Processes Course, the Mineral Consultants Handbook and associated webinar series, and broader professional development offerings that continue to deliver value to our members and the wider profession. Beyond the initiatives themselves, Lisa’s contribution has been marked by her commitment to collaboration, thoughtful decision making, and her ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. Her direction has helped ensure the committee remained focused, forward looking, and responsive to the needs of the Consultants Society community. On behalf of the committee and our members, we thank Lisa for her time, energy, and leadership, and for the strong foundations she has helped put in place. We are grateful for her continued involvement as Past Chair and look forward to building on the legacy she has created.

The Consultants Society continues to play an important role in supporting, connecting and advocating for consultants across our profession. We are operating in an environment of ongoing change—whether through evolving professional practice, regulatory updates, or shifting expectations of our role and impact—and this makes open communication and shared learning more important than ever.

This newsletter brings together a range of updates, insights and reflections drawn from recent discussions and activities across the Society. It’s intended to keep you informed, highlight matters of interest or relevance, and provide a platform for sharing ideas and experiences. I encourage you to engage with the content, reflect on what resonates for you, and consider how you might contribute to future conversations.

Looking ahead, my focus as Chair is on strengthening engagement with members, ensuring the Society remains responsive to emerging issues, and continuing to support high standards of professional practice. Your input and participation are central to this, and I welcome your feedback, suggestions, and involvement as we move forward together.

Thank you for being part of the Consultants Society. I look forward to working with you over the coming year.

Warm regards,
Sonia Konopa
Chair, Consultants Society