International Day of Women in Mining: Meet Nuton Acting CEO, Cecilia Perla
June 11, 2026
Nuton is proud to join the global mining community in celebrating International Day of Women in Mining—a moment to recognize the leaders redefining the industry’s future. At Nuton, that commitment extends far beyond a single day, as we champion innovation and inclusion every day. At the forefront of this transformation is Cecilia Perla, driving a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future for copper.
As Vice President of Growth & Sustainability and Acting CEO, Cecilia exemplifies female leadership driving transformation. With more than 15 years of experience spanning commercial strategy, market analysis, and decarbonization, she brings both vision and execution to her role.
Cecilia’s perspective is grounded in rigorous academic achievement. She holds a BA in Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, an MA in Economics of Development from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and a PhD and MA in Politics from Brown University, where she specialized in the political economy of extractive industries.
Career Q&A with a Sustainable Mining Strategist
What first sparked your interest in mining? Were there any specific mentors or role models who encouraged you to pursue a career in the mining industry?
I studied economics and politics at university. Coming from a resource-rich and biodiverse country like Peru piqued my interest in mining and sustainability.
I’ve always been inspired by forward-thinking scientific advocates. For example, I immensely enjoy the perspective of data scientist Hannah Ritchie in her 2024 book, Not the End of the World: How Can We Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet. I align with her challenge that our generation can be the first to build a truly sustainable planet. She’s a glass-half-full type of person, just like me.
What are your core responsibilities at Nuton? What do you enjoy most about your mining career?
I oversee the strategic direction and governance for Nuton, where we are unlocking new sources of copper and setting new benchmarks in mining sustainability. Over the last 15 years, I have worked in the copper industry in business analysis, commercial and strategy roles. My role at Nuton gives me the opportunity to lead bright, committed people focused on revolutionizing copper production.
What surprises people about your role in the mining industry?
One thing that surprised me about this role is how cross-functional it is. It is a role that challenges me personally and professionally, as it requires extensive collaboration across specialized teams. Nuton has deep expertise in many corners of process engineering, chemistry, fluid dynamics, data modeling and analytics… and all of it comes together in one vision that must be simple, intuitive, well-communicated internally and externally, and that drives the team forward. I find this appealing because it offers the opportunity to create a greater impact.
Cecilia Perla
Vice President of Growth & Sustainability, Acting CEO
Meet More Women in Mining at Nuton
Abigail, Chemical Engineer
Abigail Haan, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Orange County, California, found her answer during a mining internship last summer. “I loved seeing all of the heavy equipment on site and learning about the variety of chemical processes it takes to go from rocks to pure copper,” she says. That initial spark led her to search for a program that offered breadth and depth, which brought her to Nuton as a chemical engineer to focus on microbial growth, cell counts and reactor maintenance.
Cassandra, Mining and Geological Engineer
Casandra Gamez Gonzales is a Mining and Geological Engineering graduate born and raised in Phoenix. She discovered her passion for mining during a tour of the San Xavier Research Laboratory. Later, she was inspired by her senior design project, in which she led a team of mining engineers in developing a drill-and-blast pattern for an underground panel caving excavation. This experience ignited a drive to work with a company that values innovation, growth, and culture. Today, she’s a Nuton Mining and Geological Engineer focused on construction oversight.
Jeana, Sustainability Advisor
Jeana Ratcliff, who works as a Senior Sustainability Advisor at Nuton, was born to be a scientist. Her message to young females considering a science-related profession? “You don’t have to know everything, and you don’t have to be perfect. Many engineers and scientists, particularly women, struggle with this.”