Jun 10, 2026 – 5.00amWhen Kristen Pelc was appointed Fortescue’s youngest-ever head of corporate development in 2024, she found herself saddled with what felt like an insurmountable task.The then 32-year-old had been charged with assembling a team from scratch and leading them through the first acquisition in the mining giant’s two-decade history. It wasn’t long before the self-doubt crept in.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Jesinta BurtonWestern Australia reporterJesinta Burton is The Australian Financial Review’s Western Australia reporter based in Perth.Fetching latest articles
‘Shrug it off’: What being underestimated taught this young leader
When Kristen Pelc became Fortescue’s youngest head of corporate development, she had to execute its first acquisition. That wouldn’t be her only challenge.
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