Corale Brierley traded wide open plains for a lab in Bozeman, where she developed her lifelong passion for microbiology. She earned a BS in biology and an MS in chemistry from New Mexico Tech, as well as funding from the US Bureau of Mines, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation for her research on using microorganisms for metal extraction. Later, she transitioned into the business side of industry, working with venture capitalists to start her own company, Advanced Mineral Technologies. Despite the company’s failure, Brierley pushed ahead, living by the motto “take risks, regret nothing.” Brierley accepted consulting jobs with Battle Mountain Gold and the Department of Energy. She worked with both microorganisms and 14,000 ft heap leach operations around the world, from Peru and Chile to Myanmar. She was also involved in patenting technology on microbial products to concentrate metals from wastewater. In 1991, she founded her own consulting company, Brierley Consultancy, LLC, through which she continues to provide services to mining, chemical, and government agencies. In addition, Brierley served as vice president of NAE for two terms. She is now the senior advisor to the NAE president and the recipient of the James Douglas Gold Medal Award, the Milton E. Wadsworth Award, the American Mining Hall of Fame Medal of Merit, as well as the TMS Distinguished Lecturer Award. As a woman in industry, Brierley was a trailblazer in everything she did, and hopes that her dynamic, adventure-filled career inspires others to bring their unique skills and perspectives to the industry.