Charity Musonda
Charity C. Musonda, MBA, is a seasoned laboratory management professional and Senior Supervisor at Rio Tinto, where she oversees site lab operations for the concentrator, smelter, and refinery. With extensive expertise in laboratory management, quality control, method development, process improvements, and problem-solving using DOE and analytical tools, Charity ensures accurate data interpretation and drives initiatives to optimize plant performance. She is committed to developing team capabilities and fostering collaboration across stakeholders to achieve operational excellence.
Prior to her current role, Charity gained valuable experience as a Research & Development Chemist at Sherwin-Williams, contributing to product development, reformulation, and quality assurance, and as a Laboratory Technician supporting scale-ups and performance testing. Her career foundation includes project management, process optimization, and implementing corrective actions to resolve complex technical challenges, reflecting her dedication to precision, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Charity holds a Master of Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Cleveland State University, where she graduated with a 3.90 GPA and participated in the Golden Key International Honor Society. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Zambia. Certified in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 17025, and OHSAS 18001 standards, Charity brings a combination of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic vision to support organizational goals and drive team success.
• ISO 9001
• Cleveland State University
• Women in Mining
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentorship I received from Anne Perry. She helped me develop strong problem-solving skills and encouraged me to seek guidance when I needed it, which has been invaluable throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this field that, while it can be challenging because it’s male-dominated, it’s also an exciting and rewarding career path full of opportunities to grow and make an impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field is navigating a male-dominated environment. Success requires hard work, adaptability, and continuously building strong skills, but those same challenges create opportunities for women to stand out, lead, and make a meaningful impact.