Leadership

Leadership

LEADERSHIP

Proven Operators with Deep Silver Valley Experience

Sunshine’s leadership team combines global mine-building expertise with decades of experience in Idaho’s Silver Valley. Led by CEO Heather White, a mining engineer with three decades of operational and executive experience at major companies, the team brings the technical, financial, and operational depth to advance the Sunshine Mine toward production. From finance and strategy to underground mining, metallurgy, safety and environmental stewardship, the management team blends international track records with deep local knowledge – uniquely positioning Sunshine to deliver U.S. supply chain security in silver and critical minerals.  

Heather White

CEO and Director

Seasoned mining engineer, developer, operator and executive, with 30 years of experience, including senior management roles at mining companies such as INCO Ltd, P.T INCO, Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company, Vale, NOVAGOLD Resources Inc. and Nickel Creek Platinum. Over her extensive career, she has worked in underground and open pit operations in Ontario, Indonesia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon and Idaho.

Andre van Niekerk

CFO

Accomplished CFO with 20+ years mining industry experience in financial strategy, capital markets, corporate governance and operational excellence. Built and led finance teams for US (GAAP) and Canadian-listed (IFRS) companies. Proven track record of securing funding for mining projects, restructuring debt, and implementing robust internal control frameworks. Prior CFO roles at Gatos Silver Inc., Nevada Copper Inc., and Golden Star Resources

Michelle Shepston

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Experienced General Counsel with over 25 years of experience in corporate and securities law, mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt transactions, compliance, risk management and governance and over 15 years advising mining and oil and gas companies. Prior General Counsel/ Chief Legal Officer roles at DMC Global Inc. (Nasdaq) and Hoonigan.

Ryan Kee

Vice President, Finance

Finance and accounting leader with 15 years in public accounting, financial reporting, and team development. Built and developed accounting teams for Canadian-listed (IFRS) companies, primarily South American junior miners. Provides strength in design and implementation of information and reporting systems, technical accounting, team development, and GAAP compliance. Prior CFO role at Grown Rogue International Inc., prior VP Finance role at SolGold plc, and prior In-Country CFO for AGM Inc., a subsidiary of Guyana Goldfields Inc.

Tom Henderson

General Manager

Mining engineer with over 40 years of experience in underground and open pit mining, including roles ranging from miner to COO, developing and operating mines in the US (Idaho, Nevada, and Alaska) and globally. Prior positions at Freeport’s Grasberg Mine, Barrick’s Goldstrike Mine, and Coeur Kensington Mine, and several mines in the Silver Valley, among others.

Nick Furlin

Operations & Technical Services Manager

Experienced geologist and technical services manager. 20-years working in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District, 16- years working for Hecla Mining Co. at the Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho. Nick helped to develop the revolutionary Underhand Closed Bench mining method. Nick has also worked at the Galena, Coeur and Greens Creek Mines.

Justin Wilbur

Superintendent, Mine Operations

Justin is a highly experienced mining professional specializing in underground, narrow-vein mining operations and shaft mines. He has worked at major mining sites across the western United States and Alaska, and has completed a multi-year assignment improving underground mining operations in Mexico. With over 25 years of experience in building underground mines, Justin brings a wealth of knowledge, a diverse skill set, and a strong focus on safety and training to Sunshine.

Scott Hogamier

Safety Manager

Safety Manager with more than 30 years of mining experience in the Coeur d’Alene mining district, including extensive hands-on operational and safety leadership experience. He spent more than 19 years with Hecla Mining Company as a miner and safety supervisor, as well as more than 10 years at the Galena Mine as a miner. He brings deep expertise in incident investigation, root cause analysis, leadership development, MSHA compliance, and mine rescue training. He has served as a mine rescue trainer for 10 years and has more than 24 years of active mine rescue training experience.

Nadine Ontiveros

Human Resources Manager

Strategic HR Executive with 15+ years of experience overseeing all aspects of people operations, organizational development, compliance, and culture transformation. Built and led HR and safety teams across complex, multi‑site environments. Proven track record of advancing talent strategies, strengthening engagement, and implementing scalable HR systems. Prior senior HR leadership roles supporting executive teams, boards, and diverse workforces in dynamic and regulated industries.

Barry Hummer

Manager, Metallurgical & Process

Over 35 years in ore processing, fixed plant maintenance and process technical services, in both open pit and underground operations. Extensive experience in the construction of new processing facilities and process plant expansions, which include operational readiness, commissioning and training / development. Over my career I have worked with different minerals, such as potash, iron ore, copper/ lead/zinc, silver, gold and bauxite in USA (Utah, Nevada, Missouri, Alaska, Idaho), South America, Canada, Dominican Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mike Irish

Manager, Process & Environment

Mike is an accomplished metallurgist and expert in refining and marketing, with a notable work history at the original Sunshine Mine & Refinery and with Essential Metals. He oversees Sunshine’s metallurgy, mineral processing, refining, and environmental permitting and management. Mike is highly regarded for his expertise in building and refurbishing mills and refineries while minimizing environmental impacts. He specializes in zero-liquid-discharge refining operations.

Mark Donaldson

Maintenance Manager

Mechanical engineer with 19 years’ experience in maintenance and reliability leadership across the mining and manufacturing sectors. Mark has served in multiple asset management roles at various operations in Australia and the United States, including time with Hecla Mining, Rio Tinto, and Mondelez International.

Brian Higdem

Infrastructure Capital Projects Manager

Experienced mechanical and electrical professional with 22-years of experience at Sunshine, upgrading the infrastructure, power grid, mechanical systems, and providing vast institutional knowledge. Brian handles all technical upgrades to the operating hoists, dewatering systems, refinery, water treatment plants, etc.

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