Kaylee Hayko graduated in 2020 from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems Engineering. As an undergraduate, she took part in two work terms with Mosaic and upon the completion of her second work term, was offered a permanent position upon graduation.

What attracted you to Mosaic as an employer?
I grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada where Mosaic is a well-known company. When I started to look for university co-op work term opportunities, Mosaic was a top choice just based on the company's strong reputation. My first work term with Mosaic was split between the main office in Regina and on-site work in Colonsay. My second work term was at K1 in Esterhazy. These two work terms were extremely beneficial to my growth as an engineer. I soon realized that there are a vast number of opportunities available in this industry and specifically at Mosaic. I immediately knew that I wanted to be a permanent part of the Mosaic team. Mosaic offers something new and interesting every single day. I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of a team that develops and implements new technology and innovative equipment which improves worker safety and processes. I really like being on my toes and experience new things every day. From that first work term to now, everyone at Mosaic has been so welcoming and helpful.

How did your role as a Mosaic co-op student prepare you for your current position at Mosaic?
What I have found to be the most beneficial to prepare me for my current position at Mosaic is that I have been exposed to a variety of experiences. My two work terms offered many opportunities to learn more about the company from a business standpoint and to practically apply the theoretical knowledge I gained in university. I have been able to meet so many people, learn industry best practices, and also apply Mosaic protocols. The transition from co-op student to my current position was seamless due to the fact that I didn’t have to start from scratch. I had already established many connections and was familiar with the company's procedures. 

What is one thing you’ve really enjoyed about your work so far?
As a Mosaic employee, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience several different roles. This diversity of opportunity has introduced me to many aspects of the Mosaic operation including underground production and maintenance, inflow management, and surface maintenance. I take every day as a new adventure and benefit professionally from each and every experience.

What makes you proud to work for Mosaic?
Mosaic’s highest priority is safety. I have seen first-hand the extraordinary efforts that Mosaic, and its employees display everyday living this value. Mosaic not only helps the world grow the food it needs but is a leader in safety. I am proud to work for a company that prioritizes my safety and wellbeing as well as the environment. Being able to participate in the risk reduction program or various health and safety campaigns provides me with an opportunity to improve my workplace and to have an impact and voice in how safety is practiced at Mosaic. Being a woman in a male dominant field of work, Mosaic has shown their commitment to inclusion and diversity and is strongly working towards removing all barriers for all its employees. I am thankful that there are so many wonderful role models at Mosaic that I can reach out to as I build the foundations for my engineering career.

What advice would you give future engineering students who are working as a co-op student at Mosaic?
My advice to future engineering students is to never say no to any opportunity that is presented to you. Try your best to learn as many things as you can during your work term and don't be afraid to ask questions as this will help shape you as a future employee.

Kiran Mann has worked for Mosaic for more than 10 years. She earned her doctorate in soil science and horticulture. Kiran currently is responsible for managing Mosaic’s research alliances around the globe on current and new product development.

What inspired you to work in the agriculture industry? 
Growing up in India, my dad used to farm and led the crop management department for the State Department of Agriculture. I often heard my father talking to growers educating them on new and different production practices, different products, and guiding them for the best crop and crop nutrition management. Listening to him inspired me to continue exploring the industry. I became very interested in soil science and new technologies for growers that could help them achieve better yields in an environmentally sustainable way. 

What motivated you to work at Mosaic?
Mosaic’s mission – to help the world grow the food it needs – ties closely with mine. Agriculture was always a part of my life. Living in the state of Punjab, considered the breadbasket of India because it’s one of the most fertile areas of the country, I was exposed to the industry, but also the challenges growers had to increase yields. The biggest factor for pursuing my career was to try to answer the big question of how we can produce more food to meet the demand of a growing population.  For me, that was in research. While pursuing my master’s degree at the University in Punjab, I was part of a research team tasked with analyzing a new sulfur and phosphate fertilizer. The fertilizer was consistently highly effective in a variety of soils and crops, which was extraordinary. I moved on to earn my doctorate at the University of Florida in horticulture, studying citrus fruits. I didn’t know at the time, but I learned that the product I was researching in India was actually Mosaic’s MicroEssentials product and the citrus grove in Florida was owned by Mosaic. I had been indirectly linked to Mosaic for so long and it struck me that Mosaic’s global reach supported its mission by funding research all around the world. 

What is your favorite thing about the work you do?
There is one word that brings me to work with energy and enthusiasm – Innovation! Mosaic’s dedication to research and innovation is one of the key reasons I applied here and continue to work here.  

I enjoy exploring new research around the globe, including learning about new technologies, products, and science related to the Ag industry. I also explore global academic communities research, like biochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology. It’s my passion and somewhat of a hobby. I really enjoy learning about advancements in science and technology. Many times, technology applications can be extended to Ag and we can learn from different fields. In my role, I manage our research alliances with world-class academic faculty around the globe. It is very enriching and fun for me to work with them. We get to explore new work, products, and research. They challenge me to think outside of the box and I can challenge them to integrate new ideas too – driving innovative ideas and projects that I can bring back to Mosaic leadership to implement. 

Why is research important to Mosaic? 
Mosaic is a trusted industry leader in dry granular fertilizers, and we are very successful in this crop management category. However, with changes in advanced crop production practices, new technologies like precise nutrient application, new fertilizer application methods, new germplasms, and environmental challenges; there is an increasing demand to rethink the way a farmer has been managing his farm historically. We need new products and technologies that support a sustainable crop production and at the same time protect the environment too. It is our responsibility to continuously develop new technologies and products that will not only meet the needs of today’s grower, but we should be visionary to meet the needs of a grower years from now.

How is your role (or the company) adapting to meet the future needs of growers?
Oftentimes it can take years to bring a new product to the market. Not only is research important so that we can try and anticipate what the grower will need in 5, 10, or 20 years; but I also work closely with our agronomists and marketing teams to constantly be listening to grower feedback. It’s a cycle. We listen to what the grower is experiencing, what society needs, look at the research of how soils are changing – it is all important to how we are innovating new products. Mosaic’s focus on new technologies is my dream come true. We are looking beyond our core products and working toward new products applied in different ways, products that improve soil health and support advanced crop nutrition, and even new services. We are asking all of the “blue sky” questions and prioritizing what we can implement now or what needs more time or research. It is a very exciting time and growers should be just as excited for what’s to come!

How is Mosaic enabling technology and encouraging innovation in your daily work?
The Automation Team was really formed for innovation. The team was primarily tasked with research and development projects, specifically autonomous steering of our 4-rotor mining machines and automating conveyor belt installation. By automating the miners and the conveyor belt assembly, you remove the need to have employees in positions of risk. I am happy to say that we have accomplished the goals we set out to achieve in both projects, along with a few others that have given more control and autonomy to our mining operation in Esterhazy. What we’ve developed is changing the way we mine. In 2019, our group got smaller and moved to the new K3 site in Esterhazy. We shifted from a primarily R&D group, to commissioning and maintenance at K3. We have been tasked with helping to commission the miners being built and the associated mining equipment.

The biggest thing that made that possible was leadership support. They supported building a team of subject matter experts that would work collaboratively with production and maintenance groups at the mine to develop something new. From the beginning, leadership knew there would be some challenges, downtime, and maybe even lost time to develop new equipment and implement new processes. But we all worked together to make sure that we were able to get back to operations quickly. Removing the pressure or anxiety of failure really fostered the ability to be innovative and create something new to better the company and the employees. 

What’s the best part of the work you do?
Working with my coworkers is the best part of my work. Whether it is other engineers, automation specialists, electricians, mechanics, operators, and managers, we all work together to identify and solve problems that come up. It is a great feeling to understand a problem or issue we are having, brainstorm a solution and implement that solution in a safe and timely matter. I work with a group of highly specialized people, so when we get stumped on an issue, it’s rare; but it is rewarding to be able to come to work and create solutions to overcome challenges with the team.    

How does Mosaic’s commitment to safety play into your day?
My role is very reflective of Mosaic’s commitment to safety. The Automation Team was formed to innovate new equipment and processes. The output of our group has led to a safer work environment by reducing unnecessary risk. 

What does ‘responsibility’ look like at Mosaic?
Responsibility is about being accountable. I come to work every day to do the best I can, but I'm mindful about everyone’s safety, how my work impacts our operations, and that we are all watching out for each other. I’m accountable to each and every coworker, and that’s being responsible. 

Mosaic has also created environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. Saying you are going to do something is okay but having a plan with progress points is being accountable. I am First Nation and grew up on Cowesses FN and Ochapowace FN, which are near Esterhazy. Increasing Indigenous representation within the company is a great thing to see. I believe having a diverse workforce allows for different perspectives to help solve for the challenges we face. It is also an opportunity to learn from others and can only make us stronger as a company. 

In addition to increasing diversity at Mosaic, the ESG targets impact my home life too. My family and I are more conscientious of water consumption and unneeded energy usage. Mosaic making a commitment to better our environment is having a much broader impact – not only at the company but for each of its employees to think about how we can contribute too.

Is there anything else interesting about yourself, your work or Mosaic that you’d like to share or add?
Mosaic is a great place to work. As an employee you are not left on your own or left hanging. If you need to talk to someone about your work, there is always someone to talk to about it. When I have a problem or if anyone needs a hand with something, we’re always there for each other. We’re all very collaborative and so you always feel like you have the support you need to be successful.

Anthony started at Mosaic as an Electrical Maintenance Engineer in 2012 and now works on the Automation Team in Esterhazy.

Who has been the most influential in helping to grow your career at Mosaic?
I have been influenced by so many people in my 7+ years at Mosaic. I’ve worked alongside some amazing women – peers and leaders whom I admire – who are really contributing to Mosaic’s success. I’ve learned from them how to communicate and strategize and persist despite the constraints that come our way. And my first boss, Neil Beckingham, helped me find my footing in sustainability. It is thanks to him that I am so optimistic about the many ways Mosaic can improve performance and contribute positively to society. 

What’s the best part of the work you do?
Hands down, the best part about the work I do is having the benefit of a broad, global view of issues affecting Mosaic and our diverse stakeholders. It is such a gift to have perspective of seeing what a company like Mosaic can do to make a difference. We are a fertilizer company, yes, and in a lot of ways our success is measured by our production of tonnes that are sold to customers in 40 countries around the globe, but we are more than that: we have a tangible impact on global food security; we contribute to the vitality of the communities where we have operations; we are good stewards of resources; we share agronomic best practices; and we safely employ +12,000 people around the world. Our mission and our work are critically important, and I am reminded of that in my daily interactions with our stakeholders. 

What does environmental, social, and governance mean to Mosaic?
Mosaic’s ESG targets were carefully and purposefully developed to achieve goals that make a positive impact on our employees, communities, environment, and the company. ESG may not be included in financial analysis, but they are factors that have a financial impact on our performance. When you think of ESG in those terms, it is easy to see why we should manage our greenhouse gas emissions; reduce our water use; address the wellbeing and engagement of our workforce; grow our diversity and inclusion; and contribute to the prosperity of our customers and the growers who use our products. All of these things have an impact on Mosaic’s ability to thrive as a company in the long-term.

Why is being responsible important to Mosaic?
Mosaic has earned recognition for its sustainability efforts for more than ten years, but our work is not done. Beyond the regulations, beyond what we “have to do” and beyond the ways we have performed in the past, are a set of expectations for how we conduct ourselves moving forward. Stakeholders ranging from employees and community members to NGOs and investors are relying on us to contribute positively to society and be responsible every day, at every step of the process. 

How does Mosaic show it values you and your work?
I feel valued at Mosaic because the company takes my safety seriously. I am empowered to make decisions and I am respected in my interactions with colleagues and leaders. 

Natali has worked at Mosaic since 2013 as a sustainability analyst. Currently, she is the Sustainability Manager, leading our sustainability reporting efforts and ESG strategy development.

What’s the best part of the work you do?
I enjoy the mix of underground field and office work. I think it is neat to be able to perform surveys at all the working faces in the mine, come back to the office to transfer the data collected into our CAD programs, and then map the development of the mine. I have always loved math and maps. The use of traditional survey skills combined with the advancements in technology make our day to day very interesting and the pace makes each day fly by. 

Our team is an interesting transitional group because we get to see what we have accomplished and what is planned for our future. I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride for the work that we do.

How does Mosaic’s commitment to safety play into your day?
I know that Mosaic takes the safety of its employees very seriously. I have family, friends and neighbors that also work at Mosaic, so when leadership reiterates how important it is that each employee returns home to their families – for me they are one in the same. We have the personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, training and support we need to perform our jobs safely. Worker health and wellness are very personal to me and I’m so glad that Mosaic takes it just as seriously.  

How is Mosaic enabling technology and encouraging innovation in your daily work?
Encouraging new ideas to use technology and procedures for improving efficiency, accuracy and repeatability is an important part of the culture at Mosaic. My department is small and very specific, but the innovation in software and survey equipment has made huge advancements in the work we do. Automation and digital tools are being implemented into our day to day routines to help make work safer and more efficient, while increasing accuracy. Remote data collection can be made, and in some cases, automatically monitored in real-time. The actual practice of mining is changing with new automation and technology advancements that improve the efficiency of production, but they also help in worker safety and risk reduction. We can analyze data from 3D survey data collection that allows us to better steer and forecast the direction of mining.

Lana has worked at Mosaic in Esterhazy, Canada for more than seven years and is currently working at the new K3 site. As a mine technician, Lana performs field work, collects data, then prepares plans and reports for three main areas: surveying, ventilation and rock mechanics.

What led you to get your bachelor’s in agronomy and master’s in soil fertility?  
I have been involved with agriculture my whole life but didn’t chose that as my initial career path. In my first year of college, I was pursuing a degree in civil engineering. After a semester of soil science class, I became fascinated with all of the science related to soil and crops and reflected on all of my experiences on our own farm. It just felt natural and right to be discussing and learning about agronomy. An opportunity to work for ag extension and soil fertility research department made me realize that I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in soil science and become an educator within the industry. My graduate program allowed for more advanced training and research experiences in the fields of crop science, soil chemistry, soil and water conservation, and nutrient cycling in the environment. 

When I reflect back on my college experiences and my goals of contributing to agriculture and crop nutrition, my role at Mosaic is the ideal fit. 

What is your role in working with customers?   
My primary role is to provide agronomic technical support and performance product support to our sales team and customers. My job is to help them find the right Mosaic product, or combination of products, that help them achieve their yield and economical goals. My previous role as Sr. Agronomist for Western North America involved traveling to retail customer locations in Western North America to conduct performance product training to increase sales and product stewardship.  

I thoroughly enjoy customer interaction, learning, and education. I am constantly learning from our retailer customers and their growers. I hope that I can offer them some additional insight to make their farms more productive! My goal is to provide some formal training in soil chemistry, crop physiology and nutrient uptake, combine it with some of my own farming experiences, and foster a discussion that makes people realize the power of our performance products. Over time, these discussions that provide both learning and training opportunities to me have helped me to grow in my role and become more knowledgeable in various crops and crop nutrition.  

What is your favorite thing about your work? 
My role allows me to work cross-functionally with many departments within Mosaic and I really enjoy that aspect. But I find customer interaction and support the most enjoyable. I like working with customers to explore different ways that Mosaic performance products can fit into their local cropping system and empowering them to think about how they can be a better agronomist – a better resource for the grower that they work with and enable that grower to have more yield – year in and year out.  But also, how do they do that in an environmentally friendly manner so that there's not any leaching of nutrients or runoff into a waterway.  

Have you seen any interesting changes in the industry over these last few years? 
There has be a healthy shift to focus on the 4R’s and Nutrient Stewardship – Right source, Right rate, the Right time, and the Right place – are the four different R’s that we talk about during our trainings. Long-standing customers of our performance product portfolio are looking at different times of application and different placement methods that best utilize the nutrient offerings. There's a lot of new, innovative approaches that retailers and growers are taking to make sure those nutrients stay on the field and get taken up by the crop and aren’t lost in other areas. We are very proud that MicroEssentials® has recently received an Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer (EEF) designation as defined by the Association of American Plant Food Controls Officials. This was a long awaited and much deserved designation for this product.  

How does the work you do contribute to the global food supply chain?  
I am very passionate about our mission statement. I eat, sleep and breathe it - we help the world grow the food it needs. 

We need to keep advancing crop nutrition forward, and it's an absolute requirement to keep humankind moving forward. Traveling have allowed me to witness soils that are highly weathered or have been mined of much-needed crop nutrients. We don’t often see this in North America, but witnessing crops and humans starved of nutrition in other geographies builds a passion and energy that can’t be replicated!  

The use of our existing products along with the development of new products for advanced crop nutrition is so critical, regardless of the ebbs and flows that we see with supply and demand. Mosaic has a responsibility as a leader in crop nutrition to strive toward our mission every day so that we can provide global solutions to growers around the world.  

Curt has worked at Mosaic since 2012. His primary role is to provide technical support to retail customers on crop nutrition and Mosaic performance products. He works closely with sales, marketing and the new product development team on product growth and new product launches. Curt earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and master’s in soil fertility.  

In your opinion, how important is safety for the work we perform at Mosaic?
It is my job to show people the technical aspects of safety – rules, policies, procedures, etc., so that they really understand how important safety is. More than just rules though, we work on building a culture of safety. That way, everyone begins to understand that safety is critical, and that it is not only everyone's duty, but it must also be something that everyone believes in and has as a top priority.

For those considering working at Mosaic, what would you say regarding safety at Mosaic?
You will be part of a team committed to ensuring a safe workplace for everyone. Mosaic is always evaluating potential risk so that we can improve internal standards, always have the best and right tool available, and are providing the highest-level of training. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and we all take that seriously. 
 
What does “responsibility” look like at Mosaic? 
We encourage each employee to reflect on their own responsibility for safety as much as others. Mosaic values employee wellbeing, regardless of where you are.

Giselle has worked at Mosaic Fertilizantes in Araxá as a specialist in occupational safety for more than 13 years. She is also a private firefighter, rescue and first aid specialist, and instructor in safety training courses.

In your opinion, how important is innovation and technology for the work we perform at Mosaic?
In addition to new technologies, innovation includes new and different ways of thinking. I have never worked for a company that invests as much as Mosaic in doing their best and finding new ways to do something. Innovation is the foundation that enables us to improve continually in productivity, quality and compliance.

For those who are considering applying at Mosaic, what would you say regarding how innovation is handled at the company? 
Mosaic is a company open to people who think differently and bring new ideas. Leadership supports your unique experience and expertise, but most importantly listens to new ideas that might improve a project or operations. It’s about your mindset and attitude more than education. This approach leads to Mosaic creating new ways to mine, process and distribute fertilizer. We are an industry leader because we have the most innovative teams thinking of new ways to do the best work.

Amanda works at the Shared Service Center for Mosaic Fertilizantes. She has worked at Mosaic for two years.

Karen Swager was named Senior Vice President—Supply Chain in April 2020. In this role, Swager is responsible for the movement of raw materials and finished production, and strategic sourcing activities, as well as leading the Environment, Health and Safety organization. Previously, Swager held various leadership positions at Mosaic including Senior Vice President—Potash, Vice President, Minerals—Phosphates, Vice President, Mining Operations—Phosphates, and General Manager. She also led the mine planning and strategy group for the Phosphates business.

Swager is a licensed professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering and a master of science in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University, where she is a member of the Department of Chemical Engineering’s Distinguished Academy. In addition, Swager holds an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Phil Bauer was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, in January 2023.

Since joining Mosaic in 2007, Bauer has managed legal support for business development activities, potash operations, offshore finance, commercial transactions and corporate governance. Most recently, he was the Vice President—Growth and Development where he helped drive strategic vision across the organization.

Prior to Mosaic, he was a partner at an international law firm where he focused his practice on mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings and public company compliance matters, as well as general business advising.

Bauer earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C., and his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service with honors from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service where he majored in international politics. Phil also received his Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

Chris Lewis was named Senior Vice President—Human Resources in June 2019. Prior to joining Mosaic, Lewis held the role of Vice President, Project Execution for Spectra Energy Corporation’s merger into Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based Enbridge, Inc. where he led construction of the companies’ energy assets throughout North America, as well as a synergy capture program post acquisition.

Prior to that role, Lewis held roles at DCP Midstream, LLC, a natural gas company based in Denver, where he started as the head of Human Resources while the company was formed as a spinoff from Duke Energy in 2007. From 2010 to 2016, he was DCP’s Chief Corporate Officer, a multi-functional role that included leadership of the human resources function. Earlier in his career, Lewis held regional and global senior human resources positions at Thomson Multimedia (formerly RCA, GE consumer electronics) and DHL, Inc.

Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial safety from Central Missouri State University.