Published: July 7, 2023 |

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James Griffiths
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Kara deBorde
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Piedmont Lithium has added two new senior leaders to support its global portfolio of projects. James Griffiths, a global industrials and corporate finance expert, has been named senior vice president of Corporate Development and Treasury; Kara deBorde, an award-winning risk manager with broad-based leadership experience, has joined as vice president of Risk Management.

Keith Phillips, president and CEO of Piedmont, said these positions are key as the company nears revenue generation from the jointly owned North American Lithium project and continues to advance development plans in its global portfolio of lithium assets.

“James and Kara are highly qualified professionals who have a broad depth of knowledge in their respective areas of expertise. James has an impressive track record in investment banking, covering mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising for chemical and industrial companies, and will be instrumental in advancing our strategic priorities and capital plans. Kara’s robust background in risk mitigation will further support our efforts to drive value for shareholders, as she sets the strategic risk management vision to minimize Piedmont’s exposure to loss and controls the cost of claims, litigation, and insurance,” said Keith Phillips.

“James and Kara are strong additions, and they are joining at an important time for Piedmont as we prepare for first commercial shipments from North American Lithium in Q3 2023 and diligently work toward production targets in Ghana, Tennessee, and North Carolina,” added Phillips.

As Piedmont’s senior vice president of Corporate Development and Treasury, James Griffiths is responsible for advancing Piedmont’s strategic priorities and capital plans, providing leadership guidance on mergers and acquisition (M&A), joint venture, and strategic investment activities, along with associated capital structure and financing plans. With a background in investment banking and management consulting spanning 17 years, he has advised on a range of M&As, divestitures, and debt and equity capital raisings for public and private companies. Most recently, he served as a director in the Global Industrials Group at Bank of America, working with some of the unit’s largest clients to help raise debt and equity financing and advising on M&A. Prior to that, Griffiths was a vice president in the fixed-income futures, options, and cleared derivatives business, helping clients navigate the transition from over the counter to central cleared derivatives. He began his career at Accenture in its financial services management consulting business. As a UK native, Griffiths earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Lancaster University.

As the company’s vice president of Risk Management, Kara deBorde is responsible for identifying, formulating, coordinating, and implementing all risk-related activities and procedures. With a background spanning more than 20 years, she has cultivated robust experience in strategic risk management vision, loss protection, savings, and analytics. Most recently, deBorde served as senior director of Risk Management at TC Transcontinental. Her career also includes positions with Coveris, S.A.; Michelin North America; S.B. Phillips Company; and Liberty Mutual Insurance. deBorde earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of South Carolina.

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. Its goal is to become one of the largest lithium hydroxide producers in North America by processing spodumene concentrate produced from assets where they hold an economic interest. Their projects include Its wholly-owned Carolina Lithium and Tennessee Lithium projects in the United States and partnerships in Quebec with Sayona Mining and in Ghana with Atlantic Lithium. These geographically diversified operations will enable Piedmont to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage.

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