Renece Brewster
Co-Founder & Co-Managing Director
Her Tech Circle
08:15
Registration and welcome coffee
08:50
Opening remarks from the Chair
The future of women in tech
09:00
From tokenism to transformation: addressing systemic issues and redefining industry norms
- How biases in hiring, design, and culture silently shape the tech landscape and limit diversity
- Moving from surface-level diversity efforts to genuine transformation that rewires industry norms
- Challenging outdated systems and design principles to build a more equitable future for all
Ally Watson OAM
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Code Like a Girl
09:30
PANEL DISCUSSION: How can we reshape the tech ecosystem to achieve diversity?
Moderator:
Jade Carson
Chief Information Officer
National Gallery of Australia
Panellists:
Susan Zhang
Head of Creative, EdTech & Consumer – Digital Trade
British Consulate General Sydney
Barbara Ciancio
Head of Digital IT Solutions - Commercial Marketing
Suntory Oceania
Sarah Vale
Head of Technology Architecture
Domain
Narelle Clark
Chief Executive Officer
Internet Association of Australia
10:10
Transforming tech – it’s not all about gender
Explore how to go beyond gender to transform the tech landscape by driving diversity in thinking, strategy, actions & more.
Katherine King
Chief Executive Officer
Yarris Technologies
10:40
Morning tea & Networking
11:10
How to re-design gender equity in tech
- Understanding the application of systems thinking to disrupt gendered structures and challenge problematic mental models
- Solutions to equalise the world of work for women in technology
- Lessons learned from across the industry, how it's set to change and implementing new national workplace standards
Emma Jones
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Project F
11:40
Partner presentation
Developing skills to maximise opportunities
12:00
CASE STUDY: Scaling collaboration in solving the digital skills gap
- Why collaboration across Industry, Government and Education is critical
- Maintaining effective multidisciplinary collaboration at scale
- How the Digital Skills, Digital Cadetship Program Federally, and IATD have enhanced digital careers and reimagined the career path of women in Victoria
Sally Browner
Director of Digital
Future Skills Organisation
12:30
Bridging the skills gap & advancing your career: positioning yourself in roles the tech sector needs
- Identifying in-demand tech skills by understanding industry trends and aligning your learning with future opportunities
- Leveraging transferable skills and unique experiences to position yourself for emerging roles
- Building a strategic personal brand and network within tech communities to increase visibility and career advancement opportunities
Denise Tung
Chief Digital Officer
McMillan Shakespeare (MMSG)
13:00
Networking Lunch
14:00
PANEL DISCUSSION: Speaking the language of tech: How can we work and communicate with non-tech professionals to achieve better project results?
Moderator:
Sue-Lin Tin
Head of Technology, Pacific
CBRE
Panellists:
Jane Howard
Chief Information Officer
Penrith City Council
Rosalie Adriano
Chief Information Officer & Head of IT, Oceania
Nestlé
Dominique Powis
Chief Information Officer
Nova Systems Australia and New Zealand
Kathryn King
General Manager, Technology & Strategy Group
eSafety Commissioner
14:40
Mastering influence: strategies for effective communication
- Making your voice heard and positively influencing those around you
- Asking the right questions and asserting yourself to influence decision making
- Learning to listen to succeed in the art of negotiation and mediation
Holly Hunt
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Women in Digital
15:10
The power of risk: mastering the art of taking calculated risks in your tech projects
- Strategies to effectively evaluate potential rewards against challenges in tech projects
- Developing decision-making frameworks that help you assess, mitigate, and strategically embrace risks for innovation
- Empowering yourself and your team to experiment confidently, fostering a culture of resilience and growth through risk-taking
Julie Hirsch
Entrepreneur in Residence
AGL
15:40
Afternoon Tea & Networking
INTERACTIVE CHAMPAGNE ROUNDTABLES
16:10
Discuss ideas, gain practical tips, and work through challenges faced by women from multiple industries across the tech landscape. You will be able to choose three of the below to attend with each roundtable running concurrently over three time slots:
- 1st round: 16:15– 16:45
- 2nd round: 16:45– 17:15
- 3rd round: 17:15– 17:45
ROUNDTABLE 1: How to win over management and influence decision making
Facilitator:
Jacqui Davy
Head of Privacy and Product Counsel, Global
Canva
ROUNDTABLE 2: Navigating established industry structures and overturning the bro code
Facilitator:
Narelle Clark
Chief Executive Officer
Internet Association of Australia
ROUNDTABLE 3: Overcoming imposter syndrome and establishing your personal brand
Facilitator:
Kate Cook
Assistant Secretary, Digital Recording Services, Information Services Division
Department of Parliamentary Services
ROUNDTABLE 4: Re-positioning your career path & improving progression within your organisation
Facilitator:
Tanya Trott
Chief Technology Officer
Transurban
ROUNDTABLE 5: The balancing act: mastering work-life harmony
Facilitator:
Iyari Cevallos
Chair
Women in Technology
ROUNDTABLE 6: Building a data culture
Facilitator:
Denise Tung
Chief Digital Officer
McMillan Shakespeare (MMSG)
ROUNDTABLE 7: Building a pipeline of women in leadership positions
Facilitator:
Holly Hunt
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Women in Digital
ROUNDTABLE 8: Achieving gender diversity in quantum technology
Facilitator:
Rebecca Halligan
Chief Operating Officer
Sydney Quantum Academy
17:45
Closing remarks from the Chair & end of Women in Tech Fest Day 1
17:45
Networking Drinks
18:45
Official Event Dinner