Took a Career Wrong Turn? Melanie knows all about it!

Melanie Packer’s career journey is a remarkable story of reinvention, self-discovery, and determination. Starting her professional life as a Town Planner, she now thrives in the digital world as a Power BI Developer at NHVR, specialising in data analytics.

Her transition from Urban Planning to the tech industry has been anything but linear, but her story is proof that it’s never too late to change paths and chase new dreams.

Early Career: Navigating the World of Town Planning

Melanie’s initial career in town planning was driven by her natural ability to think spatially. Growing up, she was the “chief navigator” of her family, and with the encouragement of her parents, both of whom were teachers, she developed a love for both technical and humanities-based subjects.

“I wanted to study something technical, but I didn’t have the math grades for engineering, so planning seemed like the perfect balance,” Melanie recalls. For years, she worked as a development assessment planner, negotiating with property developers and making her mark in urban planning. While she enjoyed her role and the team she worked with, a sense of repetitiveness started to creep in. This sense of stagnation led her to reconsider her career path, though making a change was daunting.

The Turning Point: From Planner to Coder

In 2018, Melanie took a break and traveled for three months, using this time to reflect on her next steps. “I decided to create a WordPress blog to share trip updates with friends and family,” she explains. Little did she know, this side project would ignite a new passion. She became so engrossed in coding and redesigning her blog that she realised her future career had to involve tech.

The decision to leap into the tech world wasn’t easy. “It was scary to try something completely new when I had an established career,” she admits. But the thrill of learning to code outweighed the fear of starting over.

Melanie’s journey into tech wasn’t without challenges, with the biggest hurdle being her confidence, or lack there of. Entering the tech space after years in a different industry felt like being back at square one. But she approached her learning with the same patience she’d have extended to a junior colleague.

“I had to give myself the space to learn.”

A key moment in her journey was when she took up rock climbing—a hobby that became a metaphor for her professional growth. “Climbing helped me build confidence and self-worth outside of work. It reminded me that I could succeed in other areas too.”

Leveraging Skills from Town Planning in the Tech World

Though Melanie initially felt her background in town planning didn’t help much in the tech world, over time she realised that her soft skills were invaluable. Her experience negotiating with developers taught her how to handle high-pressure situations. “In planning, sometimes I had to say ‘no’ or ‘I’m not sure’—those skills have carried over to my current role,” she shares.

Her urban planning background also equipped her with the ability to think three steps ahead, a skill that has proved crucial in data analytics. “Urban planning teaches you to think about how people interact with their environment, and I apply that same forward-thinking to data projects.”

One of the biggest obstacles Melanie faced during her career change was the technical learning curve—specifically, statistics. “I hadn’t studied math since high school, and I had to re-learn basic equations,” she recalls. Despite these initial challenges, Melanie persevered, crediting her resilience as one of her proudest accomplishments. “What I’m most proud of is my ability to keep pushing even when it felt like it would never happen.”

Finding Balance Between Work and Personal Passions

Rock climbing, which played such a crucial role in Melanie’s confidence-building, continues to help her maintain balance between her personal and professional life. “Movement keeps me healthy, mentally and physically,” she says. Although balancing a demanding job with climbing can be difficult, she remains committed to making time for her personal passions.

It’s Never Too Late to Change

Melanie’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief. For those considering a career change, she advises, “It’s never too late. There were times when I felt like I was too far down the wrong path to turn back, but I learned that you can always pivot.”

Reflecting on her journey, she emphasises the importance of community. “When I first joined Women in Digital, I was a planner trying to break into tech, and chatting with other community members gave me the confidence I needed.”

Today, Melanie’s role is a blend of technical skills and stakeholder engagement. “My team develops and maintains Power BI reports, but my background in planning means I also handle project coordination and stakeholder relationships.” Her career path may have changed dramatically, but she has found a way to meld her technical and interpersonal skills, and she couldn’t be happier.

For Melanie, the journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. “If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be that it’s okay to be on your own path—just because you feel behind, doesn’t mean you are.”

Melanie’s story serves as a powerful reminder: it’s never too late to change direction, and the stories we tell ourselves are just as important as the skills we bring to the table.

The Juggle Is Real: Insights from Our Perth Event on Finding Balance

Women in Digital made its debut in Perth in August, and what an incredible evening it was! Hosted at The Melbourne Hotel, the event brought together some of Western Australia’s most inspiring female digital leaders to discuss a challenge facing many of us: finding balance in our personal and professional lives.

The panel, powered by our new corporate members auDA and delivered in collaboration with WiTWA, featured insights from Esther Anderson (Founder and Digital Strategist at Teck Design & Marketing), Bec Nguyen (Founder and Director at Upbeat Digital), and Tina Ambrose (Co-Chair at Women in Technology WA Inc.). Moderated by Andrew McCallum, the discussion was as enlightening as it was empowering, offering attendees practical advice and a sense of solidarity in their shared experiences.

Our Top Three Takeaways:

💡 Have Empathy for Yourself

One of the most resonant messages of the evening was the importance of self-compassion. In a world that often demands perfection, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we fall short. The panellists reminded us that it’s okay to acknowledge our limits and to treat ourselves with the same kindness we would extend to a friend. Balance starts from within, and that means prioritising our well-being just as much as our responsibilities.

💡 No One Size Fits All When It Comes to Balance

The quest for balance is deeply personal, and what works for one person might not work for another. The panellists shared their unique approaches to managing the many demands of life, emphasising that there’s no universal formula. Whether it’s structuring your day differently, seeking support, or redefining success on your terms, the key is to find what works best for you.

💡 When It Does Come Time to Stop or Take a Break, Don’t Let Work Into Your Safe Space

In our daily lives, the lines between work and personal life can easily blur. The panellists stressed the importance of protecting your personal time and space from work intrusions. Whether it is setting boundaries with your devices or creating a physical space where work is off-limits, maintaining this separation is crucial for recharging and preserving your mental health.

The evening wasn’t just about listening—it was about connecting. The energy in the room was palpable, and it was clear that everyone left feeling a little more empowered and inspired.

Looking Ahead

This event was just the beginning of our journey in Perth. As we continue to grow, we’re excited to bring more opportunities for connection, learning, and support to women in digital across Australia. Stay tuned for more events, and if you missed this one, don’t worry—there are plenty more chances to get involved.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special thank you to our panellists and partners, auDA and WiTWA, for making this event possible.

Here’s to finding balance, together.

Join us at our upcoming ‘How To Negotiate A Pay Rise’ webinar

To help you gain invaluable knowledge and strategies to confidently navigate the negotiation process and advocate for your worth, Alex Hanlon from Fair Pay Negotiations will be helping us master negotiation strategies for a successful outcome. Alex is a seasoned executive who brings in depth experience of complex problem solving, strategy development, crisis management and recovery.

Register Today

From Awareness to Action: Driving Change on Equal Pay Day

Despite all the work happening behind the scenes regarding gender equity, Australia continues to face a persistent challenge: the gender pay gap. As the tech and digital sectors continue to innovate and grow, women are still not paid equally for their expertise and contributions.

WGEA has announced the date for this year’s Equal Pay Day as 19 August, marking the 50 days into the new financial year that Australian women must work to earn the same, on average, as men did last year.

This year’s theme is “it doesn’t add up.”

What causes the gender pay gap?

The disparity in average earnings between women and men is shaped by a complex web of social and economic factors that diminish women’s earning potential throughout their careers.

Key contributing factors include:

Conscious and Unconscious Bias: Discrimination in hiring and pay decisions, both overt and subtle, continues to disadvantage women.
Industry Segregation: Women and men often work in different industries and roles, with female-dominated sectors typically offering lower wages.
Workplace Inflexibility: The lack of flexible work arrangements, particularly in senior positions, hampers women’s ability to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
Part-Time Employment: Women are more likely to work part-time, which affects their overall earnings and career advancement.
Career Interruptions: Women’s career progression and opportunities are often stalled due to taking time out of the workforce for caregiving duties.
Unpaid Labor: Women shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic and caregiving work, further impacting their earning capacity.

“The gender pay gap is fueled by a mix of unconscious biases, industry norms, and societal expectations. To close this gap, we need leaders with courage, innovative solutions, and a collective push for change from everyone—individuals, companies, and communities alike.” – Alex Hanlon, Negotiation Navigator

How can you start driving change today?

1. Educate and Advocate

Stay Informed: Continuously educate yourself about the gender pay gap, its causes, and its impact. Understanding the nuances of the issue is crucial for effective advocacy.

Raise Awareness: Use your voice to spread awareness about the importance of gender equity. Share relevant articles, statistics, and personal stories on social media, in your workplace, and within your community.

Engage in Conversations: Start and participate in discussions about gender equity in the workplace. Encourage others to join the conversation and understand the importance of closing the gender pay gap.

2. Support Policy and Organisational Changes

Advocate for Transparency: Push for salary transparency in your workplace. Encourage your employer to conduct regular pay audits and openly share the results.

Support Legislation: Back policies and laws aimed at closing the gender pay gap. This can include supporting local, state, and national legislation that promotes gender equity.

Encourage Best Practices: Promote and support workplace policies that help reduce the pay gap, such as flexible working arrangements, parental leave, and career development opportunities for women.

3. Take Personal Action

Negotiate Your Salary: Be proactive in negotiating your salary and benefits. Research industry standards and come prepared with data to support your request.

Mentor and Sponsor: Mentor and sponsor other women in your industry. Share your knowledge, provide guidance, and help them navigate their career paths.

Continue Professional Development: Invest in your own professional development. Attend workshops, pursue further education, and seek out opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.

If you don’t ask, you won’t get

Alex Hanlon from Fairpay Negotiations is presenting at our upcoming ‘How To Negotiate A Pay Rise’ webinar and has a series of blog articles to help you deal with common pushbacks that arise in pay negotiations. Check them out here:

“Negotiating your salary isn’t just about seeking more money; it’s about understanding your value and standing up for what you deserve. Arm yourself with information, be confident in your achievements, and don’t hesitate to have that essential conversation.” – Alex Hanlon, Negotiation Navigator

3 ways employers can take action to end the gender pay gap

Gender Pay Gap Analysis Guide

The WGEA Gender Pay Gap Analysis Guide helps employers to plan and execute a pay and composition analysis in order to identify the drivers of their gender pay gap.

→ Access it here

WGEA Action Planning Tool

The Action Planning Tool helps employers who report to WGEA identify actions they can take to improve gender equality in their workplace.

→ Access it here

Capacity Building Live Masterclasses

WGEA has a series of live masterclasses and learning events to help employers deepen their understanding of workplace gender equality and take effective action to narrow their gender pay gap.

→ Access it here

What next?

As we mark Equal Pay Day in 2024, it’s clear that achieving pay equity in the tech and digital sectors is both a pressing need and a significant opportunity for growth. By understanding the unique challenges in our industry and taking proactive steps—whether it’s advocating for transparency, supporting policy changes, or negotiating confidently—we can all play a pivotal role in driving meaningful change.

Let’s encourage our collective power to bridge the pay gap and ensure that every contribution is recognised and rewarded fairly. Together, we can turn the promise of gender equity into a reality, setting a new standard for fairness and excellence in Australia’s tech and digital landscape.

Join us at our upcoming ‘How To Negotiate A Pay Rise’ webinar

To help recognise Equal Pay Day, and to help you gain invaluable knowledge and strategies to confidently navigate the negotiation process and advocate for your worth, Alex Hanlon from Fair Pay Negotiations will be helping us master negotiation strategies for a successful outcome. Alex is a seasoned executive who brings in depth experience of complex problem solving, strategy development, crisis management and recovery.

Register Today

From Teaching to Tech

Yvonne’s Inspiring Journey from Teacher to Senior Business Analyst

Originally from Ireland, Yvonne Hill now calls Wollongong, NSW, home. She lives there with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. With a decade of experience teaching primary school students in both Ireland and Australia, Yvonne decided to make a significant career transition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving from the classroom to the digital industry, she embarked on a journey to become a UX designer through the Mantel Group Flagship Traineeship Program. Today, she applies her user-centric learnings as a Senior Business Analyst at Mantel Group, where she drives innovative solutions across industries like health insurance, retail, and technology.

Yvonne’s interest in becoming a Business Analyst was sparked by a sense of stagnation in her teaching role. To explore new avenues, she began studying Graphic Design part-time, which eventually led her to UX design. Her journey took a pivotal turn at Mantel Group, where she participated in their Traineeship Program in 2021. This 12-week, full-time, paid program was designed to support women and gender minorities transitioning to tech careers. Through on-the-job training and mentorship, Yvonne put her newly acquired design skills to use, ultimately finding her niche as a Business Analyst.

Her background in teaching provided a solid foundation for her transition into the digital realm. The skills she developed as a teacher – working with and helping people, being organised, and fostering creativity – were directly transferable to her new role in UX design and business analysis. These skills enabled her to thrive in environments that demand empathy, structure, and innovative thinking.

However, the transition was not without its challenges. Yvonne recalls the difficulties of feeling like the oldest newbie in the room and the discomfort of stepping into an entirely new industry. She learned to embrace change as a synonym for growth and trusted the process, even when it meant not having all the answers right away. As Nedd B famously said, “You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.” This mindset helped Yvonne navigate the uncertainties, self-doubt and imposter syndrome that accompanied her significant career shift.

Throughout her journey, Yvonne found solace and strength in the support of friends and colleagues who had undergone similar transitions. The shift into the digital space also brought unexpected benefits. Yvonne now enjoys a much better work-life balance, with the flexibility to work from home and spend more time with her family. Simple pleasures, like being able to pick up or drop off her kids at school, have added immense value to her daily life. Additionally, Yvonne had the opportunity to speak at Design Outlook, an experience that stretched her out of her comfort zone and offered valuable learning.

“Reflecting on my journey, I am proud of my perseverance and willingness to embrace the unfamiliar. If I had any advice for my younger self, and anyone considering a career change, it is to remain calm and accept that it’s okay not to know everything on day one.” – Yvonne Hill

Yvonne’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability and the impact of supportive programs and communities in facilitating career transitions. Her journey from teaching to tech illustrates that with the right mindset and support, it’s possible to transform your career and find fulfilment in new, unexpected places.

Mantel Group Flagship Traineeship Program

Mantel Group’s flagship Traineeship Program, spanning 12 weeks, aims to upskill career transitioners, those returning after a significant break, and individuals identifying as women or a gender minority. They have welcomed participants from diverse fields such as hospitality, nursing, finance, optometry, and architecture, all bringing unique perspectives to our culture.

The program includes an immersive two-week induction, eight weeks of technical skills development, and a chance to practice learned skills in a safe environment on a real-life internal project, supported by a dedicated Mantel Group mentor.

Mantel Group has supported 81 trainees through the programs so far, with 75 people securing permanent roles at Mantel Group. They are also incredibly proud of receiving the 2024 Tech Diversity Award, recognising the significant impact of their traineeship on both Mantel Group and the industry.

Find out more about the Mantel Group Flagship Traineeship Program

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our members, showcasing the incredible journeys and achievements of Women in Digital!

In the digital industry, deadlines and innovation race each other to the finish line and feedback often gets left in the dust. Yet, as our recent webinar with leadership extraordinaire Cherie Canning discussed, “The Gift of Feedback” is the secret sauce for supercharging your career trajectory, project outcome and personal development.

Cherie took us on a feedback journey, diving into the quirks of human nature that hold us back, and discovering top-tier feedback models that make tough conversations as smooth as possible. Plus, we learnt how to create an environment where feedback isn’t feared but welcomed. Ready to unlock the feedback frenzy? Let’s break down why asking for feedback is your next power move and the simple steps to make it happen.

Radical candor

Radical candor is the secret ingredient to transforming workplace communication from polite small talk to meaningful dialogue that drives results. Coined by Kim Scott, radical candor involves offering feedback that is both challenging and caring—balancing honesty with empathy. It’s about caring personally while challenging directly, creating an environment where people feel supported enough to excel. This approach empowers employees to share ideas and concerns openly, knowing that their contributions will be valued and respected.

→ Check out a recent LinkedIn post by our Founder Holly Hunt on her recent Radical Candour encounter.

By fostering a culture of radical candor, organisations can break down barriers, promote trust, and ignite innovation, all while encouraging individuals to grow and succeed together. In a world where the truth often gets sugar-coated or lost in translation, radical candor ensures that the message is clear, constructive, and rooted in a genuine desire to help others improve.

The feedback exchange

Mastering the feedback exchange process can be your career’s best asset. Think of it as a loop: ask, ask, ask, share, share, coach.

“What did you do well?”
“What could you improve?”
“Is it okay if I give you my perspective…”

Start by asking questions to gain a clear understanding of your team’s challenges, needs, and perspectives. This shows that you value their input and are committed to creating a collaborative environment.

“What I observed you did well was…”
“What I would like to see more of…”

Once you’ve gathered insights, it’s time to share—offer your observations, suggestions, and appreciation in a way that is transparent and constructive. By sharing your feedback openly, you lay the groundwork for mutual respect and understanding.

“The next steps and time frames”

Then comes the coaching element: guide your team with actionable advice, helping them turn feedback into tangible improvements.This iterative process of asking, sharing, and coaching transforms feedback from a dreaded chore into an engaging and empowering conversation, fuelling professional growth and team cohesion.

Receiving feedback Do’s and Don’ts

Navigating the feedback maze requires a blend of open-mindedness and strategic thinking. Here are the do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when you’re on the receiving end.

Do ask for clarification and examples. Listen to specifics and explore their perspectives. Do avoid defence or blame, and take responsibility. Commit to action and make sure you say thank you
Don’t assume bad intentions, downplay the feedback or be sarcastic. Don’t ignore the feedback, even if it stings; instead, evaluate it objectively and consider how you can use it to improve.

By embracing feedback with grace and openness, you can transform it into a powerful tool for personal and professional development.

Close the loop

Embracing the gift of feedback is more than just a professional skill—it’s a catalyst for personal growth and team success. By fostering an environment where feedback is freely exchanged and genuinely valued, you unlock a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Remember, feedback isn’t just a one-time event but a loop: receiving feedback, implementing changes, and circling back to discuss progress. Closing the loop by following up on previous feedback demonstrates your commitment to development and builds trust within your team. It shows that feedback isn’t just heard—it’s acted upon, resulting in tangible improvements.

As you apply the insights from our “The Gift of Feedback” webinar, you’ll find that every conversation becomes an opportunity to learn, adapt, and excel, paving the way for a brighter, more collaborative future in the tech industry.

Did you love this webinar and want to know more about Cherie Canning and Luminate Leadership? Get in touch with her team today → luminateleadership.com.au

Get your copy of the presentation | Check out the recording |

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Ready to take the next step in your career?

We can’t believe the End of Financial Year is upon us, and we are so excited to dive head first into the next twelve months of incredible events, programs and conversations with many incredible women across Australia.

To celebrate, we are launching an incredible offer you won’t want to miss!

The details

To celebrate the new financial year, one lucky winner will receive 3 x 60 minute sessions with Holly Hunt, Sarah Morgan and Cherie Canning, helping you feel empowered start the new financial year with a bang!

Everyone who signs up to a new annual individual Women in Digital membership before July 31 2024 will have a chance to win this incredible prize. This includes both annual paid memberships, and corporate team members who sign up using their corporate code.

One lucky winner will be empowered to ignite their future by joining Holly, Sarah and Cherie for 3 different sessions aimed at building your confidence, nailing your personal brand and reshaping your leadership qualities. Join our community of digital-loving, career-driven, gender-diversity-championing members today!

What you will win

One lucky winner will secure:

A 60 minute career development mentoring session, delivered by Holly Hunt, Founder of Women in Digital and Hunt & Co.

Holly is the Founder and CEO of Women in Digital. She is energised to support women in their pursuit of careers in digital and technology. She does this through building a thriving community, hosting inspiring events, and leading Australia’s preeminent awards program for women in digital and technology. Born from a love of mentoring, a passion for career guidance, and a belief that technology should be built by all people, for all people, Women in Digital is now a cornerstone of the industry.

Alongside this she is also CEO and Founder of Hunt & Co. a boutique recruitment agency which specialise in building diverse, high performing digital and technology teams for value aligned businesses.

A 60 minute professional branding session, delivered by Sarah Morgan, Managing Director of Bespoken

As a former journalist and PR strategist, Sarah Morgan is the Managing Director of Bespoken and has worked with some of Australia’s top executives in raising their professional brand to position themselves for their next job, build trust and expertise with staff and key stakeholders or become an expert in their key sector.

A 60 minute leadership coaching session, delivered by Cherie Canning, Director of Luminate Leadership

Cherie Canning is not just a speaker; she’s a catalyst for transformation in the workplace. With over two decades of experience in leadership development and organisational culture, Cherie brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to her role as the Founder of Luminate Leadership. Her dynamic approach to coaching and training has empowered countless individuals and teams to unlock their full potential. Through her engaging keynotes and interactive workshops, Cherie inspires audiences to embrace change, cultivate resilience, and harness the power of authentic leadership. As a sought-after thought facilitator, her impact continues to resonate across industries Australia wide. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and empowered by Cherie Canning as she guides you on a journey of self-discovery and professional growth.

I’m ready to sign up!

T&C’s

Eligibility:
- The competition is open to individuals who sign up for our annual individual membership within the promotional period. This includes both annual paid memberships, and corporate team members who sign up as an annual individual member using their corporate code.
- Student memberships, and new corporate memberships are not eligible.
- Participants must be 18 years or older.
- Employees, agents, and affiliates of the organisers and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
Competition Period:
- The competition commences on 26/06/2024 and ends on 31/07/2024. Entries received outside this period will not be considered.
How to Enter:
- Sign up for our membership through womenindigital.org/individual-membership during the competition period.
- Each new membership sign-up counts as one entry.
Prizes:
- One 60-minute career development mentoring session with Holly Hunt, Founder of Women in Digital and Hunt&Co.
- One 60-minute professional branding session with Sarah Morgan, Managing Director of Bespoken. Please note, this session will be delivered after August 16th due to Sarah’s availability.
- One 60-minute leadership coaching session with Cherie Canning, Director of Luminate Leadership.
- Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered.
Winner Selection and Notification:
- Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries.
- The draw will take place on 01/08/2024.
- Winners will be notified via email within 7 days of the draw date.
- If a winner does not respond within 14 days of the notification, the prize will be forfeited, and a new winner will be selected at random.
Prize Delivery:
- Sessions will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time for the winner and the respective session provider.
- Sessions may be conducted virtually or in person, depending on the availability and location of both the winner and the session provider.
General Conditions:
- Women in Digital reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the competition if any problem or unforeseen circumstances arise.
- By entering the competition, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
- Women in Digital’s decision is final in all matters relating to the competition.
Privacy:
- Any personal information collected during the competition will be used in accordance with our privacy policy.
- Participants’ information will not be shared with third parties without consent, except where necessary for the administration of the competition.
Limitation of Liability:
- Women in Digital is not responsible for any technical issues, network failures, or any other events beyond its control that may cause the competition to be disrupted or corrupted.
- By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the organizer from any liability, claims, or damages arising out of their participation in the competition and the acceptance or use of any prize.
Contact Information:
- For any questions or inquiries regarding the competition, please contact us at hi@womenindigital.org.

The Game Changers: Women in Sport & Tech event, hosted with the support of our partners Cisco and Data #3, marked a pivotal moment in the journey toward inclusivity and innovation in both sports and technology. Set against the backdrop of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this event highlighted the significant opportunities for women in these fields and explored how we can collectively drive technology collaboration in the lead-up to this global event.

The event was a melting pot of ideas and insights from trailblazing women reshaping the landscape of sports and tech. Our speakers shared their experiences and strategies for fostering inclusivity and diversity, offering a roadmap for how companies, especially those led by women, can drive technological advancements and create more opportunities in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Emphasising Representation and Mentorship

Highlighting the importance of representation, Annie Devitt, Founder at iNSPIRETEK, emphasised the need for more women in non-female-founded companies and on boards and tables. She shared her journey with iNSPIRETEK, demonstrating how she leveraged opportunities to raise funds and hire a (male!) CEO, even after interviewing 30-60 women, promoting allyship and equality. Annie’s story is a testament to the power of representation and the impact of seeing women in leadership roles.

Advocating for early intervention, Thelma Dzwowa, Community Operations Manager at Brisbane Broncos, discussed the necessity of running mentoring programs in schools. By exposing young girls to different pathways and current industry plays, we can inspire them to pursue careers in sports and tech. This early exposure is crucial in maintaining their interest and participation as they grow older.

Adoption of Sports Tech

Technological advancements are revolutionising fan engagement and athlete performance. This technology is now being rolled out across the Brisbane Broncos, with Thelma providing insights into how football tokens and engagement are taking off in Europe, sports betting is booming with an $89 billion market, and fantasy sports are rapidly growing. Holographic technology and AI are customising and enhancing fan experiences, making sports more interactive and engaging.

Promoting Equality and Allyship

Addressing the topic of equality, Elia Hill, Managing Director of Connecting in Consulting, spoke passionately about handling it with eyes wide open. She highlighted the importance of equal prize money, as seen in tennis, and emphasised that we must “get that ladder and lift them up.” Her message was clear: true progress comes from deliberate actions to promote equality and support one another.

“Get that ladder and lift them up”

The Importance of Storytelling

Stressing the power of visibility, Natalie Cook, Founder of The Aussie Athlete Fund, reminded us that “you can’t be what you can’t see.” She emphasised the importance of telling and sharing our stories and by doing so, we create unexpected connections and opportunities. Her journey in fundraising, learning to handle rejection, and persevering is a powerful example of resilience and determination.

Strategic Planning for 2032

Focusing on long-term strategy, Annie shared her insight on how 95% of her revenue comes from international markets. She stressed the importance of starting now for the 2032 Olympics by objectively analysing strategic plans to play a part in the games. Companies must ask themselves, “How can we impact the games?” and align their strategies accordingly.

Opportunities and Challenges

The Game Changers: Women in Sport & Tech event was a celebration of the trailblazers and innovators driving progress at the intersection of women, sports, and technology. By sharing experiences and strategies, our speakers provided actionable solutions for fostering inclusivity and diversity. As we look towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is up to all of us to ensure women are given equal opportunities across both the sports and tech sectors.

Join us in this journey as we continue to advocate for change, inspire the next generation, and celebrate the women changing the game in tech and sport.

Do you know someone who is forging their leadership path? Nominate them for the 2024 Women in Digital Awards!

“Conscious reinvention throughout your career will get you where you need to be.” – Susannah Rosoman, Managing Director at Accenture

In an era where technology drives transformation across all sectors, the need for diverse leadership has never been more critical. Women in Digital recently hosted our Melbourne showcase event “Leadership at Every Level: Forging Your Own Path”, aimed at inspiring and empowering women to break barriers and ascend to leadership roles in the tech industry. The event brought together CEOs and founders from the tech and digital industry, each at different stages of their careers, to share their insights, experiences, and the lessons they’ve learned on their journey to success.

The Current Landscape

Despite women making up half of the Australian workforce, they remain underrepresented in key decision-making roles. According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), women hold only:

19.4% of CEO positions
32.5% of key management positions
33% of board memberships, and
A mere 18% of board chair roles.

At this pace, gender parity in CEO roles will not be achieved until 2100. This stark disparity underscores the importance of events like Women in Digital, which aim to accelerate progress by showcasing the achievements and strategies of successful women leaders in tech.

Embracing Challenges and Leading Boldly

A recurring theme throughout the event was the importance of embracing challenges and leading boldly. Dr. Morley Muse, Co-Founder and Director at iSTEM Co, highlighted the power of expertise and confidence. She emphasised that being exceptionally good at what you do can overshadow any biases or preferences others might have. This sentiment encourages women to hone their skills and assert their worth, regardless of the obstacles they may face.

In contrast, Nikita Fernandes, CEO and Co-Founder at Fora Health, shared a different yet equally powerful perspective: the value of cautious, considered action. She candidly admitted to feeling fear but emphasised the importance of trusting one’s gut and making bold moves despite it. Her approach resonated with many, underscoring that leadership does not require the absence of fear but rather the courage to act in spite of it.

The Power of Reinvention

Susannah Rosoman‘s (Managing Director at Accenture) journey illustrated the power of reinvention and staying curious. She spoke about the necessity of continuously evolving and surrounding oneself with the right people. This mindset of conscious reinvention ensures that one remains relevant and adaptable in an ever-changing industry.

The insights shared by the panelists provided practical, relatable advice that can be applied by women at any stage of their careers. From knowing one’s boundaries and worth to trusting in one’s value and making strategic decisions, these takeaways were not only inspirational but also actionable.

Building a Future of Inclusive Leadership

At Women in Digital, we believe representation matters. “You can’t be what you can’t see” is more than a mantra; it’s a call to action. The lack of female representation in leadership roles not only limits opportunities for women but also stifles innovation and diversity of thought within organisations. Research consistently shows that companies with greater gender diversity in leadership positions outperform their less diverse counterparts, achieving higher financial returns, greater employee satisfaction, and better decision-making.

The sentiment delivered by the expert panel underscored the transformative power of inclusive leadership. By stepping up to lead at every level, women can drive significant change within their organisations and beyond.

Moving Forward

As we look to the future, it is clear that more needs to be done to bridge the gender gap in leadership within the tech industry. Women in Digital, alongside the work being done by women such as Dr Morely Muse, Susannah Rosoman and Nikita Fernandes, will continue to create platforms for women to connect, learn, and inspire each other. By amplifying the voices and stories of women leaders, we aim to encourage more women to pursue leadership roles and forge their paths in tech.

Do you know someone who is forging their leadership path? Nominate them for the 2024 Women in Digital Awards!

“Impact is the new black” -Jenna Leo, CEO & Co-Founder of Like Family

Global events continue to influence the digital industry in Australia, and the intersection of social entrepreneurship and impactful change has become a focal point for technology-driven companies, especially those that have a high female representation. Recently, our ‘Women in Digital Building a Better World: Women in Tech Driving Social Impact‘ event highlighted this powerful synergy, bringing together remarkable female leaders who are making significant strides in their respective fields. The insights shared during the event were not only inspirational but also a testament to the transformative power of technology and social innovation.

Pioneering Change Through Social Impact

The showcasing of social enterprises and their contributions to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion is vital to understanding how technology can be harnessed to address some of the most pressing social issues of our time. From ending loneliness and social isolation to fostering cultural safety and promoting sustainable practices, leaders within the digital industry have been able to demonstrate the multifaceted impact of social entrepreneurship.

The recent discussions at the Women in Digital ‘Building A Better World’ event highlighted how we can be using technology to drive social impact across diverse communities.

Leveraging Technology to Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation

Voicing her compelling mantra that “Impact is the new black” Jenna Leo, CEO & Co-Founder of Like Family, highlighted the importance of community and human connection in an increasingly digital world. By leveraging technology, organisations are creating spaces where people can find support and companionship, addressing one of the most pressing social issues of our time – loneliness and social isolation.

Creating Inclusive and Supportive Communities

One of the core messages delivered by Lisa Sarago, CEO & Founder of Land on Heart, was the importance of building communities that align with your missions and values. With an emphasis on how creating inclusive and culturally sensitive environments can drive meaningful change, fostering such communities and highlighting the role of technology should be a core driver when connecting people and amplifying diverse voices.

Tackling Complex Problems Sustainably

Another key theme was the need for sustainable solutions to complex problems. Elakkiya Ramarajan, Lead Data Scientist at VAPAR, underscored the growing necessity for tech solutions that consider long-term impacts on both the environment and society. What was also illustrated was how innovation and curiosity can lead to sustainable practices that not only solve immediate challenges but also contribute to a better future.

Insights and Takeaways

With a treasure trove of valuable insights, particularly in addressing unconscious bias and making a meaningful impact as allies in the tech industry, we should all be considering how technology has the power to be a great equaliser, offering solutions to some of society’s most pressing issues.

Building communities that align with our missions and values should allow us to explore ways of creating opportunities that advance diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.

The work being done by organisations such as Land On Heart, Like Family, and VAPAR demonstrates the real-world impact of social enterprises and exemplifies how technology and innovation can drive social change and sustainability, inspiring others to follow suit.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, it is essential to continue these conversations and build on the momentum generated by the amazing work being done by social enterprises and tech for good projects. By supporting and empowering women in technology, we can collectively contribute to a better, more inclusive world.

The intersection of social entrepreneurship and impactful change offers a promising path forward, one where technology serves as a catalyst for positive social transformation.

Do you know someone who is building a better world? Nominate them for the 2024 Women in Digital Awards!

Renee-Noble-2023-Women-in-Digital-Awards-Champion-of-Change.webp

Introducing the 2023 Women in Digital Awards Champion of Change powered by BlackCard, Renee Noble!

Renee Noble isn’t just your typical CEO. She’s truly a force to be reckoned with in the tech world as CEO of Tech Inclusion, CEO and Founder of ConnectEd Code and if that’s not all, she is also a Cloud Advocate for Microsoft. Her passion for technology, education, and community is at the heart of her professional journey.

Renee’s nomination for Champion of Change was centred around her incredible work with the Girls’ Programming Network (GPN) working to improve tech education for people of all ages and levels of experience, particularly women and girls.

Renee is really living and embodying the “if they can see it, they can be it” motto which has been evident in every step of her career journey! Her achievements as a champion for women in digital is nothing short of outstanding.

We were thrilled to talk to our 2023 Champion of Change about her winning entry, career journey and more.

Click here to meet all the 2023 Women in Digital Award Winners.

Congratulations Renee! We are huge fans of your work in the industry.

To try and sum up who I am at my core, I’m a person who loves to give to other people. Being able to build other people up is when I feel great, and helping other people flourish is how I feel like I am doing my part in the world. With that, I am also a person who goes all in on things. I struggle to do things by halves (but I am trying to have some more chilled-out hobbies now!) If I see the benefit or potential in something I want to give it my all, I want to see how good something can be, and I want to see what I have in myself to be able to make that a reality.

I’ve always been very motivated to prove what I can do, maybe originally this was to prove to others what I can do, but these days it’s more about showing myself how much I’m capable of. I just love figuring things out, learning what I need to take things to the next step, and working hard to make it happen. I could definitely have been described as a workaholic for a lot of the parts of my journey to this point, but along the way I’ve realised that all the opportunities I had to do all that work has been what lifted me up to this point, and that sharing the work around will not only benefit me by reducing my workload to closer to normal human levels but also make space for other people to have those same opportunities.

It has been a very conscious decision of mine to recreate opportunities that I had when I first joined GPN for as many people as possible. Being thrown in the deep end a little my first time at GPN helped build my confidence in my tech skills immensely, and having the support of the people around me was one of the things that made me feel like I had found a home in the tech scene. At that time, GPN was a tiny little thing with a tiny group of volunteers. Everyone had to do things they wouldn’t necessarily sign up for, things they didn’t think they were “qualified” to do. These days we have plenty of experienced volunteers, but it’s part of the culture I set out to establish to make space for those experiences – giving people a little bit of a push to take on giving a lecture, running a room, or leading a whole event.

And to bring our readers up to speed, could you give a little pitch for Tech Inclusion and ConnectEdCode. How did ConnectEd Code come to be?

So firstly, Tech Inclusion is the charity that I co-founded around the already existing GPN program. GPN had existed for over 13 years when we founded Tech Inclusion two years ago. Until then we had been under the umbrella of various organisations, but we thought it was about time we went out on our own. Now we have set up Tech Inc. (yep that’s what we call it for short! Our org where the Inc. stands for Inclusion!), we have a lot more ability to be agile, and to work with industry partners. We’re always looking for more sponsors and more university partners that can help expand and grow our program around the country.

Within Tech Inc we’re also looking at different ways to build on the work we are doing with GPN, providing more opportunities for our tutors, trialling a new program for year 3-6 students, and many other things that are on the to do list. It’s still all volunteer-run, but we hope to get to a place where we can have people working on this as their job, to help us achieve all these benefits for gender diversity throughout the tech education and career pipeline, as well as potentially other marginalised groups.

ConnectEd Code is actually also inspired by my GPN work. In 2020, everyone was having a bit of a watershed movement, I think. It was then that I realised that I had built up a huge amount of skills and a huge network through my work on GPN and they weren’t really being recognised and were under utilised at my job at the time. It was then that I decided I wanted to tackle the problems I wasn’t getting to take on in my job.

This was about tackling delivery of the mandatory Australian technology curriculum by really listening to teachers and working with the limited time they have and the constraints of the school system. I knew a lot of the pedagogical learnings I had from GPN would be something that could benefit a lot of people. Since then I’ve come up with a lot of really creative ways to work with schools to make meeting their requirements easy, while also having kids that are really excited to learn about technology. It’s all about bringing Coding together with content, community, and curriculum. You can do a lot of cool stuff with that as your basis, like have teams design and code the tech for an escape room, or solve a murder mystery using their hand-coded detective devices.

The crux of your nomination is GPN. Tell us more about this program and what you have achieved?

I joined GPN in 2014 when there were maybe 30 girls learning to code each term at a workshop in Sydney. In 2023 we taught 1500 girls to code around the country! And that’s not even back to our pre-COVID peak attendance of around 2000 a year, since some of our GPN nodes only started back up about a year ago, and a lot of the students have graduated high school and now become GPN volunteers.

When I joined, having a nationwide network of GPN nodes was not something that was on the cards, I don’t know if that had even been imagined. But today we have nodes in Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Melbourne, and regional Tasmania. And we’ve had four others along the way we hope are back on deck soon!

It’s amazing to see how GPN has spread over the country in less than 10 years, the full story goes something like this…

About a year after I joined, I discovered I had accidentally inherited the leadership of the program, and I was hooked. As I’ve mentioned, GPN was somewhere that felt like a home for me. I wanted to help more students and volunteers to find out about it. It felt like I was giving them a gift!

With a (big) handful of commitment, I was able to add some of the hands-on activity ideas we had been talking about for at least as long as I had been there. And with this I also made space for other ideas from our other volunteers to shape the event, adding our mentoring sessions for senior school students that has meant that a lot more students keep coming to GPN throughout their senior years, seeking that support as they look to their futures.

The student population at the events started to rapidly grow. Girls were bringing their friends, who then went on to bring more and more friends. At the same time, I was racing to reach out across the tech industry to find as many women to volunteer as possible to make sure we had enough volunteers for all the kids! This led to us having a richer, more diverse range of volunteers from a variety of tech, teaching, and other sectors, at various stages of their careers.

Eventually, we reached our cap in Sydney, there simply weren’t more than 180 computers we could use at the same time. We ultimately ended up having to add an extra day of the workshop, because so many girls were upset to be missing out. We had a problem that no one foresaw, too many girls wanted to learn to code.

And, while there were girls we knew were missing out in Sydney, surely there were girls around the country who would also love to go to a GPN workshop. Canberra was the first to jump on board, with support from ASD, and soon we had Perth, then Cairns, Mackay, Adelaide, Burnie, Melbourne, and Brisbane. In bringing on board people and partners from across the country I spent a lot of time working out what it really meant to be a GPN node. And then spent a lot of time making sure our content was something that could be delivered by the volunteers on hand at every location around the country, from the middle of Sydney where software developers are plentiful, to regional Australia where GPN events were run by passionate teachers. Finally, finding more ways to help more GPN die-hards get on board to help grow and support the program, and give them a methodology for spreading what GPN is, why we do it, and how to recreate it, to a diverse range of communities around the country.

We now have a great team of experienced GPN volunteers supporting nodes around the country, travelling to new nodes and supporting them as they come on board. And all our nodes are working together to support the growth of GPN nationally, sharing the knowledge that they have gained in their own communities and experiences. This in particular is something that has helped us thrive in recent years and looks to have us scale faster than ever into the future.

How are you planning to grow the program in years to come?

In 2024 we are hoping to have at least two more nodes up and running in capital cities around Australia and to be looking at reaching students in NSW that likely aren’t benefiting from our Sydney workshop. We’d also love to see our Sydney numbers return to their pre-COVID heights, and we’ll be chasing that this year too!

We’re also piloting our GPN Junior program for year 3-6 primary school students in Sydney. There is always such interest in our high school program from parents with younger kids, so we’re trialling a half-day experience designed specifically for that demographic.

Looking further ahead, I’d love to have a node in every capital city by 2026. I’d also love to get some of our regional Queensland nodes back up and running. With our expanded team and the help of our sponsors, I hope to be able to increase support for the hardworking teachers who were bringing GPN to life in pre-COVID years.

We have a lot of other ideas as well, from programs to support uni students who are new to coding, ways to reach more students in schools, workshops on ways to build essential career skills for graduates, and creating opportunities for high school and university students to experience what it’s really like to work in a tech team. These are just a few of the things we want to get done, we’re just waiting on the right partners to help us bring them to life and to energise our operations by allowing some of our volunteers to make GPN their job.

What led you to pursue a career in tech in the first place?

I actually ended up in tech by chance. Living in college my first year of uni a couple of people decided that they wanted to teach me to program at 11pm one night. That was my first ever experience of coding, I didn’t even know that anyone could just get started with it on a regular laptop before that. It really felt like a superpower.

I took to it quite naturally, and I saw it as a way to use all the types of maths and problem-solving that I had loved in high school. I was studying Chemical Engineering and Science degrees at the time, but added a computer science subject, and ultimately squished in another science major alongside my chemistry major in Science. For my chemical engineering honours thesis, I utilised coding and machine learning for sustainable energy solutions, coding my experiments up and leaving them to run overnight, coming back to my beautifully graphed results in the morning (most of the time at least!) Meanwhile, a lot of my peers were whiling away time in the labs, with one eye on their experiments as they slowly completed.

I really loved how I could use coding to solve problems in a new way that multiplied what I could do by myself by a factor of millions. I just had to know the instructions to tell the computer. I’d found ways to use code in my chemical engineering internship as well, to make processes easier for everyone and the huge amounts of data they had. I loved the feeling of scripting something and seeing the results come out and having achieved something or having uncovered the next problem to solve.

Upon finishing uni, I decided that I was going to take the computer science route, rather than the engineering one. I got my first full-time job at what is now Data61-CSIRO, then was in an ed-tech start-up for a while, then started my own business, and now work for Microsoft – all while I was leading and growing GPN.

Tell us more about your role and what it is you do in a week as a CEO and Cloud Advocate.

While all three roles, CEO for Tech Inclusion/GPN, CEO for Connected Code, and Cloud Advocate at Microsoft are similarly summed up as tech + education + community, they are all very different in terms of the kind of work I am doing for each of them.

For Tech Inclusion/GPN, as we grow and as we solidify the charity, it is becoming more high-level work. I am spending more time looking at contracts, policies, and prospectuses than I was before, which are all new skills I’m getting to build. I also only get to move up to these new tasks because there are other amazing volunteers who are taking on things that I used to spend a lot more time on, like educational planning and event management. I am still very focused on the mission, and how to spread that mission to other locations, so after my day job at Microsoft, I often have meetings to connect with the GPN Committee running leading GPN nodes around the country, with teams starting up new projects, or spending the weekend with my powerhouse COO, Alex Penna, at one of our classic “GPN Planning Parties”.

For ConnectEd Code, that is another one where I am lucky to not be taking it on alone anymore. Since I started at Microsoft, my fiancé and CTO, Jack Reichelt, has taken a lot more of the business. Most of my work for that will be chatting with him over lunch about new initiatives that we want to pursue in relation to new curriculums and the introduction of AI tech in schools. I’m in the loop in the education industry in a variety of ways, so most of my work is to loop Jack in so we can connect meaningfully with the schools and organisations that need some help in the tech space and provide them with a solution that works for their constraints and desires. Occasionally I might need to take a couple of days off work at Microsoft so I can go and be part of a cool event where we work directly with the kids, like getting a whole school year of over 150 students, coding to solve a murder mystery with data science, launch a weather balloon full of sensors, or build and code the electronics of their own escape rooms. Those are very exciting days to be a part of!

Microsoft is my full-time job, so that follows a bit more of a normal structure, except for the fact that I’m here in Sydney, a very awkward time for engaging with a global team during office hours. But, luckily, as a Cloud Advocate, the kind of work we do can be largely done independently. This might be writing a new module to be released on Microsoft Learn, working with the Microsoft Reactor in Sydney to host a YouTube livestream with a guest, writing a blog discussing an upcoming event, or working on collecting diversity and inclusion stories to be shared both internally and externally as part of my work on the D&I committee for my organisation. We’ve had so much cool new tech coming out from Microsoft in the last year, so some time has to go into getting up to speed with that, and then telling other people about what it was like to get started with it.

How do you manage to juggle it all while keeping your energy so high?

I really love giving opportunities to people, whether it’s the chance to learn, the chance to volunteer, the chance to join and be part of something. I think that’s what keeps me going, I’m just genuinely excited about what I get to offer people, and how they respond when they realise the possibilities they’ve unlocked through learning and building skills.

Also, having people along on the journey with me is now a major source of energy and momentum. I can’t pour as much raw energy in as I did when I was 10 years younger, but having a team who believes in the mission as much as I do and knowing that we will keep the momentum going as a team, it makes it both a lighter lift for myself and everyone, and makes me want to do it even more.

What does winning this award mean to you?

To be recognised in this way is a major honour. I’ve been doing this a long time, and you do kind of get lost in the day-to-day, never-ending nature of it. There’s always something more to do. But a moment like this is one to stop and reflect on all that I have been able to achieve on this journey, and all the people who are now on the journey with me.

Also, having this moment for GPN to be seen by a bigger audience is always so meaningful. That’s what all this work is about, and giving it a moment to be seen and knowing that could lead to an even bigger impact, that’s incredible.

You have achieved incredible company growth so far! Do you have any key personal highlights?

The highlights from my GPN journey really have been around uncovering the potential I could see in GPN and bringing that to life all around Australia. It’s amazing how many requests we get for GPN to start in different communities, or people travelling great distances to get to the closest GPN to them. It is also very special to me to know how many people are carrying GPN forward, to know that this idea to make GPN this crazy big thing is shared by others and together we can ensure GPN gets to continue into the future.

I have also got to have a lot of personally exciting opportunities around my work with GPN, doing photoshoots and events with other incredible women for Women’s Weekly, CREATE magazine, and the AFR 110 Women of Influence. To be included among lists of such talented people is both very humbling and empowering.

We’re so excited to know… what is next for you? Do you have an ultimate career goal or North Star?

I think we’re really in a moment in time where we’re seeing how important it is for everyone to have an understanding of technology, whether we think about how AI will play into our futures, or the impact of cybersecurity on our everyday habits. I think equitable access to opportunities around understanding how we can change our own futures with technology is key.

Whatever I’m doing, whether it’s through GPN/Tech Inclusion, ConnectEd Code, Microsoft, or something else, is about bringing tech education opportunities to the community in a creative way. There are so many exciting things about technology, I think it is worth the extra effort to think about how we can make the way we learn about tech as exciting as the opportunities that knowing how to code and create new technology has. I want to be at the front of that, taking on the things that people say “that sounds great, but impossible”, doing things that people just don’t know how to do, or creating whole new ideas that shake up how we think about engaging with technology. If I can do that, and make it easy for teachers, students, and learners of all ages to be able to use, then I’ll know I’m heading in the right direction.

It is commonly recognised that there are fewer women in technology. What do you think could be done to improve diversity in tech?

I have so many opinions on this, and it’s hard not to explain all the principles we have behind what we do at GPN. So I’ll sum it up in a few things we hold close to us, and some things we want to see even more of to help people at all stages of their tech journeys.

GPN’s core values are around ensuring that coding is fun, social, and represents a diverse community of people, not just “hacker” style people, but anyone, you can love ballet, baking, or basketball and still love coding. We also want to show more people that coding is relevant to them and can help them solve problems they care about, whether that’s helping people, the environment, or animals – coding exists across all industries and can be combined with nearly any aspiration in a new way. Being in a welcoming culture of diverse minds makes tech a fun place to be where we solve important problems together.

Another key component for people at all stages of their learning and career journey is role models. And that can’t just be one role model you see on the internet, or one who visits your school once. It needs to be a diverse set of role models at different stages of their own journey. The ability to interact with these different people is a core way to plan your own journey, seeing where you can be in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years’ time. It’s a lot easier to hopscotch your way to your dream than to figure out the path all on your own.

I’d love to see these principles carried out in schools, from primary school, right through to universities and the workplace. When we focus on the people and problems to be solved first, and the tech tools later, we open up a new world of thought, new ways to work together, and hopefully more welcoming environments that will attract more women, and if we keep it up, will retain them too.

If someone wanted to get involved with Tech Inclusion or ConnectEd Code, are there any opportunities to do so?

To get involved with Tech Inclusion the best thing you can do right now is support GPN. If you’re high up in a company, find a way to sponsor us! Check out our prospectus – https://gpn.org.au/sponsor

GPN also needs university partners, that’s how we bring GPN to new locations. If you have contacts at a uni in a city that doesn’t have a GPN, we need to hear from you! You can reach us at info@girlsprogramming.network

And for individuals, if you are a woman or a gender-diverse person, volunteer for GPN! There’s so much to give and so much to get in return. You never know where it’s going to take you, I think my story is a great example of that. GPN is everything we can collectively imagine it to be. Fill out our tutor sign-up form: https://gpn.org.au/tutor

As for ConnectEd Code, we’d love to hear from anyone who wants to bring coding to their school or community group. We love working with individuals to make sure we give them the help they need, whether they need teacher PD, an awesome workshop for dozens of kids, or some tips and tricks on coding projects. We take pleasure in figuring out the hard stuff for busy people! You can reach out to us at info@connectedcode.org or check out our website: https://www.connectedcode.org/

What do you believe is the importance of industry awards such as the Women in Digital Awards?

There are a lot of people out in the world trying to do their best, trying to do something incredible, or something that goes against the grain. This is often true for women in tech, just trying to fight the uphill battle to succeed as a minority group in tech.

Industry awards like the Women in Digital awards are a moment to take stock of what you have accomplished and take in the fact that while you might not have finished your goals yet, you are doing something amazing and to feel the support of your peers and the industry smiling upon you. It’s a nod to let you know you’re going in the right direction and to not stop now, you’ve got even more great things ahead of you.

Renee, if you could leave the Women in Digital community with one parting word of wisdom, what would it be?

I look at myself as someone who doesn’t have any innate talents. Might seem a bit self-deprecating, but actually it’s to remind myself that everything I have accomplished is something I figured out and worked hard to get.

If there is something that you want to accomplish, (that doesn’t rely on some unchanging characteristic, like being 7 feet tall) you can get there. You might have to learn something, there might be some hard yards to put in, you might fail a bunch of times along the way, it might take a lot longer than you imagined and some days are going to be harder than others, and you might even need to inspire some people to help you on your journey. And when you do get there, you’re going to be even more proud of what you have accomplished for everything you have overcome along the way.

If I had to say I have a “talent”, it’s that I want to make things happen and that I’m prepared to work hard to get there. If you decide you want to say the same things about yourself, then I can’t wait to see what you do.

Once again, congratulations Renee on this accomplishment and thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

To read more about our 2023 Women in Digital Award Winners, click here.

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