Winners of the 2024 WID Awards

Jenna is a strategic and inspirational leader with extensive experience in the tech and social impact industry. As the co-founder and co-CEO of Like Family, a successful tech startup on a mission to solve loneliness, Jenna excels in driving business growth and fostering a cohesive and high performing team environment.

Jenna is a Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellow, Remarkable Accelerator Alumni, finalist for Agenda Setter of the year, Tomorrow Fund grantee. She is a sought after speaker and is recognised for her leadership, passion and commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and social impact. She is a respected mentor and coach in several startup communities and programs, including the Remarkable Accelerator, Anyone Can Incubator, Macquarie University Incubator, and Founders Institute.

As an Asian Australian and a mum to 2 toddlers, Jenna brings a unique, inclusive and down to earth perspective to her professional endeavours.

Judges Comment: Jenna was recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to social enterprise, creating an innovative startup platform that addresses the needs of individuals experiencing disability and loneliness, delivering sustainable solutions in the complex NDIS environment.

I’m a passionate designer with a background in IT and design. As a UX/UI Manager at Flight Centre, I’m always looking to create the best omni-channel experiences for our customers and consultants. I love tackling complex challenges and customer problems, innovating and elevating experiences. I am passionate about fostering a design community at Flight Centre, where we champion continuous learning and growth among our talented team. Mentoring local designers and newcomers to UX design is a fulfilling way for me to give back and enrich our industry. Beyond work, I’m an avid traveller, a hands-on crafter, and love spending time with my dog, Toshi.

Judges Comment: Talia was chosen for her exceptional ability to lead a unified omni-channel approach, demonstrating continuous professional development and overcoming significant challenges to drive impactful change within a complex, established business.

I’m an executive with global experience in Cybersecurity, Technology Risk, and Digital Transformation. I have 24+ years of experience in Cybersecurity, Risk management, and building Inclusive teams. In 2019, I accepted an award for the AISA Enterprise Cybersecurity Team of the Year and also was inducted as a Fellow.

I advise on the impact of emerging technologies, security risks, and have directed a number of transformation programs. I have experience directing the implementation of IT and Cybersecurity practices and have worked in disparate fields including financial services, technology, utilities, and consulting. I am a problem solver and I enjoy engaging on security concepts with business leaders.

I hold an Honours degree in eCommerce & Information Systems, and many certifications. I enjoy speaking and have also held positions on Executive Boards. I am a member of AICD and am building on my Non-Executive Directorship Board profile.

Judges Comment: Sam was been recognised for her exceptional leadership in developing a comprehensive program that enhanced security culture, proactively addressing customer needs and framing cybersecurity as a manageable condition rather than just a problem.

Dr. Zoë Condliffe is a passionate data activist, gender advocate, and researcher, dedicated to advancing women’s rights through informed advocacy. As the Founder & CEO of She’s A Crowd, Zoë harnesses the power of storytelling and data to highlight and address gender-based violence. With a Ph.D. in digital feminist activism, her work intersects sociology, gender studies, criminology, and feminist media, providing a robust foundation for her advocacy efforts. Recognised for her contributions, Zoë has been honoured on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and has received accolades such as the Telstra Best of Business Awards National Winner in 2022. Under her leadership, She’s A Crowd not only empowers survivors but also influences policy and societal norms through strategic campaigns and collaborations with key stakeholders. Zoë’s visionary approach continues to drive significant social change, making her a leading figure in the global fight for gender equity.

Judges Comment: Zoe stood out as the Data Leader of the Year for her unique approach that seamlessly integrates soft skills with data leadership and change management. Her focus on addressing critical social issues through a data-driven lens exemplifies the power of data to create meaningful change. Zoe’s ability to lead her team in transforming subjective issues into clear, actionable insights reflects the very essence of why we are in the data field.

Originally from Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast, Brittany is a Melbourne-based digital and field marketer with a specialisation and passion for B2B marketing. With 7 years of experience, she began her career at a B2B marketing agency called align.me in 2018, working with fast-growth Australian companies and international tech enterprises. Getting her hands dirty on all things digital marketing, it was here her love affair with B2B Marketing began! In 2022 she moved to an in-house role at Mimecast (a global cybersecurity company), where she is now the digital marketing lead for the APAC region, covering ANZ and South East Asia. Brittany owns the strategy, execution and measurement of full-funnel paid digital marketing activities as well as supporting local field marketing execution to drive new business revenue outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling to new places, reading, attending live music events, and cooking (and eating) good

Judges Comment: Brittany was selected for her impressive use of martech, strategic end-to-end campaign planning, and dedication to delivering significant commercial results in the B2B space, all driven by their genuine passion for the industry.

Kimberley Morrison is the Global Automation Leader at Aurecon, renowned for her leadership in digital transformation. Her automation and digital transformation expertise has streamlined workflows, enhancing operational efficiency, amplifying human expertise and significantly reducing delivery costs.

She led the Strategic Automation Program at Aurecon, launched in July 2022, which delivered automation solutions saving 250,000 hours of time from our skilled people and $18 million in delivery costs. Her prior role focused on delivering world-class intranets and digital workplace which led to winning a Nielsen Norman award for best intranet design at The Estee Lauder Companies, highlighting her skill and expertise in designing digital solutions that transforms organisation communications and collaboration.

Beyond her professional prowess, Kimberley is a rugby enthusiast travelling internationally to support the All Blacks, a quintessential Melbourne foodie, and a passionate technologist. She is a lifelong learner with a growth mindset.

Judges Comment: Kimberley was chosen for her exceptional leadership in driving digital transformation, balancing both technical and human aspects to deliver global, adaptable processes and lasting organisational benefits.

_nology is a tech training and talent provider. Our mission is to create and deliver world-class, diverse tech talent for organisations. We offer pathway-to-tech programs (12-weeks full stack training, with 18-month placements) that enable individuals to launch a rewarding new career, and deliver best-in-class Software, Cloud, Data, QA and Testing engineers to our hiring partners.

We break down barriers so that the highest-potential individuals can pursue their goals of working in tech, regardless of their backgrounds, education, or experience. _nology is actively tackling the digital skills and diversity gaps by creating new and thriving talent pools for the industry.

Judges Comment: _nology were selected for their unique and sustainable approach to addressing industry diversity, removing financial barriers to tech training, and delivering impactful results.

GWI is a highly regarded management consultancy specialising in using data, information, and technology to solve complex business problems. We transform customer experiences, improve operations and bottom lines, and deliver lasting positive impacts. Drawing on our holistic and people-centred consulting approach, we are trusted by governments, businesses and communities, to guide them towards a better future. We are led by our values in everything that we do. We strive the be an employer of choice and our people are our great asset. GWI is proudly Great Place to Work® Certified and carbon neutral.

Judges Comment: GWI were chosen for their impressive commitment to fostering diversity beyond gender, with innovative initiatives and a clear dedication to creating lasting DEI change within corporate culture in Australia.

Camille Goldstone-Henry, CEO & co-founder of Xylo Systems, is a multi-award winning tech entrepreneur and scientist, with a love of all creatures great and small. As a proud Kamilaroi woman, Camille is a fierce advocate for wildlife conservation with a firm belief that every one of us has the power to make a difference in protecting our planet. Her work as a conservation scientist with endangered species all around the world inspired her to co-found Xylo Systems, a leading Australian biodiversity tech platform that helps businesses measure and manage their biodiversity footprint.

Camille’s commitment to biodiversity and innovation has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of The Australian’s Top 100 Green Power Players of 2023 and winning the KPMG Nature Positive Award in 2023. Her influence extends beyond her professional life as an avid snowboarder and surf lifesaver at Tamarama SLSC, reflecting her love for nature and community.

Judges Comment: Camille is recognised for her innovative business which exemplifies a deep commitment to caring for Country; they demonstrates impressive global recognition, and a dedication to mentoring young women, ensuring a positive impact on future leaders and the community.

I have 25+ years of IT industry experience, and a diverse background in infrastructure, DevOps, platform engineering, cloud, and consulting. As Principal Consultant & Product Owner at Arkahna, I lead the Azure Landing Zone initiative. At Microsoft, I served as a Cloud Solution Architect and was proud to have helped place 175 trainees in tech careers as well as mentoring women escaping domestic violence. I am passionate about creating non-traditional paths into tech and am always willing to volunteer my time to support initiatives in that space. Diversity is more than gender after all!

Judges Comment: Simone is recognised for her exceptional leadership in delivering impactful, scalable solutions that address complex challenges and inspire meaningful change across the industry.

I am Dr. Padma Gadiyar, the founder and CEO of Smilo, a cutting-edge digital health platform revolutionizing dental care through AI technology. With over a decade of experience in dentistry, I am dedicated to making oral health more accessible and affordable for everyone. Since founding Smilo, we have successfully conducted over 50,000 consultations, effectively putting a “dentist in your pocket.” My journey began while practicing dentistry in Brisbane and Mackay, where I saw firsthand the barriers to accessible dental care. Inspired by these experiences and supported by groundbreaking research collaborations with institutions like the University of Southern Queensland, I envisioned a solution that could democratize dental care. Our partnerships with global leaders such as Haleon and Dabur India have solidified our mission. Receiving the ARIIA and Boosting Female Founder grants has been a testament to our impact and potential. I am committed to transforming dental care.

Judges Comment: Padma is recognised for developing advanced, accessible technology in a short time, this innovative solution is set to revolutionise dental care globally, addressing a critical social need with massive impact.

I am a proud Darkinjung / Dharug woman and seasoned Product Lead working for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). I have over ten years of experience in product management across the arts, media, and finance industries. My core ABC accomplishments include delivering personalisation across the ABC ecosystem and re-launching the ABC Kids App.

I am curious and tenacious in my approach to creating impactful digital experiences for my consumers through data-informed collaborative decision-making that is principle-led. I love ‘untangling the headphones’ in an organisation. My speciality lies in projects that require somebody to navigate between the aspirational and the operational. I am skilled at managing complex projects, including sophisticated product and system re-architectures, experience redesigns, data risk and privacy reform, and operational transformation. As the chairwoman of the ABC’s Gender Equity Network, I am committed to championing an equal-opportunity workplace and ensuring that everybody, including women, benefits from digital transformation.

Judges Comment: Rebecca was chosen for their outstanding leadership in establishing a new personalisation function, achieving high-visibility successes, and setting industry standards, while also mentoring Indigenous employees and contributing to the broader digital sector.

As one of the largest providers of healthcare in Victoria, Western Health is proud to provide a combination of in-hospital and community-based health services in Melbourne’s western suburbs. We care for a vibrant, diverse, and rapidly growing community of almost 1.5 million people. Our team of more than 12,500 staff provides 800,000+ occasions of care every year. Western Health has a strong philosophy of working with our local community to deliver excellence in patient care.

Judges Comment: Western Health were recognised for their remarkable digital transformation in healthcare, successfully implementing a large-scale solution that enhances patient outcomes and operational efficiency in a high-risk, regulated environment.

Nadia is a lead full-stack developer and DevOps engineer at Trusst AI, Australia’s leading CX solution provider leveraging AI solutions. Enthusiastic, resilient and curious, Nadia loves solving the toughest of problems and is never one to shy away from a challenge. She works with most up to date practices like Serverless technologies, infrastructure-as-code and AWS ML services like Glue, Deepracer and Sagemaker.

She is an AWS Community Builder and AWS Perseverance Award Winner. As AWS solution architecture She is extremely passionate about AI and Machine learning. As a She Codes graduate, Nadia is now a regular youth mentor and enjoys supporting people to find their way in tech while is continuously working on her ML skills as she believes Data and AI is our today and future!

Judges Comment: Nadia was awarded this prize for her exceptional technical expertise and leadership, demonstrated through their involvement in the tech community and their commitment to advancing complex projects in software engineering.

Hanieh is a senior technical leader and software engineer with a rich and diverse background. She has built an impressive career in software engineering, working in Malaysia and Australia, including a notable tenure at Shell Australia. Alongside her professional achievements, Hanieh is also raising a family, balancing her roles as a leader and a mother with grace and resilience. Her journey from Iran to Australia is a testament to her strength, determination, and unwavering dedication to her craft and her loved ones.

Judges Comment: Hanieh is recognised for her exceptional leadership in managing a complex project involving a large-scale learning dashboard, demonstrating strong stakeholder management and a commitment to mentoring junior engineers while prioritising community contribution.