2019 WiTWA Events & News

We organise events to facilitate communication, networking and conversation about women in technology, STEM and innovation.
Our events are open to everyone (all genders).

Techtrails STEM & Future Skills School Incursion

Anne Furey + Charlie Gunningham + Beth Caniglia + Dr Sofie de Meyer

Anne Furey + Charlie Gunningham + Beth Caniglia + Dr Sofie de Meyer

Connecting, Sharing and Inspiring the next generation of STEM Talent

Connecting, Sharing and Inspiring the next generation of STEM Talent

Last week we launched our 2019 WITWA Tech [+] 20 Awards and we can’t wait to unearth more fabulous, female talent in Western Australia. Our ‘20 in 20’ Awards were a highlight of WiTWA’s 2018. We were thrilled to celebrate 87 outstanding Role Models nominated through the process, and our 20 became 22 thanks to so much talent in Western Australia. The legacy of the Awards is our Inspiring Role Models page: our answer to ‘we couldn’t find a woman for the job/panel/board…’

Due to popular request, the Awards are now an annual event. In 2019, we’ll be celebrating our ‘Tech [+] 20’ on at 4pm on 24 October. You can nominate yourself or someone else. We have added a Regional Award and a Youth Award into the mix this year. More info here.

On Friday 31 May 2019 we brought our Techtrails STEM and Future Skills Program to Perth Modern School. We showcased 8 industry role models who shared their experience in diverse STEM fields with 100 year bright and enthusiastic female 9 students. Thank you Colleen Wright, Founder of Robot Buddies, Emmaline Yearsley, Engagement Officer at Western Australian Museum, Alex Bennett, Software Developer, Kinetic IT, Erin Magee, Project Coordinator, Kinetic IT, Annette Furie, Horizon Petroleum Engineer, Gorgon CO2 Injection Project, Chevron and Dr Sam Lodge, NMR Manager, Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University for taking part in the day. Our very own Pia Turcinov, Chair of WITWA and Kay Hargreaves, Managing Director of Colleagues Matrix also ran the fun Techtrails Career Wheel Activity with the students. More info here.

Check out some of our cool events & role models!

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We are piloting a fabulous VR Black Box Project in collaboration with @edithcowanuniversity + @engaustralia + St Stephens School + @kennedy_baptist_college 🤩 On Friday we met up with some of the girls taking part in the project. Watch this space for more news soon! #stemskills #stemrolemodels #techtrails #parity #girlsintechnology #ar #vr #ifyoucanseeheryoucanbeher #witwaplus2019
When Steve Carroll from RSM Australia says he will do something you can guarantee it will be done in style! Thank you @rsm_au for hosting a stunning @womenintechwa Ambassadors Lunch. We our thrilled to welcome Marjolein Towler, Sheryl Frame, Leisa Aitken, Anitra Robertson, Lucie Sharp, Dr Simon Carroll & Simon Carroll 🤩 as inaugural WITWA Ambassadors 🤩 #ifyoucanseeheryoucanbeher #witwaplus2019 #stemrolemodels #witwa #diversity
What a great way to launch our 2019 @womenintechwa Tech[+]20 Awards 💫 brilliant night was had at Flux Base featuring conversations with our panelists Anne Furey, @dawlouise, Sofie De Meyer and @missbethcan moderated by the indefatigable @charliegunningham 👍 Thank you to the wonderful team behind the scene incl @space3ed , @7to1photography and our sponsors for the Awards who have joined us already @wrays_ip - Metisphere - @amazonwebservices - Kinetic IT - @valroserecruit - @optus - Department of Industry Innovation and Science - Appbot 🤩 more to be announced soon! Now, to nominate / self nominate / secure an early bird ticket / sponsor or support this mega event head to https://www.witwa.org.au/witwa-plus 💫 #witwa20in20 #ifyoucanseeheryoucanbeher #witwa #stem #diversity #womeninstem #womenempowerment 📸 Image credit Kelly from @7to1photography
Louise Daw co-founded MiPlan as she was driven by a strong desire to change the data management landscape of mining, civil and other industries around the world. In 2014 she was accepted into the Springboard program, immersed in a group of extremely motivated mentors and was able to utilize Springboard to understand the value of her business and focus on funding the next stage of growth. Miplan successfully raised capital in late 2014, and in 2017, MiPlan was sold to Hexagon with the aim to deliver end to end life of mine solutions globally. Louise is now the Innovation and Strategy Advisor at Hexagon, Mining division and continues to mentor several start-up businesses. In 2017, she was EY's Entrepreneur of the Year for the Western Region. We are very much looking forward to hearing Louise speak at tomorrow's event hosted/sponsored by @space3ed, @wrays_ip and Department of Industry, Innovation and Science https://events.humanitix.com.au/witwa-techxchange-event-turning-ideas-into-startups-and-winning-awards #datamanagement #mentors #mentorship #capitalraise #mining #startup #entrepreneuroftheyear #entrepreneur #entrepreneurher #businessowner #womenintech #womeninbusiness #womensupportingwomen
Anne Furey is one of Australia’s leading Government Grant’s consultants, and has been helping GrantSmart clients to win Government Grants since 2006. Specialising in identifying funding opportunities and preparing competitive grant applications, GrantSmart has assisted clients across most sectors and industry bodies. Anne is a well-known, and active member of the WA innovation community, nominated for an inaugural Women in Technology WA (WiTWA) 20 in 20 Award 2018; has served as a judge for WAITTA INCITE Awards since 2017 and for the HKABA (WA) Awards for the past 2 years. She has previously served on the WA Innovator of the Year (IOTY) Awards committee and was an IOTY awards judge in 2013 and 2014. Anne has been a guest speaker and workshop facilitator at numerous innovation and other events, including for the British Business Network (BBN); Family Business Association WA; Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Westpac Bank; WA Football Commission the City of Ipswich. GrantSmart serve clients across Australia and have a growing reputation for development of successful, competitive grant applications. As a judge for various awards, we are very excited to hear Anne's tips on how you can win awards for yourself and your business! Make sure to get your ticket here - https://events.humanitix.com.au/witwa-techxchange-event-turning-ideas-into-startups-and-winning-awards This event would not be possible without the support of our hosts/sponsors - @space3ed @wrays_ip and Department of Industry, Innovation and Science! #grants #governmentgrant #funding #startup #awardwinning #innovation #waitta #ifyoucanseeheryoucanbeher #womenempoweringwomen #perth #event #womeninbusiness #womeninstem #womenintech
We’re partnering with Maker Kids Club to bring enterprise education into Year 6 classrooms. Think your school would like an in-class, curriculum-aligned program that’s low impact on teachers (no planning or professional development required) and helps prepare kids for the changing world of work? Find out more - https://makerkids.club/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MKC-Information-Brochure-for-Schools.pdf Mention WiTWA when enrolling so we receive 10% of the program cost to fund our Techtrails incursions! #techtrails #witwa #makerkidsclub #education #business #kidpreneur #40under40 #financialeducation #schoolbanking #schools #perth #startups #innovators #stem
@missbethcan is a Digital Strategist and self-professed 'word nerd'. As a writer and a digital technology enthusiast, she's spent most of her career combining these two worlds, creating content for businesses big and small, from start-up to corporate to government. With an extensive background in award and tender writing, Beth knows her way around a tricky award application! Tickets are almost sold out! https://events.humanitix.com.au/witwa-techxchange-event-turning-ideas-into-startups-and-winning-awards Huge thank you to our hosts/sponsors - @space3ed @wrays_ip and Department of Industry, Innovation and Science! #startup #ifyoucanseeheryoucanbeher #womenempoweringwomen #perth #event #womeninbusiness #womeninstem #womenintech #techplus #womeninbusiness
Charlie Gunningham is an active supporter of Perth’s tech startup sector, running Startup News, co-hosting the Startup West podcast and sitting on various advisory boards. His full-time role is with the federal government’s Accelerating Commercialisation programme, which provides access to commercial advice and matching grants of up to $1 million for eligible innovative projects. Having landed in Perth in 1997, Charlie topped the MBA at the UWA Business School, cofounded and then later sold aussiehome.com, ran reiwa.com and was CEO of Business News. He also sits on the boards of Rise Network, WA Leaders and Perth Symphony Orchestra. We are looking forward to hearing Charlie's insights on 11th June. Secure your tickets here - https://events.humanitix.com.au/witwa-techxchange-event-turning-ideas-into-startups-and-winning-awards Thank you to our supporters @space3ed @wrays_ip and Department of Industry, Innovation and Science #startup #startupnews #commercialisation #perth #business #entrepreneur #success #tech #awards #ideas #motivation #boardmembers
Dr Sofie De Meyer is a biochemist and internationally recognised expert in legume microbiology. When faced with re-occurring questions about rhizobia identification she investigated alternative technologies and developed a rhizobia identification service. This presented an ideal step change towards commercialisation and hence she founded MALDIID Pty Ltd in 2017, a root nodule bacteria identification service for farmers and institutes. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family she always had the mindset of making things work no matter how hard you have to work for it. Therefore, she enrolled in business workshops and learned to commercialise research in BioTech/AgTech and identified and managed new research-industry partnerships. This led to being a recipient and finalist for numerous research, communication, entrepreneurship and commercialisation awards in the last 6 years. Moreover, she is a capable public speaker and STEM communicator with a strong people network in Perth’s innovation eco-system and has a strong passion for the environment and sustainability. Thank you to our hosts/sponsors @space3ed @wrays_ip and Department of Industry, Innovation and Science! Tickets are selling out fast, if you would like to hear from Dr Sofie De Meyer and our other amazing speakers be quick to secure yours - https://events.humanitix.com.au/witwa-techxchange-event-turning-ideas-into-startups-and-winning-awards #biochemist #microbiology #legume #entrepreneurial #entrepreneurship #business #stem #perth #ifyoucanseeheryoucanbeher #womeninstem #inspiration #motivation #startup #innovation #womenintech #womeninscience
Donna has been enabling technical teams for over twenty years. She is passionate about helping businesses scale, creating great workplace environments where people can thrive. Donna is the Partner Manager for WA/SA at Amazon Web Services and was previously the State Delivery Manager at Readify, leading a team of 80. She is the CEO of startup SHOUTOUT - a simple recognition platform designed to help companies create a culture of gratitude. Donna is also an international speaker on topics around leadership and culture and was recognised for her contribution to Professional Services and Community in WA with a 40 under 40 Award in 2019. Donna is passionate about the community and has been part of the WiTWA committee for the past 2 years. She loves the way the WiTWA community brings people together to learn from each other and support each other. She also loves being part of the outreach in schools to get young girls interested and excited about STEM careers.

Pssst: are you a potential WiTWA[+] sponsor? Check out our prospectus to become a partner in our inaugural one day conference on Thursday 24 October 2019 where we’ll bring to life our catch-cry: if you can see her, you can be her. It’s going to be even bigger and better than our ‘20 in 20’ Awards night!

Here are some of our past event sponsors.