Agenda

Dr. Lila Landowski, Director, Science & Technology Australia

• Exploring unconventional career journeys across space, aviation, and STEMM, and what it takes to pursue ambitious, first-of-their-kind paths

• Leading and supporting teams in high-stakes, high-complexity environments shaped by rapid technological change

• The role of visibility, representation, and role models in strengthening Australia’s STEMM and space workforce pipeline

• Championing the next generation through mentorship, advocacy, and creating cultures where diverse talent can thrive

Anntonette Dailey, Chief Executive Officer (Superstar of STEM - STA), Aviation/Aerospace Australia, Non-Executive Director, Space Industry Association of Australia, Co-Founder, Australian Space Diversity Alliance

Jenny Mitchell, General Manager Policy & Advocacy, Engineers Australia

• Reframing equity and inclusion as critical to workforce and leadership strategies

• Practical frameworks for executive leaders to create visibility and actively sponsor high-potential women into critical, strategic decision-making roles

• Future-proofing the pipeline – How to attract, upskill and mentor the next generation of leaders amid AI disruption? What human capabilities must we recruit and develop for right now?

Moderator: Natasha Mandie, Managing Director and CEO, EM Advisory

Cheryl Maley, Chief Executive Officer, Starpharma

Brooke Mills, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Astraea Technologies 

Associate Professor Michael Ben-Meir, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria

Erin Ashton, AI Enablement Leader, EY

The courage to lead starts with you

Christine Khor, CEO and Chinese-Australian woman who started her leadership career in the 90s, knows firsthand what courage in the workplace really looks like. In this keynote she shares her personal journey and the hard-won lessons — built on decades of business experience — that shaped her leadership, and what they mean for you right now.

Christine Khor, Chief Executive Officer, Peeplcoach

Connect on LinkedIn using your personal QR codes and strike up meaningful conversations.

Build practical leadership capability for technical, strategic, and executive roles through hands-on activities grounded in real STEMM scenarios.

• Develop strategic decision-making and problem-solving skills using real STEMM leadership challenges

• Learn frameworks for communicating with influence including media engagement, executive communication, and persuasive storytelling

• Identify how STEMM expertise translates into governance, board-level thinking, and economic leadership

• Explore the role of AI-enabled insights in strengthening leadership capability, visibility, and impact

Jane MacMaster, Global Engineering Integrity Director, Babcock International Group, Founder and Director, Ponder

Showcasing new and underrepresented voices, what the program does, how to get involved.

Moderator: Dr. Lila Landowski, Director, Science & Technology Australia

Dr Hema Wadhwa, Associate Data & Analytics, Asset Management and Performance (Superstar of STEM - STA), Aurecon

Dr Sara Webb, Astrophysicist & Course Director (Superstar of STEM - STA), Swinburne University of Technology, Forbes 30 Under 30

Jasmin Diab, Partner/Managing Director (Superstar of STEM- STA), Global Nuclear Security Partners

Kathryn Laurentis, Chemical Engineer & Mathematician, STEM Lead, EDGE Employee Impact Group (Superstar of STEM - STA), Woodside Energy

The Superstars of STEM answer all your burning questions.

• Breaking barriers and addressing systemic challenges for underrepresented groups

• Showcasing Indigenous leadership and innovation in research and science

• Strategies to strengthen retention, visibility, and participation of diverse talent

• Cross-sector collaboration to create equitable opportunities for all STEMM learners

Moderator: Dr Bridie Mulholland, Director of Indigenous Medical Education, University of Melbourne

Kim Dyball, Executive Manager, Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, CSIRO

Janelle Randall-Court, Deadly Science

Eva Hopewell, Board Member, Deadly Coders, Senior Analyst, Accenture

Emerging leaders

Build confidence, strengthen your voice, and apply practical strategies to increase visibility, gain recognition, and position yourself for meaningful sponsorship opportunities.

Laura Navarro, Manager Employability Operations and Engagement, Australian National University

Mid-level leaders

Be seen as the leader you already are

Drawing on years of executive experience and insights from thousands of coaching sessions, Christine Khor guides leaders at all levels to build confidence and executive presence, navigate organisational dynamics, grow strategic influence, and activate the sponsorship needed to step into higher-impact leadership roles.

Christine Khor, Chief Executive Officer, Peeplcoach

Senior leaders

Translating technical expertise into commercial muscle

Drawing on decades of corporate advisory and M&A experience, Natasha Mandie helps senior leaders navigate complex organisational environments. Learn robust frameworks to build executive presence, manage competing stakeholder interests, secure internal capital, and develop the high-level economic fluency needed to command absolute authority at the table.

Natasha Mandie, Managing Director and CEO, EM Advisory

Connect with leaders at different career stages who share your leaflet colour to spark meaningful, cross-level conversations.

• How leaders can shape the systems, standards, and culture that determine who succeeds and who is seen in STEMM

• Building confidence, resilience, and influence as you move from technical expertise into strategic decision-making roles

• Ensuring that women and diverse talent are not only entering STEMM careers but progressing into positions of authority and visibility

• The leadership opportunity: using technology, national infrastructure, and innovation agendas to unlock greater participation and impact

Chelsea Brand, Chief Relationship & Experience Officer, Indigital