Opportunities and challenges for women in engineering and IT

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Do you wonder about success, motivation, overcoming barriers and how diversity in the workplace can help your career? Do you want to understand how to best support women in engineering and IT? This event is for you.

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A panel discussion was held for the launch of the Women in Eng&IT Alumni Network at the University of Melbourne, a group on a mission to create ‘a supportive network of female alumni and friends, adding value to members and the community’.

The panel discussion covered:

Career success

  • What contributed to their success, tips and strategies?
  • Where did they find support and inspiration?

Opportunities and challenges

  • What opportunities have they chosen not to take, and why?
  • Looking beyond the impact of Covid-19 on their career, what can organisations do to minimise the impact?

Diversity in the workplace

  • Why they believe there is a lack of women in Engineering and IT careers?
  • How does this lack of diversity impact the profession and their organisation?
  • What can we do collectively to achieve greater gender equality?
  • How have things changed over time?

Summary image of discussion

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The panel

Sandra Kentish (Master of ceremonies)

Head of the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, The University of Melbourne

Professor Kentish has broad interests in industrial separations, particularly the use of membrane technology for energy, food and water applications.

She is a Project Leader within the ARC Dairy Innovation Research Hub, a researcher within the Future Fuels CRC and sits on the EPA Victoria Science, Engineering and Health Committee. She was the Discipline Leader in the CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) for Membrane Technology from 2003-2015.

Before commencing an academic career, Professor Kentish spent nine years in industry, with positions in Altona Petrochemical Company, Kodak Australasia and Kimberly Clark Australia.

Yenyi Fu

Head of Product at kimkim.com

Yenyi is the COO & Head of Product at kimkim.com. Kimkim is building the next generation travel company, by connecting travelers with knowledgeable, passionate travel experts, who help cut through the noise and book dream trips using kimkim's platform and tools.

Yenyi has a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Masters of Information Technology from Monash University.

Sarah Morgan

Non Executive Director

Sarah Morgan is an experienced board director, corporate advisor and professional investor. Sarah has over 18 years corporate finance experience, predominantly with independent corporate advisory firm Grant Samuel. She is currently a non executive director of ASX listed Nitro Software, Whispir, Adslot and Future Generation Global Company as well as a non executive director of Intrepid Travel, Melbourne Girls Grammar School, and the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Art from the University of Manchester. Sarah is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Elise Sutherland

Founder and CEO Stelect

Elise completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Biomedical Engineering with Business at The University of Melbourne in 2017. Elise is the Founder & CEO of Stelect, a business built around creating innovative technology to improve the process of stent selection in interventional cardiology procedures. Elise is a strong leader and an innovative and strategic thinker who has successfully taken Stelect into a venture backed business creating impactful technical innovation with a large-scale commercial impact. Elise was an honouree of Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia for 2020.

Doreen Thomas

Professor Emeritus,  The University of Melbourne

Professor Emeritus Doreen Thomas is a leading academic whose work has spanned the fields of mathematics and electrical and mechanical engineering. Her career at the University of Melbourne has lasted over 40 years and practical applications of her research have had significant commercial impact.

Doreen served as Head of Department for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2001–2006), Head of Department for Mechanical Engineering (2008–2016) and the inaugural Head of School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering (2017). She was also Associate Dean (Research and Research Training) at the Melbourne School of Engineering (2008–2016).

Doreen applied her mathematical research to software for underground mine tunnel design, reducing development time and haulage costs while optimising usage. This software has been licensed to some of the world’s largest mining companies and Doreen subsequently directed a startup company to commercialise it.

Doreen is a powerful advocate for women in engineering and mathematics.