ABOUT US
MEET Women 4 STEM
At Women 4 STEM, we are passionate about our service pillar programs which focus on creating sustainable services that span the life stages of a woman’s career. By reviewing how our programs can overlap, there is a clear career path and ensuring that we are offering a range of services that is inclusive of all women.
Our members are at the heart of what we do. Their membership, community, and engagement help to keep Women 4 STEM going. In partnership with our corporate, education and individual members, we share a commitment to diversity and the support of women and girls across all stages of their careers. We have welcomed new individual and corporate members into our fold.
We recognise that we are only as good as the people who make everything happen. Women 4 STEM is run entirely by volunteers. In FY21, more than 200 volunteers invested over 10,000 volunteer hours, doing everything from managing our social media, recruiting for events, running world-class programs, providing mentorship support, and everything in between—in addition to a global pandemic. Our organisation wouldn’t be possible without our volunteer’s generosity and support.
Click Here to find out more about our programs.
ATTRACT
Go Girl, Go For IT is a free tech conference, loaded with workshops presentations and discussions to inspire and excite girls for further studies and future career in STEM
Join
Grad Girls helps tertiary students studying in STEM fields with career planning and prepping for the workforce, as well as provide them with a network that has their back
Career Advancement
We’re all about keeping women in their chosen careers. Our programs, Importance of Women (IOW) and What’s Hot in Tech provide career insights and networking to give them the
edge
Peer Connections
Our meticulously matched mentoring program is proven to play a crucial role in helping women achieve greater success and higher employee engagement / retention
Peer Connections
Founded in 2005, Victorian Information Communication Technology for Women Network (Women 4 STEM) is a not-for-profit organisation that operates to increase the entry, retention, and progress of women in the technology industries.
Our vision is to actively promote and support women throughout their STEM careers. Our mission is to provide a range of practical and sustainable initiatives that will promote urban and regional women’s entry, retention, and progression in tech.
WHY SO IMPORTANT?
There are many other initiatives within the industry that focus on gender diversity. What makes Women 4 STEM unique is that we take a holistic approach to diversity.
Our programs are focused across all ages of women, from young schoolgirls and women at university, through to those already in the industry all the way to industry leaders.
Our programs are designed to impact change and affect diversity throughout a woman’s education and career. We are a critical link between government, business, the education sector and other industry associations to collaborate, and influence.
OUR CONSTITUTION
Women 4 STEM is an incorporated association registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.
We provide annual information statements and financial reports to Consumer Affairs Victoria, and to the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC).
Our Australian Business Number (ABN) is 65 996 228 535
CHRIS SKIPPER-CONWAY, CHAIR
My agenda is to see Australia have access to a more balanced and diverse workforce to ensure we have an IT industry in the future. I am a passionate advocate of equal opportunity having grown up in South Africa at a time when minority groups were privileged and an overwhelming proportion of the general population was discriminated against.
AYTEN OZENC, DEPUTY CHAIR & SECRETARY
Ayten is an innovative leader who focuses on culture to deliver enduring business results, she works collaboratively to build high performing teams, pioneer new ways of working, and turn around problem areas. Ayten challenges traditional thinking in organisations and believes that the most successful organisations will be those that learn how to continuously evolve and adapt and are effective at connecting with the creative and innovative potential of their people.
SIGAL PILLI, TREASURER & BOARD MEMBER
Sigal is a senior finance executive (CFO/COO) and a Non-Executive Director with experience across a range of industries and business environments. She has spent the last decade building and leading strong, capable teams in fast-growing tech companies. Her highly skilled and engaged teams help companies grow, scale, and cope with difficult challenges. She possesses excellent technical, commercial, and analytical skills and enjoys fast-paced, complex environments. Sigal is Women 4 STEM’s Treasurer and a Board Member. She passionately believes that intersectional diversity is not only just, but also a key ingredient for organisational performance. Sigal holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University and a Bachelor in Accounting and Economics from Jerusalem University. She is a member of CPA Australia and the AICD.
SARA OGSTON, BOARD MEMBER
Sara is an ex-neuroscience researcher turned IT Project, Program and Operations Manager at the University of Melbourne Infrastructure Services – Research Platforms team. Sara worked on the team that build the first cloud computing service for researchers in Australia, managed the team that built the first Australian multi-omics data management system, and helped build and manage the research data management service for the University of Melbourne. Sara has been on the board of Women 4 STEM since 2015. She was the Communications lead for Go Girl, Go for IT from 2014 – 2017, the deputy lead for Whats Hot in IT in 2015, and is now the Director of Grad Girls.
LOUIZA NUTT, BOARD MEMBER
Louiza is a Board Member for Women 4 STEM, previous Director of our “Go Girl, Go for IT” program and also the Head of Technology Practices and Capability for MLC Life Insurance. She is passionate about creating positive team environments to deliver high quality, human centric solutions. Raised by parents who were ‘gender blind’, she feels passionate about gender diversity and equality. Louiza has been working in the IT industry for over 12 years and is frequently the only woman in the meeting room. She is strongly committed to being part of the solution, raising awareness within the workforce and amongst her social groups. She is an enthusiastic innovator and problem solver and enjoys the challenge of finding solutions to new problems. Louiza spends her spare time participating in fitness activities such as going to the gym, cycling, hiking, running and anything else fun and/or challenging which comes her way. Louiza is also the co-owner of TripFit Adventures, a company which takes Melbournians and visitors out for team building, social events or exploration adventures for fun, active days around Melbourne and surrounds.
STEPHANIE CHAN, BOARD MEMBER
Steph has worked in a variety of roles within IT, focusing on business analysis and project management. Throughout her career, Steph has actively engaged in programs that encourage diversity and the promotion and support of women in IT. Reflecting on her career in IT, Steph remembers all who gave her career opportunities and believed in her, and wants to create and provide the same opportunity for others. Now with a young family herself, Steph is passionate about reintegrating women re-entering the workforce after extended leave, and mentoring those who are early in their IT career
THE COMMITTEES
Each program would not exist without working committees of volunteers helping in all aspects of event and program delivery. We have lots of fun along with the work and make new friends. It’s a great opportunity to put your skills to work for a good cause or even to stretch yourself into new areas and learn. The committees we currently run are: Go Girl, Grad Girls, Mentoring, Importance of Women (IOW), What’s Hot in Tech, Marketing, Governance, Web Development, Finance, Membership. If you are interested in volunteering for any of these committees please email enquiries@women4stem.com.au with your details, including phone number and which committee you are interested in.