Jennifer Conley
Chief Executive Officer
Geelong Manufacturing Council
- Women in the manufacturing workforce in Australia – characteristics, trends and misconceptions
- Solving challenges facing the industry – supply, demand and gender diversity
- Strengthening the manufacturing workforce in the immediate, medium and long term
- How can we create equality and change in the manufacturing industry?
- What is leadership’s role in promoting a supportive & safe culture of diversity?
- What are some strategies to increase participation and retention of women in manufacturing?
- How can we leverage diversity and innovation to drive productivity in the sector?
Moderator:
Jens Goennemann
Managing Director
Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
Panellists:
Belinda Layson
Beverage Operations Manager ANZ
PepsiCo
Kristi Riordan
Co-Founder
Harvest B
Dr Yanling Lu
Head of CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls)
GlyTherix
Vanessa Skipworth
General Manager
Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing & Energy Council
- Why role models are so important – “you can’t be what you can’t see”
- Harnessing the benefits of internal and external mentorship programs
- Utilising the value of diversity and inclusion to elevate mentorship initiatives
- Strengthening your operations by investing in the strength of your people
Fiona MacLeod
General Manager Strategic Retail
Visy Retail Services
- The power of teaching girls the many career paths in manufacturing and addressing misconceptions
- Exploring government and industry initiatives to attract more girls into manufacturing, including Australia’s STEM strategy
- Measuring the impact of presenting manufacturing as a career path and how it can encourage diversity
Honi Walker
Chief Executive Officer
South East Melbourne Manufacturing Alliance
- Developing and implementing an effective and forward-thinking manufacturing strategy
- Advocating for a coordinated approach across governments and the private sector
- Developing industry capability and fostering local manufacturing in Australia
- Supporting sustainable industry growth by identifying opportunities for innovation and technology adoption
Jacqui Walters
National Rail Manufacturing Advocate
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Examine the lessons learned and the insights gained from Queensland’s efforts to achieve a gender-equal manufacturing industry, including strategies to address the gender pay gap, structural barriers, diversity, equity & inclusion, and more.
Kellie Potter
Director - Manufacturing Programs, Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
Queensland Government
- Recognising there’s rarely a perfect work-life balance – planning ahead & embracing chaos
- Effectively managing up – the importance of managing your boss
- Getting comfortable with uncomfortable situations & when to take on the next level of challenges
- Having the courage to back yourself & finding your leadership style
Latinka Cubitt
General Manager – Administration
Catten Industries
Kerryn Caulfield began her career on the factory floor working in the clothing and textile industry and now is an Executive Director at Composites Australia. In between she’s held senior leadership roles throughout the public and private sectors, received a number of Ministerial appointments, and led countless government and industry initiatives to drive the manufacturing industry forward. Kerryn will share her experiences while guiding you to develop strategies for your own career progression.
- Exploring how growing efforts to protect the environment are reshaping the manufacturing sector
- Rethinking and redesigning manufacturing strategies with sustainability in mind
- Improving efficiency, driving growth & extracting value through circular economy strategies
Professor Veena Sahajwalla
Founding Director
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology
- Developing and executing strategies to use smart manufacturing to influence & improve every aspect of business
- Using advanced manufacturing to tailor processes for customers
- Integrating sustainability strategies into smart manufacturing to achieve ESG goals
- Utilising smart factories to implement lean manufacturing and improve revenue and reduce costs
Elsa Antunes
Senior Lecturer – Mechanical Engineering
James Cook University
Everyone knows what should be done to meet safety goals, the law’s been around forever and things like management commitment & behaviour have been covered ad nauseum. But, there’s a lack of discussion into the nuts and bolts of practically achieving them. This session examines how you can innovate in the safety space, including how to use the latest AI, data, automation and technology processes to elevate safety.
Moderator:
Jennifer Conley
Chief Executive Officer
Geelong Manufacturing Council
Panellists:
Jo Kitney
Managing Director
Kitney & Toolkit Solutions
Bianca Shepherd
Engineering Support Workshop Manager
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
Blake Redding
Associate Director
Mapien