Honi Walker
Chief Executive Officer
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
08:15
Registration and welcome coffee
08:50
Opening remarks from the Chair
THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING
09:00
The future of women in manufacturing: challenges, opportunities and changing the status quo
- Facing up to the challenge – supply, demand and retention
- A woman’s place? Characteristics, trends and lived experiences
- A practical toolkit for change: insights and strategies to succeed as a woman in the manufacturing industry
Honi Walker
Chief Executive Officer
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
09:20
Ministerial Address
The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP
Minister for Women and Minister for Jobs and Industry
Victorian Government
09:35
PANEL DISCUSSION: How can we realistically drive change, improve diversity and strengthen our teams and organisations?
- What policies can be implemented to offer real, equal opportunities for women?
- What hiring practices can eliminate discrimination and unconscious bias in recruitment?
- How can training, apprenticeships and mentor programs advance women in their careers?
- What support mechanisms and reporting processes can mitigate harassment and discrimination?
- How can address the challenges for women in the manufacturing industry such as PPE, maternity and carer’s leave?
Moderator:
Honi Walker
Chief Executive Officer
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
Panellists:
Clair Edwards
Technical Director, Oceania
Symrise AG
Loulou Hammad
Customer Director
Alstom
Samantha Read
Chief Executive Officer
Chemistry Australia
10:15
Partner presentation
10:35
Morning tea & networking
DRIVING DIVERSITY & BUSINESS SUCCESS THROUGH LEADERSHIP
11:05
Empowering women in manufacturing for continuous leadership advancement
- Elevating women's roles in manufacturing through showcasing success stories and achievements
- Encouraging continuous skill enhancement to foster career growth and advancement
- Creating a culture of mentorship and collaboration for sustained leadership development
Karin Vosmansky
Executive Director
Mack Valves
11:35
Leveraging diverse teams for enhanced business outcomes and growth
- Unlocking the practical, analytical and creative potential of diverse teams
- Leveraging the strengths of varied personalities, perspectives and mindsets
- Ensuring team members learn from each other to become more agile and effective
- Building the capability and competence of teams across the enterprise
- Demonstrating the success of inclusive teams to prove the value of diversity to the wider organisation
Loulou Hammad
Customer Director
Alstom
12:05
Cultivating personal and professional growth, leadership skills and success
- Navigating emotions in the workplace in a male dominated industry
- Effectively dealing with challenging situations and personalities
- Finding and capitalising on opportunities to advance your abilities and skills
- Identifying and focusing on your personal & professional goals
Jayne Glasson
Head of Research & Development
Tegel Foods
MANUFACTURING TRENDS IN 2024 YOU NEED TO BE ACROSS
12:35
Ensuring ESG excellence to elevate your organisation’s operational, business & ESG outcomes
- Actioning circular economy strategies in your organisation
- Reducing embodied carbon for lower environmental impact
- Putting human health at the centre of design
- Improving the impact of manufacturing on nature and biodiversity
Laura Besley
Head of Sustainability
CSR
13:05
Networking lunch
14:05
Emission reduction strategies to meet sustainability & organisational goals
- Creating and implementing effective and realistic emission reduction strategies
- Reducing emissions and improving operational efficiencies in your supply chain
Zoe Marshall
Environmental Manager and Food Safety, Quality Systems
Turosi
14:35
Transformative tech trends reshaping manufacturing organisations & operations
- Exploring the latest transformative impacts of robotics and automation
- Maximising AI in manufacturing
- Exploring smart manufacturing trends reshaping the industry
- Staying on top of the latest tech trends in 3D printing, data, software, virtual processes & more
Genevieve Reid
Director of Business Development and Industry Engagement
Swinburne University of Technology
15:05
PANEL DISCUSSION: How can leaders balance technology’s many opportunities with the evolving risks?
- What challenges arise in adopting and implementing technology and how can you overcome them?
- How can you train employees to work effectively alongside technology?
- How can you prepare for emerging opportunities and threats as technology like AI evolves and disrupts traditional manufacturing operations & business models?
Moderator:
Honi Walker
Chief Executive Officer
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
Panellists:
Kate Whitney
Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Treasury Wine Estates
Genevieve Reid
Director of Business Development and Industry Engagement
Swinburne University of Technology
Jayne Glasson
Head of Research & Development
Tegel Foods
15:45
Afternoon Tea
CHAMPAGNE ROUNDTABLES
Interactive champagne roundtable discussions allow attendees to choose the topics that best align with their current or future career needs.
Discuss ideas, gain practical tips, and work through challenges faced by your peers from across the industry. You’ll have the invaluable opportunity to meet leaders and learn how you can improve your skills while progressing your career path. This is a unique opportunity to have all your questions answered while you network and build relationships with people you otherwise may not have access to.
You will be able to choose three of the below roundtables to attend with each roundtable running concurrently over three time slots:
- 1st round: 16:15-16:45
- 2nd round: 16:45-17:15
- 3rd round: 17:15- 17:45
Roundtable 1: Unlocking your full potential through the power of mentorship
Facilitator:
Latinka Cubitt
General Manager - Administration
Catten Industries
Roundtable 2: Using Technology in your role and how technology will shape your future career
Facilitator:
Kate Whitney
Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Treasury Wine Estates
Roundtable 3: Finding your career path in manufacturing
Facilitator:
Honi Walker
Chief Executive Officer
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
Roundtable 4: Navigating the manufacturing industry’s journey towards sustainability goals
Facilitator:
Zoe Marshall
Environmental Manager and Food Safety, Quality Systems
Turosi
17:45
Closing remarks from the Chair and end of Day 1
17:50
Networking Drinks
18:45
Official Event Dinner
Venue: Bistro Guillaume