An enormous thank you to our outstanding guest Moderators - esteemed professionals who have generously donated their time to support women in STEMM.
Professor Caroline McMillen joined the University of Newcastle as Vice-Chancellor and President in October 2011. She has previously served in academic leadership positions at Monash University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. She has held national and international roles in medical and health research, industry engagement, innovation strategy and policy development. Professor McMillen is a Director of the Australian Business Higher Education Round Table, and a Business Event Sydney Ambassador. She has served on a range of national and international disciplinary bodies and industry boards and as Convenor of the New South Wales Vice-Chancellor’s Committee. As a medical and health researcher, Professor McMillen is internationally recognised for her work on the impact of the nutritional environment before birth on the risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adult life. She has published more than 200 publications and been invited to present at more than 70 international and national meetings. Professor McMillen is an inaugural Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and a Bragg Member of the Royal Institution, Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford, and completed her medical training graduating with an MB, B Chir at the University of Cambridge.
Natasha Mitchell is a multi-award winning ABC journalist and presenter. She has hosted a range of flagship programs including the national, daily morning show, Life Matters (2012-16), and the popular science, psychology and culture radio program, All in the Mind (2002-12), on ABC Radio National (ABC RN). Natasha served as a board member and vice president of the World Federation of Science Journalists (2009-13). Her broadcast work has received accolades internationally, including the overall Grand Prize and 4 Gold World Medals at the New York Radio Festivals, among other awards. Natasha was recipient of a prestigious Knight Fellowship at MIT/Harvard (2005-6), and a Marine Biological Laboratory Journalism Fellowship at Woods Hole. She served on the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Human Genetics Advisory Committee (2009-11), and was co-editor of the book anthology, ‘Best Australian Science Writing 2013‘. Natasha has an engineering degree with first class honours from Monash University, and a postgraduate diploma in science communication from the Australian National University. Before entering journalism she was a Women in Engineering coordinator at University of Technology Sydney. She regularly chairs events, debates and public forums around Australia (including three science dialogues with the Dalai Lama and guests). Natasha Mitchell on Twitter: @natashamitchell
Norah Breekveldt is Director of Breekthrough Strategies, a leadership coaching and HR consulting firm. Norah supports business leaders to advance gender equity and diversity in their workplaces, and empowers women to create successful careers. Norah commenced her career in the public sector, then progressed into senior executive roles in the chemical industry, motor industry, finance sector and supply chain organisations. As one of the few women on senior executive teams, she understands the dynamics of creating lasting change in complex, traditional organisations. She is the recipient of the BCA/AFR Work and Family Award in 1993 for the introduction of work/families practices at Kemcor, and the Telstra Business Women’s Award (Victoria) in 1995. Norah is the author of Sideways To The Top – 10 Stories of Successful Women That Will Change Your Thinking About Careers Forever (Melbourne Books, 2013) and Career Interrupted – How 14 Successful Women Navigate Career Breaks (Melbourne Books 2015) where she explored the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM industries based on their lived stories.
Dr Krystal Evans was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the BioMelbourne Network in July 2014 and has over 15 years experience in the biomedical research sector. Krystal’s skills in government affairs, stakeholder relations and business development underpin her commitment to advancing Melbourne’s unique position as a global destination for life sciences and health technology. Krystal is a leading advocate for science and technology, and was a founding member and Chair of the Australian Academy of Science’s Early- and Mid-Career Researchers Forum. A champion of the 2011 “Discoveries Need Dollars” campaign, she led the Melbourne “Rally for Research” to protect funding for medical research in Australia. Committed to science communication and outreach, Krystal is a regular presenter on Melbourne community radio station 3RRRFM’s science show “Einstein A-Go-Go”. Krystal has an undergraduate degree in medicinal chemistry and holds a PhD in medical biology undertaken at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.