As International Women's Day is upon us, I have taken a moment to reflect on not only my career but the incredible strides made by women in technology and digital. I’m the Director of the Centre of Excellence within the Digital Strategy, Investment and Assurance (DSIA) team in Digital NSW.
In a previous life, I spent 10 years working as an Allied Health professional straight from university, where I’d completed a health science degree. It was a rewarding career, but I craved something else and embarked on a career in project management. I soon landed at KPMG, and from there I began managing large scale transformation digital programs in both the Health and Government sectors.
I have been at Digital NSW since 2021. In that time, I’ve witnessed many changes take place at Digital NSW and more specifically in our branch. In my time here, I’ve seen Digital NSW go from strength to strength leading many digital reforms. More importantly, I’ve seen women inspiring other women. In my team alone there’s been an increase in the number of women in leadership roles. Prior to starting we had very male dominant teams and few women. We pride ourselves on being inclusive.
As a culturally and linguistically diverse woman with two young daughters, it makes me happy to think that someday my daughters will be able to enter a workforce that is better than the one I started my career in.
This year’s theme is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. We need to shine a spotlight on the women who are not just breaking barriers in the digital world but are also championing the cause of inclusion. In an industry that has historically been dominated by a certain demographic, I feel proud to see many women fostering diversity and being inclusive.
Through this diverse lens, the women I’m surrounded by daily are being empowered to be the new entrepreneurs, be advocates for accessibility, inspire inclusive leadership, and deliver with more powerful impact through their many dynamic voices.
I hope to continue ensuring more women enter careers in technology and digital fields, which starts by supporting and investing in female students in STEM, being a role model for those I work with, promoting inclusive hiring, creating networking opportunities and offering flexible working arrangements to accommodate all the diverse needs of women, especially those balancing careers and families.
As I look towards the future, I feel optimistic that with continued efforts, we can create a more diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and make a meaningful impact.