About Us

About Us

NAWO is a community of like minded leaders, individuals and organisations advocating for gender balance, and we are inclusive of all identities and diversities.

Learn more about us

Our Purpose

Our Vision

To see gender balance (40:40:20) valued and achieved at every level in operations.

Within historically male-oriented sectors we advocate for a target minimum of 40% female representation at every level, (40% women, 40% men and 20% of any gender); with a shared understanding that better gender balance is a desirable outcome that positively impacts business metrics.

Our Mission

NAWO supports people to lead more inclusively, provides a safe space to ask questions and have conversations that help achieve greater gender balance. 

We support all women in achieving their career goals: providing meaningful connections, inspiring role models and offering development opportunities to activate their full potential. 

We connect businesses through membership: facilitating dialogue, sharing ideas and progressing actions to achieve greater inclusion and gender balance in operations.

Our core values

    Speaking the truth

    We base our opinions on reliable data, and contemporary information. We are courageous, not shying away from hard truths and we work to understand and share our own stories and experience.

    Celebrating success

    Member success is success for NAWO. We track and measure outcomes and we celebrate and acknowledge the progress and success of our members.

    Finding solutions

    We identify problems, see possibilities AND support and inspire members to identify workable solutions for themselves. When there is a problem we seek first to understand and then to solve.

    Inclusivity and respect

    We understand that people experience different intersections in their lives and this can be complex. We create an environment where people, no matter their diversity, feel safe to share their own perspective. We are observant of difference and check in to ensure respect. We care and demonstrate empathy for one another.

    Meaningful connection

    Together is better. Our network connects people, through membership, in meaningful ways, to solve for better gender balance in the workplace. As a collective, NAWO supports women of all diversities who are currently working in historically male oriented environments.

Our Intersectional Approach

We are respectful and inclusive of all diversity and intersectionality at NAWO. We acknowledge that different parts of a person’s identity or circumstances – such as age, race, culture, family responsibilities, physical and neurological diversity, chronic illness, gender, location or religion – intersect and combine to shape life experience and associated challenges, including that of discrimination.

The language we use at NAWO is inclusive of intersecting identities, lived-experiences and opinions. We respect and celebrate all people who identify as women, including the voices of those who are gender diverse.

We commit to taking responsibility to continue to educate ourselves and to examine our words and actions to foster positive change.

How we work

At the heart of what NAWO does is our Nine Levers for Gender Balance – focus areas that we know work to turn the dial on the attraction, retention, and progression of women in operations. Our work is also underpinned by our Five Key Learning Priorities, which outline the focus of our events and professional development programs.

People

NAWO is resourced by an agile executive team and an active volunteer network. We are proud that our board and various committees are full of passionate operations professionals actively aligned to NAWO’s vision.

Our volunteers are integral to our impact. They are change makers who take meaningful action within their own workplaces, and extend their influence across the NAWO network to activate change.

National Board

The National Board is responsible for overall governance, verifying strategic direction and supporting the CEO and their team of paid and volunteer staff to effectively manage the organisation.  

NAWO is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC).

  • Deborah Spring (She/Her)

    Board Chair

    Non-Executive Director, Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW (TAHE)

    As a Director and NAWO Board Chair, Deb supports the direction set out in NAWO’s Strategy and would like to see NAWO be a crucial voice for women in operations and a key player in discussions around gender diversity in operations at the Federal and State government levels as well as in corporate Boardrooms.

  • Kerry Pronk NAWO Board Secretary

    Kerry Pronk (She/Her)

    Board Secretary

    COO E-Commerce, Maggie Beer Holdings

     

    Kerry has extensive experience leading and transforming operations across a range of industries. She is passionate about helping people be their best selves and about equipping organisations to effectively support their people. Kerry is an active coach and mentor, with a particular focus on upcoming female leaders.

  • Marcus Hooke (He/Him)

    Board Member and Deputy Chair

    Head of Operations, Davey Water Products

    With more than 20 years in operational leadership, Marcus has a wealth of knowledge on driving cultural change and delivering sustained improved operational outcomes. He believes we need to hold ourselves and others accountable to ensure we provide opportunities free from bias.

  • Ryan Baker (He/Him)

    Board Member

    Chief Operating Officer, Bunnings

    A senior retail executive, Ryan has more than two decades in leadership roles across the Bunnings business in Australia and New Zealand, with deep functional expertise across store operations, merchandising, supply chain, marketing, digital & data and customer experience.

    Central to Ryan’s leadership approach is developing inclusive, collaborative and high-performance teams, focused on long-term strategic growth.

  • Sarah Coleman

    Board Member

  • Mick Cronin (He/Him)

    Board Member

    CEO, Banktech

    As both CEO of Armaguard, and co-chair of Armaguard’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Mick brings three decades of experience in supply chain management, logistics, change management and strategic operations. He places customers at the heart of everything and is passionate about the safety of the people he leads, and the development of a strong culture based on respect for all.

  • Tania Montesin (She/Her)

    Board Member

    ANZ Lead, FMCG Ag Food and Bev, dss+

    Tania has developed an in-depth understanding of Manufacturing and Supply Chain management and the important role they play in business efficiency and profitability. She is proud to support the next generation to bring new ideas, diverse thinking and embrace strength-based leadership for better balance.

  • Kartini Oei (She/Her)

    Board Member

    Aviation Business Development Lead – Asia Pacific, Air BP

    As Aviation Business Development Lead, Kartini is responsible for strategy and project development and implementation against a changing internal and external environment. Kartini is a keen mentor, and passionate about supporting people to achieve their professional goals.

State Committees

NAWO State Committees are made up of committed industry volunteers, each with a strong track record as professionals and leaders in operations, who work together to develop each state’s calendar of events.

  • Jenny Gillam

    Victoria State Committee Chair

    Director, Jenny Gillam Consulting

    Jenny is a Human Resource professional passionate about gender diversity and inclusion. She has worked in public, private and not for profit sectors and now runs her own Search consultancy in addition to chairing a Board.  Jenny is focused on influencing and working towards a more inclusive society and workplace.

  • Abby Phillips

    NSW State Committee Co-Chair

    Operations and Business Transformation Leader, Authentic Edge Consulting

    With 25 years of experience in operations and supply chain management, Abby has a proven track record of leading complex business transformations, driving operational excellence, and fostering continuous improvement through lean methodologies.

    Passionate about people development and team empowerment, Abby believes that an organisation’s strength lies in the diverse strengths and experiences of its members. She excels at building high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of collaboration and innovation, all while focusing on delivering sustainable growth.

    An active volunteer with NAWO for over ten years, Abby has proudly served as the NSW Co-Chair for the past four years. A dedicated advocate for equal opportunities, her commitment to NAWO is fueled by a desire to accelerate change in workplace and societal gender balance for future generations.

  • Kylie Jones 

    NSW State Committee Co-Chair

    Senior Site General Manager, ARYZTA

    Kylie is a manufacturing professional with over 20 years’ experience in large international organisations within the consumer goods industries. She has deep experience in operations and was a finalist in the 2020 Women in Industry Awards for ‘Mentor of the Year’ and was selected for the “Superstars of STEM 2019/20” Science & Technology Australia program.

  • Josephine Rahman (She/Her)

    Queensland State Committee Co-Chair

    Quality Assurance Coordinator – CopperString 2032, Powerlink Queensland

    Josephine Rahman is a purpose-driven leader with a career spanning Manufacturing and Energy Transmission. After leading across operations at BlueScope, she joined Powerlink Queensland in 2025 to deliver project assurance for the state’s largest regional development initiative.

    She brings curiosity and enablement to complex challenges, with a passion for embedding ISO 9001 principles to build cultures of quality and continuous improvement.

    As Co-Chair of NAWO’s Queensland Committee, Josephine fosters connection and community, supporting young people in navigating early career choices and encouraging all generations to explore the possibilities ahead.

  • Jean Stuart

    Queensland State Committee Co-Chair

    Jean Stuart brings two decades of senior supply chain experience across the mining, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors. As a Program Manager at an ASX 100 company, she leads strategic, cross-functional projects that drive business performance and operational excellence on a global scale.
    Her expertise lies in translating complexity into practical solutions and strategic stakeholder engagement; skills she applies to her advocacy for inclusive leadership within the operations sector. Jean is passionate about providing mentorship and supporting initiatives that build workplaces which reflect the communities they serve.

  • Jessica Taylor

    Queensland Regional Committee Chair

    State Sales Manager – Distribution, BlueScope Steel

    Jessica has held many roles in the manufacturing industry both in Europe and Australia. Most recently as QLD Sales Manager for Australia’s largest manufacturer, BlueScope. Jessica has been working with NAWO since 2015 and now co-chairs the QLD committee and has established our Gladstone committee. She is passionate about equal career opportunities.

  • Lesley Marchioro

    South Australia State Committee Chair 

    Group Executive – People & Culture, SAGE Group 

    Lesley has a diverse background in senior and executive people and culture, customer, and digital roles. Lesley is passionate about leading cultural transformation and vertical leadership development to empower people and organisations to thrive.

  • Matthew Brierley

    Western Australia State Committee Co-Chair

    Operations Readiness Specialist, Santos

    Matthew is a process engineer with extensive experience in engineering, operations, and maintenance, both in Australia and internationally. He has been an advocate for gender equality for over a decade, leading a gender equality employee network within a large organisation and publishing a book aimed at helping readers become better informed and take action toward a more gender-equal world.
    Prior to joining the WA State Committee, Matthew served as a NAWO board member for over four years, during which he led the development of the Intersectionality Advisory Committee and co-chaired the Reconciliation Action Plan working group. He is currently undertaking a PhD at Edith Cowan University, researching men’s support for gender equality.

  • Chelsea Hilton

    Western Australia Regional Sub Committee Lead

    Specialist, Corporate Contractor Management

    Chelsea is a passionate equity, inclusion and diversity advocate and has over 10 years experience in the mining and resources industry. Having lived and worked in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA for many years, Chelsea recognises the importance of cultural sensitivities and the privilege of living and working on Country. Chelsea is an inaugural member of the WA Regional NAWO Committee and enjoys being part of a like-minded community of industry professionals who share the same vision and can influence the now to benefit future generations.

  • Lynn Johnson

    Newcastle Regional Committee Co-Chair

    DEI Lead APAC & IMETA, CHEP Australia

    Lynn brings a wealth of experience from diverse engineering roles across various industry sectors, including Supply Chain, FMCG, Pharmaceuticals, and Nutraceuticals. Her career took an exciting turn as she shifted her focus to championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). Currently, Lynnleads DE&I initiatives across the APAC & IMETA regions for an industry leader in sustainable Supply Chain. Her passion lies in integrating DEI principles into the very fabric of business culture, fostering an inclusive environment along the way.

  • Chloe Quinn

    Newcastle Regional Committee Co-Chair

    Indirect Business Manager – AUSPAC, Orica

    With over 11 years of experience across manufacturing, mining, and industrial explosive supply, I bring a strong foundation in commercial operations. Currently, I’m the Indirect Business Manager for AusPac, where I focus on strategic partnerships and operational efficiency. I’m passionate about driving inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women in operational roles. My involvement with NAWO stems from a desire to give back to the network that has supported my own growth, and to help others build the confidence and connections that can shape their careers.

  • Melissa Benson

    Tasmania State Committee Chair

    Coordinator, Tassal Group

    Melissa has extensive leadership experience across food and beverage, casino surveillance, supply chain and business operations, and more recently aquaculture. With a career spanning over two decades, she brings deep capability in operational management, organisational development, compliance, training and equity and inclusion programs. Passionate about creating pathways for women in operations, she is committed to building visibility, voice, recognition and safe spaces, while challenging barriers and bias in traditionally male-dominated industries.

  • Victoria

    State Committee

  • South Australia

    State Committee

  • New South Wales

    State Committee

  • New South Wales

    Newcastle Committee

  • Queensland

    State Committee

  • Queensland

    Regional Committee

  • Western Australia

    State Committee

  • Western Australia

    Regional Sub Committee

  • Tasmania

    State Committee

Intersectionality Advisory Committee

The Intersectionality Advisory Committee is made up of a diverse group of stakeholders brought together to provide valuable input and feedback to inform NAWO’s decision-making and strategy. The role of this group is to give considered advice and recommendations regarding the intersectionality of the NAWO strategy, operational plan and related activities.

  • Selena Bunt

    Operations Director, Competitive Capabilities International (CCi)

    Selena is a change management professional with 20 years experience leading business improvement initiatives in heavy industry, FMCG and corporate environments.  As the Australasian Operations Director for CCi she facilitates organisational transformation.   Selena is a chemical engineer, with post-graduate Psychology qualifications. As a mother Selena is passionate about female empowerment.

  • Brenda Denbesten (She/Her)

    STEM Empowerment Coach & Founder of Brenda Denbesten Coaching

    Brenda is a chemical engineer with extensive experience in mining, manufacturing and construction in global organisations. Brenda is dedicated to creating inclusive workplaces and empowering women in STEM to enjoy and excel in their careers. She is passionate about women’s roles in shaping our world and being a visible change agent.

  • Emma Dellar (She/Her)

    Principal Geophysicist Operations, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd

    Emma is a passionate wife and mother, with over 15 years experience as a geoscientist across the mining industry.  She is a strong advocate for fully celebrating each person’s unique identity and understands the positive outcomes that can be achieved when this is accomplished.

  • Divya Pasupuleti

    Executive Manager – Business Strategy, Transformation and Enablement
    NBN Co.

    Divya has extensive experience in telecommunications and her passion is working with dynamic teams in telco operations, leading complex business transformations. Divya sits on two boards supporting the arts and multiculturalism. Her focus is building diverse and inclusive workplaces for women, inspired by collective leadership to create social impact.

  • Anita Tan

    Psychologist, Communications and Board Advisor

    Dr Anita Tan (PhD, M App Psych (Clinical), MAICD) is an accomplished clinical and management executive with more than 20 years of operational and leadership experience in culturally and geographically diverse environments across the health, legal and forensic sectors. She is intimately familiar with the constructs of intersectionality, restorative dialogue on structural dynamics, and cultural safety as stepping stones to the creation of inclusive and accountable governance systems.

  • Kelly Squibb

    Digital Experience Project Manager, Bunnings

    Squibby is currently a project manager with over 20 years experience in Big Box DIY retail in the UK and Australia . Squibby has extensive expertise in project management, buying, visual merchandising and administration, practised in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, negotiation, sales analysis, agile ways of working and leading diverse teams. As a new Australian emigrating in 2012 Squibby is passionate about living an authentic life and supporting others to do the same. As a carer and someone who identifies as queer and non binary Squibby brings a different lens to the group.

  • Jacinta Critchley (nee Reynolds) (She/Her)

    Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Lyn Beazley Academy

    Jacinta is an autistic woman and passionate advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion with a background in astrophysics. She currently works within the mining tech industry and part of the diversity and inclusion space to educate and support teams and leaders on the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace.

  • Matthew Brierley

    Operations Readiness Specialist, Santos

    Matthew is a process engineer with extensive experience in engineering, operations, and maintenance, both in Australia and internationally. He has been an advocate for gender equality for over a decade, leading a gender equality employee network within a large organisation and publishing a book aimed at helping readers become better informed and take action toward a more gender-equal world.
    Prior to joining the WA State Committee, Matthew served as a NAWO board member for over four years, during which he led the development of the Intersectionality Advisory Committee and co-chaired the Reconciliation Action Plan working group. He is currently undertaking a PhD at Edith Cowan University, researching men’s support for gender equality.

Executive Team

NAWO HQ is based in Melbourne and we are proud that our team works completely flexibly and remotely. The NAWO executive team supports and works in collaboration with our committed volunteer community to deliver NAWO events, programs and resources for members.

  • Louise Weine (She/Her)

    CEO

    Louise is a leader, change maker and facilitator with more than 25 years’ HR management and leadership experience in large global organisations, in her own consulting practice and in the not-for-profit sector. Her passion for women’s equality is linked to her desire to see workplaces thrive, with inspired, innovative and engaged people.

  • Fiona Evans (She/Her)

    Member Engagement Director

    Fiona is a communications professional with a background in fundraising and marketing in the corporate and NFP sectors, both in Australia and abroad. With lived experience of diversity, Fiona is committed to achieving inclusive workplaces and tackling unconscious bias.

  • Katie Roberts

    Communications Lead

    Katie has worked for over 20 years at the intersection of customer service, business strategy, digital comms and marketing for both commercial and purpose-led organisations. She is passionate about using words and the power of communication to have a positive impact on our world.

  • Sharon Grosvenor (She/Her)

    Member Services Manager

    Sharon is a member support specialist with a background in corporate finance in Australia, London and New York. Based in Melbourne with her family she is actively supporting change in workplace culture.

  • Elizabeth Morrow Foley (She/Her)

    Mentoring Program Manager

    Liz partners with leaders, teams, organisations and communities to bring impactful programs and initiatives to life. Her career spans corporates and not-for-profits – focused on learning, leadership and organisational development, diversity and inclusion and volunteer networks and communities.

  • Madeline Cooper (She/Her)

    Event and Program Delivery Manager

    Madeline has many years of experience managing projects, programs and events across the non-profit, mental health and education sectors. She’s passionate about creating change that drives inclusive, equitable environments for everyone.

  • Renee Burkinshaw (She/Her)

    Member Relations Consultant

    Renee is an experienced inclusive leadership coach, facilitator, and Human Resources consultant. With a strong focus on inclusivity, she loves to create memorable moments for her clients, that inspire them to take real action to build a sense of belonging and make work a better place for everyone.

    With two decades of experience in insurance, financial services, government, and for-purpose organisations, Renee is passionate about driving sustainable change and building inclusive practices. She does this by helping leaders to become influential role models, reach their own goals, and lift the engagement and performance of others to achieve organisational goals.

  • Analisa Malone (She/Her)

    Delivery Administrator

Honorary NAWO Members

NAWO honorary members are people who have contributed significantly to NAWO in a strategic volunteer capacity and who continue to be ambassadors for change in line with our vision.

  • Phillip Austin

    President, CHEP Asia Pacific, Brambles

  • Matthew Brierley

    Director, Matthew Brierley Consulting Pty Ltd; Leadership Coach

  • Simon Bromell

    President - Beverage, Orora Limited

  • Annette Carey

    Non-Executive Director

  • Loretta Croker

    General Manager, Australia and New Zealand Commercial Operations, CSL Behring (Australia)

  • Anna Dartnell

    Group Executive Bulk, Aurizon

  • Melissa Donald

    Director of People, Governance and Operations, Respect Victoria

  • Kathryn Fagg AO

    Chair & Non-Executive Director

  • Adrian Fahey

    Managing Director, SAGE Group

  • James Fazzino

    Chair & Non Executive Director

  • Catherine Fitzsimons

    Director & Head of Operations, Ward Air

  • Neil Fleming

    Self-Employed

  • Kylie Fraser

    Area Managing Director Oceania, A.P. Moller - Maersk

  • Tim Hart

    Chair, National Stock Exchange of Australia

  • Kathy Hirschfeld AM

    CEO | CFO | Board Director | Advisor | Coach

  • Kathy Karabatsas

    Chief Financial Officer, David Jones

  • May Lee

    General Manager Quality, Fonterra

  • Lis Mannes

    Non-Executive Director

  • Ros McCarthy

    Self-Employed

  • Megan McCracken

    Owner, Pleiades Consulting; Chair, Freight & Logistics Council, WA, Non-Executive Director, Pacific Energy

  • Rebecca McGrath FAICD

    Chair & Non-Executive Director

  • Sophie Ray (She/Her)

    Non-Executive Director

  • Rebecca Roberts

    GM People, Australian Steel Products, BlueScope

  • Annabel Robertson-Hopa

    National HR Manager, InfraBuild

  • Michael Schneider

    Managing Director, Bunnings Group Ltd

  • Carolyn Schroten

    National Optimisation Manager,
    Primary Connect

  • Andrea Sutton (She/Her)

    Non Executive Director

  • Angela Tatlis

    Chief Enterprise Services Officer
    Toll Group

  • Chantelle Thom

    Global Manager Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, Rio Tinto

  • Tim Wall

    Senior Advisor ANZ, dss+

Our Partners

We are fortunate to have the support of some great industry associations, collaborating on events, industry research and insights. Our partners share our commitment to gender diversity, bringing our members engagement opportunities, value and expertise relevant to their industries.

  •

    Australian Gender Equality Council

    NAWO is a proud member of the Australian Gender Equality Council (AGEC). AGEC’s mission is simple: to achieve gender equality in Australia. Through high profile national awareness campaigns, advocacy and research, AGEC aims to drive a cultural shift in Australia, so that women have the same pay, same superannuation, same rights, same everything.
    AGEC is currently developing a number of projects which in time will assist in the development of policy, raise awareness for gender equality and establish AGEC further as the authoritative and independent voice for gender equality in Australia.  The work that AGEC does is vital to taking women, and Australia, forward from a cultural and economic perspective.

  •

    Family Friendly Workplaces

    Family Friendly Workplaces is a recognition framework shaping the future of workplace inclusion. Family Friendly Workplaces strive to reduce the tension that exists between work and family by embedding and promoting policies and practices that genuinely support employees to thrive at work and at home.

  •

    IWIMRA

    Founded as a social network in 2017, IWIMRA has evolved into a membership based organisation with the aim to build an online community to lead the conversation primarily with Indigenous women across the mining and resources industry, with the core aim to identify gaps for career progression and opportunities to improve for the Indigenous workforce. IWIMRA encourages initiatives to promote culturally safe professional development tools, access to a community concept of mentoring, quality opportunities and brokering greater relations with key industry stakeholders.

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