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:

Our vision is to see gender diversity valued and balanced at every level in operations.

Within historically male-dominated 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 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 trans, gender and sexually diverse, and non-binary.

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

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). 

  • Andrea Sutton (She/Her)

    Interim Board Chair

    Non-Executive Director

    Andrea has over 25 years in leadership and strategy roles in the resources industry, living and working in regional and remote locations around Australia. Andrea was recognised as the ‘Exceptional Woman in Resources’ in the 2016 Northern Territory Women in Resources Awards.

  • 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 Treasurer

    Executive General Manager of Production, Logistics and Property, News Corp Australia

    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.

  • Matthew Brierley (He/Him)

    Board Member

    Director, Matthew Brierley Consulting Pty Ltd; Leadership Coach, Newcrest Mining

    Matthew has extensive experience in senior asset management roles, across multiple countries in the oil and gas industry. He was the first male co-chair of the gender equality employee network of a large operating company, has worked with not-for-profit boards and committees, and published the book “Please Don’t Tell Me to Man Up”. In 2020 Matthew won the Women in Technology Outstanding Diversity Ally Award.

  • Melissa Donald (She/Her)

    Board Member

    Director of People, Governance and Operations, Respect Victoria

    Melissa is a values-driven leader with extensive people and culture experience across utilities, facility management, manufacturing, health and government. Recognised for her commitment to diversity and inclusion, Melissa was a Judge of the Women in Industry Awards, Winner of Australian Human Resources Institute’s Indigenous Engagement Award and Finalist Gender Equality Award.

  • Adrian Fahey (He/Him)

    Board Member

    Chief Executive Officer, SAGE Group

    Adrian is the CEO of SAGE Group including SAGE Automation, Nukon, Embedded Expertise and Skills Lab, and is responsible for developing and executing the strategic plan for the business. Adrian believes the role of SAGE in this digital age is to create a smarter future and a better world.

  • 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

    Director of Continuous Improvement – International Markets, Owens and Minor

    Abby is a collaborative Director of Operations with a strong focus on Continuous Improvement. A background in SAP, Sales and Supply Chain, she leads business transformation initiatives including Continuous Improvement and Organisational Design projects. Abby has a focus on building customer value and unlocking the potential in an organisation.

  • Kylie Jones 

    NSW State Committee Co-Chair

    Network Manufacturing & Distribution Manager – ITW Polymers and Fluids Asia Pacific

    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

    Queensland State Committee Co-Chair

    Optimisation Coordinator – CIPA Supply Chain, BlueScope Steel

    Josephine has built diverse range of experience across Logistics, Processing, Customer Service, Technical and Optimisation roles with BlueScope since 2013. She is passionate about enabling teams to challenge the status quo and go after continuous improvement. Josephine has been a QLD committee member since 2015. She recently moved to Newcastle with her family and is currently on a side-hustle mission to build the local Newcastle NAWO network.

  • Jessica Taylor

    Queensland State Committee Co-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 whilst on parental leave and 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.

  • Hannah Thetford

    Western Australia State Committee Co-Chair

    Principle Production System, Rio Tinto

    Hannah is a geologist with over seven years’ experience in a range of roles across the resources industry, living and working in regional and remote locations around Australia. She has worked in operations, technical services and strategy roles.  She is passionate about inclusion and diversity in the workplace and has previously been involved in WIMWA and WiMitP initiatives. Her ultimate goal is to help people, no matter how they identify to achieve their full potential.

  • Annabel Robertson-Hopa

    Western Australia State Committee Co-Chair

    National HR Manager, Infrabuild
  • Jocelyn Volkner

    Jocelyn Volkner

    Western Australia Regional Sub Committee Lead

    Specialist CSP Studies Communities & Social Performance, Rio Tinto 

    Jocelyn has over 12 years’ experience in the resources industry, facilitating many improvement opportunities for minority represented groups in workplaces. Recognised for her passion for leading people more inclusively while driving workplace diversity in all aspects, Jocelyn is proud to support action for positive change for future generations through her millennial lens.

  • Victoria

    State Committee

  • South Australia

    State Committee

  • New South Wales

    State Committee

  • Queensland

    State Committee

  • Western Australia

    State Committee

  • Western Australia

    Regional Sub 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

    Operations Readiness Specialist, BHP

    Career Empowerment Coach & Founder of Chronicles of a Female Engineer

    Brenda is a chemical engineer with extensive experience in mining and manufacturing in global organisations. Brenda is dedicated to de-mystifying engineering 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

    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.

  • Karyn Ervin

    Director at Inclusion Group, Australian Public Service Commission

    Karyn is an experienced, passionate and multi-disciplined public service leader and strategic thinker, who enjoys sharing her wealth of knowledge on how to achieve dynamic federal, state and territory government outcomes. Karyn’s agile and innovative solutions approach is grounded in kindness, collaboration, empowerment, inclusion, respect, accountability and continued learning.

  • Emily Kendall

    Interface Lead – Green Power in Decarbonisation Team, Fortescue Future Industries

    Emily is a Perth based neurodiverse Project Engineer working for Fortescue Future Industries. At her previous company Emily championed the creation of a Neurodiversity Advocacy Community. She also provides a millennial perspective to the Intersectionality Advisory Committee.

  • Divya Pasupuleti

    Senior Manager – Business, 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.

  • Dr 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.

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

    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

    Partnerships and Funding 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.

  • Sharon Grosvenor

    Member Relations 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.

  • Alisha Taylor-Jones

    NAWO Mentoring Program Manager 2023

    Alisha Taylor-Jones has extensive experiencing in facilitating mentoring and leadership development programs for women and LGBTIQA+ people across the tertiary education and corporate sectors. She is passionate about facilitating opportunities for women to thrive in workplace settings and loves bringing her diversity and inclusion expertise to learning, training, and implementing programs that empower people to move to their next career steps.

  • Mona Elhassan

    Digital Communications and Business Specialist

    Mona is a communications specialist with a background in Science and Technology. She is deeply committed to promoting intersectional diversity in the workplace and tackling the difficult conversations that need to be had through thoughtful and impactful content. She is working towards inclusive workplaces where all individuals are celebrated and supported to reach their full potential.

  • Shruti Bhide

    Digital Support Consultant

    Shruti is a Digital Support Consultant with a background in Information Technology and has recently completed a Master of Business Administration. She is passionate about workplace diversity and building a better and more inclusive future. Her goal is to apply her knowledge and skillset to create better gender balance so that people of all genders are offered equal growth opportunities in organisations.

  • Madeline Cooper

    National Event Administrator

    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.

  • Shreya Joshi

    Digital Communications Consultant

    Shreya is a digital communication consultant with expertise in online communities, strategic messaging, and brand building. She’s committed to creating compelling narratives that champion diversity, empower women, and foster inclusive leadership.

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.

  • Sophie Ray (She/Her)

    Non-Executive Director

  • Phillip Austin

    President, CHEP Asia Pacific, Brambles

  • Simon Bromell

    Group General Manager – Beverage, Orora Limited

  • Annette Carey

    Chief Executive Officer, Armaguard

  • Loretta Croker

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

  • Anna Dartnell

    General Manager, Bulk - Iron Ore and Central, Aurizon

  • Kathryn Fagg AO

    Chair, Boral Ltd.; Deputy Chair, CSIRO; Non- Executive Director, NAB

  • James Fazzino

    Non-Executive Director, Rabobank; TASSAL Group; APA Group

  • 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; Isignthis Ltd

  • Kathy Hirschfeld AM

    Chair, Powerlink; Director, Central Petroleum Ltd; Qld Urban Utilities; Tellus Holdings; Exec Mentor

  • Kathy Karabatsas

    Chief Financial Officer, David Jones

  • Lisa Keogh

    Executive General Manager People, AusNet

  • May Lee

    General Manager Quality, Fonterra

  • Lis Mannes

    Executive General Manager, CHEP Australia, Brambles

  • Ros McCarthy

    Self-Employed

  • Megan McCracken

    Owner, Pleiades Consulting

  • Rebecca McGrath FAICD

    Chair, Oz Minerals Ltd; Non-Executive Director, Macquarie Group

  • Rebecca Roberts

    GM People, Australian Steel Products, BlueScope

  • Michael Schneider

    Managing Director, Bunnings Group Ltd

  • Carolyn Schroten

    National Optimisation Manager,
    Primary Connect

  • Angela Tatlis

    Director Customer Experience and Supply Chain ANZ, Thermo Fisher Scientific

  • Chantelle Thom

    General Manager People & Culture, Rio Tinto

  • Tim Wall

    Senior Advisor ANZ, dss+

Affiliates

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.

  •

    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.

  •

    Path4Graduates

    NAWO partners with PATH4 on Project i – a project based, paid internship program for female university students. This initiative aims to attract talented women to operational careers, and participants are hosted by our members. Each NAWO Employer can identify a suitable project within their organisation that a specially selected intern will work on for a defined duration. The project will be unique with clearly defined outcomes and objectives and will provide flexibility for the intern to complete their studies in conjunction with the project.
    PATH4 Graduates work with leading organisations to provide great Internship and Graduate job opportunities. As experienced Graduate Specialists within the Global Logistics, Business and Engineering Sectors, Path4 aligns new emerging talent from universities with real and exciting jobs.

  •

    Emberin

    Emberin is a global leading organisation in diversity and inclusion training that supports organisations to get results and make an impact.

Endorsed Providers

We are proud to endorse relevant subject matter experts who also support gender balance in operations. In agreement with these providers, we offer members discounts and specifically tailored programs. We recommend the following providers if you are seeking specialist support for your diversity and inclusion strategy, and exceptional development opportunities for your talent.

  •

    Anneli Blundell

    As a professional People Whisperer, Author and Speaker, (and one of YMag’s Top 10 Women to Watch in 2019) Anneli supports women to increase their visibility, confidence and personal power for greater professional impact (especially in male-dominated industries).  

    Anneli has inspired women across Australia to step in, speak up and stand out. Through a focus on building presence, improving visibility and strategically managing the right professional impact, women have gained the tools and strategies to take control of their careers, on their own terms. 

  •

    Culturise

    Culturise deliver innovative, highly practical tools that create great places to work.  Founder and Chief Culturiser Jo Marshall has led in senior and executive operational roles, often in complex and challenging industries and teams.  Be it keynote, workshop or change program, Culturise lead in practical tools for implementing people and culture initiatives.  Clients regularly report success in achieving sustainable change in developing Cultures of Adaptability, Change, Resilience, Safety and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity.  

  •

    Dare to Lead

    Rebecca Hopkins is a Senior Consultant, Leadership Coach (PCC) and Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator with over 20 years of corporate experience. 

    She works with leaders and organisations to create an inclusive workplace culture and a healthy human work experience.

    Rebecca gets her results by combining her engaging stories, unrelenting curiosity and down to earth style with her deep communication, emotional intelligence, coaching and project delivery skills. 

     

  •

    Dr Karen Morley

    Karen Morley is a highly sought after Executive Coach, helping women to increase their personal success, and leaders in general to be more inclusive. She is a thought leader on strategies and tactics to achieve gender-balanced leadership and create inclusive cultures. She has particular expertise in bias, and how to overcome it through better decision-making practices. 

    Karen’s D&I consulting insights and practical training programs have helped senior leaders in organisations including Bunnings, CSL, Department of Education, Downer, Fulton Hogan Australia, HASSELL, Melbourne Water, QBE, Officeworks, SBS and the University of Melbourne. 

  •

    Future Fit Co

    Founded by Andrea Clarke, Future Fit has a team of expert facilitators to master skills to realise our reputation capital in the market, present with impact, be hyper-adaptable, accelerate trust with remote teams, take a new approach to networking and find ways to manage our energy. 

    A new type of business environment requires a new breed of leader: an individual who is a catalyst for transformation, someone who can adapt swiftly to change and keep teams engaged and delivering in a complex and demanding environment.  

  •

    Grace Papers

     This platform is a driving force for gender equality, championing a future for workplaces where women and men can confidently balance career and care – equally. 

    We partner with some of the world’s smartest companies to promote workplace inclusion and flexibility and we are dedicated to empowering women and men with evidence-based support strategies through pregnancy, parental leave, returning to work and flexibility. 

    In addition to the delivery of key data and insights that help businesses set and measure gender equality strategies and metrics, Grace Papers offers 1:1 coaching, consulting, workshops, a self-led professional development platform and real-time support for both employees and managers. 

  •

    Meno Collective

    Meno Collective partners with workplaces to provide menopause education and resources so they can enjoy the cultural and commercial rewards of being a truly inclusive workplace.

    Meno Collective offers an 8-week Program to support female leaders reduce menopause symptoms so they can thrive in their career and their personal life.

  •

    Talkforce

    Providing in-room and virtual tailored and development solutions, taskforce focuses on advancing Communication and Leadership skills in the workplace.

    Our role, in partnership with your organisation, it to unlock human potential by providing specific and relevant training and coaching solutions aligned with your strategies and goals.

    Using innovative and progressive learning methodologies such as: Leadership Development, Negotiation Skills, Presentation Skills, Influencing Skills, Building Resilience, Understanding Self and Others and Coaching for Performance.