The 5th Water Industry Alliance Women in Water Breakfast, held earlier this month, brought together three prominent professionals in different areas of the water sector to share their career experiences with other women and men in the field.
Saskya Hunter, Digital Innovation Lead (Water) and Director AquaLAB, GHD Digital; Amanda Lewry, Executive Manager, Asset Management Australia and Asia Pacific, GHD Advisory; and Mellissa Bradley, Program Manager, Water Sensitive SA & Regional Manager, CRC for Water Sensitive Cities all gave a short presentation on their experiences in the water sector and what they are doing to progress the industry.
They joined MC Sandra Ricci, Senior Manager Strategy, Innovation and Business of Tomorrow at SA Water, in a panel discussion where they discussed shifting businesses from a customer to a consumer focus in order to get a better understanding of what the market wants, the culture of the marketplace and what role water plays within it. The panel recognised that many women are working on great transformation projects in the industry, but that they weren’t highlighted enough, calling for attendees and the sector at large to do more to support these champions.
The panel also discussed where they saw the opportunities coming from women in the water industry, encouraging attendees to increase the profile of women in STEM and celebrate their achievements as well as supporting grassroots efforts to help girls to consider a future career in STEM and traditionally male career paths.
The Women in Water Breakfast Series is a joint initiative of the following water industry organisations based in South Australia:
Water Industry Alliance
Goyder Institute for Water Research
Water Research Australia
International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management
National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training
Department for Environment and Water
For more information about the series and upcoming events contact getconnected@waterindustry.com.au
