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Helen Thompson

I’m a proud Djukun woman from the West Kimberley who has lived on Yamatji Country in the Mid West for the past 58 years. My work in education has taken me across a range of primary and secondary schools, where I have been privileged to support students, families, staff, and communities. I am deeply committed…

Katie Fairbanks

With over 20 years’ experience in the education sector, I began my career as a Physical Education teacher before moving into Senior Schooling and career development. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed helping students discover and achieve their desired pathways during and beyond school. As both an educator and business owner, I have always seen…

Rebecca Isakson

Before discovering my passion for education, I built a successful career in business, leading finance, operations and strategic improvement across multiple industries. That experience shaped my strengths in systems thinking, data analysis and organisational leadership, which I brought with me when transitioning into teaching 7 years ago. After completing a Master of Learning and Teaching…

Peta-Anne McNaught

With more than ten years of experience in this regional leadership role, Peta-Anne has led and supported a broad range of collaborative projects and strategic partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for students, staff, schools, and local communities. She is passionate about bringing people together to build strong networks that enhance educational outcomes and strengthen community…

Belinda Yaqub

I grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and didn’t have any special talents – just a strong interest in maths and science, and a preference for learning by doing. I also knew I wanted a career that got me outside. At different points in my life I wanted to be a vet, physicist,…

Brienne Makovsky

My journey into sustainability wasn’t a straight line. I even did an extension year in high school studying jazz guitar, but I always knew I was drawn to STEM and fascinated by buildings. I grew up and went to school in Brisbane, then moved to Melbourne to study Architecture at Deakin University. I chose architecture…

Lu Ponton

I enjoyed biology and chemistry at high school and hoped to continue studying these subjects at university. I first studied in China but was placed in a program that didn’t suit. After a year, I made the choice to start again in Australia, studying chemical and metallurgical engineering. After graduation, I went on to work…

Kalina Krzak

Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want to be; that was definitely not me! High school was not a great time for me, and I missed a big chunk of my senior years due to illness. After graduating, I enrolled in a dual engineering/science degree and picked aerospace for my engineering major (because…

Harriet Krueger

My journey is not so different to most others, I had NO clue what I wanted to do all throughout school and even through my first years of university. I stuck to studying what I liked and what I was interested in (economics and psychology), purely so I wouldn’t get bored during the long 4…

Grace Sancataldo

In year 10 my school advertised an Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) called ‘Women in Construction’. The program enabled school girls to attend site 1 day a week for 24 months, rotating between different trades every 3 months. Having no clue what I was passionate about or what I would pursue after school I gave…

Celeste Tan

I did not originally plan to become a surveyor after leaving school and considered careers such as accounting, medicine, and engineering. While waiting for my STPM results (equivalent to the SSCE), I completed LCCI Levels 1–3 and considered pursuing accounting before accepting an offer to study Geomatic Engineering at a local university. After graduating, I…

Phoebe Salter

I’m a Civil Designer at Hansen Engineering Group and I love creating infrastructure that helps communities grow and stay connected. I grew up in Toowoomba and started my career as a Cabinet Maker, where I discovered how much I enjoy design and making things work smoothly. That interest eventually led me to Civil Engineering. I…

Emma Howson

I grew up in the UK and always had a passion for geography, which led me to study Environment and Business at university – a degree combining sustainability and business principles. During my studies, I completed a year in industry at Network Rail, the UK’s largest rail infrastructure company, as an Environmental and Sustainable Development…

Hannah Coster

I still remember my Year 6 class, where we would kick off each day solving fun math problems. That early exposure sparked a growing enthusiasm, especially during high school where I excelled in Math B and Math C and found enjoyment in the challenge. With no other field standing out, I leaned into my interest…

Kara Southwood

I never considered teaching while at High School, as I was pursuing a career as a classically trained ballet dancer. I was always interested in Science and did well in Biology, which led me to complete a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Ecotourism. Finding it difficult to secure work in these fields, I…

Chelsea Nancarrow

I often say I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up – and honestly, do we ever really know? I once wanted to be a fashion designer but instead chose the broadest degree I could think of to build a strong foundation. I believe it’s my attitude, willingness to learn, and…

Roshea Buksh

I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do when I left school, but I knew I wanted to work with people and have variety in my day. I took a gap year to work and travel, exploring different paths. After experiences in retail, hospitality, and travelling to Italy, I realised I enjoyed helping others…

Ebony McGrady

I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after I finished high school. I worked odd jobs from IGA to stacking pallets for distribution at Big W. At 20 years old, I worked at a small-town farm that produced, packaged and sold potatoes to markets in Brisbane. I worked my way…

Donna Stace

From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a trade. I entered the resources industry straight out of school and earned my Mechanical Trade qualifications four years later. My career has taken me across oil and gas, construction, building maintenance, mining, and rail – both in Australia and overseas. Often the only woman…

Shana Simonovski

While my corporate career hasn’t followed a traditional path, I consider myself a collaborative, commercially astute, and action-oriented leader, who has a proven track record of driving benefits-led organisational change, process improvement, and digital transformation programs within large, complex, and heavily regulated operating environments. During the past 5+ years with Origin Energy, I have developed…