Educate to Innovate: Diversity in STEM

As part of the Educate to Innovate Breakfast Series, this event, hosted by CSIRO and supported by Penrith City Council, sets out to equip businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to engage with diverse talent in in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Research shows that a diverse workforce and safe inclusive workplaces increase both innovation and productivity.

This event will focus on the opportunities created in industry through a diverse workforce and how diversity of thought and ideas can have a positive impact on innovation culture. It will feature a light breakfast; an industry presentation; and engaging panel discussions, showcasing opportunities to build a strong innovation culture by leveraging the strengths of diversity when engaging local STEM talent. Businesses will walk away from the event with tangible strategies and proven examples of how to increase the diversity of their workforce.

Speakers at the event will include:

• Stef Nutt, People and Culture Director on the M7-M12 Integration project at John Holland Group
• Kellie Knight, General Manager at Metallum Fabrication
• Professor Myriam Amielh, Dean of Innovation & Industry Engagement at Australian Catholic University
• Dr Marcus Zipper, Director of Manufacturing Research Unit at CSIRO.

Educate to Innovate is for:

• Industry professionals looking to build their workforce in STEM sectors such as manufacturing, agrifood, energy, technology, health & life sciences, and defence and aerospace.
• Businesses with growing STEM skills needs
• STEM professionals wishing to enhance their engagement with the education sector

Speaker Details

Keynote Address:

Stef Nutt – People and Culture Director – M7-M12 Integration project John Holland Group

People and Culture Director at John Holland's M7-M12 Integration project, Stef Nutt is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion both within the construction industry and within the communities in which she works and lives. Stef is able to translate corporate policy and implement meaningful, sustainable and innovative including the Late-Start program and Flex from the Start, which normalise flexible working conditions in construction.

Panel Discussion:

Kellie Knight – General Manager of Metallum Fabrication

Kellie started in the Sheetmetal Industry in 1992 in an Admin role. In 1993 she was promoted to the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director. This role exposed her to the "front end " of running a Sheetmetal Manufacturing business.

In 1998 she was offered the role of Business Development Manager and started her sales career in the Sheetmetal Manufacturing sector. Kellie stayed in a sales role for the following 15+ years.

Kellie then was approached to manage another startup Sheetmetal business which she managed for 3 years, after which she was offered the opportunity to become the General Manager of Metallum Fabrication, which is the role she currently holds.

Professor Myriam Amielh – Dean, Innovation and Industry Engagement – Australian Catholic University

Professor Myriam Amielh is Australian Catholic University's inaugural Dean, Innovation & Industry Engagement, having commenced this role in February 2021. With deep understanding of and numerous engagements with industry over her career, Professor Amielh is planning and implementing extensive industry engagement strategies across ACU.

Professor Amielh has worked in senior roles in the Higher Education sector in Australia since 2016, and prior to this held leading roles in Research and Development for the commercial sector. Professor Amielh holds a PhD and Masters in Computer Sciences and Mathematics, which she studied in France and Canada.

Career highlights include the establishment of UTS' prototyping unit (UTS Rapido), which has delivered research translation to multiple UTS industry partners, and the creation of the Wanago program to address STEM gaps for over twenty NSW High Schools. Professor Amielh also coordinated the development of UTS' strategy for 'Precinct, partners and community', delivered new Work-Integrated-Learning programs as well as a large industry and government consortium for future secure research facilities in NSW. Additionally, Professor Amielh is credited with the creation of numerous patents, through leading teams in both Philips and Canon.

Marcus Zipper – Director, Manufacturing Research Unit, CSIRO

For the past 20+ years, Dr Zipper has held senior leadership, commercial, business development and marketing roles primarily in scientific research organisations, including over 15 years at Australia's national science agency CSIRO.

Dr Zipper is currently the Director of CSIRO's Manufacturing Research Unit. He has experience in a range of research areas and sectors including chemicals, materials, mining and minerals processing, polymers/composites, metal production, manufacturing, service industries, packaging, aerospace and automotive.

He has an academic background in materials science and engineering with an emphasis on engineering materials, materials characterisation and materials processing and has over 30 publications. Dr Zipper is the Executive Ally Sponsor for the Pride@CSIRO (LGBTIQ+) Network and the Executive Sponsor for the Shine@CSIRO (Disability) Network.

RSVP

Registrations close 5.00pm Tuesday, 10th September.

Pricing

• Free

Dates and Times

Contact

Generation STEM

More information

For over 40 years, CSIRO Education & Outreach have been developing and delivering high-quality STEM education programs for Australian teachers, students and the community. A trusted leader in STEM education, our programs aim to inspire the pursuit of further STEM education and careers among students and the community, to equip the emerging workforce with tomorrow's skill sets, and to strengthen collaboration between industry and classrooms across Australia.

Our programs connect a network of more than 300 industry partners with Australia’s education leaders to inspire over 150,000 students each year. We offer a range of programs nationally and locally, with Generation STEM focusing in on creating a bigger, stronger, and more diverse STEM pipeline in New South Wales.

The Educate to Innovate breakfast is an initiative from Generation STEM that aims to support industry to better understand and participate in the education and development of the future STEM workforce.

Please confirm that you have read the Generation STEM Media Release Notice and consent to the use of your written, sound or vision recording for the purposes described when registering online.

Find out more

• Learn more about CSIRO’s Generation STEM
• From engagement to employment: The impact of Generation STEM