Panel – Why is tech still a boys’ club?

Did you know that in IT education, men outnumber women by roughly 4 to 1 nationally? Shockingly, this statistic has seen only marginal improvement over the past decade. It’s high time we delve into why the tech industry remains predominantly a boy’s club.

Join us Wednesday the 24th of April at 7pm (Sydney Time) as we tackle this issue head-on with a panel of professional women from various sectors of the IT industry. In a welcoming and open dialogue, we’ll explore topics such as the division of labor, strategies for effecting lasting change, the vital role of support networks, and much more.
 

Watch the recording below

Get to know our panellists

	Dr. Rani Burchmore – Regional Lead, AWS re/Start Program With over two decades in the APAC technology sector, is known for strategic prowess in fostering sustainable growth and education reform. Leading the AWS re/Start Program in APAC, she drives training and certification for underrepresented communities, notably in the Asia Pacific and Japan. Previously, she excelled as Education Director at Microsoft, pioneering global learning initiatives. Her leadership at Dell and a global education institution impacted over 700,000 students, emphasizing employability skills. Dr. Burchmore’s commitment to tech-driven education cements her as a leader in advancing careers and technology.
	Berys Amor – CIO, Ngai Tahu Holdings Has been Ngāi Tahu Group’s Chief Information Officer since May 2022, returning to Aotearoa, New Zealand after over 30 years in Australia’s technology industry. She held leadership positions in top-tier Australian law firms, focusing on strategy, program management, and information security. Her role at Ngāi Tahu, one of New Zealand’s largest Māori tribes, involves leveraging technology and data for cultural and economic wellbeing. This includes developing digital and data strategies to support whānau, enhance climate change efforts, and promote digital capability across diverse businesses.
	Jo Stewart-Rattray – CSO, Silverchain/Director of Technology & Security Assurance, BRM Advisory With over 30 years’ experience in IT, including roles as CIO in Utilities and Tourism, and as Group CIO. Her expertise extends to Information Security, notably as CISO in healthcare. Combining IT with education and management qualifications, she specializes in risk and technology consulting, emphasizing governance and security in various sectors. Jo holds board positions in ISACA and ACS, championing women in tech through initiatives like SheLeadsTech. Notable achievements include representing Australia at the UN CSW62, speaking on Capitol Hill, and having an award named in her honor for advancing women in tech leadership.
	Sarah McCullough – CIO, Essential Energy Sarah joined Essential Energy in 2018 as the Head of eTech Operations, acting as CIO from April 2019 before assuming the role permanently in February 2020. Sarah is an experienced senior IT and Innovation leader and certified Organisational Change Manager, with over 20 years’ experience. Previously, she held the position of Head of Applications at Pacific National and Asciano, an ASX top 50 company. We are also very pleased to mention that Sarah is an Alumni of ITM and Charles Sturt, holding a Graduate Certificate in Management (Info Tech) and an MBA (Computing).

What is the aim of this panel?

At IT Masters, we prioritise supporting our students in achieving their goals. If you’re one of our students, chances are you’ve interacted with our Session Support Team countless times — they’re here to help! We’re offering this panel as a resource for the women in our cohort, recognising the gender gap in IT Education. Just as industry works towards parity, we believe it’s essential for us to provide assistance and resources. This panel is a step in that direction, aiming to provide valuable insights for all our students, regardless of gender.

Will the panel be recorded?

Yes, we will be recording the webinar and we will be uploading the recording to our YouTube channel the very next day. We post all our webinars here so it’s worth having a browse to see what else is on offer.

How are the questions chosen?

There will be a mixture of pre-selected questions that will be developed by the ITM team with some input from our Panel members. We’ll also be opening up the Q&A to our live audience. The webinar will be around an hour long so we won’t be able to get to every question, unfortunately.

Do the panel members know the questions in advance?

In preparation for this panel, the ITM team met with each panellist individually to discuss the topic and their relevant experiences. These conversations allowed us to identify common themes important to all panellists and shape our discussion points for authentic conversation. Each panellist received a summary of these themes to reflect on, though the panel itself will be live.