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Panellists consisting of industry leaders, academia experts, and engineering professionals will have an open discussion on the current state of the gender pay gap, the policies driving change, and the initiatives aimed at closing the gap in the engineering sector.

The forum aims to foster dialogues on multiple perspectives from existing policies to recent legislative developments, to gender equality criteria in tender processes. With engaging discussion, the forum aims to benefit a broad audience on understanding where we are at approaching a more equitable and inclusive future for all professionals in the field.

By joining this event, you will:

• Understand current landscape of the issue and policies designed to address it
• Gain insights into practical initiatives and strategies for closing the gender pay within tender and procurement processes
• Identify actionable steps that can be implemented within one’s own organisation
• Be equipped with the latest statistics, transparency tools, and benchmarking standards to monitor and report disparities.

Speakers

Karen Whelan

Associate Dean, Learning & Teaching | Faculty of Engineering | Queensland University of Technology

Karen is a materials engineer and engineering educator with over 25 years of experience in the higher education sector. Her research is on gender diversity and inclusion in engineering education and engineering practice. As Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching she has strategic oversight of course and curriculum development and teaching quality, in the QUT Faculty of Engineering, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in nine engineering disciplines, as well as in architecture and the built environment. In 2023 and 2024 QUT introduced an innovative and contemporary set of new degree programs including integrated vertical degrees, giving students the opportunity to study for a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Masters degree in one of the following areas: Robotics and AI, Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Renewable Energy. Karen is Chair of the Engineers Australia Women in Engineering Queensland Committee, and a member of the EA National Committee for Women in Engineering. She also leads a Diversity and Inclusion Special Interest Group in the Australasian Association for Engineering Education.

Dr Melinda Laundon

Senior Research Fellow from the Australian Cobotics Centre and Centre for Decent Work and Industry, Queensland University of Technology

Dr Melinda Laundon is a Senior Research Fellow from the Australian Cobotics Centre and Centre for Decent Work and Industry, Queensland University of Technology. Melinda has a longstanding interest in gender equity at work and has researched fair pay, pay transparency, and flexible work. Her recent and current research projects include reward and recognition in the Australian finance sector, the impact of emerging technologies on workers and organisations, and university teaching and learning. Melinda’s career prior to academia was in the Australian Public Service.

Maria Koutsimpisis

Project Controls Manager – Southern Program Alliance (Level Crossing Removal Project) – Acciona AU & NZ

Maria has had over 20 years’ experience in complex, capital-intensive multinationals, leading large cross-functional teams on multi-year, billion-dollar projects. She is the Project Controls Manager at Southern Program Alliance and Regional Project Controls Manager for ACCIONA and prior to this had a successful international executive automotive career with General Motors. She has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School and BEng(Mech) Hons/ BSc(Mathematics) from the University of Melbourne. She is an EngExec and Fellow with Engineers Australia and is Chartered in Leadership & Management and Project Management. She is the Chair of the National Committee for Women in Engineering, a Non Executive Director with ANCAP and an Advisory Board Member with Power of Engineering.

Cathy Sanders

HR manager, Acciona

Cathy has been in civil construction for last 7 years, having started her career in education and training over 20 years ago. As a secondary teacher by trade, her passion for learning pathways quickly evolved into career pathways within human resources. Cathy is an advocate for the opportunities transferrable skills can bring into the construction industry, especially for women, and she demonstrates that both within her role with Acciona and through volunteering on the NAWIC Education and Mentoring Committee.