Member Login - Account - Logout

Science and Technology Australia
  • Home
  • About STA
    • Who is STA?
    • Our history
    • Alliances and Partnerships
    • Board and Executive
    • Governance
    • Work for us
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshop
    • STEM Ambassadors
  • Events
    • Science Meets Parliament 2023
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Join STA
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
    • Media
  • Home
  • About STA
    • Who is STA?
    • Our history
    • Alliances and Partnerships
    • Board and Executive
    • Governance
    • Work for us
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshop
    • STEM Ambassadors
  • Events
    • Science Meets Parliament 2023
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Join STA
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
    • Media
19 July 2021

A new galaxy of Superstars of STEM mentors

Superstar mentor Joanne Woo and Superstar of STEM Dr Tamara Keeley.
Superstar mentor Joanne Woo and Superstar of STEM Dr Tamara Keeley.

A high-powered constellation of leaders including Australian CEOs, Chief Scientists, a Cabinet Minister, company directors, journalists and top executives have signed up to mentor the latest Superstars of STEM.

Over the next 18 months, they will share leadership insights and practical advice – and open doors and contact books – to help the Superstars step further into the media spotlight.

Superstars of STEM is a game-changing Australian initiative to smash gender assumptions about who can work in science – and transform women’s visibility in STEM. In its first few years, it has made an early powerful contribution to help tackle the serious under-representation of women in these fields.

The program equips 60 brilliant diverse women with advanced communication skills and opportunities – in the media, on stage and in schools. The result: we’re growing a critical mass of celebrity women scientists inspiring our next generations. 

In the program, each Superstar is matched with an impressive mentor. Mentors are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds and careers. All are accomplished leaders who have forged their own path to success. 

Each mentor meets regularly with their Superstar of STEM over 18 months, providing support and advice as they navigate a path to grow their public profile. This crucial connection supports Superstars to strive for the next level of success in their own careers and step into the media spotlight.

The current intake of Superstars will be mentored by impressive leaders including senior executives Keren Rambow of GE and Rowena Westphalen of Salesforce, TV and radio presenter Jo Stanley, journalists and broadcasters Rae Johnston and Louise Willis, Minister for Home Affairs and former Science Minister Hon Karen Andrews MP, New Zealand’s Chief Science Advisor Dame Juliet Gerrard and Chief Scientist of South Australia Caroline McMillen.

Mentors also include high-flying engineers Jane MacMaster and Professor Elanor Huntington, the Australian Defence Force’s new Space Division chief Cath Roberts, scientist Associate Professor Caroline Ford, science and research sector CEOs Anna-Maria Arabia and Catriona Jackson, and trailblazing entrepreneurs like Topaz Conway and Winitha Bonney OAM.

Scientific Futurist Dr Catherine Ball has been a mentor across three Superstars of STEM groups. She says the mentoring program benefits both her and the Superstar.

”Successful mentoring is a two-way street and a constructive dialogue, with both mentor and mentee gaining something significant and lasting,” she said.

“I’m so proud and excited to be a Superstars of STEM mentor again this year, as I have gained so much, and met a couple of amazing women, as well as working out where I can best add value to people’s experiences throughout their career.”

The Global Head of Communications at engineering company ABB, Joanne Woo, has supported the program since it began in 2017.

“Having been a mentor on the program since its inception, I have seen the transformative power of visibility to drive real change,” she said.

“I continue to be inspired by everyone in the program – together they are trailblazing the way for an equal world where diverse opinions are heard and valued.”

That’s a sentiment echoed by Indigenous education, law, financial services, funds management, journalism, not-for-profit sector leader and Superstars of STEM mentor Shirley Chowdhary.

“Every time a female scientist or technologist is interviewed in the media, seen on tv, or heard on the radio, she is smashing stereotypes. Every girl watching knows that she can do it too; that being a scientist is not just for boys,” she said.

“The Superstars are amazing women and there was no question that I would participate again. I feel like I am the winner here. I get to hang out with incredible women in fields that are way beyond my understanding.

“It’s a huge privilege and I’m always learning. What’s not to love!”

Media contact: Martyn Pearce – martyn.pearce@sta.org.au / 0432 606 828

Share
mentors Superstars of STEM
Previous StoryScience & Technology Australia welcomes new committee members
Next StoryThe Closing the Gap statement

Related Articles

  • Ed Husic Superstars launch 2023
    Superstars of STEM 2023 announcement by Minister for Industry & Science Ed Husic MP
  • STA Superstars of STEM 2022
    Meet Australia's newest Superstars of STEM

ABOUT US

Science & Technology Australia (STA) is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. We represent more than 105,000 scientists and technologists. STA is an influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy.

Recent news

  • Campus Plus, Science & Technology Australia and Cruxes Innovation to deliver industry PhD program
  • Meet the Mastermind Behind mRNA at Science Meets Parliament
  • MPs and Senators hear how batteries could power Australia’s economic future

Our members

  • All Members
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • General Science and Technology
  • Geographical and Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Cognitive Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Plant and Ecological Sciences
  • Technological Sciences

Search for news

Most popular

  • Campus Plus, Science & Technology Australia and Cruxes Innovation to deliver industry PhD program
  • Meet Australia’s newest Superstars of STEM
  • Meet the Mastermind Behind mRNA at Science Meets Parliament
  • Commercialisation connector & research rockstar to lead STA
  • MPs and Senators hear how batteries could power Australia’s economic future

Sign up to our newsletter

STA PRIVACY POLICY

OTHER STA POLICIES

Twitter feed

  • Membership and events star? 💫 We have an incredible opportunity for you! Come work with the nation’s peak body for… https://t.co/Fmyke3styo
  • RT @DIP_SouthAust: A fantastic opportunity for engagement between the #STEM sectors and policymakers! Register before 27 January for Early…
  • RT @OzCvA: Early bird registration for the 2023 @ScienceAU Science Meets Parliament. Special rate until Fri 27 Jan 👇👇
  • RT @DSI_VIC: Expertise in #biotech, health, #genomics, #bioinformatics, synthetic biol, advanced manufacturing, ag, #biosecurity? Don't mis…
Follow us
The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) trading as Science & Technology Australia (STA) is an association incorporated under the ACT Associations Act.

ABN 71 626 822 845
Registered charity logo
Click here for more info
  • HOME
  • News and media releases
  • Become a member
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 Science & Technology Australia. All Rights Reserved