STEM Employability Training Workshop for First Nations Women & Women of Colour (BIWOC)

Event:  "STEM Employability Training Workshop for First Nations Women & Women of Colour (BIWOC)."

In a first of it's kind, iSTEM Co. Co-Founders Dr. Ruwangi Fernando & Dr. Morley Muse is joining forces with 💎BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment 💎 Melisa Drummond-Anderson on the ‘Engaging Science Grants Program for the STEM Employability Training Workshop for First Nations and Black, Indigenous Women of Colour (BIWOC)’ to create new opportunities and inspire future generations of Indigenous leaders.

🎉 In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2023, iSTEM Co. is thrilled to announce this exciting partnership that is set to empower Indigenous women to pursue STEM careers and drive innovation in STEM education 🌟

At iSTEM Co., diversity is the core of why we exist. We are dedicated and committed to enabling the employment of all women in STEM including First Nations, BIWOC and women from culturally and linguistically diverse  (CALD) backgrounds.

NAIDOC 2023, is a time of celebration, acknowledging and honouring the rich culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is in this spirit that we are proud to unveil these dynamic collaborations that will empower Indigenous women through education and employment.

💎BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment 💎 Melisa Drummond-Anderson, a respected First Nations Business, founded by the fabulous Melisa Drummond-Anderson , is known for her passion and dedication to empowering, inspiring and supporting First Nations Women towards identifying their true worth, their ‘authentic selves’ and purpose. Their goal is to embrace change to improve the lives of First Nation’s Women through being ‘solution-oriented’ and delivering long-lasting results.  BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment is a 'Next Steps' Service, supporting in particular First Nations Women who have survived Family and Domestic Violence.  See website for more information: (www.blaqdiamondswe.com.au)

iSTEM Co. & BDWE will continue to collaborate to develop programs, initiatives, and mentorship opportunities that inspire Indigenous women to explore the boundless possibilities within the fields of science and technology. We will empower them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to shape their own futures and make a positive impact on their communities.

At iSTEM Co., we firmly believe that diversity drives innovation and progress. By harnessing the immense potential of Indigenous talent, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

BIO - Dr. Ruwangi Fernando

Dr Ruwangi Fernando is an accomplished IT expert and AI specialist with a strong academic, industry and consulting background.

Dr Fernando completed her PhD at Victoria University in collaboration with Data61, CSIRO and the Department of Transport in Victoria. 

As a champion for women of colour in STEM, she advocates for intersectional diversity and inclusion in the Australian STEM sector. 

Dr Fernando is the founder of STEM Sisters, a pioneer organisation that empowers STEM women of colour. She has spearheaded six award-winning programs as the founder of STEM Sisters. Her efforts have garnered recognition as a STEM Women Changemaker, Asian-Australian Game Changer, and numerous other awards. Under her leadership, STEM Sisters won many awards, including the 2022 Techdiversity Business Award, Victorian International excellence award 2022, and Multicultural excellence award 2022. She is the current chair of the Diversity Committee of the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

She is also the founder of  iSTEM Co., a research, consulting and talent-sourcing company that enables employment for women in STEM, including women of colour and CALD. iSTEM Co. was nominated as a finalist for the Women in Digital awards and has recently launched DEIR, a recruit-tech platform that eliminates recruitment bias for women in STEM. DEIR has also received recognition in STEM and won the Lift women social impact award.

BIO - Dr. Morley Muse

Dr Muse is a Chemical, Environmental and Renewable Energy Engineer with expertise in wastewater treatment.

Among her various work and accolades are: being a board director with Women in STEMM Australia, being appointed as an ambassador for CSIRO's Innovation Catalyst Global, and being an Advisory Group Member of the Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM Program with the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering as well Expert panel member with Diversity Council Australia (DCA), Settlement Services International (SSI) and Chief Executive Women (CEW).

She was also awarded the winner of the 2022 Women’s Agenda awards for the Emerging Leader in STEM category. In addition, she was named a finalist for the 2022 Victoria University Alumni awards under the ’Rising Star category’.

Dr Muse is co-founder of iSTEM Co., a research, consulting and talent-sourcing company that enables employment for women in STEM, including women of colour and CALD. iSTEM Co. was nominated as a finalist for the Women in Digital awards and has recently launched DEIR, a recruit-tech platform that eliminates recruitment bias for women in STEM. DEIR has also received recognition in STEM and won the Lift women social impact award.

Dr Muse has been recognised by Women’s Agenda, Engineers Australia, Careers with STEM, Pro-bono Australia, and the Australian Academy of Science for her contributions for women in STEM.

BIO - Melisa Drummond-Anderson

Melisa Drummond-Anderson is a Nywaigi Woman (Aboriginal, Mother’s side), Gumulaig from Urpi Kigu Peoyadh Ras/Mabuyag Island, Torres Strait (Father’s side) with heritage leading back to American Samoa. I also have family ties to Wuthathi Tribe from Cape York Region. 

Her lifelong passion in Indigenous Affairs has translated into over 15 years working at all levels of Government throughout four different states of Australia and most recently spent six years in Indigenous Community Development up and down the Southeast Region from Brisbane to Torres Strait Regions including NPA (Northern Peninsula Area) and Regional Queensland.  Melisa has appeared in various publications, including the Koori Mail, Townsville Bulletin and regional print media driving the important message around prevention of Family & Domestic Violence. 

After enduring and surviving three Domestic Violence Relationships and 18 years of Family Violence, Melisa identified a gap in the market.  As Founder and Managing Director, she established her BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment Business in 2017.  A 100% First Nations Female-Led, Owned & Operated Business offering a ‘Next Steps’ Service to empower and enable other First Nations Women across Australia to make better informed decisions so they too can improve areas of their own lives and live better healthier futures.  Melisa's other passion is to improve the health, wellbeing and lives of her First Nations Peoples through reducing the high unemployment rate of Indigenous Peoples across Australia and breaking the Intergenerational Poverty, Welfare Mentality and Conditioning by working in collaboration with National Companies, Indigenous Business, Community Organisations who support Indigenous Employment through their RAP's.

Join us in the upcoming Brisbane Workshop on Friday 3rd November, 2023 at the QATSIF Office, Unit 2/439 Lutwyche Road, Lutwyche from 10:00am - 3:00pm.  See link to register.

Venue powered & supported by QATSIF - Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Foundation. See website:  https://www.qatsif.org.au/ 

For more information about the event, please email Melisa at:  melisa@blaqdiamondswe.com.au 

Melisa Anderson - BDWE
Dr Morley Muse Dr Ruwangi Fernando - iSTEM Co.
#NAIDOCWeek #womeninSTEM #iSTEMCo #blaqdiamondswe #RegionalCollab #IndigenousExcellence #STEMEducation #Empowerment #Innovation