Every year WiTWA hosts our Tech [+] Conference – 4 years and still going strong! We watch our audience go through a journey of inspiration, emotion and learning – goosebumps! We share our space with our amazing sponsors, who truly support our mission to expand our reach, broaden our impact and amplify positive change – increasing gender diversity, equity and inclusion in tech [+].

Are you ready for a day filled with inspiring speakers, exciting conversations and collaborative, strategic networking?

We have a variety of ticket options available for our in-person conference to suit everyone’s needs, so check out your options and get in quick so that you don’t miss out!

This year we are bringing to you a talented team of inspiring, motivating, enthusiastic, and exceptional speakers who will take you on a full day journey and leave you in awe and wanting more. Our conference themes for 2022 are all around ‘Driving Sustainable Change’:

"Unconscious" Bias - Can unintended attitudes and beliefs hinder diversity and inclusion?
Securing our Future - Protecting ourselves at home and in the workplace in a hyper-connected world
Sustainability and Tech - Creating tech to meet the needs of the present without compromising the future
Thriving in Challenging Times - Creativity, adaptability and resilience - a recipe for success

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Meet our Keynote Speakers:

Dr Catherine Ball

The Scientific Futurist
As a young professional I looked to the stars, wondering why stars aren’t as bright when looked at through a glass ceiling. But watching has never been my style. I’m here to do. I’ve seen that when you step outside you'll discover nothing but boundless sky. I found a world of incredible women and men that had built the foundations to go anywhere. And I found my skills as a scientist are a perfect toolbox to build the future I want. I believe the future flies. From a drone’s eye view I see endless potential every day. The future is interconnected. The future is powered by purpose. The future is an incredible place. But a drone's eye view showed me too many young women gazing up through their own ceilings. Too many bright sparks dimmed by corporate obstacles. Too many incredible leaders just needing a boost to take off. So I’m here to help you build your future. To help you discover the tools to take flight. To tell you what’s on the laboratory table – years before it makes it to television. To provide a launchpad and a workshop to make it happen. Some futurists review research and report on it. Other futurists look to the future and dream. I look to the future and roll up my sleeves. Let’s get to work.

Cairo Malet

People Friendly Cyber Security
Cairo (she /her) is a cyber security professional, specialising in governance, risk and compliance, working on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja. She is currently the Trust Team Lead at Octopus Deploy, leading the implementation of their GRC programme. She has previously worked GRC roles across a variety of organisations and industries, including mining, finance, government, healthcare and telecommunications. She is passionate about providing pragmatic security advice and increasing diversity and inclusion in the Cyber Security industry. She also has a degree in International Relations and a CISSP.

Kat Ross (Astro Kat)

Founder of the #IncludeHer movement
Kathryn has worked extensively as a science communicator and activist. As a neurodivergent, bisexual, and genderqueer person, she has a passion for encouraging fellow members of these communities to pursue careers in STEM. As such, she has regularly been a guest speaker at science events and camps promoting STEM careers and showcasing major results of science research from WA. In 2017, Kat founded the #IncludeHer movement to correct high school science courses and diversify the representation of scientists included in classrooms.

Lacey Filipich

Financial Educator, Author and Entrepreneur
Lacey Filipich helps people become financially independent and reclaim their lives. Thousands around the world have used her Money School courses to liberate themselves from debt, start saving and investing, and raise financially capable kids. Money School is also the title of her international award-winning book, out now with Penguin Life. In addition to helping adults master their money, Lacey teaches children personal finance through a hands-on enterprise experience with her Maker Kids Club courses. Lacey graduated as valedictorian from the University of Queensland with an Honours degree in Chemical Engineering (wondering how a chemical engineer ends up teaching people about money? Check out her TEDx talk.) She is the winner of a 2019 Business News '40 under 40’ Award.

Dr Kate De Jong

Business & Marketing Coach for Small Business Owners
Dr Kate De Jong is the founder of Inspired Business and a business and marketing coach for small business owners. She’s a #1 bestselling author and a Chief Executive Women award-winner for women in leadership. Formerly a scientist and consulting engineer for more than fifteen years, Kate left her engineering career in 2012 to pursue her passion and zone of genius—entrepreneurship. With a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and a Ph.D. in Water Process Engineering, Kate always knew deep inside that there was something else she ‘should’ be doing. In her bestselling inspirational memoir Seeds of a Calling, she describes how she ignored her true passion and the heavy consequences she paid as she continued to turn her back on her truth. Kate is passionate about helping women in technology to find their unique zone of genius and to intentionally mould their technology career to their strengths and passion so they can make a difference, doing work they love. Kate believes that helping women to work in their zone of genius is key to retaining more women in technology, an area she is very passionate about.

Dr Vanessa Rauland

Passionate Climate-Tech Entrepreneur
Dr Vanessa Rauland is an award-winning innovator, entrepreneur, academic, author, and public speaker. After a decade working in climate policy and decarbonisation at Curtin University, she decided to turn her research into action. Seeing the need for a simple, engaging and credible platform to drive climate action, Vanessa founded ClimateClever - a climate-tech startup that now helps over 4,000 users, including schools, homes, businesses, Local and State governments, to accurately measure and reduce their carbon footprint. She has won numerous awards for her work including WiTWA Tech [+], 40 under 40, Curtinnovation, Startup News ‘Most Admired Founder’, and AMP’s Tomorrow Maker Award. She’s also a Founding Director of Western Australian Social Enterprise Council, facilitating the development of this sector in WA.

Sharon Wood-Kenney

Welcome to Country & Cultural Navigation Executive for South West Kinships Cultural Immersions
Sharon Wood-Kenney is a proud Noongar Yamatji woman who is a pioneer and inspirational leader around WA. She is a strong advocate for disruption thinking, challenging non-functioning systems and cross-cultural awareness. Sharon brings people together with her strong leadership style. With strong ties in Indigenous and other communities, Sharon is intent on creating opportunities for all disadvantaged people. She is the Lead Researcher for the Noongar Water Knowledge Project at UWA and has also worked on social impact, homelessness, family and domestic violence, and child protection research. As founder and manager of Djinda Bridiya, Sharon works alongside WA Police towards family domestic violence prevention strategies. At South West Kinships Cultural Immersions she engages children, schools and businesses across WA supporting young women from all nations in social enterprise. In 2020, Sharon was inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame.

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View our Digital WiTWA Conference Program:

This year we have gone digital, follow us online to read all about our speakers, sponsors, themes, and what's happening at the WITWA Conference!
Program Link: https://techplus.witwa.org.au/courses/8087148/content

We can’t wait to share the rest of our amazing speakers and panellists with you. Watch this space for new announcements.
#witwa #techplus22 #seeherbeher

Need Help?

Are you having issues purchasing your tickets, then reach out to our friendly team who are more than happy to help via ticketsupport@witwa.org.au

*NOTE: The delivery of this event is subject to COVID19 restrictions set by WA State Government.