iSTEM Co.

Celebrating 30 years of supporting women and advocating for a gender equitable future, Queen Victoria Women’s Centre (QVWC) has launched a Conservation Appeal Fund. In partnership with the National Trust, the initiative aims to raise $4 million over the next four years to support a series of conservation and enhancement projects informed by the QVWC Conservation Management Plan. Here is your opportunity to be part of a unique part of Victoria's feminist history. https://lnkd.in/gz_vpEtp

Great to have contributions from our cofounder Dr Morley Muse. Thank you The Big Smoke Media Group for the feature.

We Are Our Stories Last Wednesday was a profoundly special day—not just for me, but for my family, friends, community, and ancestors. I was humbled and deeply honoured to be named among the 25 inductees for the 2024 Victorian Multicultural Commission Honour Roll. These awards recognise extraordinary Victorians and organisations for their contributions to multicultural Victoria. As I walked into Government House, I felt the presence of my late mum. I wore her wrappers, coral beads, and traditional attire, a tribute to her unwavering love and belief in me. I wanted her to see her baby girl standing tall, making her proud. It was a moment filled with nostalgia—remembering my late parents and late sisters—but also immense gratitude for the present. I was surrounded by my future: my dear husband, Eli Muse who postponed his trip to San Francisco to stand by me; my remaining and only sister, Dakorim Briggs CFE, MSc my friend-turned-sister and business partner, Dr Ruwangi Fernando and my first son, Shaun. Seeing Shaun witness the ceremony was everything. I wanted him to feel inspired and to know that his dreams have no limits. For me, this honour is a reflection of a journey—one rooted in service, resilience, and advocacy. At iSTEM Co. and DEIR.AI the work Dr Ruwangi Fernando and I do is for all women in STEM, but I’m acutely aware of the compounded biases faced by migrant women. Every day, I use my voice to shine a light on intersectional diversity and to advance equity for all women. I’m immensely proud to have contributed to the progress of multicultural Australians through iSTEM Co. DEIR.AI and the many organisations that trust me to drive change, including Women in STEMM Australia, Science & Technology Australia, Jemena, Diversity Council Australia Ltd RISE Panel, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering Elevate Panel and Wyndham City Council One of my proudest moments was co-delivering the Diverse STEM Women in Wyndham Report, a project that amplifies the voices of diverse women in STEM including migrant women. It was an honour to celebrate the day alongside inspiring leaders such as the Governor of Victoria, Professor The Hon. Margaret Gardner; Premier Jacinta Allan; Minister Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt ; VMC Chair Vivienne Nguyen ; and other ministers and community champions. I was especially delighted to be inducted alongside my friend, Fabiola Campbell 🇻🇪Until the End 🇻🇪 whose work empowering migrant women continues to inspire me. To my fellow inductees—congratulations! To the leaders tirelessly working behind the scenes to create a multicultural Australia—I see you. Your efforts matter. For all of us who have crossed seas to make this beautiful country home, may this be a testament to the possibilities that await when we come together to advance Australia fair. Here’s to many more milestones and victories for us all. #MAE2024 #VMC #MulticulturalAustralia

A Night of Inspiration at the Inaugural Women of Colour in STEM Awards! Today, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of women of colour in STEM. It was an evening filled with inspiration, empowerment, and recognition of the incredible contributions women of colour make to the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) industries. 🏆 Congratulations to Our Winners! Leadership Award: Professor Fariba Dehghani Environmental Impact Award: Teresa Cochrane 🐨 Engineering Excellence Award: Brenda Denbesten Scientific Research Award: @Vivian Tam Healthcare Innovator Award: Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza, PhD Mathematics Mastery Award: Sevvandi Kandanaarachchi Technology Trailblazer Award: Shama Islam Data Science Pioneer Award: Indu Bala Guiding Star Mentorship Award: Rashina Hoda Innovator Award: Chamindie Punyadeera Rising Star Award: Catriona Vi Nguyễn-Robertson and Harini Hapuarachchi Your hard work and dedication shine as a beacon of excellence and innovation. https://lnkd.in/gpXhmG3S 🤝 A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Partners Event Sponsor: ACS (Australian Computer Society) Category Sponsors: University of Melbourne, Monash Information Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Deakin University Gift Sponsor: Royal Thai Consulate Melbourne Venue Partner: State Library Victoria This event would not have been possible without your generous support. We extend our deepest gratitude to the distinguished panel of judges who dedicated their time and expertise to carefully evaluate each submission! We truly appreciate all of it! Professor Madhu Bhaskaran FTSE, Ian Wong, Dr Priya Subramanian, Elaine Wong, Anne-Marie Hede, Alice Tinning (She/Her), Rod Dilnutt Special recognition must be given to Dr Ruwangi Fernando, the visionary founder of STEM Sisters and the Women of Colour in STEM Awards. From concept to reality, Ruwangi’s unwavering dedication and passion have been the driving forces behind this incredible initiative. Big thanks to Ankita Ragesh who played a pivotal role in the seamless execution of the Women of Colour in STEM Awards right from the start! We also want to give a special shout-out to our fantastic MC, Shaz Sivanesan! Your vibrant energy and profound connection with the audience made the evening truly magical. 🙌 Heartfelt Thanks to All Attendees Thank you to everyone who joined us—finalists, sponsors, judges, presenters, supporters, and guests. Your presence and enthusiasm made the night even more special and memorable. Here’s to many more years of celebrating the outstanding achievements of women of colour in STEM. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to inspire the next generation of trailblazers! 📸 Stay Tuned! We'll be sharing more photos and highlights from the event soon. #WOCinSTEM2024! Together, we empower and rise! 💪🌍 Ed Husic MP Department of Industry, Science and Resources Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Tara Power

I’m beyond excited to see the Women of Colour in STEM Awards come to life this Thursday, December 5th, at the State Library Victoria 🌟 ✨ Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration and inspiration. #WOCinSTEMAwards STEM Sisters

🚀 Exciting Opportunity Alert! 🚀 We're thrilled to share that one of our amazing clients is on the lookout for a passionate Social Procurement Advisor to join their project team in Albion, VIC! If you’re someone who thrives on creating meaningful impact, building strong connections, and driving social change, this role might be your next career move! 🌍💼 As the Social Procurement Advisor, you’ll take a hands-on role in fostering inclusion, supporting Indigenous employment initiatives, and championing diversity through strategic procurement. From collaborating with senior leadership to building partnerships with organisations like Supply Nation, Kinaway, and Social Traders, your work will directly benefit communities and local enterprises. 🌱🤝 🔹 What You’ll Do Influence Change: Drive social procurement strategies that create lasting impact. Build Community: Lead programs that connect people with opportunities. Shape the Future: Create tools, facilitate workshops, and mentor for growth. 🔹 Why This Role? Competitive Benefits: Salary continuance, paid parental leave, and flexibility. Career Growth: Access to incredible projects and professional development. Inclusive Culture: Join a team that celebrates diversity and empowers you to make a difference. If you’re motivated by purpose and ready to make an impact in communities through meaningful procurement practices, this could be the perfect role for you! 🌟 🔗 Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter to inquiry@istemco.com and take your career to the next level with a team that’s committed to transforming lives every day!

A Huge Thank You for an Incredible Careers Expo Night! Our very first VUPA - Victoria University Postgraduate Association Careers Expo Night was a fantastic success, all thanks to the amazing support from STEM industries, generous sponsors, and our dedicated VUPA Board members. We are so grateful for the participation of industry leaders who made the event invaluable for all attendees. Special thanks to: ACS (Australian Computer Society) Accenture Engineers Australia Greater Western Water Prensa Pty Ltd Ace Contractors Group Pty. Ltd. Ace Contractors Group Pty. Ltd. STEM Sisters iSTEM Co. STRATEG Consulting Worley Enactus Victoria University Wise VU Club VU Computer Science Society We also want to extend our sincere thanks to Patrick Weinstein for his invaluable coaching, guiding students with their elevator pitches and sharing key tips on how to approach employers with confidence! A heartfelt thanks to Victoria University SSAF for your funding and support, which made this event possible, and to our dedicated VUPA Board members - Adsheaya Vasakan, Daria Gaidarenko, Nardo Wai, Arpita Aggarwal - for organising such a successful first industry night. To our students, we hope the event provided valuable insights and connections that will help you along your career paths. #CareerExpo2024 #VUPA #STEMCareers #CommunityImpact #STEMIndustries #FutureLeaders #Gratitude #FirstIndustryNight

When asked to draw a scientist, school-age kids in the United States are increasingly sketching women, according to a study from 2018. Read more on #STEMSTEAMDay: https://bit.ly/4fDsXMz

✨LESS THAN 2 WEEKS✨We’re extremely excited to announce the full lineup for the Black Wealth Connect Women’s Summit on November 9th! This year’s theme is Metamorphosis, reflecting our journey of growth and transformation. Join us for an empowering day featuring inspiring keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, live performances, breakout sessions and amazing stalls showcasing incredible businesses. Jeanette Adjoa Nkrumah Henrietta Amevor Yemi Penn (Nee Solanke) Emmagness Ruzvidzo Dr Morley Muse Nasalifya Namwinga Sobur Dhieu Habiba Ahmed Ursula Dyer Lepporoli Bedi Othow Lani M. Charmaine Hunzwi A FIN MICDA Lauren Mullings Geskeva Komba Effie Nkrumah Ruth Nyaruot Ruach Tigist Kebede Lydia Tesema Sherry-Rose Bih Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive! Secure your spot now before it’s too late: https://shorturl.at/0cIc0 Black Wealth Connect Women’s Summit: Metamorphosis is co-presented by Black Wealth Connect | Next in Colour | Effie Nkrumah | Footscray Community Arts as part of the Future Reset: Diasporic Dreaming project. This project is supported by Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) through its Future Healthy initiative. #BlackWealthConnect #bwcwmnssummit2024 #Empowerment #Networking #metamorphosis

Next Thursday, I will speak at the Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia (WA/AA) Melbourne Summit. This event is a cornerstone for progressive discussions on breaking through barriers in the aviation and aerospace industries, especially those faced by women. 📅 Date: Thursday, 31st October 2024 ⏰ Time: 9 AM to 5 PM 📍 Location: RACV City Club I am deeply committed to fostering an environment where diversity and inclusion are encouraged and celebrated. My talk, "Risks & Resolutions: Beyond Binary Diversity," will explore the intricate dynamics of integrating intersectional diversity into our professional spaces. This summit offers us a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, inspire change, and understand the multiplicity of challenges and triumphs women face in these fields. I look forward to engaging with fellow leaders, innovators, and advocates who are equally passionate about creating a more inclusive and equitable industry. Please join me in this vital conversation as we strive to pave the way for future generations of women in aviation and aerospace. Your presence and support mean the world to me; together, we can make a lasting impact. Let’s soar to new heights together! I hope to see many familiar and new faces there! ✈️🌍 STEM Sisters iSTEM Co. DEIR.AI ACS (Australian Computer Society) #WAASummit2024 #DiversityInSTEM #WomenInAviation #WomenInAerospace