Visionary leadership can drive transformational change across an entire sector. Visionary leaders inspire, empower, enthuse and respect. They work with you to make change happen. This is what the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) is all about!

With a shared sense of purpose and desire for change, leaders across Australia’s industry and academic STEM sectors joined forces to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration through mentoring. The goal is to develop a new generation of industry-savvy PhD graduates who can engage with industry, kick-start collaborations, understand their career options, network and transition with confidence across professional sectors.

This event celebrates their vision, their leadership, their drive and importantly, their bold commitment to the professional development of tomorrow’s STEM leaders and to creating a better future for all of us.

Dr Vanessa Lickfold, Head of Geoscience at BHP will welcome everyone to the venue. Keynote Speaker Ron Douglas, Executive VP of Global Project Delivery, Ausenco, will share his leadership journey. You will also hear from a panel of 2017 mentors and mentees about their positive, productive mentoring partnerships.

A light breakfast will be served Tuesday, 7 August at 7:30 am at BHP. The event will conclude at 9:30 am. Formal proceedings run 8:00-9:00 am. We will have a professional photographer on-site, so be sure to get a pic with our speakers and your colleagues. For catering purposes, please RSVP by registering as soon as possible. Please indicate if you have any dietary requirements.

ATSE gratefully acknowledges funding and tremendous support for IMNIS from the industry growth centres MTPConnect, METS Ignited and NERA, consortium partners AusBiotech and Mentorloop, as well as sponsors CSL, KPMG and Bellberry. IMNIS thanks all of our member organisations, partners, sponsors and supporters for their collaboration and support. These organisations demonstrate visionary leadership in developing Australia's next generation of STEM leaders.

About our Speakers:

Dr Vanessa Lickfold started her 30 year professional career as a geologist-in-training in 1991 at one of South Africa’s open pit coal mines after graduating from the University of the Witwaterstrand with a BSc Honours in Geology. She moved on to being an exploration geologist for base-metals and then mineral sands until she accepted an offer to complete her PhD in porphyry copper-gold deposits in NSW, Australia at The University of Tasmania. On returning to South Africa, she joined Kumba Resources as a senior mineral resource and evaluation geologist and was ultimatley promoted to Head of Geosciences in Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore company in 2006. Vanessa moved from Geosciences to Business Development and relocated to London to take up the position of Head of Early Studies for Anglo American’s Group Technical and Sustainability function, and enjoyed this position until Hatch appointed her as their Metals and Mining Director for Europe. Vanessa joined BHP in March this year as Head of Geoscience for their Western Australian iron ore operations in the Pilbara.

Ron Douglas is the Executive VP of Global Project Delivery at Ausenco where he works closely with regional presidents to lead major project delivery for Ausenco globally across the Oil & Gas, Minerals & Metals and Industrial sectors. Having over 35 years in the project delivery and resource sector management, Ron has held many high-level positions that have allowed him to directly contribute to the operational performance and capital development of mining, oil and gas companies. Having worked in over 18 countries Ron brings a truly global perspective to his work ensuring the delivery of successful projects to the relevant clients, local communities, and businesses. Ron is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM), Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAustIMM) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

IMNIS Hosts:

Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea is a scientist, executive and entrepreneur. She is the Executive Director of the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), a flagship initiative of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and co-founder and CEO of Women in STEMM Australia. Dr Evans-Galea has led research programs in cell and gene therapy at world-leading organisations in the United States and Australia. An internationally recognised advocate for women in STEMM, Dr Evans-Galea serves on the Science in Australia Gender Equity Expert Advisory Group and the inaugural Ministerial Council for Women’s Equality in Victoria. She is also an inductee and Ambassador for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. A strong advocate for STEMM research, education and innovation, Dr Evans-Galea communicates regularly on a range of STEMM-related topics via social and mainstream media. Dr Evans-Galea leads the IMNIS initiative and also manages the IMNIS Energy-Minerals Programs nationally.

Dr Claretta DSouza is the National Projects Coordinator at AusBiotech and manages the IMNIS MedTech-Pharma Programs nationally. Dr DSouza recently completed her PhD at La Trobe University and made the leap to industry where she uses her blend of experiences in both academia and industry to contribute to research and innovation in Australia through the execution of projects that serve to strengthen the MedTech-Pharma sector in Australia. Dr DSouza's long-term aim is to work in the development of therapeutic interventions or medical technologies that can improve the quality of life of people who live with chronic conditions or 'invisible' illnesses.