1. Pre-Summit Workshop
22 November 2016
Summit
23 & 24 November 2016
Post-Summit Workshop
25 November 2016
SMC Conference & Function Centre
EXPLORE
Perspectives on the Optimal Balance of Soft and Technical
Skills Required for Leadership Excellence in an Evolving
Engineering Enviornment
Inspiring stories and career advice
from successful leaders in the
engineering field
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Book & Pay by 8 August 2016 to
receive an additional Value Plus Discount!
Phone: +61 2 8239 9711
Fax: +61 2 8239 9777
www.liquidlearninggroup.com
Booking Code - C1
Overcoming common challenges in
transitioning from technical to senior
leadership roles
Strengthening your leadership,
communication and influencing skills
to advance your career
Developing resilience and confidence
to lead teams in a complex
environment
The 5th Annual
Women in Engineering
Leadership Summit 2016
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Liquid Learning is delighted to present The 5th Annual Women in
Engineering Leadership Summit 2016, the premier professional
development, leadership and networking event for current and
emerging female leaders in Engineering and related roles.
Bianca Diffin Senior Project Manager
APP Corportation
Lauren Engel General Manager, Major Projects
Caltex
Catherine Port Manager, Service Planning and Asset
Strategy
Sydney Water
Aditi Khanna Marine Engineer
Royal Australian Navy
Pip McGlinn Program Executive Director, Infrastructure
Planning
Queensland Health
Tanya Johnstone Executive and Personal Development
Coach
Transcend Consulting Pty Ltd
Narelle Clark Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Australian Communications Consumer Action
Network
Professor Veena Sahajwalla Director and Professor
SMaRT, UNSW
John Flecker
Chief Executive Officer Brookfield Multiplex
President Australian Constructors Association
Rowenna Walker Executive Director Sales, Rail, Asia
Pacific
Jacobs
Emma Crouch Director of Engineering
Yakima Australia
Frances Badelow Technical Director/ANZ Geotechnical
Practice Leader
Mott Macdonald
Helana Wretham Associate Director, Transport
AECOM Australia
Felicity Sist General Manager and Director of
Infrastructure
Bass Coast Shire Council
Julianne Pohlner Manager of Engineering
WorleyParsons
Lee Kormany Program Manager, Maritime
Nova Systems
Jane Moran Senior Highways Engineer
Aurecon,
2012 Olympic Bronze Medallist
Louise Silburn Director and Executive Coach
Transforming Partnership
2016 Theme:
‘Visions of Success’
2. 9.00 - 4.30
Embracing Your Ambition - Maximising the Power of Authenticity
Ambition can be a positive personal quality; but many of us have an uncomfortable relationship with it. In the engineering world emotional intelligence is
labelled a ‘soft’ skill, yet it is their unrecognised emotional reactions which let down so many managers and professionals who prize ‘hard’ skills above all
else. Being able to make conscious choices about how to use emotions to communicate your needs and understand the needs of others revolutionises the
way you do business and gives you vital leadership edge.
Successful leaders are expert communicators. Honing your communication skillset is a crucial ingredient for success. It provides you with a vehicle to
express yourself with confidence, authenticity and ultimately maximises your influence. This foundation is especially important in the engineering space, a
demanding and competitive, traditionally male-dominated environment, where emerging and aspiring female leaders also face the encultured challenge of
unconscious bias.
This interactive workshop will provide you the tools to understand how to develop an authentic and powerful voice, to optimise your emotional intelligence,
help build your communication skill set, and develop strategies to recognise and work with unconscious bias. This full day of hands-on training will reveal
multiple techniques to help lower stress levels, as well as address the ingrained cultural challenges many aspiring women leaders face in the engineering
sector–setting you up for success.
Developing an authentic and powerful voice
• Understanding the power of a values-led life
• Finding your strengths and building on them
• Exploring our multiple intelligences
• Envisioning your future success
Optimising your emotional intelligence
• Understanding emotions in the workplace
• Increasing your confidence
• Developing skills to lower your stress level
• Maintaining your integrity in all situations
Building powerful communication skills
• Learning how to lead and manage discussions
• Negotiating for what you deserve
• Developing professional and beneficial networks
• Seizing opportunities to speak
Understanding unconscious bias at work
• Recognising, identifying and addressing bias
• Underlying neuroscience of bias
• The impact of unconscious bias
Expert Facilitator: Louise Silburn Director and Executive Coach
Transforming Partnership
Louise Silburn is an inspirational facilitator and team coach who has worked as a senior manager, management consultant and for the last 10 years as
a high performance coach with leaders in the construction and engineering industries. Louise has been the lead coach and organisational development
consultant to public sector infrastructure alliances in roads, water and rail and has led major coaching and development programs in NSW transport
agencies. Louise has also been engaged by most of the major Engineering Consultancies and Construction Companies at to support their bidding
processes for major construction contracts.
Louise is committed to supporting women working as engineers, safety professionals and in associated professions as to have an equal voice in a
predominantly male environment. She has worked directly with both RMS and TfNSW Projects Division on highlighting unconscious bias and to develop
strategies to employ more women engineers and women in project management, commerce, finance and other senior management roles.
Pre-Summit Workshop
22 November 2016
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
• 8.30 - 9.00 Registration
• 9.00 - 10.40 Session One
• 10.40 - 11.00 Morning Tea
• 11.00 - 12.30 Session Two
• 12.30 - 1.30 Lunch
• 1.30 - 3.00 Session Three
• 3.00 - 3.20 Afternoon Tea
• 3.20 - 4.30 Session Four
• 4.30 Close of Workshop
SPONSOR TODAY!
Limited sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
available. For your chance to brand yourself as a
market leader, please call: +61 2 8239 9711 or email:
partnership@liquidlearning.com.au
TEAM BOOKINGS
Receive a 20% discount when
booking a team of 8 to attend,
please call: +61 2 8239 9711 or
email: registration@liquidlearning.com.au
3. Day One 23 November 2016
Overcoming challenges and embracing ne
8.30 - 8.55 Registration and Morning Coffee
8.55 - 9.00 Official Welcome and Opening Remarks from
the Chair
9.00 - 9.40 OPENING KEYNOTE CASE STUDY
Overcoming challenges - The journey to a
leadership role
The challenges facing women in the male-dominated field
of engineering have changed over the years, however
things sill aren’t where they need to be. Lauren has been
in the engineering world since 1979 and has a personal
perspective on the challenges that women experience
in this industry. She draws on her extensive engineering
journey from process engineer to General Manager in the
largest fuel supplier in Australia. She will explore :
• Embracing challenges along the way
• Taking charge of your career
• Overcoming limitations and barriers in the engineering
environment
Lauren Engel General Manager, Major Projects
Caltex
9.40 - 9.50 Questions and Discussion
9.50 - 10.30 CASE STUDY
Establish yourself as a front runner - Build
resilience and celebrate your own success
One of the greatest obstacles faced by aspiring women
leaders can often come from within, learning to take
ownership of your own achievments, and fully back
yourself on the road to leadership. Developing resilience
can be a crucial ingredient to nurture your confidence,
overcome setbacks and discover the drive to build a culture
of excellence. In this session, Aditi Khana will draw on
insights from her career as a marine engineer for the Royal
Australian Navy, overcoming setbacks and as well as her
experience as a passionate advocate for diversity in the
Australian Defence Force. Explore strategies to:
• Encourage yourself and others
• Learn how to celebrate your success
• Promote resilience in challenging situations
Aditi Khanna Marine Engineer
Royal Australian Navy
10.30 - 10.40 Questions and Discussion
10.40 - 10.55 Morning Tea
10.55 - 11.35 CASE STUDY
Defining projects - Jumping in at the deep end
Many leaders will recount significant influences and pivotal
moments that have helped shape and develop their
capabilities, but for some it is defining projects that change
and build them as leaders. With some assignments there is
a time and delivery imperative that requires you to discover
your own resilience and motivation to be a successful leader.
Helana will draw on her own experience of learning how to
navigate these scenarios, growing confidence and continuing
to develop strong, impactful relationships with others.
Discuss:
• Embracing challenging projects
• The importance of relationships
Helana Wretham Associate Director, Transport
AECOM Australia
11.35 - 11.45 Questions and Discussion
11.45 - 12.35 INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION
Perception and practicality - Striking the right
balance
Learning how to perfect the juggling act of being a leader
in a high pressure environment and a busy personal life
can seem like an impossible task. The age of 24-hour
contact has thrown out the balance between demands of a
leadership role and personal responsibilities. With technology
bringing emails and phone calls in at all hours of the day
and night, striking firm boundaries and sticking to them, is
a persistent challenge where perception can be as much of
an issue as practicality. This interactive panel will discuss this
key dilemma and raise strategies to find a healthy balance
between both worlds, exploring:
• Aligning your priorities
• Learning when to lead versus manage
• Practicing good time management
Felicity Sist General Manager and Director of
Infrastructure
Bass Coast Shire Council
Bianca Diffin Senior Project Manager
APP Corportation
John Flecker
Chief Executive Officer Brookfield Multiplex
President Australian Constructors Association
Narelle Clark Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Australian Communications Consumer Action
Network
Catherine Port Manager, Service Planning and Asset
Strategy
Sydney Water
12.35 - 1.35 Networking Lunch
1.35 - 2.15 EXPERT COMMENTARY
Staying relevant in a constantly changing
environment
As an industry, engineering is constantly evolving on a
broad scale, embracing new ideas and innovations, and
literally building new environments that alter our everyday
lives. Soft skills are a must, but in order to take charge
in this fast-paced, forward-facing landscape, emerging
leaders must keep up with the latest technologies and
trends, and embrace an innovation mindset. An international
award-winning engineeer, acknowledged field leader
and long-serving judge on ABC’s “The New Inventors”,
Scentia Professor Veena Sahajwalla will reflect on her own
remarkable career and the importance of staying relevant as
a leader. Discuss:
• Adapting to new challenges
• Empowering women’s involvement in engineering
• Encouraging and promoting young aspiring engineers
Professor Veena Sahajwalla Director and Professor
SMaRT, UNSW
2.15 - 2.25 Questions and Discussion
VALUE PLUS DISCOUNT
Receive up to $400 off registration if you
register and pay by 8 August 2016
PLUS TWO WORKSHOPS!
Plus Two Separately Bookable Full-Day
Workshops on 22 & 25 November 2016
2016 Theme: ‘Visions of Success’
We talk a lot about leadership and success, but what does success really
mean to you? What does it look like? What were you striving for when you
started out on your leadership journey, and how did it end up looking?
We have invited some of Australia’s most influential and inspiring leaders
to reflect on their own personal vision of success, how it has changed as
they have grown and developed, both professionally and personally. These
leaders will share their insights and advice for transforming vision into a
reality.
4. ew opportunities
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
Receive up to $150 off registration if you
register and pay by 17 October 2016
SUPER SAVER DISCOUNT
Receive up to $300 off registration if you
register and pay by 12 September 2016
2.25 - 3.05 CASE STUDY
Cross-cultural leadership in engineering
Career progression for women in engineering brings its own
unique array of challenges, obstacles and often unexpected
opportunities. The decisions that govern our career journey can
draw on many different spheres of influence and change as
our personal and professional priorities evolve. In this session
Emma brings a global perspective, drawing on her diverse
professional engineering background. Working and living in
Sweden, Germany, USA, and United Kingdom, as well as
managing engineering teams in Netherlands, Germany and
China, she will reflect on the cultural differences, challenges
and opportunities for existing and emerging women leaders.
Discuss:
• The value of broad international experience
• Building global relationships
• Understanding and adjusting to cultural diversity
Emma Crouch
Director of Engineering
Yakima Australia
3.05 - 3.15 Questions and Discussion
3.15 - 3.30 Afternoon Tea
3.30 - 4.20 CASE STUDY
Technician to tactician - Effectively transitioning into
leadership
Technical engineers lead a different path than most by
specialising in a particular discipline in the engineering field.
To earn the trust of their teams in a highly competitive field,
technical directors must be the masters of process, systems
and equipment, but making the leap into leadership calls for a
nuanced understanding of soft skills, influential communication
and vision. In this session, Frances will share key insights
from over 25 years of experience specialising in geotechnical
services and providing effective leadership to high-performing
teams. Discuss:
• Benefits of the technical journey
• Transitioning from technical to leadership roles
• Building upon your engineering skills
Frances Badelow Technical Director/ANZ Geotechnical
Practice Leader
Mott Macdonald
4.20 - 4.30 Questions and Discussion
4.30 Concluding Remarks from the Chair
4.30 - 5.30 Networking Reception
Day Two 24 November 2016
8.30 - 8.55 Morning Coffee
8.55 - 9.00 Opening Remarks from the Chair
9.00 - 9.50 OPENING CASE STUDY
Engineer and Olympian - Team-building for
leadership success
Leadership is a team sport, and ultimately a leader’s
success can be determined not by their own abilities,
but by their capacity to empower the team-members to
achieve their own our success. A leader in every sense
of the word, Jane has balanced engineering with an
Olympic water polo career, earning a silver medal at the
FINA World Cup, gold at the 2011 Canada cup and a
bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. In this session,
Jane compares her experience on an elite sports team to
an elite engineering team, and reflects on the importance
of a building mutually supportive relationships to achieve
success. Discuss:
• Building an effective team and relationship
management skills
• Maximising team potential
• Techniques for working together
Jane Moran Senior Highways Engineer
Aurecon, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist
9.50 - 10.00 Questions and Discussion
10.00 - 10.45 CASE STUDY
The power of divergent thinking - Supporting
and encouraging culture that aids outstanding
leadership
Diversity in thinking, perspective and experience bring
about the creativity and innovation which organisations
need if they want to survive. Women have a critical role
to play here. However, for women to have a greater
representation in the engineering profession, industry will
need to embrace this view and drive a more progressive,
enlightened agenda. The industry must promote an
environment where inspirational female leaders are able
to set themselves apart, not simply by steering teams and
individuals towards operational success, but also as role
models, setting the cultural agenda of an organisation
and stepping up as advocates for change. In this
session, Rowenna draws on over 20 years’ international
experience in the engineering industry, exploring her
leadership journey and the power of divergent thinking.
Discuss:
• Tips for inspiring others
• Generating creative ideas by divergent thinking - why it
is a necessity
• Empowering women’s involvement in engineering
Rowenna Walker Executive Director Sales, Rail,
Asia Pacific
Jacobs
10.45 - 11.00 Questions and Discussion
11.00 - 11.15 Morning Tea
11.15 - 12.05 VIDEO LINK
Be open to opportunities - An international
perspective
Career progression is not often achieved along a straight
line and sadly you can’t foresee what future doors a
particular opportunity may open, you have to take on
every new opportunity as a worthy learning experience
NETWORKING RECEPTION
4:30 - 5:30
Make the most of your experience,
join us to network over complimentary
canapés and drinks
5. Enhancing critical tools to excel in a demanding role
Phone: +61 2 8239 9711
Fax: +61 2 8239 9777
www.liquidlearninggroup.com
• Oil and Gas
• Engineering (In house and
Consulting)
• Defence
• Construction
• Infrastructure / Government
Agencies
• Local / Regional Councils
• Utilities - Water, Gas, Power
• Energy
• Mining
• Technology
• Aerospace / Aviation
• Maritime
• Education
• Transport
• Manufacturing
• ICT / Telecommunications
WHO WILL ATTEND
ABOUT THE EVENT
Aspiring, emerging and senior leaders in a variety of engineering or related
roles across industries including:
Despite numerous gender diversity initiatives within organisations, women
continue to be significantly under-represented in the engineering profession.
While an increasing number of women are choosing engineering as
a career, their representation at a leadership level in organisations is
considerably lower than in many other professions. A multitude of
diverse factors contribute towards this significant gender disparity in the
sector, evidenced by the variety of issues impacting women’s entry into
and success in the industry. In order for women to be successful in the
engineering field, they must learn to navigate the complex environment,
overcome common career challenges and develop their leadership skills.
Liquid Learning powers up for its 5th Women in Engineering Leadership
Summit 2016, addressing the unique challenges that women face in the
engineering profession and delivering both practical and proven strategies
to overcome obstacles in order to facilitate leadership excellence.
Inspirational and successful women, with backgrounds in engineering, from
across industries will share their stories of their own defining moments, and
will offer critical advice to attain success for current and emerging leaders.
This is an outstanding networking and development opportunity not to be
missed. Register your team early to be a part of this engaging conversation!
day conference, providing scope to continue conversations
raised, brainstorm solutions to common challenges faced and
reflect on the advice that resonated with them. Explore:
• Valuable lessons learned from the Summit
• Putting the lessons into practice
• Consider strategies for leadership success
Louise Silburn Director and Executive Coach
Transforming Partnership
4.30 Concluding Remarks from the Chair
and Summit Close
that can help build you as an individual in and outside the
office. Julianne will reflect on her own surprising but defining
opportunities that led her to where she is now. Explore:
• No experience is wasted
• The value of extra-curricular opportunities
• The importance of attitude
Julianne Pohlner Manager of Engineering
WorleyParsons
12.05 - 12.15 Questions and Discussion
12.15 - 1.15 Networking Lunch
1.15 - 2.05 CASE STUDY
Embracing a change mentality - Navigating non-
linear career paths
They say that preparation is everything, but the one thing
you can rely on in life is that nothing ever goes completely
according to plan. And yet, when the career gods throw
out a curve-ball, successful leaders are prepared to be
unprepared. Choosing the right advisors to aid and support
your vision along the way can help you make some of
those tough decisions, and ultimately how we respond
and capitalise on changes in our environment, industry
and family life can be career defining. In this session Pip
will examine her own unconventional career path and life
lessons. She will discuss:
• Being proactive and taking the initiative to change
• Finding people who can support and advise you
• The benefits of experiencing a variety of work
opportunities and how this helps you develop a unique
skill set
Pip McGlinn Program Executive Director,
Infrastructure Planning
Queensland Health
2.05 - 2.15 Questions and Discussion
2.15 - 3.00 CASE STUDY
Enhancing your flexibility to reach your goals -
Risk and opportunity
Reaching your leadership potential and succeeding in
your chosen industry and organisation requires embracing
an element of risk and audacity. Often, however, the fear
of failure stops women from taking the necessary risks
required to move forward and achieve their goals. An
acknowledged expert in Naval Combat Systems, Lee
draws on her 21 years of experience in the Royal Australian
Navy and subsequent work with Nova Systems, to describe
how she has accepted what her career has thrown at her
and grown as an individual because of it. Lee will discuss:
• Building confidence in your work
• Handling challenging transition’s and changes
• When to be flexible and how this attribute supported her
leadership journey
Lee Kormany Program Manager, Maritime
Nova Systems
3.00 - 3.15 Questions and Discussion
3.15 - 3.30 Afternoon Tea
3.30 - 4.30 INTERACTIVE CLOSING ROUNDTABLE
Moving forward - Navigating a changing vision of
success for women in engineering
As Louise brings the Summit to a close, she will summarise
the key take-aways from the conference, reflecting on the
future visions for success in Engineering. This interactive
session will provide delegates with an opportunity to review
the themes and topics covered over the course of the two
Tweet about this event using the hashtag #WIE16 and @
LiquidLearning for daily industry updates!
FOLLOW THIS EVENT
6. 9.00 - 4.30
Building Technical and Stakeholder Management Skills to Enhance Strategic Leadership
To be an effective executive engineering leader it is in most cases critical to be a technical expert in your field first. Successful leaders have the trust of their
teams, which stems from a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s challenges and expectations. However, a technical grounding is only half the
challenge. As an industry leader, your role is to deliver value across your organisation, which requires high level stakeholder engagement, team building
capabilities and skills in determining and managing performance.
Tackling these challenges invariably places leaders in situations that demand a specific and bespoke suite of skills; including managing time, stakeholder
engagement, managing performance, priorities and strategic goal setting; in line with broader business objectives. Honing these skills will help your focus
and direction as a leader and ultimately cement your standing as a centre of value in your organisation.
This full-day intensive workshop will help shape your technical leadership capabilities by helping you build strategies to manage time, teams and
stakeholders effectively and add to your strategic leadership toolkit. This training will equip you with the tools to accomplish your goals within a set time
frame and successfully tackle typical challenges. With a focus on developing skills in stakeholder engagement, performance management, negotiating for
yourself and others and dealing with challenging interpersonal relationships, this practical session will help you grow as a technical leader into the future.
The importance of time management
• Accomplishing more in less time
• Improving decision-making
• Effective planning
Practical tools for strategic leadership
• Facing challenges head on
• Identifying and managing potential long-term risks
• Negotiating outcomes
Stakeholder engagement skills for leaders
• Identifying and consulting with stakeholders
• Tips for improving stakeholder engagement
• Aligning stakeholder management with organisational and development plans
Identifying and understanding your priorities
• Setting goals and deadlines
• Delegating responsibilities
• Staying focused
Expert Facilitator: Tanya Johnstone Executive and Personal Development Coach
Transcend Consulting Pty Ltd
Tanya brings a wealth of insight and practical tools from her 15 plus years of experience as a Senior Executive in construction, heavy engineering and
transport sectors, with large operational teams and significant transformation agenda, including leading a $1B infrastructure alliance. Now working as a
coach and consultant, Tanya supports clients in delivering value, optimising business outcomes, designing strategy, inspiring performance, fostering talent
and leading organisations through systems, standards and culture change. Tanya is an experienced executive and frontline coach, supporting leaders
in harnessing opportunities and initiating new directions from creative tensions. Through expert coaching, leaders experience heightened awareness,
creativity, efficacy and wellbeing – standing more fully in their leadership capabilities and transforming their organisations.
Post-Summit Workshop
25 November 2016
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
• 8.30 - 9.00 Registration
• 9.00 - 10.40 Session One
• 10.40 - 11.00 Morning Tea
• 11.00 - 12.30 Session Two
• 12.30 - 1.30 Lunch
• 1.30 - 3.00 Session Three
• 3.00 - 3.20 Afternoon Tea
• 3.20 - 4.30 Session Four
• 4.30 Close of Workshop
SPONSOR TODAY!
Limited sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
available. For your chance to brand yourself as a
market leader, please call: +61 2 8239 9711 or email:
partnership@liquidlearning.com.au
TEAM BOOKINGS
Receive a 20% discount when
booking a team of 8 to attend,
please call: +61 2 8239 9711 or
email: registration@liquidlearning.com.au
