In a significant step towards promoting gender equity in the energy industry, the Power + Utilities Australia Leadership Summit is set to champion the voices of female industry leaders.
Scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 7 to 8, the conference will feature over 120 speakers, with women comprising an impressive 45 per cent of the roster.
The energy industry has long grappled with gender equity challenges, as highlighted by the recent Workplace Gender Equality Agency report.
The report ranks the industry third lowest in terms of gender equity, with women making up only 26 per cent of the workforce and 28 per cent of key management positions. Additionally, the mean gender pay gap stands at a staggering 20.1 per cent, placing the industry sixth highest out of 19 industries.
Recognising the importance of addressing this issue, the Power + Utilities Australia Leadership Summit has placed gender equity at the heart of its agenda.
To date, the conference has confirmed 55 female speakers, including 13 CEOs and six female-led keynote presentations over its two-day program.
Kicking off the conference and setting the tone for Day 1 is Louise Weine, CEO of the National Association of Women in Operations, who will present the opening keynote on ‘The nine levers driving gender balance in operations’.
Other highlights include:
- Dr. Carolyn Huston, Smart Energy Distribution Lead at CSIRO, discussing ‘Solving the renewable energy access puzzle for homes and small businesses – how does the supply chain come together for optimal solutions that consumers can trust?’
- Lisa Chiba, CEO of Momentum Energy, addressing ‘Making the energy transition tangible for large and small consumers: the retailer challenge’.
- Patricia Lavieri, Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, exploring ‘Using behavioural models to analyse the potential for solar electric vehicle charging in Australia’.
- Stephanie Bashir, CEO of Nexa Advisory, delving into ‘Contestability and Competitive Markets: What role should government play in stimulating investment in transmission projects?’
The Power + Utilities Australia Leadership Summit aims to foster meaningful discussions and amplify the voices of women in the energy industry, driving progress towards a more equitable and inclusive future.
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