This inspiring event will feature sharing of journeys, insights, and strategies for overcoming challenges and driving progress. With opportunities for networking before and after, this event is the perfect space to connect with like-minded professionals. Let’s celebrate the achievements of women in STEM and inspire one another to build a stronger, more united future.
Your Moderator
Melissa Witheriff is a dynamic innovator, strategic advisor, and experienced board member with over 20 years of leadership across financial services, government, and consulting. She currently serves as the Australian Innovation Lead at Avanade, where she works at the intersection of emerging technology, customer strategy, and sustainable impact. Her work spans digital innovation, organisational strategy, cultural transformation, and responsible technology governance—particularly in the areas of AI fluency, ethics, data governance, and digital inclusion.
A future-focused leader with strong commercial acumen, Melissa has a proven track record of transforming ideas from concept to commercialisation and creating value for organisations, partners, and customers alike. She is known for her energy, curiosity, and ability to challenge the status quo to drive meaningful outcomes.
Melissa is a Non-Executive Director at the Financial Basics Foundation, an Advisory Board Member for the Service Innovation Alliance (SIA) at the University of Queensland, and Chair of the DiversAbility Employee Reference Group at Avanade Australia. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the WiT Board Readiness Program, and a passionate advocate for diverse leadership and inclusive innovation.
In every role, Melissa brings hands-on experience, boardroom insight, and a deep commitment to helping organisations adapt, perform, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
