WiT CALD Program 2025

Workshop One

Turn your diversity into your leadership edge in STEM

Sarah Yip – Leaders Lounge

Delivered by Sarah Yip, an Australian-Chinese leadership expert with qualifications in International Relations and over 20 years of experience in capability development. Sarah is widely respected for her work in cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership. She was handpicked by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to deliver women’s leadership programs across APAC and ASEAN countries and is a trusted advisor to organisations seeking to elevate diverse voices and talent in STEM and innovation.

Diversity is the engine of innovation and the safeguard of ethics in STEM. This interactive 2.5-hour workshop equips CALD women with the skills to harness soft power, strengthen cultural intelligence, and lead with inclusion. Grounded in Deloitte’s model on Inclusive Leadership, it’s a powerful opportunity to turn your unique perspective into your leadership edge.

Whether you're launching your career or stepping into your next leadership role, this workshop will leave you feeling empowered, equipped, and connected.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, you will:

• Harness soft power to influence and inspire.
• Build cultural intelligence for diverse STEM contexts.
• Apply inclusive leadership traits to collaboration and AI ethics.
• Create a personal action plan to amplify your impact.
  
  

Workshop Two

CALD Women in Action panel discussion

Panel facilitated by Professor Chamindie Punyadeera

Professor Chamindie Punyadeera is an inventor and a leader in women in STEMM. She has had a hybrid research career working in industry as well as academia. She has worked at Philips Electronics in the Netherlands and has been instrumental in developing Philips Mini-care I-20 for cardiac disease detection. She has also contributed to development of an integrated platform to detect nucleic acids (Idylla TM) commercialised by Biocartis NV (Belgium) and is a globally acknowledged pioneer in salivary diagnostics. She leads a world-class saliva and liquid biopsy research laboratory in Australia, > 14 researchers focusing on developing novel salivary technologies to detect heart disease and application of liquid biopsy to accelerate precision treatment in cancers.

Associate Professor Alka Kothari is an obstetrician and gynaecologist dedicated to advancing compassionate, evidence-based care for birthing families. Her research spans digital health in obstetrics, pharmacist integration in antenatal care, and paternal mental health—highlighted by her PhD on birth trauma in fathers. As a Metro-North Clinician Research Fellow, she leads consumer-driven research and was invited to provide expert evidence at the 2023 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma. She influences national policy through advisory roles, serves on multiple state committees, and regularly presents at major conferences. Her work has earned national and international recognition, including awards from Metro-North and the RCOG World Congress. She is also a media spokesperson on perinatal mental health.

Monica Gonzalez is a multicultural Hispanic woman originally from the southern United States, with over 20 years of international experience in data, analytics, governance, and leadership. She contributes to Australia’s AI and digital technology standards development, advocating for ethical and inclusive data practices. Monica is known for leading high-performing teams, driving digital transformation, and shaping global standards that improve lives and society.

Dr Dhanisha Jhaveri is a life scientist with over two decades of experience in conducting and leading research at tertiary education institutions across multiple continents. Following her PhD in India, she moved to Australia to investigate and discover mechanisms of neurorepair and regeneration of the brain, with the goal of harnessing these to treat cognitive and mood deficits associated with chronic stress-related neuropsychiatric conditions. Leading a dynamic team of researchers, her research has resulted in multiple publications, successful funding and awards, and an Australian patent, and has led to numerous invitations to speak at national and international meetings. With an extensive governance and advisory experience on national and international committees, and a strong commitment to collaborations, public outreach, and equity, diversity and inclusion, she has contributed to the vision of engagement, influence, and impact in biomedical research