Elevate Advisory Group
STEM champions from across the breadth of academia and industry who will help shape an immersive program for scholarship recipients.
The Elevate Advisory Group comprises members representing ATSE, Elevate partner organisations and key stakeholders. They are all champions of equity and diversity in STEM and provide strategic oversight and direction for the program.
Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs
Marlene Kanga
Dr Marlene Kanga is a recognised leader of STEM organisations in Australia and internationally and is currently a non-executive director of Sydney Water Corporation, Air Services Australia, Standards Australia and BESydney and other boards involving innovation and the commercialisation of new technologies. She was previously Chair of the Department of Industry Innovation and Science R&D Incentives Committee (2013-2016), the largest government support program for industry based research and development in Australia.
The Elevate Advisory Group will champion diversity and inclusion, and help shape an immersive program for scholarship recipients, exposing them to inclusive leaders, programs, networks and organisations, that nurture and support their professional development and future careers. – Dr Marlene Kanga AO FTSE
Bill Cox
Bill Cox is Aurecon’s Chief Executive Officer, leading the company’s rapid growth including diversification across Digital, Advisory and Asia with a team of over 7,000 engineers, scientists and advisors.
Bill is a strong and passionate advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion, and was recognised by Engineers Australia as one of the Top 100 most influential engineers in 2015. He was appointed as a Fellow of Engineers Australia and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2019. He also sits on the University of Technology Sydney Faculty of Engineering and IT Industry Advisory Board and is an Advisory Board Member on the Leadership Forum of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers.
Elevate Advisory Group Ex-Officio Members
Elevate Advisory Group Ex-Officio Members
Kylie Walker
Kylie is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), where she works with expert Fellows to provide expert advice to national leadership, lead crucial national conversations to solve complex challenges, and move towards a technology-powered, human-driven future.
She specialises in connecting technologists, engineers and scientists with governments, business, media and society – skills built over many years in senior federal advocacy and communication roles in the science, technology and health sectors.
As the past CEO of Science & Technology Australia, Kylie led campaigns to increase investment in Australian research and development, and created the acclaimed Superstars of STEM program, championing Australian women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Kylie is a visiting Fellow at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science. She has been Chair of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, is a member of Chief Executive Women, and has been named one of AFR’s 100 Women of Influence, for her work on improving equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM.
Dr Alison Every
After completing her PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), investigating immunotherapeutic approaches to prevent type 1 diabetes, Alison undertook research in vaccine development and inflammatory mechanisms associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Here she discovered a passion for mentoring, advocacy and supporting early career researchers. As Director of the In2science STEM peer mentoring program she championed diversity, equity and inclusion in high school STEM education.
In her current role she oversees the high-profile suite of programs in the STEM Careers portfolio—STELR, IMNIS and Elevate—all designed to build diversity and equity of access and opportunity across the STEM study and career pipeline, through school, university and beyond.
