WiTWA - Jobs of the future - Mars One Astronaut Candidate

Join us at our Department of Communities sponsored Jobs of the Future sit-down breakfast event where we will hear from Keynote Josh Richards – Mars One Astronaut Candidate followed by a panel discussion with some of Perth's most innovative women in tech!

Physicist, Explosives Engineer, Soldier, Comedian, Astronaut Candidate – one thing Josh Richards can never be accused of is being boring. In the last decade he’s picked up booby traps with the Australian Army, slogged through mud with British Commandos, been science adviser to the richest artist in the world, and performed comedy wearing a giant koala suit to confused audiences around the world. Josh found his true calling in September 2012 when he discovered the Mars One project. Selected from over 200,000 initial applicants, he’s currently one of 100 astronaut candidates shortlisted for a one-way mission to colonize Mars. Now an in-demand professional speaker, Josh’s storytelling makes for compelling & entertaining corporate keynote presentations on leadership, small-team dynamics, and the challenges of life in space that are certain to leave any audience with plenty to think about.

Josh will be facilitating an interactive panel discussion on Job of the Future with the following incredible innovators:

Vee Pendergrast - CEO, Stirfire Studios
After sixteen years in mobile telecommunications, Vee Pendergrast made the leap in 2016 to pursue a full-time career in videogame and VR development. She co-founded Stirfire Studios in 2010 and has gradually grown the business to the bustling studio it is now and was instrumental in the launch of its titles Freedom Fall, and Symphony of the Machine. Named as one of MCV Pacific’s Top 30 Women in Games in 2017, Vee brought the company to its attempt at an IPO in July 2017 which is a rarity for Australian videogame companies. Vee’s ambition is to keep the company producing quality titles and growing their portfolio of internal IPs and services work.

Elizabeth Meredith - Senior Manager, Technology, Deloitte
Liz is the most senior woman in Deloitte’s technical consulting team in Perth. A public sector specialist, she has experience in both the UK and Australia and is an expert in managing business transformation programs. With experience in both public and private sectors she has played many roles including as project manager, change manager, business analyst, customer relationship manager, supplier contract manager and has commissioned everything from small consultancy pieces to large business process outsourcing contracts worth $170m. Liz has been in Perth since 2008 where she completed her MBA and is a working mum with a 3 year old son and 6 year old daughter.

Gry Stene - Founder, Kinchip Systems
Gry is a technologist, orchestrator and mentor with 30 years in the software industry and a lifelong interest in the crossover between health, education and technology. Specialised in inter-operability and integration across people, systems and cultures in a global setting, Gry is passionate about bringing the best people and systems together to deliver meaningful solutions, helping people reach their potential and have an impact.

Melissa Ettinger - Graduate Program Manager, Bankwest
With a background in software engineering and a passion for innovation, originally from San Diego, Melissa is heavily involved in enhancing the technology innovation space. She does this through her role as Graduate Program Manager at Bankwest and also by volunteering for NFP programs like CoderDojo where she gets people excited about technology!

Seats are strictly limited. A sit-down full Breakfast will be provided and formal proceedings will commence at 7:45am sharp.

Cost: $45 incl. GST or $400 for a table of 10. Tickets are strictly limited and will sell out.

Full details about all the planned WiTWA events can be found at www.witwa.org.au/events

Women in Technology WA Inc. would like to thank event sponsors the Department of Communities and WA Business News for supporting this event.