How a life-changing coffee empowered the voice of women in STEMM
Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM
Executive Leader, NED | Collaborating for impact | Strategy, Leadership, Partnerships & Alliances, Policy & Advocacy | R&D, STEM, Advanced Therapies, Workforce, DEI | Consultant, MC, Keynote, Coach
Have you ever had a life-changing cup of coffee? It’s okay if you are a tea drinker, as long as it was life-changing.
Well, I’ve had a life-changing cup of coffee too. For those who know me well, they’ll say every cup of coffee is life-changing, or certainly life-giving… but in truth I’ve had five life-changing cups of coffee…. and I want to share one with you.
Back when I was EMCR Forum Chair, Dr Andrew Siebel was convening the second conference, Science Pathways: Engaging with Industry. For my session I had invited a high-energy speaker, Michelle Gallaher, and I found that I immediately 'gelled' with her. #PeasinaPod
Michelle was CEO of BioMelbourne Network at that time and we landed in one of the focus group sessions together. The bond was immediate and strong, and of course as new BFFs do – we started following each other on Twitter.
At this stage, I had joined the founding steering committee for SAGE – Science in Australia Gender Equity – with the Australian Academy of Science. I had been invited after the EMCR Forum had released guidelines for gender equity featuring best practice and offering practical, low-cost solutions and aspirational goals.
I was learning so much, reading new research on gender equity, inclusion and diversity in STEM, and coming to the understanding of that merit is gendered. So I started a Twitter handle called 'Women in Science Australia' – and it took off.?
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Given the urgent need for representation, the hunger for information and solutions across the sector, and the tremendous desire to connect women across disciplines, professions and sectors, I had an idea and knew the perfect person to ask. I reached out to Michelle for coffee.
I have to say here that Seven Seeds coffee is exceptional, so I had two that day. Across the table we shook hands and committed to founding the non-profit organisation Women in STEMM Australia which now has 50K followers across its online platforms and thousands of members. We’ve done so much over the last eight years.
As I enthusiastically and excitedly welcome my friends and colleagues, Professor Madhu Bhaskaran and Sarah Chapman into Women in STEMM Australia's leadership, it is a bittersweet moment for me, since it also means I must farewell my dynamic cofounder, Michelle Gallaher.
Michelle, I will miss our late night texts strategizing ways to empower, support and change-make for women in STEMM, to foster inclusion and diversity, and to become better STEMM allies. This has been an amazing journey with you that will last me a lifetime. Thank you for all of it.
I wish you every success Michelle and will be cheering you on all the way! #1fan I look forward to hearing your latest over the best coffee around!! On behalf of Women in STEMM Australia's board directors, past and present - thank you for your vision and your leadership.
Professor in Epigenetics and Cell Biology at Deakin University
2 年An amazing achievement Maggie; looking forward to see what big thing you do next
Professional NED and Managing Director at Bingarra Scale-Up Solutions
3 年Well done you two!
Strategic Thinker - Facilitator - Problem Solver - Mentor
3 年The two of you are certainly a power duo!! Your achievements speak for themselves and you are handing on a great organisation. Thank you for all your efforts
Business Founder & Director (Human Quotient Group & Innovate Communicate) | Marketing, BD, project management, STEM | Defence industry & Defence partner
3 年Wonderful story of how things kicked off! You are both so inspiring as is what you've created. I'd love to hear how you navigated finding out about your working, decision-making and communication styles. But that may be a good topic for another panel discussion sometime ??