Events

Katriina Tahka is the CEO of A Human Agency and Managing Director of Cultivate Sponsorship, with more than 20 years’ experience spanning employment law, workplace relations, workforce planning and talent strategy across construction, infrastructure, energy and asset-intensive industries.

Her work focuses on balancing the scales in male-dominated sectors by turning inclusion into practical workforce outcomes - building visible pathways, sustainable talent pipelines and leadership accountability. Katriina has advised Roads Australia, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia and Australian Flexible Pavements Association, and previously led global people strategy for infrastructure and listed assets at AMP Capital. She brings a rare blend of commercial rigour and human insight to the challenge of building fair, future-ready industries.

Dominique Gill has been working in construction for over 20 years. After working nine years in one of Australia’s largest construction companies, Dominique established her own business in 2016. Urban Core is the first female-led construction company of its kind and is already defining a new generation in Australian construction. With annual revenues exceeding $70 million, Urban Core have successfully delivered 100s of projects. In 2021, Urban Core won their first Master Builders Association of NSW Awards for Excellence in Construction and won another three since. Dominique was also both the National and the NSW NAWIC 2021 Crystal Vision Award winner.

Dominique is an industry pioneer of diversity and inclusion. A vocal champion for women in construction, she actively encourages the promotion of the industry to a younger generation. In 2022 she launched an exciting program, now a fully established NFP, “NexGen” to address female representation in construction. NexGen is a multi-state program where female leaders in construction present to girls’ schools and talk about the rewards of working in the industry.

Urban Core is now counting more than 50 full time staff - 50 percent female ! - across two states, and Dominique intends to continue growing her business to become one of the key players in the construction industry and to challenge the all-too-common perception that construction is a man’s world.

On top of managing a very demanding career, Dominique is also the mother of three beautiful teenage daughters. She is a wonderful testimony that motherhood and career are indeed compatible.

Kelsie is the Program Director with Curious Minds, a national, government-funded, extension and mentoring program that aims to inspire girls in years 8, 9 and 10 to pursue a career in STEM. Prior to this, Kelsie spent over 20 years at Macquarie University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Faculty of Science and Engineering as an academic, Head of Department, Associate Dean Learning and Teaching and Associate Dean International. Kelsie has a PhD in Geology from Macquarie University and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (Teaching and Learning) from UTS. Kelsie's research interests include volcanology, and the tectonics of eastern Australia and the oceans surrounding Australia. Kelsie participated in three International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions – Expedition 323 in the Bering Sea, and Expeditions 349 and 368 in the South China Sea.

Jo Gaines has spent over 25 years working for and with technology and media companies. Since 1999, she has worked for various companies and networks, including Salesforce, Krux, CBS, Yahoo, Kidspot, Sensis and Asana.

As Head of Channel, APJ (ANZ, Rest of Asia & Japan) Jo currently leads Asana’s channel strategy and partnership development in the region. Prior to joining Asana, she was Area Vice President for Retail and Consumer Goods at Salesforce, where she managed the entire team and go-to-market for the Retail and CPG business at Salesforce of over 150 people. Jo has also founded her own business, Digital Tech Advisors, working with brands such as Mecca, Sonder Retail Media, Supercars, etc.  Plus Breaking Glass, a membership based organisation for like minded Senior Executive women.  She is also an Ambassador for Women’s Community Shelters, creating safe places for at-risk women and children and a Member of the D2 Collective, A global, value-based community that sparks meaningful connections for 8000+ employees of the top tech companies.

Jo's greatest passions are friendships and motherhood; she has two beautiful daughters, Marley and Jasmine, and two dogs, Nala and Rani. Jo loves weight training, is completing her yoga teacher training and tries really hard to live a healthy lifestyle.

Abi leads the Judith Neilson Foundation’s innovation portfolio. She is focused on communities and organisations working to create more equal, more joyful, more empowered society – one that works for people and planet. Abi has spent a decade at the intersection of innovation, philanthropy, international and locally-led social change. She has worked across Australia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Asia, in roles in the public, private and third sectors.

Abi is motivated by work that makes a difference to the lives of others – whether that’s Sydneysiders or Londoners, people in need of humanitarian assistance, communities experiencing inequality and poverty, or entrepreneurs and innovators. Her publications include: Managing Humanitarian Innovation: The Cutting Edge of Aid; How to Scale: Tactics to enable the Adoption of Innovation; and contribution to a definitive political study, the Great British Election of 2015. Abi lives in Sydney and loves to travel, to run and learning to look after her garden.

Tracey is an accomplished Environmental Scientist and team leader with over 20 years’ experience delivering practical, compliant, and sustainable outcomes across public and private sector projects. Her expertise includes, how to develop & implement effective environmental management systems, environmentally sensitive operational/ construction techniques, approvals / environmental assessment, and regulatory compliance. She has successfully led multidisciplinary teams working on major infrastructure projects including Sydney Metro projects, Pacific Highway Upgrades, and many building and defence projects.Renowned for developing clear, effective environmental management documentation covering air quality, noise, vibration, heritage, contamination, soil, water, and waste, Tracey provides proactive support to her teams, clients and stakeholders to achieve positive environmental and community outcomes. Tracey holds a Master of Business and Environmental Management, a Bachelor of Environmental Science & is a Certified Environmental Practitioner.

A recipient of Banksia and International Erosion and Sedimentation Control Association Awards, Tracey has been recognised for her contributions to sustainability and environmental best practice. Her commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement drives her passion for creating environmentally sound & sustainable project outcomes.