It’s hard to know where to begin with summing up 2021! Aside from the obvious challenges, it was a year for building up a portfolio of exciting engagements, and advocating for new ways of working. Key highlights included:
Business/Career
- Appointed as a member of the ACT Chief Minister’s Canberra Economic Advisory Group (CEAG), providing advice on long term economic recovery and diversification, including how to build on key capabilities and position the ACT economy for success over the next 10 to 15 years
- Appointed as a member of the Canberra Business School Advisory Board, and as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra (as well as shooting a TV campaign and podcast for UC seeking to redefine how business is perceived)
- Appointed (via Allaran) to the Boosting Female Founders Mentoring panel and had the opportunity to work with a range of fantastic women-led businesses (across tech, education, marketplaces, health and more)
- Appointed as Chair of the Board at Young Change Agents, a leading social enterprise delivering a range of education programs and pathways that develop the entrepreneurial mindset, skillset and toolset of young people aged 10 to 25
- Engaged by Werkling as a Future Work Designer, researching current and future approaches to how work is designed and resourced, including how organisations are evolving their talent strategy
- Named as a winner for the 2021 WE@inQ Scale to India program, securing support for Ethitrade to expand into India alongside some amazing partners
- Named as a Semi Finalist in the Actions for Earth Global Leadership Challenge (focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals), with Ethitrade now invited to compete in the finals in Singapore in August 2022 (pending COVID!)
- Featured in a UIIN book of boundary spanners from around the globe (leading to new connections with others who value working across multiple sectors/industries/disciplines!)
- Collaborating with Mulga the Artist to see Ecolour featured in a new Aldi store in Sydney
Professional Development & Engagement
- Attended the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Australian Governance Summit virtually (and was pleased to see such a strong focus on climate action!)
- Engaged with the media on a range of topics including the future of work and social entrepreneurship
- Spoke at a range of events (mostly online), including:
- International Women’s Day (IWD) Canberra Garden Party
- CBRIN Weekly Innovation Challenge: Funding your Prototype
- Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) Engaging with Industry
- Accelerator for Enterprising Women Incubator Workshop, Masterclass Presenter: Idea Validation
- DFKI (Germany) Virtual Workshop on Tech & Knowledge Transfer, Keynote Presentation: Experiences with Digital Platforms in Transfer
- APEC Virtual Workshop on Application of Blockchain/DLT Standards, Panel Speaker: Ethitrade International
- Served as a judge/mentor for a range of programs, including:
- Judge for the Innovation Connect (ICON) ACT Government Grant Program
- Judge for the Enactus Social Entrepreneurship National Conference
- Mentor for the Academy for Enterprising Girls Mini Youth Incubator (a collaboration between Young Change Agents & the Academy for Enterprising Girls)
- Mentor for the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), assisting early career researchers to increase their understanding of industry and extend their professional network beyond academia
- Reading list favourites: The Neo-Generalist, Range
Personal
- In March, my partner and I welcomed another gorgeous baby (Ryan) to our little family. With two under two for most of the year, there hasn’t been a lot a sleep, but certainly plenty of sweet moments that make it all worthwhile!
- Late in 2021 I said goodbye to my 30s. The day came and went without any opportunity to pause and reflect, but it prompted a renewed sense of refocusing on what matters most. Looking forward to a big 2022!