Bianca Shepherd - Chairperson

Bianca Shepherd is ANSTO’s Engineering Support Workshop Manager, confidently overseeing the manufacture and fabrication of equipment and specialised parts for critical Australian scientific and landmark infrastructure. In particular, Bianca oversees the manufacture of specialised parts for the OPAL multi-purpose reactor, which is required for the production of nuclear medicine that benefits half a million Australians each year. Bianca also enables the continued operation of infrastructure relevant to important health, environment and nuclear fuel cycle research. Bianca began her career almost thirty years ago as an Electrical Engineering Cadet at BHP. During that time, she completed an Associate Diploma in Electrical Engineering whilst undertaking an electrical trade, and working in the steel industry. Bianca has worked in the mining and construction sectors throughout her careers. She is currently a mentor with the Tradeswomen Australia Building Futures program and part of the Superstars of STEM program with Science and Technology Australia. Bianca remains grateful for her trade expertise, and developing the next generation of young engineering and trade professionals in STEM has become her passion. She possesses strong interpersonal and technical skills, and has worked at the University of Ballarat teaching electrical modules to apprentices and tradespeople.

Robyn Dawson – Treasurer

Robyn is an event manager by trade and a passionate advocate at heart. She has facilitated projects and events of all sizes across the east coast of Australia, in paid and voluntary roles over the last 15 years. For the last 8 years she has been supporting the operations, stakeholder engagement and community relations for the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong. Robyn has been a volunteer for numerous organisations across the Illawarra since she was 15, including a pink lady with the Wollongong Blood Bank, companion with Camp Quality and more recently Stage Manager for the Stars of Wollongong Cancer Council Fundraiser. Whether at work or volunteering, the values are the same, to enhance wellbeing and sustainability, champion kindness and socially just outcomes, especially for those experiencing hardship or in a vulnerable position within our community.

Maysa Safadi – Secretary

Maysa is on a mission to support women to achieve their full potential; to encourage, promote and equip them to excel their involvement in employment, learning and community life.

Maysa has over 20 years experience in software engineering with background in SaaS, superannuation, revenue collection and telecommunication. Maysa has strong technical and leadership skills; successfully led and delivered high-profile projects in the government and regulated financial sector. Maysa currently is an Engineering Manager at Easy Agile actively helping teams be agile.

Maysa leads, inspires and mentors highly talented Software Engineers to maximise productivity, creativity and innovation by enabling conditions and safe environments where they can thrive to deliver exceptional IT solutions. She loves learning and experimenting with new technologies that could help us change our world and way of work.

In December 2000, Maysa graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelors of Computer Science. Maysa started her career journey as a graduate Software Engineer and has been working in IT since then.

Maysa brings lots of diversity to Women Illawarra. Maysa migrated to Australia in 1998, bilingual in English and Arabic, born and raised in United Arab Emirates with Palestinian heritage.

Susan Yates – Board Member

Susan has taught French language and literature at Columbia University in New York and the University of Wollongong. She was the founding President of the Alliance Française in Rockhampton, Queensland and one of her passions is sharing the delights and benefits of learning a second language. Her research into the experience of 19th century women, captured in her book Maid and Mistress in 1992, was inspired by feminist theory and she is profoundly committed to improving the lives of women and girls.

Roberta Allen – Board Member

Roberta is a Solicitor specialising in Family Law and Dispute Resolution services. Having completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Technology, Sydney Roberta has practiced extensively in Family Law with a specialisation in assisting those affected by Domestic and Family Violence. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, a Mediator, and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Roberta has had a long association with Women Illawarra, spanning over 8 years. She is motivated by the Organisations strong focus on Women, and ensuring that women are represented, and connected in all aspects of the community. The eradication of all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination is a passion for Roberta, and aligns with the work, vision and strengths of Women Illawarra. Women Illawarra has a long and distinguished history of helping women and girls in need, and empowering and advocating for all those marginalised by Society. Roberta is excited to be part of driving the ongoing growth and development of Women Illawarra through Community Engagement, strategic partnerships, and expansion of existing services to ensure that all women are safe, empowered and able to live their best lives

Taylah Spirovski – Board Member

Taylah is a vocal young professional and passionate advocate for gender equality. Taylah was born and raised in the Illawarra. In 2020, Taylah graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelors of Laws and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (with Distinction). Taylah is litigation solicitor within the Sydney office of the largest commercial law firm in Australia by partnership. Taylah is actively engaged in influencing the wider legal profession. She is the Vice President of NSW Young Lawyers and the Australian representative on the Young Commonwealth Lawyers' Association Committee. Alongside this, Taylah is the Chief Executive Officer of Voices of Influence Australia, a youth-led human rights organisation, where she leads a team and coordinates policy-based projects and initiatives to educate young people and advance the rights of marginalised communities. Taylah is committed to protecting and advancing the rights of women and girls. She strives for sustainability and impact in all her work and is enlivened by the opportunity to serve and meaningfully contribute to the lives of women from the Illawarra.

Natalie McLean – Board Member

Natalie has 26 years experience in NSW State Government in a variety of predominately operational roles in intelligence and executive positions. The breadth of her experience ranges from representing the NSW Police Force in the Supreme Court in homicides including domestic violence related homicides, to organised crime investigations and large scale state wide program to increase community safety. Natalie has held a variety of roles in NSW State Emergency Services in assisting communities during natural disasters Working in front line operational roles has enabled her to develop and in-depth understanding of the challenges women face and looks forward to the opportunity to empower women and children to feel safe by removing gender based violence and discrimination.

Throughout her career Natalie has implemented significant diversity an Inclusion initiative including award winning Aboriginal apprenticeship program and cultural inclusion programs for Roads and Maritime Service.. Currently she working for the Federal Government as a Director and a consultant for not for profit organisations. She holds a Degree in Science and a Graduate Diploma in Natural Resource Law and Policy from the University of Wollongong.

Louise Sergent - Board Member