Our 2020 Sponsors
Tradeswomen Australia was established to encourage, recruit and retain women in skilled trade roles that are male-dominated. We support industries to capitalise on previously untapped workers through the engagement of all stakeholders and by leading large scale culture change projects. By recognising the need for change in social attitudes we support businesses to take the lead and remove the barriers for women who wish to enter their trade.
Tradeswomen Australia Board Members
Jane Sydenham-ClarkeNon-Executive DirectorCEO of Skyline Education Foundation Australia, formerly CEO at Freemasons Victoria, Jane has held leadership roles including at Fed Square, Kidney Health Australia and Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct. She brings a lifelong commitment to empowering women in work with senior leadership experience across marketing, commercial partnership development, community engagement, and operational management. Jane is committed to collaboration and communication, with a track record inspiring unprecedented business and social outcomes through innovative commercial practice. She is driven to make a sustained positive impact, evidenced by lifelong contributions to Victoria’s social fabric through enabling community, cultural, education, tourism and health impacts.
Tony NobleNon-Executive DirectorTony was appointed as an independent director in 2019. With over 35 years of experience in the electrical and communications industries, Tony was one of the five owners of a National Electrical Communications company, DESA Australia prior to moving into a global role with an international company with its headquarters based in Chicago. For the past 17 years, Tony has worked in a global role as the VP Global Sales and Technical Support at Molex Connected Enterprise Solutions. As a member of the global Executive Leadership Team, Tony is responsible for the development and delivery of Global Sales and Technology Initiatives. In alignment with the ELT, Tony develops the strategic initiatives for global markets including the Risk assessment, development of new product solutions, Marketing strategies and Manufacturing refinement initiatives to meet local and global growth and profitability requirements. Tony is an independent director on the National Electrical and Communications Association Careers and Education (NECA) Board of Directors and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Tony is also a member of the NECA IOT steering committee. Careers and Education
Sarah PalmerNon-Executive DirectorSarah works as the Project Manager of Capital Projects at Boral.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Science and is an inclusive leader with a track record of building high performing teams, creating trusting business relationships and creating strategic partnerships with suppliers and customers. Diverse leadership experience developed through roles in Australia, UK, Europe and New Zealand. Breaking down barriers to allow diversity in all its forms to participate in the industry, strengthening performance and innovation within companies and government enterprises. Fiona LawrieExecutive DirectorFiona Lawrie’s career began as a light vehicle apprentice, during her apprenticeship and time working in the automotive industry she identified a lack of support, promotion and opportunities for women in trade industries. During her apprenticeship, Fiona started a networking group for women in trades. Building relationships and establishing partnerships with business and industry, Fiona developed and implemented strategies to increase the participation of women in trades.
With rounded experience, Fiona understands the opportunities of gender equity in male-dominated industries. Fiona values workplace diversity and works with employers to help them achieve benefits such as higher employee engagement, Improved performance, Greater innovation, Retention of talent, Improved employee wellbeing and remove unlawful behaviours such as harassment and discrimination.
CEO of Skyline Education Foundation Australia, formerly CEO at Freemasons Victoria, Jane has held leadership roles including at Fed Square, Kidney Health Australia and Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct. She brings a lifelong commitment to empowering women in work with senior leadership experience across marketing, commercial partnership development, community engagement, and operational management. Jane is committed to collaboration and communication, with a track record inspiring unprecedented business and social outcomes through innovative commercial practice. She is driven to make a sustained positive impact, evidenced by lifelong contributions to Victoria’s social fabric through enabling community, cultural, education, tourism and health impacts.
Tony was appointed as an independent director in 2019. With over 35 years of experience in the electrical and communications industries, Tony was one of the five owners of a National Electrical Communications company, DESA Australia prior to moving into a global role with an international company with its headquarters based in Chicago. For the past 17 years, Tony has worked in a global role as the VP Global Sales and Technical Support at Molex Connected Enterprise Solutions. As a member of the global Executive Leadership Team, Tony is responsible for the development and delivery of Global Sales and Technology Initiatives. In alignment with the ELT, Tony develops the strategic initiatives for global markets including the Risk assessment, development of new product solutions, Marketing strategies and Manufacturing refinement initiatives to meet local and global growth and profitability requirements. Tony is an independent director on the National Electrical and Communications Association Careers and Education (NECA) Board of Directors and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Tony is also a member of the NECA IOT steering committee. Careers and Education
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Science and is an inclusive leader with a track record of building high performing teams, creating trusting business relationships and creating strategic partnerships with suppliers and customers. Diverse leadership experience developed through roles in Australia, UK, Europe and New Zealand. Breaking down barriers to allow diversity in all its forms to participate in the industry, strengthening performance and innovation within companies and government enterprises.
Fiona Lawrie’s career began as a light vehicle apprentice, during her apprenticeship and time working in the automotive industry she identified a lack of support, promotion and opportunities for women in trade industries. During her apprenticeship, Fiona started a networking group for women in trades. Building relationships and establishing partnerships with business and industry, Fiona developed and implemented strategies to increase the participation of women in trades.
With rounded experience, Fiona understands the opportunities of gender equity in male-dominated industries. Fiona values workplace diversity and works with employers to help them achieve benefits such as higher employee engagement, Improved performance, Greater innovation, Retention of talent, Improved employee wellbeing and remove unlawful behaviours such as harassment and discrimination.
Tradeswomen Australia Strategy Council
Chief Executive Officer for WHISE (Women's Health in the South East) and Chairperson for Gender Equity (GEN Vic) Executive Director at Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) Director - Industry Initiatives and Engagement at RMIT Emeritus Professor Victoria University and Non-Executive Director, Board of Chisholm Institute General Manager Primary Prevention and Community Programs at Jesuit Social Services Senior Policy Officer – Apprenticeships & Traineeships Department of Education & Training General Manager (Global Apprentice Network) Director of Health and Safety, Australia (Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd) General Manager – Human Resources (Programmed)
Tradeswomen Australia Team
