Cisco Live Spotlight: Innovation Central Brisbane Empowers the Future of Women in Tech
As we gather for Cisco Live Melbourne’s annual Women of Cisco Lunch and Panel, we’re thrilled to celebrate the power, resilience, and impact of women in the ICT industry. Today’s event, centred on the theme The Power of ‘I’, brings together a remarkable panel of female leaders who will share their insights on navigating change, embracing innovation, and championing inclusion in tech.
We are especially proud to support Gemma Alker, Director of Innovation Central Brisbane, as a featured panellist alongside a distinguished lineup, including Julie Canepa, Customer Experience Director, Australia & New Zealand, Cisco; Anupam Trehan, Vice President – People and Communities, Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan, and China; Rita Arrigo, Strategic Engagement, Department of Industry, Science and Resources; and Vanessa Sulikowski, Distinguished Solutions Engineer, Cisco. Each of these inspiring women brings a unique perspective on balancing a culture of innovation with inclusion and the leadership required to harness the transformative potential of AI, digital skills, and self-empowerment.
Beyond today’s event, Innovation Central Brisbane is proud to support the Women of Cisco Top Female Talent Program, a transformative initiative for top emerging female leaders at Cisco across Australia and New Zealand. Participants in this program are nominated based on their outstanding potential as future leaders in tech, and the program is designed to equip them with the digital skills, industry connections, and confidence needed to excel in the digital-first world.
Building Digital Skills for Impact and Influence
The first part of the Women of Cisco Top Female Talent Program was the Digital Skills for Impact and Influence course facilitated by Nicole Hatherly, Innovation Central Brisbane’s Industry Fellow and an award-winning global brand strategist. Nicole, through her company Brand True North, has guided countless professionals in mastering their online presence, and her expertise was integral to this program.
Focusing exclusively on Women of Cisco participants, the ICB Digital Skills Program for Influence and Impact empowered these emerging leaders with vital skills to articulate their professional value, refine their LinkedIn profiles, and build a cohesive online brand. Over the course of two months, participants met fortnightly, engaging in interactive sessions designed to help them enhance their digital presence, connect more effectively within the professional landscape, and increase their visibility as leaders in tech.
The program’s goal is to nurture a connected community of women who can support each other’s growth, contribute to a culture of digital excellence, and influence change beyond their immediate networks. At Innovation Central Brisbane, we’re proud to see these women develop their digital presence and impact, and we are thrilled to champion their professional journeys through this program.
ProtoComp: Innovating for Digital Inclusion in Australia and New Zealand
The second part of the Women of Cisco Top Female Talent Program is the ProtoComp—Innovation Central Brisbane’s signature, three-month program where participants work in teams to develop digital prototypes tackling real-world challenges. The ProtoComp began with a high-energy, two-day hackathon, where women from across Australia and New Zealand gathered at Innovation Central Brisbane to collaborate and generate ideas around a crucial provocation set by Cisco CTO Carl Solder: How might Cisco lead the way for digital inclusion in Australia and New Zealand by 2030?
During this intensive hackathon, participants brainstormed ideas, and developed early-stage solutions to address digital inclusion. The event concluded with each team pitching their concepts to Cisco’s senior leadership team, including Ben Dawson, Cisco Vice President for Australia and New Zealand; Sam Gerner; Mary Armstrong; and Harsha Hewapathirane. The hackathon set the foundation for three months of continued collaboration, as the teams now work remotely across Australia and New Zealand to refine their ideas.
The program will culminate on 4 December in an online showcase, where the Women of Cisco cohort will present their polished digital prototypes to Cisco’s senior leaders. The The ICB Women of Cisco Top Female Talent program, made possible through the collaboration of the Women of Cisco Committee—including Michelle Shalhoub, Brione Smink, Lucia Oles, Nicole Kaniowski, Pam Fleming, and Linda Chrysoglou—reflects our commitment to nurturing talent, promoting creativity, and enabling these exceptional women to make a lasting impact in tech.
Celebrating a Culture of Empowerment and Inclusion
At Innovation Central Brisbane, we believe in championing women and supporting their journey to leadership and influence in the digital era. The Women of Cisco Top Female Talent Program exemplifies our dedication to building digital skills, fostering innovation, and encouraging a culture where women feel empowered to lead with confidence.
Today, as we join the Women of Cisco Lunch and Panel, we’re reminded of the importance of creating a space where women’s voices, ideas, and ambitions are celebrated. The Power of ‘I’ explores themes of innovation, artificial intelligence, inclusion, and self-empowerment, recognising the unique strengths that women bring to these transformative times.
We’re honoured to be part of this journey and to celebrate the achievements of women across the ICT sector. As Cisco Live continues, we look forward to seeing the impact of these remarkable individuals who are pushing boundaries, expanding possibilities, and setting new benchmarks for excellence.
