Women in Innovation

07/03/2026

Last week, the community behind the Women in Innovation Awards came together.

Sponsors. Partners. Judges. Award winners. Finalists. Alumni. Innovators. Supporters.

The people who power the ecosystem behind the Awards - and the innovation defining the future.

The Women in Innovation After Awards was a moment to reconnect beyond the stage, reflect on the impact of our Awards recipients and mark the strength of the network driving innovation forward.

A special thank you to Lisa McAskill, who joined us as MC and as part of the growing Women in Innovation network, bringing her signature warmth and energy to the room.

We also heard from Dr Fiona Kerr, neuroscientist (NeuroTech Institute) and Women in Innovation Board Member, sharing reflections on collaboration, leadership and human-centred innovation. 2025 award recipients Behnia-Willison Fariba Dr (FBW Gynaecology Plus) and Christel Cherryadi (Mirror XR) spoke about what comes next as their groundbreaking work continues to grow in impact. We were also joined by Karen Surmon, General Manager of Women & Leadership Australia, announcing a new partnership between Women & Leadership Australia and Women in Innovation.

We are immensely grateful to our Principal Partner, the University of South Australia (now Adelaide University), and to our Gold Partner, BHP, and Bronze Partner, the Department of State Development, whose leadership and support continue to strengthen the Women in Innovation platform.

We also acknowledge our Award sponsors whose support makes this platform possible: SA Water, University of South Australia, The Hedonist, Department for Environment and Water, Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, Nightingale Cardiology + Research, Sweat, Oranje Creative, RAA, Stone & Chalk, BHP Think & Act Differently, Madderns Patent & Trademark Attorneys, and the Department for Education.

And to our sponsors and the many supporters across our community - thank you.
Your belief in innovation and in women leading change makes this possible.

On International Women’s Day, we’re proud to stand with the community powering women in innovation.

Because innovation never happens alone.

17/12/2025

Our 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Gala video says it all.

This is what innovation looks like when it’s recognised, supported and amplified.

The Awards brought South Australia’s innovation community together to recognise the women redefining what’s next - led by the brilliant Ali Clarke as MC.

Now in its twelfth year, our Awards continue to honour the practice of innovation itself - the research, experimentation, perseverance and leadership that turn concepts into real-world impact.

Congratulations to our 2025 Women in Innovation Award Winners, whose work spans science, sustainability, technology, creative industries, government, social impact and beyond:

Creative Industries – Anna Mahoney (ArtBridge)
Emerging Innovation – Associate Professor Andrea Stringer (University of South Australia)
Engineering – Dr Ana Kuusk (Secora)
Environment – Tracy McNamara, (Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species)
First Nations Innovation – Rebekah Smith (Smith & Wellness)
Innovation & Intrapreneurship in Government – Christel Cherryadi ✨(Mirror XR)
Maths + Data – Heather Cox (Vyvanse Locator)
Open Innovation – Tania Jolley (Lashes of Change)
Rural, Regional & Remote – Kelly Kuhn (Juggle House Experiences)
Science – Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison (FBW Gynaecology Plus)
Social Impact – Natalie Radford & Courtney Radford (SKOOT Community Access)
Sustainability – Dr Mary Retallack (EcoVineyards)
Technology – Professor Louise Hull (IMAGENDO)
Young Innovator – Aria Bradley (Ecadamie)

Women in Innovation is made possible by partners who actively champion women-led change. With sincere thanks to our Awards Sponsors:

University of South Australia · BHP · SA Water · Department of State Development · Department for Environment and Water · Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) · Nightingale Cardiology · Sweat · RAA · Stone & Chalk · Madderns Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys · Department for Education, South Australia · The Hedonist · Oranje. brand + creative

Judging our Awards requires time, expertise and care - and our judges brought all three. With special thanks to:

Judy Halliday – Department of State Development
Emily Hilder – Defence Australia
Byron Riessen – Space at Deloitte
Amy Orange – Fourth Sector Solutions
Pankaj Chhalotre – Infoxchange
Colin Marsh – Attorney-General’s Department
Megan Short – SA Water
Claudine Bonder – Centre for Cancer Biology
Kathy Nicholson – Australian Institute of Machine Learning (AIML)
Paul Huxtable – Australian Design Council
Lyn Metcalf – Department of Health and Aged Care
Karen Cross – Director, Royce Cross

The Awards were privileged to welcome our inaugural Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, alongside leaders from government, science, business, First Nations and the creative industries.

Innovation without Limitation.

13/11/2025

What a night! The 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Gala was everything we hoped for - a room alive with innovators, supporters, and the collective energy that makes innovation possible - defining South Australia’s future.

Our Awards have never been just about recognition. They’re about what happens next - the innovation, the connections, and the opportunities that follow. Women in Innovation is a decade-strong collective - connected, collaborative, and building what’s next for South Australia.

To every finalist, winner, sponsor, partner and guest - thank you for being part of a night that celebrated bold innovation and the women driving real change in our state. Your support and energy turned recognition into connection - and connection into action.

With special thanks to our Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, whose vision and advocacy continue to drive our state forward - reminding us all to keep questioning, keep evolving and keep innovating.

And our heartfelt thanks to our MC, Ali Clarke, for leading the night with her trademark energy, belief in what we are about, and unmistakable brilliance.

Huge thank you to our 2025 Sponsors and Partners:
- University of South Australia
- BHP Think & Act Differently
- Department of State Development
- RAA
- SA Water
- Department for Environment and Water
- Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE)
- Department for Education
- Madderns Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys
- Nightingale Cardiology & Research
- Oranje. brand + creative
- Sweat
- Stone & Chalk
- The Hedonist - walter clappis
- SOUTHSTART
- Hugh Hamilton Wines - Mary Hamilton

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07/11/2025

Tonight’s the night.
The 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Gala - every seat taken, every story brilliant, every moment unstoppable.

Our Awards are brought to life by our incredible partners - the names behind the progress:

Principal Partner: University of South Australia
Silver Partner: BHP Think & Act Differently
Bronze Partner: Department of State Development
Creative Partner: Oranje. brand + communications

Category Sponsors
Creative Industries: Oranje Creative
Emerging Innovation: SA Water
Engineering: University of South Australia
Environment: The Hedonist
First Nations Innovation: Department of Environment and Water
Innovation & Intrapreneurship in Government: Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment
Maths + Data: Nightingale Cardiology + Research
Open Innovation: Sweat
Rural, Regional + Remote: RAA
Science: Department of Environment and Water
Social Impact: Stone & Chalk
Sustainability: BHP Think & Act Differently
Technology: Madderns Patent & Trademark Attorneys
Young Innovator: Department of Education

Together, we are recognising extraordinary finalists, bold innovation, and the women driving real change in South Australia.

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03/11/2025

Thank you, South Australia - innovation looks good on you.

Every seat. Every story. Every moment - taken.
The 2025 Women in Innovation Awards are officially sold out - in fact, we’re over capacity, with a growing waitlist.

Thank you for the incredible support. This year’s Awards will bring together the women shaping what’s next - across science, technology, engineering, maths + data, creative industries, social impact and government.

Our finalists and winners are extraordinary - women turning ideas into impact, leading change in their fields, and proving that innovation is as much about courage as it is about creation.

Special Guests and Speakers include:
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC (Patron)
The Hon Andrea Michaels MP
The Hon Katrine Hildyard MP
Senator the Hon Kerrynne Liddle
Professor Nicola Spurrier PSM
Dr Fiona Kerr FTSE
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first astronaut

An extraordinary line-up. A room charged with possibility.
One night that celebrates the women redefining what innovation looks like - and who it’s for.

18/10/2025

Designing beauty that doesn’t cost the earth.
A 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Sustainability Finalist, Tania Jolley founded Lashes of Change to tackle waste in the global cosmetics industry.

Each year, over one billion mascaras end up in landfill. Tania’s refillable, reusable and recyclable design gives customers choice while dramatically cutting environmental impact.

By blending circular design with social purpose, Lashes of Change turns sustainability into a daily habit - reducing waste, supporting breast-cancer research in Adelaide, and setting a new standard for ethical beauty.

Don’t miss this night of innovation - come celebrate with us:
2025 Women in Innovation Awards
Friday 7 November 2025 | 7–11:30pm
National Wine Centre
Purchase your tickets here: events.humanitix.com/winn-awards-2025

18/10/2025

Turning waste into a renewable resource.
A 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Sustainability Finalist, Jeannine Malcolm is closing the loop on food and organic waste through her company Mobius Farms.

By adapting the ‘natural technology’ of insect bioconversion, Jeannine converts waste into sustainable protein for feed, nutraceuticals, and soil enrichment. Her modular L-Pod farming system empowers communities to create local circular economies - reducing waste, cutting emissions, and producing new value streams.

Through innovation and environmental leadership, Jeannine is proving that sustainability and profitability can coexist - and that small creatures can drive big change.

Don’t miss this night of innovation - come celebrate with us:
2025 Women in Innovation Awards
Friday 7 November 2025 | 7–11:30pm
National Wine Centre
Purchase your tickets here: events.humanitix.com/winn-awards-2025

18/10/2025

Building healthy, affordable, climate-resilient homes.
A 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Sustainability Finalist, Associate Professor Lyrian Daniel is advocating for healthy, affordable and climate-resilient housing for all Australians. Her research champions the idea that decent, health-supportive housing is essential public infrastructure - as vital as roads, hospitals, or schools.

Through evidence-based insights and national policy collaboration, Lyrian’s work highlights housing’s role in wellbeing and equity. Her latest projects explore the policy reforms needed to raise housing standards across Australia, ensuring that every home supports health, comfort, and sustainability - no matter where people live.

Don’t miss this night of innovation - come celebrate with us:
2025 Women in Innovation Awards
Friday 7 November 2025 | 7–11:30pm
National Wine Centre
Purchase your tickets here: events.humanitix.com/winn-awards-2025

18/10/2025

Growing regeneration from the ground up.
A 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Sustainability Finalist, Dr Mary Retallack is an agroecologist and viticulturist leading EcoVineyards - a movement pioneering regenerative, nature-based, chemical-free farming across Australia.

Partnering with more than 185 growers, Mary’s program nurtures the land, people, and communities, creating wins for both farmers and the environment. By enriching soil health, restoring biodiversity, and building resilience to climate extremes, EcoVineyards is helping the wine industry - and agriculture more broadly - transition to a more sustainable future. Now set for international expansion, Mary’s model is proving that environmental stewardship and profitability can thrive side by side.

Don’t miss this night of innovation - come celebrate with us:
2025 Women in Innovation Awards
Friday 7 November 2025 | 7–11:30pm
National Wine Centre
Purchase your tickets here:events.humanitix.com/winn-awards-2025

18/10/2025

Immersive storytelling that connects and moves.
A 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Creative Industries Finalist, Christel Cherryadi is transforming the way immersive technology supports mental health and wellbeing. Mirror XR is Australia’s first AI-hosted immersive storytelling platform, created to reframe youth mental health. Using AR, VR and AI, it blends narrative and experience to foster empathy, reflection, and emotional resilience.
As founder of Creart Digital Media and AI-XR Creative Director & Tech Lead, Christel brings over 14 years of creative-tech experience to every innovation. Guided by her vision to use technology for impact, she has taken Mirror XR from concept to real-world application — supported by South Australia’s Mental Health Commissioner’s Staging Change Grant.

Don’t miss this night of innovation - come celebrate with us
2025 Women in Innovation Awards
Friday 7 November 2025 | 7–11:30pm
National Wine Centre
Purchase your tickets here: events.humanitix.com/winn-awards-2025

18/10/2025

Making creativity part of every classroom.
A 2025 Women in Innovation Awards Creative Industries Finalist, educator and artist Anna Mahoney - Art and Design Teacher at Pulteney Grammar and creator of Starshine Studios - is reimagining how Australian children experience art.

Designed to make high-quality visual art education accessible to all primary schools nationwide, ArtBridge connects children, families, and educators through creative, curriculum-aligned experiences.

Bringing colour, confidence, and imagination into classrooms and homes, it ensures every child, regardless of location or resources, can experience the joy of creating. ArtBridge inspires families and schools alike to see art as a bridge to connection, wellbeing, and possibility.

Don’t miss this night of innovation - come celebrate with us
2025 Women in Innovation Awards
Friday 7 November 2025 | 7–11:30pm
National Wine Centre
Purchase your tickets here: events.humanitix.com/winn-awards-2025