Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries across the globe, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in the roles that are defining its trajectory. As AI becomes more integral to our daily lives, diverse leadership is crucial to ensure the technology is fair, trustworthy, and inclusive. In Australia, a group of pioneering women are leading this transformative shift, driving responsible innovation and expanding the scope of who gets to shape the future of technology.
From research labs to startups, policy-making rooms to community networks, these women are at the forefront of building the future of AI in Australia. Their efforts are not only redefining what meaningful progress in AI looks like but are also crucial in creating a more equitable technological landscape. Here are some of the standout leaders to watch this year.
Nikki Meller: Pioneering AI Strategy and Advocacy
Nikki Meller is a formidable force in the tech industry, known for her role as a tech founder, AI strategist, and advocate for women in technology. As the Founder & CEO of CREDuED and co-founder of Women in AI Australia, Meller is at the helm of Australia’s AI and data capability movement. She is renowned for designing nationally recognized AI and data literacy programs and pioneering RegTech solutions that transform education, governance, and compliance.
Dr. Juliana Peloche: Championing Equitable AI Education
Dr. Juliana Peloche is a leader in AI literacy and educational innovation, with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in Education. With over two decades of global teaching experience, she champions equitable AI education by empowering educators and students to navigate the ethical, cultural, and practical dimensions of AI. As a co-founder of Women in AI Australia, Peloche is instrumental in building an inclusive AI future for girls and women nationwide.
Amanda Rose: Amplifying Women’s Voices in AI
Amanda Rose is an AI industry advocate, entrepreneur, and media commentator committed to driving women’s leadership and participation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. As a founder of organizations supporting women in business, she brings strategic leadership and advocacy to executive and SME communities, amplifying women’s voices in AI through mentorship and media engagement.
Dr. Melissa McCradden: Bridging AI Ethics and Health Technology
Dr. Melissa McCradden is a globally recognized expert in AI ethics and health technology. As Deputy Director at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning and AI Director at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, her research focuses on developing ethical frameworks for clinical evaluation and equitable AI integration in healthcare. Her contributions have earned her recognition among the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics.
Kara Bombell: Advocating Human-Centered AI Ethics
Kara Bombell, founder of EthicAi, champions human-centered AI ethics and strategic organizational transformation. With over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles across digital and creative industries, Bombell blends operational expertise with a commitment to equitable, purpose-driven technology that amplifies human potential.
Stela Solar: Leading Strategic AI Transformation
Stela Solar, Managing Director of Data & AI for Accenture ANZ, is known for her leadership in strategic AI transformation and generative AI adoption. Previously serving as the inaugural Director of Australia’s National AI Centre, Solar guides organizations toward responsible, impactful AI while serving on the Data & AI Advisory Council at Beyond Blue.
Nadia Lee: Bridging AI Ethics and Entrepreneurship
Nadia Hy Lee, founder and CEO of ThatsMyFace, is an AI ethicist, speaker, and educator advocating for responsible AI and digital ethics. Her work focuses on ethical AI solutions to detect and mitigate malicious content such as deepfakes, highlighting human-centered AI governance.
Dr. Sue Keay: Shaping Australia’s Robotics and AI Landscape
Dr. Sue Keay, Director of the UNSW AI Institute, is a respected expert in robotics, AI, and automation. Known for founding the Robotics Australia Group, she has helped shape Australia’s robotics and AI landscape through national roadmaps and leadership across academia, industry, and advisory boards.
Sarah Moran: Empowering Women in Technology
Sarah Moran, CEO and co-founder of Girl Geek Academy, is dedicated to bringing one million women and girls into technology careers. She delivers programs that build AI and digital skills from early schooling through professional life and regularly speaks on AI, gender equality, and tech innovation.
Amanda Siqueira and Michelle Aguilar: Innovating Infrastructure Management
Amanda Siqueira and Michelle Aguilar, co-founders of VAPAR, are transforming how utilities manage wastewater and stormwater networks through AI and machine learning. Their work automates the analysis of pipe infrastructure conditions, enhancing efficiency and decision-making for utilities.
Elakkiya Ramarajan: Advancing AI in Engineering
Elakkiya Ramarajan, Lead Data Scientist at VAPAR, applies advanced machine learning and computer vision to automate infrastructure analytics. Her technical excellence and practical innovation have earned her the title of Data Leader of the Year at the 2023 Women in Digital Awards.
Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks: Innovating Femtech Solutions
Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks, founder & CEO of Ovum, is advancing AI applications in femtech. Her platform delivers personalized, women-centric healthcare insights, empowering women to better understand and advocate for their health outcomes.
Sandra Peter: Engaging with AI and Business Strategy
Dr. Sandra Peter, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School, focuses on how organizations can engage with AI and strategic foresight. Her work at the intersection of leadership, business strategy, and emerging technologies makes her a sought-after speaker and commentator.
Miriam Scott: Navigating Digital Education
Miriam Scott, Education Consultant with the Association of Independent Schools NSW, specializes in generative AI and digital education. She works with educators to embed responsible AI and digital tools into learning environments.
Dr. Riya Aggarwal: Building Impactful AI Systems
Dr. Riya Aggarwal, Machine Learning Engineer at Leonardo.AI, is recognized for building impactful AI systems across industries. Her work has been honored with the Women in AI Asia Pacific Award, reflecting her commitment to advancing meaningful AI change.
Muneera Bano: Championing Diversity in AI
Dr. Muneera Bano, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO’s Data61, develops responsible, human-centered AI and champions equity within the tech sector. Her leadership and advocacy have been internationally recognized, breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups in STEM and AI.
Sarah Kaur: Leading Human-Centered AI Design
Sarah Kaur, Principal Design Strategist at Portable, leads human-centered AI strategy and design. Her initiatives, such as Australia’s AI Impact Navigator framework, bridge innovation, governance, and societal impact.
Akanksha Malik: Empowering Non-Traditional Talent
Akanksha Malik, Managing Principal at IRIS by Argon & Co, advises organizations on data, AI, and analytics. She champions diversity and inclusion in tech, empowering non-traditional talent pathways into technology.
Professor Angie Abdilla: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in AI
Professor Angie Abdilla, Founder of Old Ways, New, integrates Indigenous knowledge systems into AI design. Her work at the Australian National University’s School of Cybernetics advances inclusive approaches to AI and technology development.
Professor Flora Salim: Innovating with AI and Ubiquitous Computing
Professor Flora Salim, a leading researcher at UNSW Sydney, develops AI solutions for smart cities and sustainable infrastructure. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Women in AI ANZ Award.
Saba Samiei: Leading AI Sensory Fusion Platforms
Saba Samiei, founder and CEO of MACSO Technologies, leads the development of AI sensory fusion platforms. Her visionary work in deep-tech AI has been recognized across the Asia-Pacific for its ethical foundation and innovation.
Trish Botha: Bridging Indigenous Culture and AI
Trish Botha, Managing Director of Australian Indigenous AI Solutions, blends Indigenous cultural wisdom with technology to deliver ethical AI. Her work champions Indigenous-led AI strategy and capability building.
The contributions of these women are not just shaping the AI landscape in Australia but are also setting a global standard for innovation, ethics, and inclusivity in technology. As AI continues to evolve, their leadership will be crucial in ensuring a future where technology serves everyone equitably.
