2006-07 WIC Board

The board runs WIC on a voluntary basis. Nomination to the board is open to all members and the election takes place each year at the AGM, usually held in August.

The WIC Board members participation and involvement is on a voluntary basis. The success of WIC has been due to the commitment and efforts of women and men who have found WIC's aims so valuable and are working towards a future where the information and communication industries are well represented by women.

Lisa Robey - WIC President

Lisa Robey is a marketing professional who was born and educated in Canberra. Lisa is currently the marketing manager for the Australian Information Industry Association. Her interests cover both the information technology (IT) and communications fields, which gives her a special interest in the activities promoted by WIC.

Lisa feels lucky to have entered the workplace at a time when the opportunities open to women are almost limitless. That said, she understands that many women feel conflicted as to how to balance the work life equation. Based on her experiences, Lisa is keen to encourage more women into ICT as she feels the industry can offer flexible yet rewarding careers and allow women to juggle the many demands placed on them today.

Tina Swaker - WIC Vice President

Tina Swaker has had a long and extensive involvement with the ICT service delivery industry including many senior management positions with both government and ICT supplier organisations. From her beginnings as a member of the armed forces through to several technically responsive roles, Tina has built a wide range of skills in the IT industry. Tina now holds the position of Senior Manager Support and Delivery on a Defence contract within KAZ Group. To further support her extensive experience Tina has undertaken several modes of study including Australian Defence Staff College and other tertiary management courses.

From her early career in technical roles including desktop support, network administration, and Lotus Notes development and programming, Tina moved in to ICT management in 1999, heading up the management and maintenance of the Defence email systems. To further enhance her career Tina then moved up through Defence to become Senior Manager Server Operations, responsible for network security, server operations and corporate directory/PKI support for Defence information systems.

Tina's current role sees her being responsible for the ITIL functions of Change, Configuration, Release, Security and components of Capacity, Availability and ITSCM for the Defence networks. Tina considers this move a natural progression in management opportunities for those that have a highly technical background and wish to move in to more managerial roles.

Anita Tapper - WIC Treasurer

Anita is an accountant who particularly enjoys it when her work takes her into the IT field. She has been responsible for systems accounting which included maintaining several financial systems. She particular enjoys conducting training sessions for users. Work-life balance has become more of a challenge with a young daughter, but so far she has been able to continue work with flexible arrangements from her employer.

Hua Cheng - WIC Secretary

Hua also enjoys working in Defence IT.

Diana Forrester - WIC Board Member

Diana Forrester is the National Director of Professional Public Relations (PPR), one of Australasia's largest marketing communication firms. Based in PPR's Canberra office, Diana oversees local, national and international campaigns for clients in the public, private and industry association sectors. With more than 20 years' experience in the communication industry she appreciates the crucial role technology plays today in facilitating business outcomes.

Diana was appointed to the role of WIC president in 2004. She is enthusiastic about the role this forum can play in enabling women working as communication strategists to connect with women at the cutting edge of technological development.

Diana is highly skilled in providing strategic communication counsel, designing and implementing national and international public relations campaigns, providing issues management and business to business marketing communication services. She has a background in research, is a professional writer and a qualified educator.

Diana was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the Australian community in Business Leadership, and was a national finalist in the Telstra Business Woman of the Year (2001) after being awarded ACT Business Woman of the Year in the Private and Corporate Sector Category. She is a Director of the Australian Science Festival, Deputy Chair of SIDS&Kids (ACT), a national Fellow and ACT Councillor of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, and is also on the ACT Council of Women Chiefs of Enterprise International.

Pippa Hague - WIC Board Member

Pippa has recently joined the WIC Board.

Rebecca Jess - WIC Board Member

Rebecca has recently joined the WIC Board.

Maria Murphy - WIC Board Member

Maria is an experienced business manager and information and communications specialist. She has over 10 years senior management experience within the health environment in commercial medical/pharmaceutical industry, not-for-profit organisations and Government. Maria has a reputation for innovation, managing change, driving strategy implementation and successfully delivering programs. Maria has experience with managing large federal government contracts and project management of large scale business system reviews, development of requirements, systems planning and change management.

Maria juggles a busy family and work life and is currently a consultant with SMS Management and Technology. Maria is the regional lead for a Business Analysis at SMSM&T and provides advice on developing requirements specifications for appropriate IT systems to support her client's programs and initiatives. Maria has completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and a Bachelor of Commerce. Maria also has completed PRINCE2 certification and is an experienced Project Manager. Maria is able to quickly engage with stakeholders, and she has a great understanding of the issues, risks and benefits of proposed changes within the health environment.

Prior to joining SMS, Maria was the Director for the NDSS (National Diabetes Services Scheme). Maria was responsible for the strategic development of the NDSS and coordinating the administration of the contract Agreement. This role involved management, administration and supply of product and services, information and the development of IT infrastructure and applications used to deliver the Scheme.

Maria has extensive experience in the Pharmacy and Healthcare arena due to her 15 years experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry. In Maria's roles as a Business and Marketing Manager, she was responsible for developing plans for major product portfolios, leading a team and successfully launching products as well as being the product development leader. She is also a Healthcare professional having worked in the Health industry for many years.

Maria is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Computer Society and the Australian Business Analysis Association.

Andrew Seebach - WIC Board Member

Andrew has recently joined the WIC Board.

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