Tech is the third largest and fastest-growing industry in Australia. However, it still lacks diversity, with significantly low representation of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. As the CEO of my company, advocating for Indigenous people, particularly women, in tech has become my primary focus. 

 

Despite this, it often feels like an uphill battle. Our voices are unheard, and our presence remains largely invisible. Those in power continue to speak for us, maintaining a deficit-based view of Indigenous peoples instead of allowing us to shine and speak for ourselves. Through my work in community and engagement with Indigenous tech professionals, I quickly realized that the industry is still not ready for the intersectionality of women, focusing primarily on gender without addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women. 

 

This realization led to the creation of Tiddas in Tech. Along with a group of incredible Indigenous women, we formed a community to showcase the talents of Indigenous female tech professionals. Through Tiddas in Tech, our goals are to: 

• Amplify the voices and visibility of Indigenous women in tech, not only through advocacy but by highlighting their exceptional skills. 

• Promote opportunities for young Indigenous women to enter and thrive in the industry. 

• Provide a supportive network to increase retention and growth for Indigenous women in tech. 

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In 2025, we plan to “March Forward” with a series of webinars, starting on International Women’s Day (IWD), and launch our online community. As CEO of Land on Heart, I will also co-host a podcast series with Ann-Maree Long, where we will interview Indigenous female tech professionals, discussing their journeys, challenges, and successes. This year, we “March Forward” to inspire young Indigenous women and show them that tech is for them: “You can be what you can see!”