A face of change for women in tech

THE fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are becoming more popular amongst young women pursuing a career pathway.

Ballarat-born and educated technology professional, Dayle Stevens, is a woman they can look up to.

Ms Stevens has been working in the information technology sector for the three decades since graduating from the University of Ballarat with a business and information systems degree.

Originally a computer manufacturer on a factory floor, Ms Stevens has gone onto become the data and artificial intelligence executive of telecommunications giant Telstra.

“Working through the internet, smart phones and AI, I’ve been in the middle of those disruptive technology changes,” she said.

Ms Stevens is an ambassador for not-for-profit Robogals Global, and international movement Girl Geek Academy, aiming to champion women in STEM.

“Fifteen years ago, I had a manager who asked me about what I thought about diversity in STEM, and clearly we needed more women in the technology space,” she said.

“It was a lifechanging moment for me. I remember saying I’ve always been one of the few women in the room, and I got on with the job, but I always had really strong female role models.

“He said to me, ‘Have you ever thought that maybe you’re that role model for others now?’ At the time, I hadn’t, but I realised maybe I was.

“It came with a responsibility.

If I want to encourage more women into STEM, then maybe I need to find ways to be more visible so little girls growing up in Ballarat can see it’s possible [to achieve big things].”

At the National Australia Bank and energy company AGL, Ms Stevens has held executive positions, working to boost women in tech, and gender equity.

She is an IT Advisory Committee member at the University of Melbourne’s Trinity College, and her service extends to mental health organisation Beyond Blue as a non-executive director.

Ms Stevens has been named an Australian Financial Review Woman of Influence, has made the CIO50 list of the best Australian CIOs, and is a two-time Australian Computer Society Digital Disruptor award winner.

She received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022 for her services to women and IT, and met Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as part of the Queen’s Young Leaders program.

This month. Ms Stevens is set to be inducted into Ballarat’s Great Women Honour Roll by members of the Zonta Club of Ballarat.

“As much as it feels crazy to say, I’m quite happy and comfortable to be in the media and to be that face of change because I know it makes a difference to people,” she said. “It made a difference to me.”

Ms Stevens attended Forest Street Primary School and Ballarat High School and said she is excited that regional children here, and across the country, are now learning about technologies including robotics and drones.

“When you grow up in a regional community, and hold a town like Ballarat close, you never forget you’re from there,” she said.

“It makes a difference to how you engage with your teams and customers because the experience is different. It really matters.”