Dr Jillian Kenny Travels from VIC
Fee Range: POA
Dr Jillian Kenny's Biography
Dr Jillian Kenny is a creator at heart and constantly on the lookout for opportunities to create value in the world, both for and through business. Her tendency to challenge traditional ways of thinking coupled with a commitment to providing opportunities for non-traditional entrants into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) professions has led her to establish two businesses serving this space - Power of Engineering and Maths In Real Life.
Since then, she has challenged audience perspectives through speaking in the UK, USA, South Korea and Australia. She was named as one of the inaugural Superstars of STEM by Science and Technology Australia and among Australia's Top 100 Most Influential Women by the Australian Financial Review.
As Founding Director of Maths In Real Life, Jillian led the company to develop innovative digital high school mathematics resources that are engaging and relevant to real life, answering that age-old question, "Why do I have to learn this?" In 2012, she co-founded the non-profit organisation Power of Engineering, which runs nationwide events for female and regional Year 9 and 10 students to inspire them about the engineering profession; showcasing its diversity, creativity, and most importantly that it is an avenue to making a real difference in the world.
Since completing a PhD exploring innovation in the Australian water sector, Jillian has applied the insight and experience gained through this process to a range of sectors including education, health and water.
As a keynote, corporate and graduand speaker Jillian has spoken on topics such as creativity in leadership, creativity in STEM fields, gender equality in STEM, youth entrepreneurship, and diversity. She has been invited to present her research outcomes and learn from international audiences in the UK, USA and South Korea.
Jillian can cater her talk to your audience, but in general, these are some of the topics she has spoken on before.
Speaking Topics Include
TOWARDS DIVERSITY: PROGRESSING FROM EMPOWERMENT TO POWER
As a woman playing in male-dominated fields for most of her career, Dr Jillian Kenny has heard more than her share of ‘empowerment’ tips. She’s learned how to deepen her voice, power her pose and fake it ‘til she makes it. In this uplifting talk, Jillian argues that the burden of change should not lie on individuals, but on organisations and systems of power. She asks the question: What if, rather than having our attention on empowerment, we instead reimagine the systems of power that shape our world?
Jillian will discuss:
How empowerment is really just a consolation prize
Key ways to recognise and value different forms of power
An approach to creating a new, more inclusive power system
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP IN STEM: LEADING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
The world is changing faster than it ever has before. The future is a blank canvas, and in creating this future we need leaders who can think beyond the traditional approaches and norms of the past. Leaders who can bring creativity. Through sharing some of the challenging and vulnerable moments in her own story, Jillian will reveal the elements for creative leadership and why it is critical for leading organisations into an uncertain future.
Jillian will discuss:
Why creativity is important for leaders (especially in STEM)
The five pillars for creativity in leadership
How you can apply them into your own leadership practice
UNCOMMON: CRAFTING A CURIOSITY-LED CAREER
Chaotic, confused, haywire. Maybe. Her approach to careers has always been… uncommon. Growing up, she believed the fairy tale. She thought she would get a J.O.B., climb the career ladder and eventually reach the pinnacle. But for speaker, entrepreneur and engineer Dr Jillian Kenny that model never did quite fit. In this talk, Jillian peels back the curtain on an atypical approach to career construction, showing how curiosity as a guide can lead to fun and fulfilment.
Jillian will discuss:
The unexpected places a curiosity-led career has taken her – on the ground and skyward
How embracing curiosity can lead YOU on a surprising and meaningful career trajectory
The not-so-secret-sauce for crafting your own curiosity-led career.