Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen
Top advocate for diversity in STEM
Profile
Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen is a futurist who believes existing structures in the technology industry must change in order to serve tomorrow’s digital landscape, and that our children’s future job prospects depend on it.
Her focus is on leadership, innovation, and education to champion Australian tech entrepreneurship, and address the necessary rebalancing of gender roles within the traditionally male-dominated STEM space.
In 2020 Jenine was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to information technology, and to women.
Current Work
Jenine is a renowned advocate for technology innovation and diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) , Jenine draws on her unparalleled experience, encompassing over 18 years of internationally published research and university teaching promote her vision for Australia’s future in technology. This include changes that will prove critical in helping leaders break traditional approaches that currently hold us back. More importantly, she proposes practical solutions that can mobilise a new generation of leaders and innovators who are committed to solving real world problems with technology.
Jenine is the Founder and CEO of the Tech Girls Movement, dedicated to giving girls the opportunity to build their skills in the fields of STEM. Jenine has devoted more than 5 years to the Foundation, which has, to date, distributed over 80,000 free books to schools all over Australia and aims to engage over 10, 000 girls directly in STEM Entrepreneurship by 2020.
Jenine is a respected businesswoman and entrepreneur and has been CEO of her own technology consulting company, Adroit Research since 2007. Her expertise in the field was recognised in 2017 when she was the recipient of the prestigious Pearcey Award for Entrepreneur of the Year for Queensland.
Previous Experience
Author: Jenine is the internationally acclaimed author of Tech Girls are Superheroes Vol 1 & 2” (Volume 3 scheduled for release in 2019) , and Tech Girls Are Chic!
Accolades: Jenine’s unwavering commitment to advocacy has seen her awarded on the world stage as a Westpac/Fairfax 2016 100 Woman of Influence, the 2016 Griffith University Sciences Alumnus of the Year, 2016 Advance Queensland Digital Champion, 2014 Australian Information Industries Association (AIIA) Queensland ICT Woman of the Year, and 2014 Microsoft Community Educator of the Year. Exceptional Women of Excellence Award from the United Nations 2019
Media
Feedback
Jenine has an incredible way of engaging an audience in her story. Her honesty, insightfulness and energy inspire a call to action to create equitable opportunities for girls of all ages to become innovators and entrepreneurs. She is the original Tech Girl Superhero.
I found your keynote so inspiring and it played a big part in bolstering my resolve to go for the ICT/STEM leadership role at my school this year. At heart I am most definitely a techgirl.
Jenine is a captivating speaker who engages her audience through her passion. Having dedicated her life’s work to supporting women and girls in STEM, her experiences and insights are invaluable.
Dr Jenine was a breath of fresh air- excitable, knowledgeable and fun! Our delegates loved her address and eclectic personality, which shone on stage.
