We are consistently surprised and delighted by the calibre of people we connect with through our QDSA network. It is no secret that the talent pool in Defence and Science is evolving daily, and we are privileged to be able to showcase the amazing people in it.
Today we continue our tribute to March’s 2022 International Women’s Day by sharing another remarkable woman making a phenomenal contribution to the industry.
Meet Tamanna Monem, General Manager, Government and Olympics, RedEye…
Getting to Know Tamanna Monem
What are your current roles and responsibilities?
- General Manager – Government and Olympics, at RedEye, an innovative Australian technology company with a global presence.
- National Advisor for Export and Investment at Australia India Business Council National.
- Queensland State Chair of the Women in Business of Australia India Business Council (AIBC).
- A Director of Australia AI Collective, a national peak body to build a competitive AI ecosystem in Australia, leading to global recognition.
- Founder of Women in Export, Innovation and Investment
- Founder of Tradition by T, a boutique small business that raises profiles of handwoven industry to the world.
What are your career highlights to date?
I am well-known for driving translational and innovative programs to solve industry challenges and connect the AI industry with customer and investment opportunities.
I have been instrumental in implementing defence industry projects and have been involved in key strategic partnerships and events throughout my career, such as:
- Delivering regional defence industry strategy
- Executing Defence Industry Summit 2018 and Defence Ipswich Supply Chain Opportunities (DISCO) Symposium 2019
- Forming industry clusters in multiple sectors, including defence, manufacturing, emerging technologies, resources, marine, agrifood and international education and training.
- Led the delivery of the innovative Defence Industry SME capability program, Operation Scale-Up.
- This project has received huge accolades and is considered one of Australia’s flagship projects to offer opportunities to regional defence industry mentoring support by prime contractors.
- In 2021, I received the Female Defence Leader Award.
- Awarded Defence Connect’s Australian Defence Industry Award for Rising Star of the Year two years in a row – an acknowledgement of my contribution to building a regional defence industry ecosystem in 2020.
- Trusted with roles across corporate and public sectors in Australia and overseas, highly networked and engaged with cross-sectoral and government stakeholders.
- Senior roles with organisations such as Queensland AI Hub, Trade and Investment Queensland, Business and Skills Migration, and Office of Clean Energy at Queensland Government; Economic Development at Ipswich City Council; the University of Queensland; and American Express Bank.
- Awarded 2016 Professional of the Year by India Australia Business and Community Awards (IABCA) for contribution to advancing the bilateral relationship between Australia and India.
Women in Defence and STEM…
What do you think is the biggest issue affecting women in Defence and STEM today and in the future?
Like many other sectors, it is a highly blokey environment.
As a female, I have to afford special efforts in preparing myself with the right information and strategy and be mindful of systems, hierarchy, protocol and process.
Although there has been a lot of emphasis on women in STEM, professionals like me operate within business negotiation, industry engagement, creating pathways to Australian businesses, and research to connect with commercial opportunities. These matchmaking skills require a lot. It involves deep-diving into understanding business operations, strategy, negotiation, in addition to STEM skills.
I would highlight that leadership, stakeholder relations, business facilitation, and strategy skills are highly important in roles where we bring the industry together for sovereign capable development. There is a need to have women who are facilitators, dot connectors – there needs to be a recognition for these skills.
2022 International Women’s Day
How do you think organisations such as QDSA contribute to “Breaking the Bias”?
QDSA has been an exemplar in bridging the gender gap; in particular, they reach out to the right people and talent and encourage them. In my view, QDSA is a proactive champion of inclusion, unveiling the right female talent and promoting them to the world.
Female Juggernauts Breaking Down Boundaries
Inspirational women such as Tamanna Monem break down boundaries as they establish themselves as key leaders across Defence and Science.
With such impressive career achievements to date, Tamanna has already shown that she is a force to be reckoned with. Here at QDSA, we believe that the sky is the limit for her!
Congratulations, Tamanna, for all of your well-deserved accolades and the progress you are making for many generations of women to follow.
QDSA Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is a university-led initiative to grow and connect an agile Defence innovation ecosystem, leveraging Queensland’s strengths, to deliver trusted solutions to meet Defence requirements.
