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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

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    6th Mar 2025
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    Claiming their space, together – DSD's women leaders

    Dr Judy Halliday, Kathryn Callaby, Nicolle Sincock and Diana Tembak are no strangers to many of the specific challenges that have historically faced women, and in many cases, still do today.

    Dr Judy Halliday, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, spent much of her career in a private sector environment where women were in the minority.

    “Early in my career I was subjected to some of the types of behaviours and attitudes that today would just not be acceptable – and some not actually legal!” Judy says.

    “I have very strong memories of being a new female founder in a biotech startup that was raising capital around 12 years ago.

    “I was invited to pitch my opportunity to a deep tech investor conference in Los Angeles where I was one of four women and the only female founder in a room of 150 investors.

    “When one of the other companies invited to pitch to this room incorporated some scantily-clad dancers into their pitch, not one of those 150 investors thought that was inappropriate – I’d like to think that would not be the case today!”

    Likewise, Diana Tembak, Executive Director of Portfolio Delivery, was one of only three women enrolled in a university degree that was 95 per cent men, while the first company she worked for had fewer than 20 per cent women in leadership roles.

    “Starting my career in South Australia, I personally experienced inappropriate behaviours that, as a young woman, I felt I had to tolerate,” she says.

    “I feared speaking up about these behaviours at the time due to potential career repercussions, but today I think I would feel more confident to speak up and drive change.”

    When Director of the Office for Small and Family Business, Kathryn Calaby, started her business in 2003 to achieve greater flexibility as a mother while maintaining her career, education, and connections with the corporate world, she faced judgement from surprising quarters.

    “When I visited my bank – alone – to set up my business account, I ended up leaving as I was appalled with the questioning and the judgements,” Kathryn says.

    “When I later returned with my husband, the lender directed the conversation to him, assuming he was ‘financially’ in charge.

    “I’ll never forget when my husband turned to them and said, ‘Kathryn is the one setting up the business, not me’”

    Director of Food, Wine and Agribusiness, Green Economy and Tourism in Invest SA, Nicolle Sincock, also faced an uphill battle for respect early in her career.

    “My early experiences were filled with examples of not being considered for positions because I was female, and then upon securing a role as the only female in the group,” Nicolle says.

    “The ‘have to be better to be considered equal’ very much applied at that time, and was front of mind if you wanted to earn respect.”

    While many of these behaviours and attitudes have changed over time, Judy, Kathryn, Nicolle and Diana say there are still hard yards ahead for women starting and growing businesses.

    “We are 50 per cent of the population and in so many situations equity is still a huge barrier – and equality is far out in the distance,” Judy says.

    “Female founders still find it very difficult to raise capital.

    “Latest stats from the 2024 State of Startup Funding Report found that progress for female founders is incremental – in 2024 only 15 per cent of capital went to founding teams with at least one woman founder, even less than the already woeful 18 per cent in 2023.”

    Kathryn cites the gender pay gap, under-representation in leadership and board roles, and career progression as barriers that continue to be experienced by women.

    “Access to affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements is still a struggle for many women, making it harder to stay in the workforce,” she says.

    “The high cost of childcare can still make working feel financially unviable for women, and domestic violence and financial insecurity are also serious concerns.

    “With these challenges still relevant for many women today, it’s important that we continue to advocate for policies around them.”

    Nicolle agrees that achieving balance when trying to juggle a career and family is still a huge challenge, particularly in senior or non-traditional roles.

    “You need the support of your employer, but your partner also needs the support of theirs,” she says.

    “If you don’t have both, inevitably there is pressure, and something or someone must compromise.”

    As a migrant woman, Diana brings an intersectional perspective to the conversation.

    “Migrant women often face compounded disadvantages due to both gender and migration status,” she says.

    “Women in South Australia face the same gender equality challenges experienced by women globally – under-representation in gender roles, gender bias and the gender pay gap continue to be barriers.

    “We still have a long way to go towards gender equity.”

    So, what can women themselves do in the face of these barriers?

    Judy and Kathryn agree that self-advocacy, education and professional development are key to subverting unconscious bias and being successful.

    “It is still often true that women must actively advocate for themselves in some very tricky situations, and sometimes they come out the other side a bit battered and bruised,” says Judy.

    “Over my career I have added experience and other things into my ‘toolkit’ that I find very valuable, not only in my ability to deal with challenges, but also in reflecting on my own behaviours to avoid being part of the problem.

    “I’m passionate about research and innovation as the engine that drives economic opportunity, and I’ve been fortunate that my opportunities in both education and employment have fuelled my passion throughout my career.”

    “Advocating for yourself and building a strong support network is essential for career growth and personal success as a woman”

    “I’m grateful for the women in my family, community and workplace who have consistently advocated for their voices to be heard and their contributions to be recognised" says Kathryn.

    “Seeking opportunities for upskilling and leadership can also open new doors.”

    All four women agree that building a community of like-minded women around you is crucial.

    Diana credits her mentors and leaders who have offered opportunities and support throughout her career.

    “One of the key lessons I’ve learned is that driving change is a shared responsibility,” she says.

    “We all play a part in fostering gender equity, and by role-modelling positive behaviours, we can create a more inclusive and better workplace for both women and men.”

    Though for many women, starting and growing a business or a career undoubtedly remains difficult, Judy, Kathryn, Nicolle and Diana believe that many things have changed for the better over the years.

    “One of the key things that I think has really improved over time is that women have moved away from viewing each other as competition and moved towards being allies and advocates for one another,” Judy says.

    “We have some great examples here in SA that I’m fortunate to have been involved in, such as Women in Innovation, the Fearless Females Network, Thinkher, Coralus, the Women in Business Program – and there are many others!”

    Since arriving in Australia as a female migrant and beginning her career, Diana has seen significant shifts in workplace attitudes towards women, including an increase in the number of women in leadership roles.

    “South Australia has had so many achievements in advancing gender equality – it was the second place in the world to legislate the right for women to vote, and the first place in the world to allow women to stand for Parliament,” she says.

    “South Australia’s Dame Roma Mitchell was the first female judge in Australia, and the Hon Julia Gillard AC was Australia’s first female Prime Minister.

    “We continue to lead by example – we have a supportive community here that connects and advocates for women.”

    Despite continuing to see some of her own experiences as a woman starting a business mirrored in the businesswomen she works with today, Kathryn believes prospects for women in 2025 are better than they were when she began her career.

    “Since the early 2000s we have seen changes in workforce participation, and legal protections against workplace discrimination have improved,” she says.

    “More women are stepping into STEM careers, and we’re seeing an increasing number of women in leadership roles.”

    Nicolle is convinced that prospects are better for women in 2025 than when she began her career.

    “I’d like to think that it’s no longer necessary for women to have to demonstrate that they’re better than their male counterparts just to be considered equal to them – and it shouldn’t be a factor in selecting the best candidate for a role!”

    Learn about the Women in Business Program