In 1965, Else Shepherd was one of the first two Queensland women to graduate from an electrical engineering degree. As Chair of our Advisory Committee, she’s helping us inspire the next generation of diverse engineers.

Can you tell us about yourself?

I have chaired the Advisory Committee since it was formed. My long working career has been in the sugar, power and telecommunications industries. I am now a part-time Adjunct Professor at QUT working in a team doing research into high temperature superconductors.

From the start of my career, one of my passions has been improving engineering education at all levels, supporting women in engineering (and STEM in general) and fostering closer working ties between universities and industry.

WHY did you volunteer for the Power of Engineering Advisory Committee?

I was incredibly impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the founders (Felicity Furey and Jillian Kenny) and the work they were doing with the Power of Engineering. When Felicity asked me to chair the Advisory Committee, I felt it would be an honour and readily accepted. I felt that my extensive experience would assist me in providing help and advice if and when it was invited.

WHY is it important for Power of Engineering volunteers to have access to experienced mentors and advisors?

It is not easy to set up a viable ongoing concern and most Power of Engineering volunteers are too young to have had much experience in the difficult job of creating and running a company-like structure. The Advisory Committee, made up of people with a wide range of experiences, has been able to assist in the establishment of good accounting, risk management, reporting and communication processes and is also available to listen to new ideas from the Power of Engineering Executive Committee. We also comment and make suggestions, and listen and assist when problems occur.

WHY would you recommend an Advisory Committee role to others?

Not only is it a privilege to be involved in such a valuable organisation working for a better future for Australia, it is fun and interesting to learn from a younger generation with their new ideas and boundless energy.