Honouring Interactive′s ARN Women in ICT Awards Finalists
Interactive is honoured to share that it has once again secured four well-deserved finalist spots in the 2024 ARN Women in ICT Awards (WIICTA). This remarkable achievement is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our female team members.
These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women across the technology industry, and we’re incredibly proud to have such a strong representation of diverse, game-changing women at Interactive. From engineering and development to leadership and innovation, our team embodies the spirit of excellence.
It is time to celebrate their achievements and discover more about these exceptional women.
SHINING STAR
Liz Nguyen is a standout nominee for the Shining Star Award, shining brightly in her role as Partnerships Specialist in Cloud – Digital Transformation Services at Interactive. With nearly seven years at Interactive and 15 years in the ICT industry, Liz combines deep experience with an impressive record of innovation.
In 2022, Liz was awarded with the Employee of the Year and Everest Awards, nominated a staggering 23 nominations times, 10 of which came directly from customers. Her prior accolades include the Outstanding Employee Award at Nextgen in 2015 and 2016.
Liz is the driving force behind our network services, and really changed the game with the Network-to-Network Interface (NNI), a technology that streamlined our operations, achieving many efficiencies as a result.
But it’s not just about tech. Liz’s leadership is evident in how she uplifts her team and nurtures future talent. Her current mission to build a cutting-edge automated SD-WAN centre of excellence is set to redefine our service delivery.
“I’m really excited about SD-WAN and what we can do. We want to be a major player; networks are the centrepiece of our solutions. I want to enhance our delivery capability but most importantly, I want to continually improve our ability to help our customers.”
Liz Nguyen radiates all the qualities of a Shining Star—pioneering, impactful, and inspiring.
RISING STAR
Melanie Nguyen is an exceptional nominee for the Rising Star Award, having made waves at Interactive over her four years with us, bringing five years of ICT experience to her role as Head of Risk & Compliance.
From day one, Mel transformed risk and compliance into a strategic asset. She quickly united 600+ employees around these standards, securing crucial certifications like ISO 9001 and SOC 2 Type 2. In just 18 months, she advanced from Manager to Senior Manager and soon led the entire Risk function.
Mel’s leadership has raised the bar. Her role in integrating compliance seamlessly into daily operations showcases her unmatched expertise and commitment.
Looking ahead, Mel has set her sights on enhancing IT Governance and leading with a blend of technical savvy and people leadership. Her commitment to learning and her talent for bringing teams together hold her in good stead for even greater achievements.
Mel’s journey is a testament to her brilliance and dedication, making her an undeniable Rising Star in the ICT world.
But for her, “as long as I’m making a difference, I’m happy.”
ACHIEVEMENT
Katie Bentley is a transformative force in the ICT industry and an exceptional nominee for the ARN Women in IT Achievement Award. Her career, spanning more than 30 years, highlights a journey of groundbreaking leadership and contributions.
Katie’s career began as an intern and soared to CEO of Trident Business Group. She tackled scepticism head-on, leveraging her unique perspective as a non-technical female CEO to redefine industry norms and champion diverse talent.
Katie’s leadership in projects like Melbourne’s school laptop program and her commitment to diversity through programs like the Indigenous training initiative are testaments to her impactful contributions.
Katie’s industry influence is underscored by her advocacy for women in ICT, her pioneering mentorship programs, and her philanthropic efforts with St Kilda Gatehouse. Her authentic connections, captivating public speaking, and insightful television appearances further cement her status as a thought leader.
Katie Bentley is a beacon of innovation, leadership, and compassion, embodying the essence of the ARN Women in IT Achievement Award.
TECHNICAL
Pranavi Macharla is a standout nominee for the ARN Women in IT Technical Award, celebrated for her cloud engineering abilities at Interactive. With nearly three years under her belt and a passion for tech ignited in an internet café, Pranavi’s journey is as inspiring as it is impressive.
Her academic and professional trajectory is marked by standout achievements. At Interactive, she’s transformed complex challenges into streamlined solutions with her expertise in AWS and Azure.
In a high-pressure migrations, Pranavi is known for navigating legacy complexities with finesse, earning rave reviews for her diligence and expertise.
Pranavi’s approach is defined by her thirst for knowledge, remarkable problem-solving skills, and a visionary mindset. Whether she’s pioneering Azure data lakes or preserving family recipes, her impact is profound and far-reaching.
Pranavi Macharla epitomises technical brilliance and advancement, making her an exceptional candidate for the ARN Women in ICT Technical Award.
Are you looking to grow your career in the ICT industry? Visit our careers page today.
Read more about Liz, Melanie, Katie and Pranavi, and their WIICTA nominations here. The winners will be announced on 19 September 2024.
