Our WINN Ambassadors are inspirational people. They’re women who exemplify the progress of Women in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields. Some have a prominent profile in innovation and leadership, others are Winnovation award winners, continuing their impressive work and assisting other females along the way. What’s more, they actively communicate their stories of determination and success to inspire others.
Amongst our many influential Ambassadors are Prof. Nicola Spurrier, Dr Fiona Kerr and The Hon. Susan Close MP.
Dr Cassandra Zaina FACP GAICD
With over 30 years of experience, Dr Cassandra Zaina is a Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist, APA Dual-Titled Musculoskeletal & Pain Physiotherapist, and a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. As an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of South Australia, she teaches across multiple universities and presents courses for the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Cassandra designs tailored health and wellness solutions for diverse industries—from circus performers to construction workers—developing global injury prevention strategies. A Telstra Business Women’s Award SA Finalist (2010), she has owned two physiotherapy practices and consults as Physiotherapy Advisor to ReturnToWorkSA, supporting medical and allied health professionals.
She also serves as National Chair of the Acupuncture & Dry Needling Group, SA Chair of the Occupational Health Physiotherapy Group (APA), Non-Executive Director at Women in Innovation, and Committee Member for the Fearless Innovator Grant Program.
Dr Cassandra Zaina FACP GAICD
Co-President
Founder & Innovation Ecosystems
Melinda O'Leary
Melinda O’Leary is an experienced company director and co-founder of Nova Systems, a globally recognised engineering and technology services firm. With a career spanning senior leadership roles in recruitment and workforce strategy, she brings deep expertise in business operations, organisational design and human capital.
Melinda has held a number of significant board positions across government, health, education and industry, including Chair of the Lifetime Support Authority and the Hospital Research Foundation. Her governance experience spans audit and risk, skills and workforce development, and national advisory roles, including the Council for the Order of Australia.
Known for her strategic insight and steady leadership, Melinda contributes a strong understanding of complex systems, stakeholder environments and long-term value creation across sectors.
Melinda O'Leary
Board Director
Governance & Strategy
Dr Manuela Klingler-Hoffmann
Dr Manuela Klingler-Hoffmann is a biomedical researcher and science leader with an international track record in cancer research, proteomics and translational science. Based at the University of South Australia, her work focuses on understanding disease at a molecular level and translating scientific discovery into real-world clinical outcomes.
Manuela has led and contributed to numerous research programs, securing competitive funding and publishing extensively in high-impact journals. She is also a dedicated mentor and supervisor, supporting the next generation of researchers and fostering collaborative research environments.
Her work extends beyond the laboratory into commercialisation and industry engagement, with a strong focus on bridging the gap between research and application. Recognised for her contributions to science and innovation, she brings deep technical expertise alongside a commitment to equity and leadership in STEM.
Dr Manuela Klingler-Hoffmann
Vice President
Science & Innovation
Karen Cross
Karen Cross is a senior media and communications professional with a career spanning journalism, editorial leadership, political advisory and business ownership. Beginning in newsrooms across Australia and internationally, she went on to hold senior editorial roles including Editor of The Sunday Mail and Assistant Editor of The Advertiser.
Karen has covered major political and economic events, including federal and state budgets and election campaigns, and has been recognised with prestigious journalism fellowships. More recently, she has worked in political advisory, providing strategic counsel on complex policy areas including child protection, family violence prevention and Indigenous health.
Alongside her media and policy work, Karen co-manages a group of engineering businesses, bringing commercial and operational experience to her leadership. She is known for her clarity of thinking, ability to work under pressure and commitment to community through extensive volunteer and board involvement.
Karen Cross
Secretary
Media, Policy & Public Affairs
Dr Fiona Kerr
Dr Fiona Kerr is the founder of The NeuroTech Institute and a globally recognised expert in human cognition, complex systems and human–AI interaction. Her work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, technology and organisational design, helping leaders build systems that harness the strengths of both humans and machines.
With over four decades of experience across industry, government and academia, Fiona brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective shaped by engineering, psychology, anthropology and cognitive science. She advises organisations internationally on innovation, technologisation and the future of work, with a focus on creating human-centred, adaptive systems.
A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Fiona is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, known for translating complex ideas into practical strategies that support sustainable, future-focused change.
Dr Fiona Kerr
Board Director
Human-Centred AI & Future Systems
Caitlin Surman
Caitlin Surman is a commercial litigation lawyer specialising in competition and consumer law, regulatory investigations, and technology, media and intellectual property. As Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, she advises organisations navigating complex regulatory environments, with a focus on governance, risk and compliance across both public and private sectors.
Caitlin works closely with clients on high-stakes matters involving regulators including the ACCC, ASIC and AUSTRAC, and has extensive experience managing large-scale litigation across multiple jurisdictions. Her practice spans data privacy, brand protection, media law and contractual disputes, with a particular interest in the intersection of law, technology and innovation.
Recognised as a rising leader in intellectual property and technology law, Caitlin brings sharp legal insight and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach. She is also an active contributor to the legal profession through committee work, writing and pro bono service.
Caitlin Surman
Board Director
Legal & Governance
Kate Illingworth
Kate Illingworth is a health and medical innovation leader specialising in research translation, industry engagement and strategic partnerships. With a background in biotechnology and commerce, she brings a unique ability to connect scientific discovery with commercial and societal outcomes.
Currently Director of Health and Medical Innovation at Adelaide University, Kate leads the development of partnerships that translate research into real-world impact across healthcare, industry and government. Her work focuses on building integrated innovation pathways, securing investment and enabling collaboration across sectors.
Kate has held senior roles across leading universities, where she has driven large-scale initiatives, facilitated interdisciplinary research and strengthened external engagement. Known for her strategic approach and collaborative leadership style, she plays a key role in advancing innovation that delivers meaningful economic, clinical and social benefit.
Kate Illingworth
Board Director
Research & Partnerships
Melinda Parent
Melinda is a creative leader, brand strategist, and advocate for women in advertising and the creative industries. As Founder and Creative Director of Oranje Creative, Adelaide’s longest-running female-led agency, she delivers bold, award-winning campaigns.
With 25 years in advertising, design, and digital marketing, her work spans the arts, education, retail, industrial, pharmaceutical, wine, medical, politics, and real estate. A leader in brand transformation, she brings an insight-driven approach to every project. Melinda holds Bachelor’s degrees in Arts (Music), Business Administration, and Design, with postgraduate studies in Digital Communication and Neurodesign, giving her a multidisciplinary edge in brand strategy.
Melinda is a 2024, 2023 and 2022 Telstra Best of Business Awards Finalist (Accelerating Women) and 2019 Telstra Business Awards Finalist (Small and Succeeding). She is also a 2024 and 2025 Women in Business Scholarship recipient (Government of SA & Behind Closed Doors) and a She Creates Ambassador.
Melinda Parent
Co-President | Creative Director,
Brand Strategy & Visibility
Lyn Metcalf
Lyn Metcalf is a senior public sector leader with extensive experience across public health, policy, governance and emergency management. Her career spans local, state and federal government, where she has led complex programs, advised senior decision-makers and contributed to some of South Australia's most significant public policy initiatives.
Currently with the Australian Centre for Disease Control, Lyn leads national program delivery and stakeholder engagement initiatives focused on communicable disease surveillance and public health preparedness. She has also held leadership roles across the Department of Health and Aged Care, SA Health and the Department of Human Services, including leading COVID-19 response efforts for the disability and community services sectors.
Known for her strategic thinking, collaborative approach and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, Lyn contributes a strong understanding in policy development, governance, communications and cross-sector partnerships. Her work is driven by a commitment to public value, community wellbeing and practical solutions to complex challenges.
Lyn Metcalf
Board Director
Policy & Public Impact
Shakhlo Rasulova
Shakhlo is a qualified CPA who has extensive financial, strategic, procurement, risk management and audit experience through her various roles in public and private sectors.
Shakhlo is currently Chief Financial Officer at South Australian Museum and holds a position of the Treasurer at Women in Innovation Board and KiK Innovation Board.
Throughout her career she has been delivering a range of corporate governance outcomes, including those associated with business planning and reporting, management and business process improvement. In her current role, Shakhlo is constantly finding innovative ways to drive better business performance through technology, change management and other continuous improvements to ensure that organisations provide exemplary service delivery practice.
Former WINN Treasurer and a trusted advisor supporting the organisation's financial stewardship and long-term growth.
Shakhlo Rasulova
Former Treasurer
Legacy & Finance Consultant
Harshita Gupta
Harshita Gupta is an innovation and investment leader with deep experience across mining, energy and infrastructure sectors. Currently working within BHP’s innovation portfolio, she leads the identification, evaluation and scaling of emerging technologies, driving strategic investment decisions and enterprise-wide transformation.
With a background in chemical engineering and biotechnology, Harshita combines strong technical expertise with commercial acumen. She has led complex portfolios, developed investment cases for senior leadership, and built global partnerships across industry, government and research institutions.
Her work focuses on translating innovation into practical, scalable outcomes—balancing risk, value and long-term impact. A strong advocate for collaboration and diversity in industry, Harshita brings a systems-thinking approach to leadership, with a focus on delivering sustainable and future-focused solutions.
Harshita Gupta
Board Director
Innovation & Investment
