Macquarie: Empowering Women in Finance and Technology

Macquarie: Empowering Women in Finance and Technology brought together 2000 female high school students from Year 9 & 10 across Sydney in a day of networking, a showcase of exemplary female leadership and activities that highligh the importance of curiosity and creativity.

The day opened with a fireside chat involving Shemara Wikramanayake, CEO, and Ani Satchcroft,  Co-Head of Infrastructure for Asia Pacific in Macquarie Asset Management. They shared their experiences and their individual journeys throughout their career with lessons of resilience and having an open mind resounding throughout the panel discussion.

Activity 1: STEM & Business Pictionary

Westbourne students were seated at different tables with the opportunity to participate in activities with students from other schools. Congratulations to Zara and the fellow students on her table for completing the Pictionary challenge in record time!

After a morning tea break, more members from Macquarie presented on stage sharing their role at the corporation, showcasing the varied opportunities available to females in Technology and Finance.

Activity 2: Develop a solution to a real world problem using technology and innovation.

The room was filled with brilliant ideas to combat the challenges students are currently facing. A common challenge being time management against competing priorities such as studying, extracurricular and rest breaks. The solution? An all-encompassing app that can brings together school studies, extracurricular activities and auto-prompts to show how time for rest is available (or can be created).

Networking

Before the day ended with a networking lunch where students were able to speak directly to the members of Macquarie, everyone heard from a panel of recent 2024 and 2025 graduate who have begun their journey at Macquarie. While early in their careers, they too shared how valuable it is to keep an open mind – that opportunities may not be what you imagined – but to stay curious and seize the moment.

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About Macquarie: Empowering Women in Finance and Technology

This showcase hosted by Macquarie brings together secondary students in Australia with the opportunity to meet like-minded students from the community and showcases opportunities for students in the world of finance and technology. Students hear directly from female role models within the Macquarie Group, from graduates through to senior management.