Connect 20: Women of Ventia : simplebooklet.com

CONTENTSCEO update: Creating a truly inclusive workplace 4People are at the heart of our success 6Careers for all women 8Authentic leadership: Building an organisation that thrives 10Road to mechanical engineering 12A driving force 14Dreaming big 16Breaking barriers: An engineer’s passion 17No stranger to safety 18Apprentice no more 20Electrifying New Zealand 21Pride that shines through 22Graduate charts journey to auditing career 24An unstoppable passion 25A family aair 26A star of the future 28Attract 42Develop 44Retain 46External mentoring programs 48Women @ Ventia networking opportunities 50When you’re the only woman in the room 30Cultural safety champion 32Rebuilding a career in Australia 34Being true to herself 36Blending family and career 38Balancing life and work 39 Disclaimer: Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure the content in Connect Magazine is up-to-date at the time of publication, changes in the current environment may impact upon the accuracy of the material.ON THE COVER Project Manager Sophie Pratt, Sustainability Director Emma Wright and Program Leader Erin Flannery from Ventia’s Property Workplace Solutions team. The team proudly has more than 50% women.32412101622 252630324436348484351638Attracting, developing and retaining our talented women

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CREATING A TRULY INCLUSIVE WORKPLACEWelcome to our special women’s edition of Connect magazine.In this edition we recognise some of the exceptional women in our workforce. Collectively, these women represent decades of experience, across a myriad of roles, background and experience.From working in corporate environments, to those in frontline roles, our women are engineers, executives, cleaners and chefs. They are managers, mechanics, lawyers and labourers. They are community focused, change makers and passionate about what they do. The brilliant women of Ventia are represented in every sector, function and business role across our portfolio. They are breaking down traditional silos and their stories showcase the importance of inclusion in all its forms. At Ventia, our aim is to retain and attract a diverse team, who represent the communities in which we serve. We seek to mould an environment that embraces and is welcoming for all people, who can be valued in the team, and build successful careers. But there is more that needs to be done. In Australia, gender inequality is estimated to cost $128 billion annually, and the stats are similar in New Zealand. Across our workforce, only three in every 10 people are women. We are committed to increasing the number of women at Ventia in senior leadership roles to 40% by 2030, and our talent pipeline, learning and development opportunities and policies and procedures provide the foundations to ensure that we attract, develop and retain more women in our organisation. As we move ahead with this ambition, in 2023, we made a conscious eort to bring more women into our Executive Leadership Team, and accelerated hires across the organisation in senior management roles. Our active participation with organisations like Diversity Council Australia and Rainbow Tick New Zealand also help to ensure that our workplace is inclusive and understands and welcomes gender diversity.We are rmly committed to cultivating an inclusive environment whereby all individuals and communities can work and socialise, embracing the richness of diversity and recognising the immense value that this brings.In addition to gender representation, we focus eorts on inclusivity for marginalised and underrepresented groups including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, as well as those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. We all play a role in making Ventia an inclusive workplace though the decisions and actions we take every day.How we make others feel, to practising empathetic leadership, and encouraging a speak up culture – these are the building blocks that promote collaboration, respect, and fairness, where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.At Ventia, people are at the heart of our business, and it is true privilege to lead our diverse team of 16,000 employees who are redening service excellence for our customers and communities every day. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Connect, that you are inspired by the stories and continue to make Ventia a great place to work. Dean Banks Group CEO 45CONNECT 20Our aim is to retain and attract a diverse team, who represent the communities in which we serveDEAN BANKS | GROUP CEOTeam members at the 2023 Sydney Strategy roadshow

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We commit to regular pay equity audits to ensure gender based pay gaps are identied and addressedat VentiaPEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR SUCCESS67CONNECT 20We celebrate and embrace diversity across our business – diversity in background, age, gender, skills, experience and thought. That’s and we look forward to building on this foundation diverse team Almost identify as femaleGender diversity is essential to Ventia’s growth and sustainabilityEvery year, Ventia celebrates International Women’s Day. We come together to educate, highlight challenges, drive awareness, seek feedback and also celebrate successOur New Zealand business is Rainbow Tick accredited! This certication acknowledges Ventia understands and welcomes sexual and gender diversity in our workplace Our many communities of practice and working groups are champions for change and drive improvement initiatives that aim to progress workplace diversity and inclusion across our businessOur partnerships with the Diversity Council of Australia,Flex Careers, Working Parents Connect and Work180 supportour gender diversity objectives Our exible and empowering workplace practices underpin a governance structure that supports our diverse and inclusive workplaceSince 2021, 120+ women have been provided the opportunity to take a critical look at their career, leadership and unique strengths through our Women Leading program. we’re proud of our talented and engaged women who work across a wide range of rolesCLEANERSCHEFSENGINEERSELECTRICIANSMECHANICSMANAGERSWe’re committed to apprenticeships and traineeships in our operations with over 100 women apprentices and trainees across Australia and New ZealandWe’re committed to providing a fair, equitable and respectful work environment that is free from all forms of bullying and harassment, and we run annual Respect@Work training across the businessFrom16,000+5,000Respect@Work training completed by almost 7,500 people in the last two years55% of our 2022-2023 grad cohort are womenVentia placed #38 in AFR Top 100 Graduate Employers for 2023. Graduates are vital to building capability, diversifying our workforce, and bringing fresh ideas to our enterprise!40:40VISIONVentia is a signatory to the HESTA 40:40 vision to achieve gender balance (40% women, 40% men and 20% any gender) in the Executive Leadership Team by 2030 We are also targeting 40% participation for women in senior management roles across the businessWe are recognised as a 2023-2024 Inclusive Employer following our participation in the Diversity Council Australia Inclusive Employer Index

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CAREERS FOR ALL WOMEN89CONNECT 20The diversity of Ventia’s workforce is an incredible source of innovation and creativity. We’re proud of our talented and engaged women who represent decades of experience across a myriad of roles, background and experience.RAISA RASUL BUSINESS ANALYTICS MANAGER Defence & Social Infrastructure “I love working in data, and fostering a data driven culture across teams, at times working as a translator who connects business and analytics.”ITISAN ABDI TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST Skout Solutions “What I love about my job as an internal recruiter for Ventia is how varied it is. I have the opportunity to work across a number of contracts and sectors in the business, so no two days are the same.”DANIELA CRESPI ACCEPTANCE COORDINATOR Telecommunications “As someone who has recently pivoted and moved into a new role, I recommend being adaptable to change, willing to learn, and open to trying new things – there are so many opportunities out there.”FRED FOSTER MECHANICAL FITTER Infrastructure Services “If you’re passionate about a job, your gender shouldn’t be stopping you from doing it. More women should consider tradie jobs in this industry. If you love it, you stick with it.”GRACE GILLIES TEAM LEADER – HELPDESK Ventia Operations Centre“For me job satisfaction is about the people I work with – they are the highlight of my day. I have made some great friends and hold respect in my heart for my work colleagues.”CORINNE PIU PLANNING MANAGER Transport“Ventia has supported my career right from the start. Through my #greatconversations and career planning, we’ve implemented a plan that will help me progress as a future leader in the business.”

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10 11CONNECT 20AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP: BUILDING AN ORGANISATION THAT THRIVESMelanie Evans is Ventia’s Group Executive – Digital Services. She is an experienced CIO, business transformation expert and marketer at heart, who has a keen focus on bringing value and innovation to Ventia’s people and clients.She is enthusiastic about delivering a lasting impact in both qualitative and quantitative ways and enjoys looking at technology from dierent perspectives. Melanie is a member of Ventia’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and with that she sees her role as inuencer, mentor and champion for gender diversity and inclusion within the company and the industry as a whole.When thinking about her area of specialty, Melanie’s answer is immediate: “My broad background really lends itself to solving problems – whether that be technological, strategic or people orientated. “I thrive on understanding the needs and motivations of individuals and teams, and nding innovative solutions that align with their goals and aspirations.”With her new team, she has attracted a combination of new and existing Ventia talent, Melanie is excited to foster an environment of collaboration, growth, and empowerment. She aims to leverage the diverse perspectives and skills of her team members to tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful change within the organisation.“My leadership team has some amazing women! We have Celeste Lowe leading Cyber Security, Melissa Trute leading our PMO, Jade Aitken heading up AI, data, IOT and Geographic Information Systems, and Helen Kang establishing a new capability for us in Tech Business Management. “It was really important when building my team that I looked at our internal talent as a part of our strategy, along with creating development roles and opportunities to continue to build and grow our internal digital capabilities as well as recruiting externally.”Melanie is also proud to be the executive sponsor for Ventia’s Rainbow Community of Practice (CoP), a group dedicated to supporting inclusion and equal opportunity. “The Rainbow CoP has seen us achieve the Rainbow Tick in New Zealand, which has helped inform our work in Australia. “I am proud to be an ally and help champion and support diversity in all forms across the business.”When reecting on her own career journey, Melanie says it hasn’t always been straightforward or easy, but the key has been working on personal condence and being comfortable to be yourself. “Sometimes we create our own personal barriers, and so building condence in yourself is really important. “Make time for yourself, build your own network and get out there, because you will be supported.”As a successful CIO, Melanie reects on her ‘secret sauce’ for success.“Condence, creativity and perseverance, but above all, adaptability is key!“The modern work environment is constantly evolving alongside technology advances and our client needs. “To be an eective leader, you need to be able to embrace these changes and leverage them to your advantage.“Ventia is such a diverse organisation with so many dierent projects and opportunities. “We also have an executive leadership team that is passionate about internal mobility and opportunity. So put your hand up, be condent and say yes!”MELANIE EVANS | GROUP EXECUTIVE DIGITAL SERVICES I am proud to be an ally and help champion and support diversity in all forms across the businessMelanie Evans, Jodie Blake and Debbie Schroeder are members of Ventia’s ELT

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12 13CONNECT 20When Sarah Elneima arrived in Australia as a newly minted Mechanical Engineer, she didn’t have to look far for her rst work opportunity. “In my search I was immediately attracted to Ventia because of its culture, the size of the company and diversity of activities,” she says.Mechanical engineering is not a common career path among women. In Sudan, where Sarah was born, there were only ve women out of 125 students in her university program. In Malaysia where she later studied, the ratio was not much better. And in Australia women constitute only 16% of engineering graduates and only 13% of the engineering workforce, according to Engineers Australia.There is currently a skills shortage of experienced engineers in Australia as demand grows. The Australian Government National Skills Commission reports employment in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) occupations has grown 85% since the 2000s and twice as fast as non-STEM occupations. They further report this is expected to grow by 12.9% over the next ve years.When asked why engineering, Sarah laughs and says, “I’m a bit on the nerdy side.”Originally from Sudan in Northeast Africa, Sarah accepted a full scholarship from global Malaysian energy group Petronas to study Mechanical Engineering at the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. Aer completing her bachelor’s degree, she decided Australia was the place to be.“Australia is an English-speaking country which makes it easier for me to socialise”, she says. “Australians are truly remarkable individuals, known for their exceptional warmth, genuine friendliness, and natural inclination to extend a helping hand when needed. I had heard this before coming here, and it has been my experience. Also, the weather is great, but I still have a lot to learn about food and culture.”With her Mechanical Engineering background, Sarah decided Reliability Engineering was the next logical step.A reliability engineer is a technical expert who assesses the risks and reliability associated with assets in business operations. They typically conduct risk assessments and help organisations with loss elimination and lifecycle asset management. In addition to project maintenance engineering, it requires a lot of analytics and planning.“I found this eld interesting,” she says. With Ventia, Sarah is part of the Network Integrity and Facilities Management telecommunications team.“We manage the maintenance of client assets nationwide,” she says. “I ensure all the activities coincide with Australian legislation and Ventia standards, including negotiating with clients, terms, making sure contractors comply with Health, Safety and Environmental standards, contracts and reporting.”Sarah’s work ensures that all client Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and Essential Safety Measures (ESM) assets like re safety equipment, extinguishers, xed elements, re control panels and alarm systems are fully operational and compliant nationwide.In addition to engineering, Sarah studied music theory and solfège (the study of notes) for one year in Sudan. She learned to play the oud, a traditional Arabic fretless string instrument like a guitar also known as the ‘composer’s instrument’, popular throughout the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa.“Music is a profound and integral facet of my culture and has always held a great signicance in my life.”Sarah is also a passionate advocate of women’s rights.“Sudan is part of the Middle East, where women rights still face signicant challenges. My journey into women rights advocacy is a mission, a calling that stirs my soul and propels me to make a dierence.”ROAD TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGSARAH ELNEIMA | RELIABILITY ENGINEER | TELECOMMUNICATIONSI was immediately attracted to Ventia because of its culture, the size of the company and diversity of activities

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14 15CONNECT 20A DRIVING FORCEWith over 20 years’ experience in engineering and project management in the construction industry, and now as General Manager of the Transport Australia business, Portia Pitt’s chosen career has provided huge satisfaction, but also many challenges. She spoke to us about the experiences, and more importantly, the opportunities, of being a woman in male dominated industries. Tell us about your role as General Manager Transport Australia?More than a year on here at Ventia, it’s safe to say that I have thrown myself into the challenge – the role, the company, and most of all the people. I oversee an enthusiastic team of almost 650 people in the Transport Australia business unit and manage a portfolio of $450 million worth of diverse projects across Australia – including operation and maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne’s Eastlink, the Transurban network in Brisbane, civil projects in WA, and maintenance of key road networks throughout QLD, NSW and VIC.Whilst the projects are exciting, it’s the people who are the most memorable and rewarding part of the job. I love working with people – it’s what I’m passionate about – to really understand them and their needs; whether it’s developing my own team, collaborating with clients, or focusing on diversity challenges.How would you describe your leadership style?My leadership style is both empathetic and collaborative. I’d also like to describe my style as strategic – someone who looks at the big picture. In all my roles I’ve worked directly with clients and it has been critical to understand their needs, see things from their perspective, and balance with organisational needs to get the best outcome for everyone. These traits are part of my personality, but I’ve also developed them throughout my career. Who inspired you to be a leader and why?When I was studying and throughout my career, there were minimal female leaders and role models in the construction industry. What I have had and am so grateful for, is many fantastic female peers along the way, and we have supported each other. We have similar lived experience and – both the highs and the lows. In hindsight I never actually set my sights on leadership, but rather went wherever my curiosity and interests led me. I also took opportunities as they presented themselves.What are the benets of having women in leadership roles?The key benet that I see is the diversity of thought it brings. Women can oen have a dierent way of thinking. We also have the enormous opportunity and privilege to support women coming through the business, generally we have the lived experience and understand fundamentally the challenges of the work – life balance! I have two children, and my daughter has just started high school.Sometimes the logistics of getting everyone everywhere on time can be overwhelming! What do you think is the most signicant barrier to female leadership?From an internal perspective – our own self-belief. Women naturally hold themselves back; we expect to be recognised for our achievements rather than putting ourselves forward and imposter syndrome can strike all too easily. From an external perspective – tradition. The mentality that there is a certain way to lead, to work, to communicate needs to be broken, when there are so many dierent ways.How do we overcome barriers for women in the workplace?Support and innovate to create exible work practices – for everyone, men and women. This is central to everything. Our ability to do a good job is not determined by how much time we spend in the oice. Men also require exible work practices to support and enable the women in their lives to work and succeed in their chosen roles. This is how we shi the culture. We know we need to retain women in middle management to have women in senior management – this will only come from exible work practices for everyone. I know I couldn’t do my role without the exibility and work balance aorded to my husband by his company.What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?Back yourself, have condence in yourself. It took me a while to have condence in my abilities, strengths, and style.Any advice for the next generation of female leaders?Embrace empathy and authenticity – it’s what makes you a better leader. Challenge yourself – move outside your comfort zone, take that speaking engagement, say “yes” to taking risks. And nally, there will be good days and bad days, but you’ve got this. You can do it.PORTIA PITT | GENERAL MANAGER TRANSPORT AUSTRALIAEmbrace empathy and authenticity – it’s what makes you a better leaderPortia with some of the Australia & New Zealand Transport team

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16 17CONNECT 20BREAKING BARRIERS: AN ENGINEER’S PASSIONWomen make up less than a quarter of engineering students in New Zealand, and only 14% of engineers in the New Zealand workforce are women.But that hasn’t stopped Harshi, an engineer based on our Auckland Airport contract in our Energy Networks & Renewables business unit. And she isn’t afraid of bringing her energy to shake up the status quo! With a Bachelor in Engineering and a Masters in Engineering Project Management, Harshi says that she has always sought to learn and apply her knowledge and experience where she can. And almost six months into her career at Ventia, she says her passion is only growing.“I’m just a little engineer with not so little dreams!” says Harshi.“Outside of the engineering sector, engineering is not well understood and is rightly perceived as a male dominated industry.“My passion lies in tackling the STEM gender gap prevalent in the construction industry world over, especially in leadership roles.”Outside of work, Harshi also volunteers at Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a not-for-prot organisation with a purpose to harness the potential of engineering to create an equitable reality for the planet and its people.“What I love about EWB is its mission. It’s all about bringing the practice of engineering as an enabler for sustainable development. It really connects to me and my own passions. “As Contract Manager at the Auckland Airport, I hope I can inspire other females both at Ventia and beyond to show just what’s possible.”HARSHI SHARMA | CONTRACT MANAGER | INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DREAMING BIGWhether it was piloting an Airbus A380 or becoming an Engineer, Lourene Faicol has always dreamed big.“I’m an engineer now”, she says proudly. “I did it not just for myself but especially for my father because he always wanted to be an engineer himself.”Lourene’s dreams have always been big. Aer completing her degree, she searched for a job to gain greater exposure in an engineering environment. Aer ve years, equipped with the right skillset, she set her sights on moving down under.“I arrived in Australia from the Philippines in February 2023 and when I searched for Telecommunications industry roles, Ventia always came up. It was the biggest company in the market, and so became my target company,” she says.Lourene joined Ventia in April 2023 as an Electrical Designer in the Telecommunications Team, Fixed Networks.Her Critical Infrastructure team (VIC/TAS) is made up of one electrician and ve engineers, including two female engineers.“My team is really great,” she says. “I like our team’s synergy and how everyone has their own dierent roles. We really support and li each other up. It’s a very inclusive and diverse work environment where everyone is made to feel very welcome.”The one trait that helps Lourene break barriers and do her job with excellence is condence.“You have to believe in yourself and your power to create your own reality”, she says. “To manage your own energy and have the right mindset.”LOURENE FAICOL | ELECTRICAL DESIGNER | TELECOMMUNICATIONSI’m just a little engineer with not so little dreams!You have to believe in yourself and your power to create your own reality

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18 19NO STRANGER TO SAFETYCONNECT 20Safety and health above all else is our number one promise and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) professional Bridie Vico lives this mantra every day.As Network SHEQ Manager for Ventia’s NSW’s Motorways and Tunnels projects, Bridie is no stranger to the importance of safety in a 24/7 business.From late night shutdowns to perform critical maintenance works, keeping projects aligned to relevant environmental protocols, and maintaining the mental and physical well-being of the team - Bridie has achieved a lot in her ve years at Ventia.“I oversee the safe management of ve of Sydney’s busiest road assets for our client. My team of seven SHEQ professionals work across three tunnels and two open road motorways, including the Eastern Distributor, Cross City tunnel, Lane Cove tunnel, the M2 and the M5 Southwest motorways,” says Bridie.Business as usual for Bridie involves all elements of Workplace Health and Safety, but an important part of her role is ensuing the positive mental health of close to 130 people including technical, commercial and project managers, supervisors and eld teams, as well as a large pool of sub-contractors.“While it’s essential to keep people out of harm’s way, my role is about more than people’s physical safety; it’s about what I can do to improve their lives by making Ventia a great place to work and providing support for them to live well.“Aer seeing the impact of y-in y-out (FIFO) work on my father over 15 years, I’m passionate about mental health and initiatives, like Ventia’s Healthy Mind’s Program, that take a holistic approach to wellbeing, beyond the workplace,” says Bridie.Bridie has completed Ventia’s agship leadership program, Women Leading where she enjoyed learning about her strengths and how to harness them.“One of my top strengths is restoration – xing problems. In safety, we are constantly facing and solving new challenges. You need to calmly work out a x. It’s easier if you can enjoy that process like I do. I systematically work through whatever challenge is in front of me to reach a solution that works for both the client and Ventia.”“I am also a ‘developer’ and see potential in others, understanding that each person can bring many possibilities. I’m intrigued by people’s unique qualities and think it’s important to identify what they do well and give them an opportunity to apply that.”BRIDIE VICO | SHEQ MANAGER | TRANSPORTOne of my top strengths is restoration – xing problems. In safety, we are constantly facing and solving new challenges. You need to calmly work out a x. It’s easier if you can enjoy that process like I do

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20 21ELECTRIFYING NEW ZEALANDAPPRENTICE NO MORECONNECT 20As one of only a few female high voltage cable jointers in New Zealand, Cat Price knows what it’s like to forge her own path. That same grit and determination was needed again recently when she successfully completed the New Zealand Electricity Supply (Cable Jointing Level 4) qualication.Cat’s achievement, which required two years of on-the-job training, was applauded by Ventia Operations Manager Greg O’Sullivan, who says high voltage cable jointing is an art where accuracy and cleanliness are very important, especially when working with older paper lead cables. Cat describes her role as “kind of like a line mechanic but underground with bigger and dirtier cables.”Aer four years in the role, she still enjoys the satisfaction of removing out-of-date “big and bulky, rusty and dusty” gear in the electrical kiosks and replacing them with sleek new switches that can be controlled remotely. What Cat loves most about her job though is the tight-knit team surrounding her, who gave her plenty of training and mentoring support as she worked towards her qualication.“We’re oen working in close proximity, all together in a 2-3 metre hole, so there’s not a lot of room for disagreements,” she laughs. “If there are they get sorted out pretty quickly.”In her Electrotechnology course at TAFE, out of 160 students, Suzanne Galea was one of only four women. Of the other three, one was her triplet sister.These bleak diversity gures in the classroom reect the reality of the broader industry: as an Electrician, the gender share in Suzanne’s chosen eld – a dynamic one with strong future growth – is only 1% female. Suzanne is used to being in rareed company. She is a fraternal triplet, accounting for scarcely 0.02% of the total annual birth population.Suzanne joined Ventia in 2019 as an apprentice electrician. During her apprenticeship within the Telecommunications business, she worked on everything from battery changes for back-up power through to wiring up of AI Remotes.Suzanne’s job is as varied as they come, which she loves. Fault-nding one day, inspecting the next, she is currently working on a nationwide project carrying out work on client sites around the country.“It’s very uncommon for women to do a trade,” Suzanne says. “That’s why I would love to see something like ‘Women in Trade’ days at Ventia, to showcase all the opportunities in the industry to other aspiring women.”In addition to promoting the prole of women in trades, Suzanne is also keen to become involved in initiatives like our partnership with ABCN, which provides mentoring to high school students, and the SA Power Cup, where we show students the kind of jobs we can oer them when they’ve nished their schooling. “I know I would have loved to have seen a woman stand up to a room full of young students and tell them there are no limits as to what industry they can work in,” she says.CAT PRICE | CABLE JOINTER | INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICESSUZANNE GALEA | ELECTRICIAN | TELECOMMUNICATIONSSuzanne’s job is as varied as they come, which she loves. Fault-nding one day, inspecting the next.

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23PRIDE THAT SHINES THROUGH Awatif Shomoo is a dedicated cleaner at Excelsior Public School in Castle Hill, located in Sydney’s North-West. She takes immense pride in her role and her commitment ensures a clean and welcoming environment for all who enter the school premises. Awatif came to Australia back in 2005, leaving her country of birth in search of better opportunities and a safe and happy life for herself and her family. She says that to call cleaning a habit for her wouldn’t express quite how much she gets out of it. “At home I will say to my children that I am going to sit and relax and have a cup of tea or coee and just do nothing for a while,” Awatif says. “They laugh and say no mum, in a few minutes you’ll be up and doing something, you can’t sit still.” “I enjoy cleaning and I think when you like something, you will do it in a proper way.” Awatif is proud that the work she does to maintain a clean and orderly environment in the school contributes positively to the lives of all the children who will pass through its gates over the years. “I like to think of those children in their futures, whatever they may be doing, and knowing that my work may have made their schooling easier. Maybe they’ll remember me and smile.” “I am so happy to be here in Australia,” she says. “Even if I cleaned the whole country, it wouldn’t be enough to show how grateful I am for the opportunities I have been given.” Did you know that Ventia has a workforce of nearly 3,000 skilled cleaners?Hailing from diverse backgrounds, our cleaners dedicate themselves to providing specialised cleaning services to government and commercial businesses right across Australia and New Zealand.Whether they’re cleaning at a school in the western suburbs of Sydney, or a mine site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, or a historic building in downtown Auckland, our cleaners are focused on delivering service excellence in the work that they do. Oen working diligently outside regular oice hours and away from the limelight, their eorts ensure safety, hygiene, and create comfortable spaces that make our oices and workplaces truly inviting.AWATIF SHOMOO | CLEANER | DEFENCE & SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 22 CONNECT 20I enjoy cleaning and I think when you like something, you will do it in a proper way

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24 25GRADUATE CHARTS JOURNEY TO AUDITING CAREER AN UNSTOPPABLE PASSION Souria (Sara) joined Ventia in 2022 as a Business Graduate in our award winning #VentiaGrad program. As she approaches the end of the two-year program, she reects on her experiences and the next steps in her career. “In my rst year, I had two six-month rotations – the rst in our Defence business’ commercial team, and the second in the Telecommunications Finance team.“These two rotations gave me some great foundations and exposure to Ventia, before I moved into my full year rotation with the Internal Audit function in the Group Legal team. “Auditing has enabled me to learn so much about dierent parts of the business. It’s also about asking questions and identifying opportunities to improve, which I really enjoy.Kylie Prior didn’t set out to have a career in safety. Once she started though, she didn’t look back, bringing drive, ambition and passion to every role. Having started her career in administration and then nance, a workplace tragedy at her previous employer saw Kylie step in to support a role in safety and quality. That temporary role soon became permanent, and Kylie was determined to bring her absolute best to this new area.“Over the next few years, I helped build up the OHS and quality system, and the culture supporting it.“I really enjoyed working in this space and decided to gain the necessary qualications. I completed my certicate four in Workplace Health and Safety in October 2021, and a Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety in March 2022.”With drive like that it’s clear Kylie puts her best foot forward every day, rst as SHEQ Coordinator on our Gippsland Water contract, and more recently as SHEQ Advisor for Ventia’s Telecommunications projects in Victoria.“It’s been great to take my passion for SHEQ and progress my career at Ventia,” says Kylie.“Working now in Telco, I’m learning something new every day, but what hasn’t changed is the importance of building strong relationships with my team and clients. “When we’re talking, training and interacting regularly, safety stays top of mind.” Thank you for your passion, Kylie! We look forward to seeing you continue to learn and grow.“A highlight of the program has been the senior leaders I have been able to work directly with. Richard Kennedy has been a fantastic mentor, and working for a senior female General Manager (Nomusa Ngwenya) has taught me a lot about leadership and inuence.“I am excited to about what’s next for me at Ventia and beyond! My goal is to nish my Masters in Data Science and build a successful career in auditing.”SOURIA MARANO | BUSINESS GRADUATEKYLIE PRIOR | SHEQ ADVISOR | TELECOMMUNICATIONSCONNECT 20Sara (le) with Nomusa Ngwenya

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I’ve had one of the most amazing career journeys so far since joining the TRECCA team26 27A FAMILY AFFAIRCONNECT 20A dynamic and varied career path has seen WA Indigenous Participation Manager Amber Newman bring a suite of valuable skills to her role in Ventia’s dedicated Indigenous Employment program (TRECCA).From disability recruitment, business development, hospitality management, nursing, education, and even running her own business, Amber had pretty much ‘done it all’. However, it was aer her son was born, that Amber found it diicult to nd work.“No one would hire me,” Amber says. “They basically said new mothers shouldn’t be away from their kids.”In 2019, Amber attended an information session where TRECCA General Manager Byron Davis presented.“I thought a company that has Byron working for them is the one I want to work for,” Amber says.Following that session, Amber applied for cleaning roles in WA as Byron pointed out to her, ‘everyone cleans anyway, why not get paid for it’.Initially she worked as a cleaner in schools, then trained as a special needs education assistant until the COVID-19 pandemic reduced funding, before taking a role as a business development manager in disability recruitment. She remained connected to Byron throughout that period, and he recommended she apply for a role with TRECCA.“I lost out for that role to another applicant, however, when that person chose to move on, Byron reached out again, encouraging me to apply – and here I am!”More than a year on working at Ventia, and Amber’s empathy, compassion and life experiences are already making a dierence. “I’ve had one of the most amazing career journeys so far since joining the TRECCA team,” says Amber.“Ventia and TRECCA are making great strides in engaging with our local communities, supporting First Nations businesses and employing our mob. It’s inspiring to be among so many deadly assets in our community.”Not only has Amber helped recruit for TRECCA, she’s also supported her mother Yolande’s career.“One of my biggest supporters has been my mum.“I have been able to support her through her Ventia career journey, while she’s been completing her training to join our CS&CS contract. She’s recently graduated, and I am so proud of her!”Amber says by sharing her own experiences, she fosters understanding and trust. “As a single mum of a child with autism, and having disabilities of my own (autism and auditory processing disorder), growing up with siblings on the spectrum, identifying as LGBTQIA+, having family members who also identify, and a culturally diverse family, my lived experience enables me to relate to the job seekers I support in my role,” says Amber. “Sometimes candidates who are experiencing discrimination or lack of opportunity say ‘you don’t understand’. When I share with them some of what I’ve been through, they realise I do understand which helps them open up and trust in me, the TRECCA team and our processes.”“Time has made me strong and a huge advocate for change and acceptance.”AMBER NEWMAN | INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION MANAGER | TRECCAAmber with her mother and son

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28 29A STAR OF THE FUTURECONNECT 20Recently qualied Ventia New Zealand Electrician, Taya McGillicuddy has her sights set on a very bright and rewarding future, thanks to her willingness to take on new challenges, superior attention to detail and work ethic, and her determination to succeed – particularly in a somewhat male-dominated industry.Like many young people, Taya McGillicuddy was unsure what she wanted to do with her life. While working in hospitality she decided she wanted to carve out a more challenging career and develop new skills.Following in the footsteps of her brother and father who work as line mechanics, Taya seized the opportunity to enter the electrical industry via Ventia’s apprenticeship program in 2019 – and the rest is history.Now a registered Electrician and Communications Technician, Taya works in the Haywards Projects Team taking care of the installation and maintenance of substations and other critical infrastructure throughout New Zealand. She also assists Ventia’s communications teams on an ad-hoc basis, allowing her to develop complementary skills laying and connecting bre optic cables and working with telecommunications technology.According to Project Teams Supervisor, James Whitchelo, Taya has progressed extremely rapidly, impressing her peers and managers with her work ethic and outstanding attention to detail. “Taya has excelled from day dot,” he said. “She puts the eort in, does an amazing job and makes it all look good.”Taya has proved herself to be competent at handling a wide range of projects all over the country, including at Redclye Substation in Hawke’s Bay where she played a crucial role in restoring communications in the area aer a major outage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.James explained: “During this critical event, Taya had to put all her skills into use, working alongside a colleague to re-establish a vital bre optic telecommunications link to the substation that had been lost aer a bridge carrying a bre cable was washed out. Arriving on a helicopter with a rst response team, she helped re-establish communications by running a new bre optic cable across a river, over trees and under mangled railways.”“She has also been relied upon to handle electrical maintenance work for several of the traction substations that provide power for KiwiRail’s trains, keeping crucial transport links running,” he said.“You can tell if Taya’s working on a site because it’s very organised, which reects her methodical approach to work. She is very reliable, very helpful and easy to get on with – a perfect employee. You always know what you’re going to get with Taya.”Not content to rest on her laurels, Taya has decided to continue with her studies following completion of her apprenticeship, and recently began a Diploma in Construction Management.With her dedication, self-discipline and ‘can do’ attitude, Taya has condently forged a new career for herself, picking up new skills quickly and overcoming all challenges she faced – all hallmarks for a very bright future ahead indeed.TAYA MCGILLICUDDY | ELECTRICIAN AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN | INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICESArriving on a helicopter with a rst response team, Taya helped re-establish communications by running a new bre optic cable across a river, over trees and under mangled railways

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30 31WHEN YOU’RE THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOMCONNECT 20“I was strongly encouraged not to go onto site alone as a young female. Let’s just say the workforce wasn’t terribly inclusive for women.”A role at City of Melbourne followed, and then a move into risk assessment at CSR. Aer some project management roles, Meredith joined Shell, working in procurement. Once again, she found herself in the minority as a woman when she spent several weeks in India as part of an IT outsourcing project.Her role at Carlton and United Breweries was another learning experience – however when she was made redundant whilst on parental leave, it reinforced some of the learnings she had on unconscious bias and support for diversity.“There were quite a lot of roles made redundant at the time, most of them part time roles and naturally, that meant mostly women,” Meredith says.Her last role before joining Ventia in mid-2022 was with BP, and it was here she nally worked in a more gender balanced team and exible environment.“I was one of four female engineers in a team of seven – a big turnaround from the early days of my career.”Four weeks aer a coee catch-up with Group Executive D&SI Derek Osborn, Meredith had a job oer from Ventia and she says she’s pleased she accepted the role. Speaking of her experience with Ventia, Meredith says: “What I really like about Ventia is that people are supportive of other people’s success,” she says.“You’d be surprised how uncommon that is.”Reecting on her career in male-dominated industries, Meredith says: “When you’re the only woman in the room you stand out for being dierent. But you don’t always want to be dierent.” “But we are having the right conversations, and it’s starting to translate into action.”MEREDITH TALBOT | MOBILISATION DIRECTOR | DEFENCE & SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTUREA desire to “build big things I could see” led Ventia’s Mobilisation Director Meredith Talbot into civil engineering at university, as one of only ve women graduating from a class of 60.Being one of only a few women in the room became the norm for Meredith throughout her career, as she transitioned from engineering roles to project management, then procurement.“Working for John Holland on the Western Freeway construction in Melbourne, I was one of two women on site,” she says. “The other woman worked in admin.” Meredith in front of a Ventia re truck at the International Air Show at AvalonI believe that we all rise together, it’s important for us to lift each other up. Pay a compliment. Say thank you

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32 33CULTURAL SAFETY CHAMPIONCONNECT 20Carolyn Spindler is a Goreng Goreng and Iman First Nations employee working as the Senior Indigenous Case Manager in Ventia’s TRECCA (Training, Recruitment, Employment, Care and Career Advancement) team, focused on bringing a culture of care to her work in the Northern Territory.Carolyn has strong involvement in our Indigenous Pre-Employment Training Program, working hard to ensure candidates have culturally safe support to successfully complete the pre-employment program.General Manager Indigenous Participation Byron Davis, a Kalkadoon Waanyi man, says Carolyn possesses natural cultural leadership skills and provides a care approach in managing candidates’ trauma and welfare.“Carolyn’s impact is phenomenal, her approach has signicantly impacted retention as she provides reinforcement for candidates to complete the program,” he enthuses. “She provides a comforting, listening ear and comforting shoulder for many that need to talk about home, cultural and work life issues.“Her ability to keep our mob in jobs has had a massive impact to the local community,” he says. “Her work means that we know each candidate’s situation and we can address any issues with sensitivity and ensure more chance of them gaining meaningful and permanent employment.”Carolyn also provides important insights about generational trauma directly to Ventia leaders.Byron believes Carolyn is able to change their perspective and challenge systemic bias to improve the programs and support for Indigenous employees across Ventia.“She has sensitive conversations with leadership about cultural and welfare issues making it everyone’s responsibility to care,” Byron says.“Carolyn does a role that many misunderstand. Trauma can be misunderstood as poor performance, bad conduct, and unreliability.”Carolyn says that she works from a strengths-based approach with each with each First Nations candidate and colleague.“It is very important that we create an environment that is culturally safe and psychologically safe for First Nations people in their identity.“It’s about shared respect, shared meaning and shared knowledge. The more we learn from each other, the more accepting we are about people from diverse backgrounds. This also includes acknowledgement that no one First Nations person knows everything about all First Nations people. We learn from each other. We innately support each other.”Carolyn is not only great at the work she does, but she genuinely enjoys it. She adds: “I love this work because I know I am good at it, and I am genuinely and wholly supported by the TRECCA team.”CAROLYN SPINDLER | SENIOR INDIGENOUS CASE MANAGER | TRECCAThe more we learn from each other, the more accepting we are about people from diverse backgrounds

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34 35CONNECT 20REBUILDING A CAREER IN AUSTRALIARAGHAD SMOQA | PROJECT COORDINATOR | TELECOMMUNICATIONSFor Raghad Smoqa, a project coordinator at Ventia working on our NBN Fixed Wireless contract, the last few years have been a challenge to navigate.Originally from Iraq, Raghad completed a Bachelor’s degree in computer science in Erbil in 2011. Over the next seven years, she held roles in accounting, administration, and customer service, working across the banking, education, and travel industries.Unfortunately, as the situation in Iraq worsened, Raghad and her family were forced to ee into Jordan in 2018. “The journey wasn’t easy, making the decision to leave everything from our childhood home, our friends, our neighbours, all our relationships, and achievements that we built over three decades,” says Raghad. Aer spending several years in Jordan, Raghad and her family were able to come to Australia in September 2021.When rst arriving in Australia, Raghad said she faced lots of challenges, like improving her English and taking care of her family. It was diicult for her to balance looking for work and taking care of her family, but she knew that she ultimately wanted to return to work.“It was not easy to make the decision of nding work here, but as a person who loves working, it also wasn’t easy to stay at home and just do my regular responsibilities”, said Raghad. It was important for me to start my career in AustraliaConnecting with CareerSeekers proved to be just the opportunity Raghad needed, with the training and support giving her the encouragement she needed to succeed and secure a role with Ventia and rebuild her career.“Since arriving at Ventia, I have had many opportunities to build my career, and I’ve been supported all the way through my internship to my role today, and I have the condence to leave my comfort zone and grow.”Raghad said the cooperation between Ventia and CareerSeekers has helped not just her, but other humanitarian entrants to Australia to feel accepted and to nd their home in Australia. “It feels like CareerSeekers are making a puzzle, by nding the right person for the right position, and empowering us to succeed and to be accepted by others”, said Raghad. “I love this role and it suits me, as I can use all my previous experience from overseas, and I’m not having to start from scratch.”Hear from Raghad and learn more about Ventia’s partnership with CareerSeekers

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36 37BEING TRUE TO HERSELFCONNECT 20Taylor Cougle is a Solutions Assurance Manager, Co-Chair for Ventia’s Rainbow Community of Practice, and a proud transgender woman.With a career spanning over 30 years across telecommunications, manufacturing and professional services, Taylor joined Ventia’s Telecommunications business in 2009 as a Systems Programmer.In 2015, she made the decision to come out at work and with her family, but knew she needed to have plans in place with the right people to support her and her work colleagues.“Before I came out as a transwoman at work, I spent six months working with our People and Capability (P&C) team to help develop new policies, procedures, communications and peer education,” she explains.“I remember discussing diversity with P&C and making sure we had the right policies and procedures so people can safely transition, come out, or shine as they are.”Taylor says for anyone making any major life change, planning and preparation is key.“I’m a planner. So, I wanted to have plans and even alternative plans in place to ensure my success to achieve the happiness I have today,” she says.“I think it’s a good idea to think about what social, work, family and professional support you need to have in place. Beyond this, it’s really important to truly believe you are not alone as many others before us have had similar experiences.”“One of the most important things is nding people who are on the same journey as you are, it is about nding your tribe,” Taylor notes. “Reach out to them, be it at Ventia, your private networks or community groups. Not only will you nd they usually become your greatest supporters, but you can also support others on their journey through your lived experience.”On being an active Diversity Champion and advocate both inside and outside of work, Taylor says, “I love sharing my journey and am proud to inspire others to live freely and be the best versions of themselves – it is never too late to shine.”TAYLOR COUGLE | SOLUTION ASSURANCE MANAGER | DIGITAL SERVICESLearn more about Taylor’s journey as an advocate for the Rainbow CommunityTaylor at the 2022 Miss Gay & Miss Trans Australia International pageantI love sharing my journey and am proud to inspire others to live freely and be the best versions of themselves – it is never too late to shine

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38 39BALANCING LIFE AND WORKCONNECT 20A move from the Adelaide Hills to Woomera in remote central South Australia for a role with Ventia gave Facilities Manager Cath Sola the condence to try new places.Cath describes Woomera as “proper desert” and, with a population of around 150 people when she and her husband Andy moved there, a great tightknit community.“Living and working together in a small town, there was a sense of family,” Cath says.According to Cath, this sense of family is what has kept her working for Ventia ever since, including a couple of years in an oshore facility, a stint on the Goodstart Early Learning facility management contract, and most recently looking aer the Australian Tax Oice portfolio within Ventia’s Whole of Australian Government contract.The family moved from the South Australian desert to Cairns in North Queensland, and Cath says she couldn’t be happier.“Being in Cairns made sense as it was closer Port Moresby and easier for my FIFO role,” Cath says. “I’ve grown to love the climate here, my kids can play outside year-round, and I have a really supportive mum community, and sporting teams I belong to.”Cath says that the exibility of location has been extremely important, as has the work-life balance she’s built over the years as it enables her to spend time with Andy and her daughters, enjoy playing sport and most recently, to ex her writing muscles in the creation of a children’s book. Perth-based Melissa is a Business Technology specialist. She was recently promoted to the new role of Head of Project Management Oice (PMO) in our Digital Services team aer starting her journey at Ventia in our Defence business. Melissa is also the carer of a child with disabilities.“All families are faced with busy schedules, however being a primary carer for a child with disabilities and working full time just adds extra complexity to an already challenged family dynamic,” says Melissa.“There is the before and aer school routine, shiing care arrangements, medical appointments and social commitments – all that is needed so my child thrives.” “I genuinely feel exibility for family life is accepted at Ventia and I am oen asked by my management team and colleagues how things are going which tells me I’m surrounded by people who truly care about me and my family,” she explains.“Before my son was diagnosed with a disability, I didn’t have a close bond with him, which as a Mum, made me feel guilty and ashamed,” she says, “I didn’t understand why he was so dierent and why nothing seemed to work. The diagnosis, while a shock at rst, connected so many dots for me that I started a journey to educate myself on his condition – to learn what life was like through his eyes.” “Five years on and I’m proud to say my son and I are extremely close – I ‘get’ him now as he likes to say. Through my journey of discovery, I found myself in awe of how wonderful his mind is. How he sees the world so dierently and how that is now enriching my life and opening my mind. I am a very lucky Mum indeed.”CATH SOLA | SENIOR FACILITIES MANAGER | DEFENCE & SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTUREVentia has been amazing with their understanding and support, giving me exibility to ensure I’m there for my family when they need meBLENDING FAMILY AND CAREERMELISSA TRUTE | HEAD OF PMO,CHANGE & COMMUNICATIONS | DIGITAL SERVICESMelissa with her familyLearn more about Melissa’s Women Leading experience

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42 43CONNECT 20Graduate ProgramGraduates are vital to building capability, diversifying our workforce, and bringing fresh ideas to our enterprise. This in turn benets our clients by enabling us to oer more innovative solutions and services. It also demonstrates our commitment to giving back to the community by employing and developing the workforce of the future. The Ventia Graduate Program is a two-year program consisting of two six-month rotations and one 12-month rotation. A highly supportive internal network and mentor program is vital for the development of our graduates. 55% of our 2022-2023 grad cohort are women and is exciting to see an increasing number of young female professionals developing exciting careers with Ventia.Apprenticeships and TraineeshipsWe’re committed to apprenticeships and traineeships in our operations across Australia and New Zealand and our program has a strong focus on female participation. To attract new female trade employees, Ventia engages local organisations that can provide bridging opportunities for women in trades, connecting with women that may not have considered or been aware of opportunities within the Sectors in which we work.External Partnerships Our partnerships with Flex Careers, Working Parents Connect and Work180 assist us sourcing a diverse pool of candidates. ATTRACTGraduates participating in an innovation workshopTrainee Samantha Icely with Brodie Reimers, Vehicle Mechanic

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44 45CONNECT 20Our women are provided pathways into leadership roles across the business including operational and technical support leadership. Ventia’s Frontline Leaders, Essential Leadership and BEST Leaders programs are a signicant investment in our emerging leaders across the enterprise and our female talent is well represented across these programs.Women Leading is a targeted leadership initiative – a dynamic women’s leadership program that builds heightened personal and professional self-awareness to broaden leadership impact.Through a series of workshops, surveys, guest speakers and t for purpose coaching sessions, women in our workforce discover the importance of working from their unique strengths, the value of career planning and the power of networking and connecting.Since 2021, 120+ women have been provided the opportunity to take a critical look at their career, leadership and unique strengths through this program.Our 2023 Women Leading cohort in our Cremorne oice Hear from some of the participants on their experience on the Women Leading programHear from Sibylle Krieger, one of Ventia’s independent non executive Directors who shares her views on diversity and women representation in the workplace, and the practical outcomes it can achieveLEADING WOMENDEVELOPA SEAT AT THE BOARDROOM TABLE Studies show the strong connection between organisational performance – both nancial and non-nancial – when a company has women in senior roles.More women in board and executive roles also mean a greater diversity of skills, experiences, opinions, and strategies.At Ventia, we’re focused on increasing women representation on our Board, including all subsidiary boards. To enable this, we’re upskilling our women talent through the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course.In 2023, 13 women participated in the course, equipping them with the skills to take on future director roles in public and not for prot organisations.Ventia non-executive directors Sibylle Krieger, Lynne Saint and Anne Urlwin

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46 47CONNECT 20Mutual Mentoring All of Ventia’s Executive Leadership team been partnered with someone outside their sector or function so they can learn more about our projects and our people. This program, where the Executives are the mentees, was embraced by the business with over 150 people nominating themselves up as suitable mentors. Mentor Walks The Ventia Academy has introduced ‘Mentor Walks’ where a small group of employees participate in a healthy walk to form meaningful connections. This is mentoring at its most accessible and most simple. Walking outside helps us think creatively and clearly about opportunities and challenges we may be facing.For more information on Mentor Walks and tips on how to kick these o in your location, contact ventiaacademy@ventia.com.HousingConnect – Women in Social Infrastructure One of our internal sector-based mentoring programs, HousingConnect, was set up by former commercial manager Laura Jasiulec for which she won the Diversity and Inclusion award for NSW in the Australasian Housing Institute Brighter Future Awards.The program is championed by Angela Williams, General Manager Community & Housing. Since 2021, the program has provided 82 mentor connections for women working on Ventia’s NSW Land and Housing contract – that’s over 900+ hours of mentoring – with 13 participants achieving internal promotions as a direct result of the program.Contact angela.williams@ventia.com for more information.Ventia Academy Our mentoring programs are enabled through the Ventia Academy, which has been established to support our people in achieving their full potential and to realise their career aspirations at Ventia.Alex Cockerton, General Manager of Ventia Academy is passionate about helping people build their capability, connection and careers at Ventia. He personally mentors a number of women in the business, and says: “Supporting people at Ventia is my mission! I have the privilege of mentoring a number of talented woman in Australia and New Zealand – they all have so much to oer. I am constantly inspired by the steps they are taking to build self-condence and take control of their careers.” Charmaine Higgins, EGM People Business Partnering & ER is also a strong advocate of mentoring.“I am a huge believer in the power of connecting and mentoring women and the critical role it can play in helping women achieve their professional goals and overcoming barriers to success.”Contact ventiaacademy@ventia.com for more information about mentoring and other programs.MENTORING MATTERSWe are shaped by the people we are surrounded by in our life, work and communities. Mentoring can support these foundations by creating a relationship that allows the exchange of knowledge, sharing of experiences, building of condence, and can help create new possibilities and inspire a future vision.Ventia encourages the many mentoring programs in place across the business, including tailored programs that support our women to grow and thrive.RETAINAnastasia Rimagmos (Strategy Analyst) with her mentor, CharmaineTeam from the Cremorne and Lonsdale Street Telstra oice on a Mentor Walk around RichmondParticipants at the ‘Women Who Lead’ social housing event

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48 49CONNECT 20Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) Since 2017 Ventia has been a member of ABCN, a not-for-prot organisation that connects business with disadvantaged students through mentoring and partnership programs.More than 1,000 students have beneted from taking part in the programs with Ventia mentors. Students range from grade two primary school students through to senior secondary school.As part of the overall partnership, our people participate in FOCUS, a specialised ABCN program that helps support young women to develop their leadership skills, aspire to senior roles in business and the community, and foster a sense of self-belief that will encourage them to aim high.UNSW Women in Engineering For the third year running, our Transport team has sponsored the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Women in Engineering Society (WIESoc) Industry Mentoring Program.Partnering engineering students with an industry mentor, the three-part program is driven by a student-run society that advocates gender acceptance and equality in all facets of the engineering industry.David McPadden, Group Executive Transport was the proud executive sponsor for this opportunity. With a Senior Leadership Team that has 50:50 gender diversity, David is a strong advocate for creating opportunities for women at all stages of their career.Girls with Hi-Vis® When it comes to maintaining our client’s energy networks, upgrading roads, maintaining water plants and pipes, or delivering broadband technology there is a growing need to develop a pipeline of young talent.A key part of this is encouraging more young women to join the infrastructure services industry and see it as a long-term career path.With that goal in mind, our New Zealand team support the Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® program.Girls with Hi-Vis® gives female students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, hear from inspirational women in the industry and learn about careers in the infrastructure’s civil, energy, telecommunications and water industries.EXTERNAL MENTORINGPROGRAMSLearn more about our involvement with Girls with Hi-Vis® programBrett Jenkins from Ventia’sTelecommunications teamshows a student how tooperate an elevated workplatformSetting SMART goals with the UNSW studentsAngela Williams and Catherine Fletcher mentoring female students in the ABCN FOCUS program

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Networking in WA A new monthly catch up has kicked o to connect women in Australia’s largest state.Championed by Amber Newman, the casual events aim to foster collaboration between contracts, provide a peer-to-peer support network and assist members with connections to support career advancement.If you would like to be involved in future events, please contact amber.newman@ventia.com.The CollectiveThe Collective is group of more than 20 senior women who report into a Ventia ELT member. Meeting monthly, the group aims to provide a safe space for women to share ideas and thoughts, enable cross sector and functional relationships, model good leadership and learn new leadership skills through coaching, training and external presenters.Amber (front) with colleagues at the rst WA event50 51CONNECT 20Empowering our Wahine Our recent three city in-person and live streamed NZ Women’s Networking event connected our wahine (women) based in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. With attendance from Dress for Success in NZ and Q&A panel discussions by our people, the event was a powerful, transformative and safe environment where our women learnt, collaborated, and importantly celebrated. “Our women’s networking opportunities provide opportunities for our women to build and strengthen networks with their colleagues,” says Laura Stokes, Marketing and Communications Manager, Aotearoa. “And it’s safe to say that this was our best event yet! The energy in the room was a just fantastic, and it was brilliant to see our presenters really open up and gain condence as the night went on.“We engaged in korero (conversation), kai (food) and even some kanikani (dancing), keeping us all energised and inspired!”Events like these are an important way to build deep connection to, and understanding of our female workforce, supporting our commitment to increasing female participation across all levels of our business.Reach out to laura.stokes@ventia.com to get involved.Advocating for Women in Finance (WiF) Starting out in 2021 as an informal conversation among ve employees, WiF has evolved into an incredibly valuable program that is inuencing change, creating opportunities, and beneting women right across the Finance function. The program is accessible to more than 350 women in Ventia Finance and Enterprise Services roles located throughout Australia & New Zealand.The group’s mission is to create an inclusive working environment for women, achieve equal representation in nance leadership positions and inspire, encourage and foster a sense of community.Regular events, forums and activities promote sharing of knowledge and experiences that lead to genuine connections, collaborations, and career support for women in the Ventia community.WOMEN @ VENTIA NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES For more information, contact Garima.Kohli@ventia.com.Janine Way and Faali Sala at the NZ Women’s networking event held in AucklandSome of the WiF team at a networking event held in SydneyCheck out our video to see some of the highlights

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Connect with Us ventia.comLinkedIn.com/company/vntinstagram.com/ventiaservicesfacebook.com/VentiaCareerstwitter.com/VentiaServicesvimeo.com/ventiaptyltdVentia would like to respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them, their cultures and to their Elders past, present and emerging.He tautoko te ahurea i ngā kawa me ngā tikanga o ngā Iwi whānui o Aotearoa, me ka kawa me ka tikaka o ka Lwi whānui o Te Waipounamu. We recognise and celebrate the culture of manawhenua in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu where our teams respect local Lwi and communities across the country.Acknowledgement of Country and MihiA SPECIAL THANKSto everyone who contributed to and featured in this magazine.We greatly appreciate your time, insights and interest.To engage with Ventia’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team, or to get involved with a Community of Practice gender working group, reach out to your P&C business partner.To contribute to the next edition of Connect or nominate topics that you’d like us to explore, email the Brand & Engagement team at ventia.news@ventia.com.This magazine is printed on sustainably sourced FSC certied paper.Diversity is who we are, inclusion is what we do