Women In Tech 2026
Confidence, Capability, And What Comes Next
With Kirra Tully & Zoe Night from Greater Whitsunday Innovation
I’ve always been interested in how people turn ideas into action, especially in regional communities where innovation is rarely theoretical. It’s practical, it’s necessary, and it’s often happening quietly in the background. That way of thinking sits at the core of my role as Manager of Greater Whitsunday Innovation.
Greater Whitsunday Innovation sits at the intersection of innovation and digital capability, two lenses that are often treated as the same thing but are quite different. Innovation has always existed in our region. You see it in agriculture, mining, small business, and community organisations, where people adapt to weather, distance, limited services, and constant change. Waiting for perfect conditions or external solutions is rarely an option. People solve problems because life and work have to keep moving.
Digital capability is increasingly part of that picture. It is not the whole story, but it is now essential infrastructure. Businesses rely on it to operate, communicate, make decisions, and respond to change. Through GWI, my focus has been on making digital tools feel practical and achievable. As I often say, we are not trying to turn people into tech experts. We are helping people feel confident enough to use what’s available to them. That confidence opens doors.
The programs delivered through Greater Whitsunday Innovation are designed around that idea. Digital confidence workshops, AI understanding sessions, innovation conversations, youth exploration, and creative digital activities are all built to be relevant, accessible, and grounded in real needs. Participants leave with practical digital skills, stronger business confidence, and a clearer understanding of how technology can support their work.
Learning happens not just through programs, but through space. GWI provides flexible environments for workshops, co-working, meetings, and creative experimentation, where ideas can be explored without pressure and conversations can continue beyond the session itself.
Leading this work is never a solo effort. While I hold responsibility for direction and outcomes, collaboration is essential, particularly with a small team. GWI works closely with industry, education providers, government, and specialist delivery partners who bring expertise, credibility, and local insight. That work is supported by our Project Officer, Zoe Knight, who helps deliver programs and connect people with opportunities across the region.
One of the key moments for 2026 is Tech Verge, taking place on 28–29 May at Ocean International as part of Queensland Small Business Month. Tech Verge brings together business owners, digital specialists, and future-focused thinkers for two days of shared learning, practical insight, and honest conversation about what the future looks like for our region. It reflects what GWI is about: creating space for ideas to connect and momentum to build.
My work is often described through a women in tech lens, but for me it is really about creating environments where women, and the wider community, feel comfortable participating in conversations about innovation, business, and technology. That work has been recognised through being named a finalist for a Women in Tech award and a regional community finalist for the Percy Foundation Award, but the most meaningful moments are always the quieter ones. When someone stays back to ask a question. When confidence shifts.
At its heart, innovation is about people. Most days at Greater Whitsunday Innovation start with a coffee and a conversation, and that’s often where ideas turn into action. When people feel supported, connected, and capable, progress follows. That’s what we’re building toward, one conversation at a time.
Save the date: Tech Verge, May 28-29 Ocean International, Mackay
