About Shay
Shay Chalmers is a keynote speaker and engineering management professional with years of global experience in the manufacturing environment
Her message is simple: a business doesn’t prosper by making decisions based on personal growth or gain – it’s about listening to consumers, embracing technology and making strategic choices that will continue to create a positive outcome for the future.
Past
When they were children, Shay’s younger sister received a cochlear implant developed by Professor Graeme Clark, a pioneer in the field. The whole process, from the innovation of technology down to Professor Clark’s emotional connection to the product, not to mention the way it changed her sister’s life, inspired Shay to pursue similar ambitions.
After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management with Distinction, 25-year old Shay was overseeing maintenance and engineering departments in a steel mill in the USA. She later spent six years working with Cook Medical in production, process engineering and project management.
But the journey wasn’t met without obstacles: at one point during her career, Shay was being paid less than her male counterparts and felt her efforts were being overlooked, despite demonstrating superior skills and performance. The lack of support and representation for women in engineering had influenced Shay’s goals and ideations for the present and future. This inspired her to break away from such constraints to form her own company.
Present
Today Shay owns and directs Strategic Engineering Australia, offering consulting expertise across a wide range of manufacturing applications. Shay now sits on several Boards and Committees across the Private, Not-For-Profit and Government sector, including representing the Gold Coast on the Regional Development Australia Committee. Through these roles Shay can actively promote empowering Women in STEM from school level to the highest level in government.
Shay’s official organisational affiliations across Australia:
Chair | Queensland Reference Group (Manufacturing and Engineering Skills)
Chair | ARM Hub Advisory and Research Committee (AHARC)
Director | Strategic Engineering Australia Pty Ltd
Director | Turbine Sunshine Coast
Non-Executive Director | Queensland Manufacturing Institute
Advisory Board Member | Aim Lab Automation Technologies Pty Ltd
Advisory Board Member | Australian Cobotics Centre
Committee Member | Manufacturing Ministerial Council, Queensland State Government
Committee Member | Regional Development Australia (Gold Coast), Australian Federal Government
Program Manager | Australian American Leadership Dialogue
Qld Sector Lead Advanced Manufacturing and Materials | Office of the Chief Scientist – Qld Government
Partner | Ontogo
Shay’s work in helping women achieve successful high paid careers in technology, including her contribution to Women in STEM, earned her a recognition from Queensland Voices Leaders program, and a selection as one of twenty Queensland women in 2019 who are excelling in their chosen field. Shay has been consecutively awarded Gold Coast Woman in Business Awards’ Awardee of Merit in 2020 and 2021. She has also been recognised for Excellence in Manufacturing as a Finalist for the National Women in Industry Awards 2021.
Future
As an industry leader with a passion for informing and inspiring others, Shay has spoken at numerous high-profile events across the country, and is also an active campaigner for life-long-learning and diversity in the workforce.
Shay believes in the power of collaboration to drive positive social change, especially as the global manufacturing community works towards a carbon neutral future.