Keynote Speaker – Catherine Gill
Executive Director, Centre for Inclusive Computing, Northeastern University
Catherine is the Executive Director for the Center for Inclusive Computing (CIC). Housed at Northeastern University, the CIC was launched in 2019 with seed funding from Pivotal, a Melinda French Gates company.
The CIC’s mission is to promote equitable access to computing pathways. At present the CIC works with 119 of the largest computing departments in the U.S., supporting the implementation of research-backed practices that broaden participation in tech.
Previously, Catherine was associate dean for strategic partnerships at Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Science. Before that, she worked for twenty years in the social finance sector, including as the head of investor relations for Root Capital, a social enterprise that provides financing to smallholder, agricultural businesses in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Catherine teaches social impact strategy and nonprofit management at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.
She holds an MBA from the IESE in Barcelona, Spain, and a B.A. in ancient Greek from Wellesley College.
Tuesday 1 September 2026 – RMIT 12.10.004 (Building 12, Level 10, Room 4)
| Time | Session |
| 9:00am – 9:15am | Acknowledgement of Country |
| 9:15am – 9:45am | Keynote: Catherine Gill (CIC Northeastern) Catherine will share her perspectives on what works for first year computing students from diverse backgrounds, based on CIC Northeastern’s 5+ years of experience working with over 100 partner schools at universities in the USA. |
| 9:45am – 10:45am | Workshop: First year classes for students new to tech courses Nicole Fetchet (RMIT), Dr Rebecca Lyons (Monash), Ms Charanya Ramakrishnan (Macquarie University) and Dr Rebecca Robinson (Monash) |
| 10:45am – 11:15am | Morning tea (in workshop space) |
| 11:15am – 12:15pm | Workshop continued from the previous session: First year classes for students new to tech courses |
| 12:15pm – 1:15pm | Lunch at The Oxford Scholar (included in registration) |
| 1:15pm – 2:45pm | Workshop: Wrap-around support to build confidence and a sense of belonging Dr Fiona Scotney (The Australian National University) |
| 2:45pm – 3:15pm | Afternoon tea (in workshop space) |
| 3:15pm – 4:45pm | Workshop: Using AI to support inclusive approaches Dr Ronny Andrade Parra (RMIT) and Kate Anderson (RMIT) |
| 4:45pm – 5:00pm | Close |
Reception networking event
All attendees are invited to a reception networking event with canapés and drinks at The Oxford Scholar from 5:00pm – 6:00pm on Tuesday 1 September. An opportunity to discuss the day’s sessions, and meet university and industry colleagues who share your commitment to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the tech workforce.
Wednesday 2 September 2026 – RMIT 12.10.004 (Building 12, Level 10, Room 4)
Details to be announced soon …
| Time | Session |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | Morning tea on arrival (in workshop space) |
| 9:30am – 10:00am | Acknowledgement of Country Keynote speaker |
| 10:00am – 12:00pm | Workshop for industry team leaders and HR managers |
| 12:00pm – 12:30pm | Lunch on closing (in workshop space) |