AIRAH launches Women in HVAC&R Summit

August 26, 2025

The first iteration of the annual event will take place at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on Friday, October 24.

AIRAH’s Women in HVAC&R Summit is a new annual event celebrating the involvement of women and gender-diverse people in Australia’s HVAC&R industry.

This gathering will bring together industry leaders, advocates, and professionals to explore how fostering a more inclusive workforce drives innovation and growth. Attendees will hear from dynamic speakers on breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups with a primary focus on including women in the industry.

Opening speakers

Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) CEO Alison Scotland will deliver the keynote address. Alison will reflect on her own journey and experiences within the construction industry, touching on topics such as overcoming challenges, career trajectory, and improving retention in leadership roles.

Next up is SP&R Air Conditioning General Manager Pam Rogers, whose presentation will focus on how women can navigate their career progression within the HVAC&R industry.

Pam is particularly qualified to talk about this, having begun her career as a fridgie and worked her way up to a senior management position at SP&R Group, which won the 2024 AIRAH Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion.

Interactive session

After the plated breakfast and networking session, things will take a slightly different turn, with an interactive session exploring the value of mentorship and trade-based career options for women in building services. The session will be held in collaboration with the Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPAA).

Attendees will be encouraged to mingle, share their own experiences with mentorship or menteeship within the industry, and connect with other present or future leaders in the room.

Cultural change

Addressing workforce barriers to entry is much more complex than simply addressing discriminatory language and behaviours. In her presentation, Diana Burgess from Lendlease will speak about the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce, which is working on a culture standard for the sector that addresses inclusion and diversity.

We’ll then enjoy three mini-presentations from Megan Dinsdale-Jones, Madeleine Moratti, and Liza Stokes, who will focus on the power of storytelling for building visibility and influencing change.

Tickets are now available, so make sure you secure your spot at this exciting new event!

Women of AIRAH STG

Established in 2016, the Women of AIRAH (WoA) Special Technical Group works to develop AIRAH’s strategy for supporting women and increasing their participation in both AIRAH and the Australian HVAC&R industry at large.

If you’d like to learn more about the WoA or join the group, scan the QR code.