Who spoke at Equinix's Women in Tech charity event?

Equinix has teamed up with the Women Leaders Network to host a Women in Tech charity luncheon to inspire women in the industry and equip them with knowledge to overcome challenges. 

The event was hosted at the Botanic House in Sydney, livestreamed to in-person gatherings in Melbourne and Perth. 

Over the three cities, 200 women attended the event.

This event is a charity not for profit luncheon where donations go to The Smith Family’s Girls at the Centre program.

Panelists discussed their experiences in overcoming barriers to women in the technology industry and issues females are facing at work.

ABC News reporter and journalist Kathryn Robinson led the discussion. The panel included Natasha Leist (Zscaler), Angela Fox (Dell Technologies), Gillian Russel (Cochlear) and Dana Spasenoska (Oracle). Pictured L to R: Kathryn Robinson, Natasha Leist, Angela Fox, Gillian Russel and Dana Spasenoska.

132 women attended the Sydney event. 

Zscaler ANZ recruitment lead, Natasha Leist said, "As a recruiter, I make sure I have women in the shortlist and women in the interview process, so there’s women in both sides of the process”.

Dell Technologies senior VP and managing director ANZ, Angela Fox said, “Employers need to be conscious of many things; conversations like this show the importance of addressing topics like domestic violence, mental illness and menstrual leave".

L: Cochlear director, IT risk and security, Gillian Russel.

R: Oracle head of public sector sales ANZ, Dana Spasenoska.

Women also watched the event from Fraser's King Park in Perth and the Botanic Hotel in Melbourne. 

Equinix and the Women Leaders Network are giving back to The Smith Family’s Girls at the Centre program. This program focuses addressing educational inequity in Australia and school drop-out rates of teenage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.

During last year’s Women in Tech event, they raised $6,500 for the International Justice Mission.