Women in Business: Panel Night Wrap Up

The Women in Business Panel Night brought together four remarkable women whose journeys defied linear paths and reminded every student in the room that success doesn’t follow a script.

Hosted by Venture UWA, UWAMS (UWA marketing society) and UWA Guild Women’s Department, the evening pulsed with honesty, laughter, and the kind of reflections that make you quietly rethink how you define ambition.

The Panelists

Kat Dunn - Co-Founder, Talk2View

Kat spoke about how life isn’t always a neat set of choices. Sometimes, you simply find yourself doing something unexpected, and that’s okay. Her story traced those unpredictable turns that shaped her from law and finance to leading a deep-tech company. Kat reminded students that timing is not a race: You can always come back, choose again, and begin again.

Nikki Atack - Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Pentanet

Nikki shared her philosophy of constant evolution - the art of keeping a growth mindset even when you think you’ve mastered your craft. With over two decades across Deloitte Digital, HIF, and the HBF, she encouraged students to stay curious, adaptable, and humble.

Millie Kolomyjec - Founder, Koda Collective | Marketing Director, Bloom UWA

Millie grounded the night with stories drawn from her own life: internships, community work, and moments of doubt. Her openness about stepping forward before feeling ready struck a chord with everyone.

Rebecca Di Pardo -  Business Director, 303 MullenLowe | Co-Chair, Youngbloods WA

Rebecca explored the power of networking, reframing it not as a transaction but as a chain of genuine human connections. You might not meet your next employer in this room, but someone here probably knows someone who does. Her advice on building relationships with curiosity and kindness reminded students that networks grow best through authenticity.

Highlights

The discussion unfolded around themes that hit close to home for many students:

• Navigating career choices that aren’t always straightforward.

• Staying adaptable in changing industries.

• Creating genuine professional networks.

• Confronting the barriers women still face in entrepreneurship.

The panel tackled the stark reality that female founders receive less than 3% of global venture capital funding. Their message was clear: equity is not just a women’s issue. It’s a collective one. Allies, mentors, and industry leaders all have a role to play in ensuring opportunity flows where talent exists, not where bias lingers.

Takeaways

• You don’t always choose the path; sometimes the path chooses you.

• Detours are often as valuable as the destination.

• Growth comes from curiosity, not certainty.

• Confidence is built through action, not perfection.

• Opportunities often arrive through connections you least expect.