Rowan is nationally recognised for her work in leadership and educational change. She is a Principal Consultant at Bendelta, an award-winning strategic advisory and consulting firm. Previously she was an Associate Professor in STEM education and engagement at the University of Melbourne. In addition to her leadership roles within Higher Education, she has over 10 years experience specialising in leadership development, primarily focused within the STEM context. Rowan has worked with a broad range of sectors including defence, financial services, public service and higher education. Through her work she has designed and facilitated programs at all levels, from C-suite and middle management through to undergraduate students. Over 2020-2022 she was the co-lead of the leadership faculty of the global women in STEMM initiative, Homeward Bound. She has written for educational and scientific academic publications as well as The Scientific American, The Conversation, Huffington Post, Mamamia, Women's Agenda, We are Explorers, Trail Run Mag and The Australian. Rowan holds a PhD in Ecology, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. She has also completed courses in leadership at Harvard and Stanford and is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow with Cranlana.Rowan is an advocate for women in STEM. In 2018 she co-founded a program to support the leadership development of women in STEM called STEM side-by-side with veski and the UK Consular General. She has previously sat on the Minister for Science and Innovation’s Gender Advisory Roundtable. Her leadership was recognised as the winner of the Telstra Business Women’s Award (public sector and academic), Victoria in 2016 and Chief Executive Women in 2021 through the STEM Leadership Award. She draws upon her experience as an endurance athlete where she can be found regularly lining up on the start line of some of Australia’s longest trail running and adventure races. Her athletic experience enables her to authentically create space for people to realise their potential and build resilience.