Zoe Eather

A multi award-winning engineer, Churchill Fellow and data scientist with extensive global experience, Zoe takes the overwhelm out of the technology conversation. She does this by sharing stories and insights which surprise, engage and educate about what is possible through technology and data. Zoe is determined to not do things the way we’ve always done them. Her engineering mind and unique background allow her to critically analyse her experiences and draw practical conclusions for the future with wit, humour and grace.

In 2018, Zoe was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship which saw her travel to 9 countries in 9 weeks researching ‘smart mobility’ (think self-driving cars, flying drones and shared e-scooters). In 2019, Zoe was one of five Australian social entrepreneurs to be selected for the Australian ASEAN Emerging Leaders program. Zoe won the Rising Star Technology award in 2020 and in 2021 Zoe was named Queensland’s Young Engineer of the Year. This year Zoe has been selected to join the Homeward Bound global women in STEM leadership program which includes spending two weeks in Antarctica.

Zoe keeps up-to-date with the latest trends and shares her learnings through hosting The Smart Community Podcast. Through her boutique consultancy My Smart Community, she works with government, academia and industry offering strategic advice on dealing with disruption, leveraging major infrastructure spend, smart technology in all communities and facilitating genuine collaboration.

Zoe Speaks About

HUMAN LENS ON TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Think differently, ignite new ideas and unlock potential to adapt in an ever-changing world.

THE FUTURE IS FLUID
Change is a given, agility is essential, resilience is foundational; so just how do we shape the future when it is COMPLETELY fluid and unpredictable? Let Zoe deconstruct the simple ways you can get involved to shape the future YOU want.

NOT SO #SMART, AVOIDING INSULARITY
Sometimes what appears smart is the very opposite. As the world of smart matures we risk becoming insular – and when we become less curious, innovation dies. There’s an art to opening our minds and creating really smart change, let Zoe guide you through it.

LETTING GO OF THE JOB TO BUILD A CAREER
From small town regional Australia and traditional beginnings to forging her own path in multiple directions around the world, Zoe will walk you through just how to let go of ordinary to move into the extraordinary, every day.

THE GREAT TECHNOLOGY CROSSOVER
The status quo can no longer serve us, we need a radical shift in engagement and collaboration. Beyond simply embracing technology it is the interoperability for humans and technology that is non-negotiable in creating sustainably #smart futures.

DROWNING IN DATA, LACKING CONNECTION
We have big data literally at our fingertips, but how do you harness this data to really make better decisions and build deeper human connection? Whilst it can feel like a tsunami loading, Zoe will help your audiences ride the wave and come out swimming.

DIVERSITY IN THE CODE SERVING DIVERSITY IN THE WORLD
We are embedding bias at a faster, more permanent rate than any other time in history. The solution? Accelerating the level diversity behind the code right now to design technology which will serve the greater good. Zoe will breakdown the why, what and how.