Chemistry Australia has named Kira McGrath, Orica Australia’s manager for manufacturing technology, as the recipient of the 2023 Chemistry Australia Chief Executive Women (CEW) Woman Leader in STEM Scholarship.
McGrath is the most senior woman in continuous manufacturing within her organisation, boasting extensive experience with ammonia, nitric acid and ammonium nitrate manufacturing processes specific to the company’s Kooragang Island manufacturing facility.
She kickstarted her career at Orica after graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2008. The manufacturing leader has wide-ranging knowledge in the manufacturing sector in process engineering, process safety, continuous improvement/lean manufacturing, and management roles.
As the winner of the Woman Leader in STEM Scholarship, Kira will receive a scholarship to attend the Woman Transforming Leadership Program at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
“Taking part in the Women Transforming Leadership program at Oxford’s Saïd Business School will help me develop and strengthen my leadership skills while broadening my network internationally across sectors with successful and driven women,” McGrath said.
Chemistry Australia Board’s Woman Leader in STEM Scholarship was established to promote the development of female leaders in the chemistry industry.
By partnering with CEW on the Women Leader in STEM Scholarship, the Chemistry Australia Board seeks to advance the careers of women, foster diversity, and sponsor rising talent in the industry.
Samantha Read, chief executive officer of Chemistry Australia, said the scholarship allows Kira to further develop her leadership skills and build important networks with other women leaders.
“With her commitment to driving diversity and creating opportunities for other young women, Kira is a commendable recipient of the Chemistry Australia CEW Woman Leader in STEM scholarship,” said Read.
“Kira is well-placed to take the learnings from her participation in the Women Transforming Leadership program at Oxford back into the workplace, and we hope her achievements inspire other women to seek new opportunities in STEM and the Australian chemistry industry.”
