In 2021, I was chosen from a significant field of candidates to increase the leadership capability of women and enhance their influence and impact on the decision making that shapes our planet. With ~100 unbelievably amazing women in STEMM in Homeward Bound’s seventh cohort (AKA HB7).

I began my journey in 2022. HB7 encompasses more than 20 nationalities, covering all fields of STEAMM from a huge variety of occupations. My cohort includes chemists, research, neuro, social, marine, environmental, biological, bioinformatical, ecological and computer scientists; chemical, mining, mechanical, civil, electrical, structural, environmental, optical and energy engineers; mathematicians, teachers, astrophysicists, veterinarians, lawyers, an audiologist, a pharmacist, doctors and a couple of nurses.

I finished the online component of the program in 2023 and I am now ready for the second part of the journey - the expedition component to Antarctica in January 2025. Unfortunately, as we are all aware, the change in the climate is having a disastrous impact on Antarctica. This will be the LAST Homeward Bound expedition to Antarctica.

What does a day of the Homeward Bound Program look like?

The cost of the Homeward Bound program is $USD33,000 and is largely self-funded, with each participant contributing towards the cost of travel and accommodation on the boat – as well as their own time. To date the sponsorship of the program has been minimal. So, to be able to voyage I now need to start raising some funds. I’m asking for your help to either sponsor me or to donate to the costs. The primary cost, in excess of the normal cost of a trip to Antarctica, is for the four program streams that will be delivered on-board, the on-board faculty, materials and project management.

We are incredibly grateful to the following sponsors of Homeward Bound.

For me, the total cost of the voyage will be approximately $28,000. This is broken down to:

The voyage ($13,700 USD) ~$22,000 AUD

Airfares ~$ 5,500 AUD

Insurance ~$ 500 AUD

Misc (Clothing, Equipment, etc) ~$ 1,000 AUD

Total estimated cost of ~$28,000 AUD.

Donations of any size will be gratefully received!

On the voyage, every member will present their research / work / environmental projects at an on-board conference - the Symposium at Sea. During the voyage, we will specifically be working on our leadership capabilities, facilitated by world-leading executive coaches and faculty, developing our scientific collaborations and our capabilities to influence policy. The Onboard Curriculum includes: Planetary Science panel Strategy mapping Learning Styles Inventory Trauma-informed leadership Power wheel and inclusivity Systems Thinking Leading in Emergence Design Thinking Paradoxes Polar Science *Antarctic Tourism

Raising the funds is not just about me going to Antarctica or doing a leadership program. The money & support you give will reach much further than me and be much bigger than me – in tackling climate change, in moving towards gender equality and in having better leadership in the world.

28 Cold Hard Gender Facts

If you are unsure about the value of this voyage, feel free to check out the reflections from the last two Homeward Bound voyages, where the Homeward Bound alumnae spent their time immersing themselves in leadership, sustainability, story telling, compassion and much, much more:

The Island Sky Voyage 2023 The Ushuaia Voyage 2023

We also have world-leading global expertise in our faculty, who lend their support to the project. They include:

Dr Jane Goodall - Primatologist and environmental campaigner.
Dr Sylvia Earle - A global leading Marine Biologist, explorer, author, and lecturer.
Christiana Figueres - Former Executive Secretary of the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Franny Armstrong - Film maker behind ‘The Age of Stupid’, 100 most influential women.
Dr Amy Edmondson - Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School.
Dr Susan David - Co-Founder & Director of the Institute of Coaching, awarded speaker & coach, Harvard A-lister.
Dr Robert Kaplan & Dave Norton - Developed strategy mapping The Balanced Score Card.
Valerie Taylor - Shark expert, known for her conservation advocacy and films.
Clare Bowditch - Award winning Australian singer and activist.

What is Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound is a global leadership initiative that aims to give 10,000 women in STEAMM, by 2036, the skill and will to lead with impact and influence for the greater good. The program will provide me with the visibility, and the leadership and strategic capabilities to demonstrate a new model of leadership, creating better outcomes for our planet.

Why am I here

Many facets to work towards managing the planet as our global home. One of the greatest I see is communication, and more specifically change. The ability to embrace change lies with all of us yet it never ceases to amaze me how resistant people are to change. I’ve had a long career in health here in Australia and overseas and I’ve changed paths many times. Ive worked as a clinician, a teacher, a researcher, in business development, in account, change and project management, in the public and private sectors. I’m currently working managing change selling solutions for Clarius Mobile Health which I balance with seasonal lecturing at the Australian Catholic University.

When I first heard about Homeward Bound, I thought wow! This is it! This is what I’ve been waiting for. I then researched a bit further and thought woe! I don’t have my PhD; I’m not out there saving the planet; why would they pick me? But at the end of the day, I applied because I believe in myself. I put myself forward to be able to learn and to be able to collaborate with other likeminded women. I’ve had a great career and an amazing life. I may still have a bit to learn but I also have a lot to give. Outside of work I keep myself busy. I’m a mum, I’m a ukulele player. I love the ocean and I love the snow and I love getting lost in a good book. I also do some voluntary work with the homeless. I hit a rough spot in my career a few years ago where I learnt that there’s nothing like walking the walk to expand your empathy. I also learned how important it is to be kind to myself. I understand that the power of this program will continue to develop long after the program is completed. It will be the ability to continue to develop and to grow together with this cohort into the future which is what makes this program truly magical.

I’m passionate about change and about influencing the next generation. There is no doubt that technology is changing the way we live. So, we need good leadership of networks of likeminded individuals to be able to implement these technologies to make a real difference in global sustainability. I was thrilled to be selected for this initiative that has not only empowered me but will help me to support other women in STEAMM to be stewards in the future of our planet.

Why is it important that this is an all-female program?

Homeward Bound is an all-female program to draw attention to, and improve, the low representation of women in leadership positions in science, and in many other disciplines. Currently, women comprise 60% of university graduates, but only 10-20% of them make it to senior decision-making roles or professional-level academia. There are significant amounts of research available to show that women have greater integrity, more emotional intelligence and are more inclusive leaders, fostering a sense of community strength and wellbeing. In addition, female leaders are shown to have a strong legacy mindset and are more trustworthy when making decisions around money, resources and assets.

What are the barriers or what is preventing women from entering the upper levels of the workplace in STEMM?

There is almost equal representation of men and women entering STEAMM disciplines, that is, at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. Homeward Bound recognises, however, that many barriers contribute to the low representation of women in leadership positions – these include family commitments like taking time off work to have children, the lack of visible female mentors and role models in leadership positions, and discrimination and bias that occur in the workplace.

Why has there been a focus on voyages to Antarctica?

There are several reasons why visiting Antarctica has been so central to the HB program.

Firstly, the journey to this remote and extreme landscape creates a dynamic environment where the leadership, peer coaching, problem solving and collaborative skills the Homeward Bound program teaches are put to the test. Antarctica presents real challenges of isolation and teamwork for the collective to navigate, which is something that cannot be workshopped or simulated in a conference environment.

Secondly, a powerful component of the Homeward Bound program is that it is highly introspective, challenging participants to consider, reflect and understand core aspects of their thinking and behavioural styles. To successfully engage with this part of the program, participants need to be able to disconnect from their regular lives and networks – something that is rare and difficult for women to achieve. The remoteness of Antarctica enforces this.

Thirdly, there is an increasing body of research to show that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean exerts significant influence over global climate. Over the last 50 years, the Antarctic Peninsula has experienced some of the greatest warming on Earth and is therefore central to understanding the global impacts of climate change.

There has been some debate within each cohort about whether we should travel to Antarctica given the potential hazardous impacts of tourism on this fragile environment. To this point, this will be the last Homeward Bound voyage to Antarctica.

Are you concerned about the carbon footprint of voyaging to Antarctica as part of the program?

Homeward Bound is very aware of its responsibility to 100% offset the carbon emissions generated in the voyage component of the program. HB’s first four voyages have been 100% offset. Working with Homeward Bound alumnae, there is now a consistent process for participants and faculty of each cohort to follow.

Ultimately, Homeward Bound is about turning a moment into momentum. Collectively, the Homeward Bound initiative is having an impact on a global scale. There are more than 30 global collaborations underway between women from Homeward Bound. Key areas of impact include climate/environment-related initiatives and projects and gender-related initiatives and projects

The global media rarely cover women in science, but Homeward Bound has grabbed their attention. To date, Homeward Bound has achieved an audience reach of at least 1 billion people globally via social and mainstream media. Media coverage of Homeward Bound continues to grow as more women join the movement, increase their visibility and champion female leadership globally.

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