Recent high school graduate Summer Saunders has a bright future. Photo: Alexandra Orme Photography.
At 18 years of age, Summer Saunders already has a fair few IT-related achievements under her belt.
Thanks to her penchant for hobby-hacking, game development and cyber security, she won the Young ICT Explorers Roadshow and Pecan Cyber Security competition in 2023 and competed in the 2024 Lockheed Martin CYBERQUEST challenge earlier this year.
But Summer’s most recent award, from Canberra organisation Women in ICT (WIC), holds a special place in her heart. She was “shocked but honoured” to be among six ICT leaders recently acknowledged during the annual WIC Dinner Debate and awards night at Hotel Realm.
“It was such a privilege to receive the WIC Kate Muir Student Encouragement Award,” she said.
“I was first introduced to WIC through their Work Experience Connection Program, which allowed me to participate in work experience at Microsoft.
“They’re a brilliant organisation and I think they’re so important for young girls in Canberra to know about because there’s a lot of imposter syndrome to deal with as a woman in IT. Sometimes you need a group like WIC to set an example, to show you that yes, you are worthy.”
In recognition of her achievements, Summer’s award brings with it a financial contribution to assist with tertiary studies in a digital technology or ICT-related field.
She plans to use the reward to continue her studies in cybersecurity and computer science, hopefully at Sydney’s University of Technology.
“I actually started hacking for fun as a hobby during lockdown,” Summer said.
“It just goes to show that if you’re passionate enough about something, there will always be a way for you to succeed. You just have to find it and find the right people to support you along the way.”
These ICT leaders were also celebrated at the Dinner Debate event for their individual career achievements and for driving inclusion in the industry:
- WICked Woman of the Year Award: Katische Vinning
- WIC Defying Gravity Award: Sampurna Sen
- WIC Male Champion of Change Award: Kevin Landale
- WIC Rachel Muldoon Raw Magic Award: Lucy Sun
- WIC Next Gen Award: Rory Bugden
Ms Vinning of Defence Housing Australia said she was “thrilled” to take out the prestigious WICked Woman of the Year Award.
The award recognises the efforts of a role model or mentor who encourages other women into the industry.
“I’m so, so grateful for the acknowledgement that my peers see what I’m doing in the ICT space alongside my team, not only for the public sector but private as well,” she said.
“It’s never been more important to invest in the technology capability of the next generation in our workforce.
“Going forward I’m keen to work with the Canberra Cyber Hub to support women who decide to change their specialty mid-career and pursue ICT. I want them to know – you can do this, you are valued and you have loads to bring to the table.”
Find out more about WIC’s movements in the Canberra community at Women in ICT.
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