About the Guest

Xiaoyan Lu is the Acting Group Executive Director of Systems Assurance and Data Analytics Group at the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). She has extensive leadership experience in using data and technology to drive business outcomes. In 2020, Xiaoyan was awarded an Australian Day Achievement Medallion in recognition of her leadership in business transformation through data analytics, her mentoring, and her dedication to innovation and excellence. Prior to working for the ANAO, Xiaoyan dedicated 11 years to the Australian Sports Commission, where she led data-driven decision-making initiatives in the sports sector and successfully executed a nationwide community sport research agenda. Xiaoyan is one of the senior executive mentors for Australian Public Sector Women in IT Executive Mentoring program 2023–24. She was recently appointed as an Industry Fellow in the UTS Accounting Department for the Business Analytics Program. Xiaoyan is an immigrant who came to Australia at the age of 25. Today, she is an executive champion and proactive advocate for diversity and inclusion.

Episode Summary

In this enlightening episode, Dr Chloe Lim engages in an in-depth conversation with Xiaoyan Lu about her remarkable journey from a small mining town in China to becoming a respected leader in the data analytics industry. Xiaoyan shares insights into her educational background, career progression, challenges faced as a woman of colour in a leadership role, and the importance of having a growth mindset. Through personal anecdotes and professional experiences, Xiaoyan provides valuable advice for women aspiring to pursue a career in STEM, emphasizing the significance of self-advocacy and building a strong support network.

Xiaoyan's narrative underscores the transformative power of continuous learning, seizing opportunities, and advocating for oneself in a male-dominated industry like data analytics. Her journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and the courage to step out of one's comfort zone to achieve personal and professional growth.

Key Takeaways

• Xiaoyan emphasizes the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and displaying the courage to challenge oneself beyond the comfort zone.
• Building a strong support network, including mentors, coaches, and allies, is crucial for career advancement and overcoming barriers in the STEM industry.
• Self-advocacy is key for women in STEM to ask for development opportunities, training, and recognition they deserve.
• Addressing unconscious bias in recruitment processes and promoting diversity and inclusion are essential for fostering a more equitable and diverse workforce.
• Xiaoyan's journey highlights the significance of seizing opportunities, continuous learning, and embracing challenges to drive personal and professional growth in the data analytics field.

Find Out More

• Connect with Xiaoyan Lu on LinkedIn.

*Season 2 of CALD Voices in STEM was made possible by YWCA Canberra Great Ydeas Small Grants program.*

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