Gold Coast Insider

Amanda Bulow grew up on a farm in Ipswich where there were no ‘girl jobs' and ‘boy jobs' – just jobs (and you got them done!). That formative experience of equality undoubtedly had an influence on her career trajectory. Straight out of uni (and with some chutzpah), she seized an early career opportunity to move into the male-dominated construction industry, forging a path in estimating and procurement. While she was supported by her mainly male bosses and colleagues, Amanda still felt a need for connection with other women working in the construction industry. In this podcast you’ll hear the awesome story of Awesome Women in Construction - the not-for-profit organisation she founded - and how it’s grown to provide unparalleled networking, advocacy, camaraderie and learning resources for women (and girls) across the Gold Coast, SEQ and nationally. About Amanda Amanda Bulow is a well-connected construction industry professional with over 20 years’ experience. Her extensive knowledge in procurement, sales and production estimating has assisted numerous organisations in streamlining their business, finding efficiencies and improving results.  Amanda is the Founder and CEO of Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC), and she continues to provide a space for women to come together to learn, connect and share while leading the growth of the construction industry. Her support, advocacy and education of small businesses and women in the construction industry is a strong focus. LinkedIn Profile Links from this Podcast Awesome Women in Construction Be Ready App (Apple) Be Ready App (Android)

Gold Coast resident Dr John Zakos calls himself a technologist with an entrepreneurial drive. An internationally recognised Artificial Intelligence (AI) pioneer, researcher, business founder and now Honorary Professor at UTS, John says he has been 'thinking about thinking machines' for his entire career. In this fascinating interview, find out how John's passion for AI was ignited way back in his first high school computer class at Trinity Lutheran College Ashmore; how Cognea, the AI start-up he co-founded and later sold to IBM came about and evolved (with all the twists and turns along the way); and get his timely insights into resilience, entrepreneurship, innovation and inspiration. If you have an interest in technology or entrepreneurship or both, this is a must. About John  Dr John Zakos is an Honorary Professor at the School of Software, University of Technology Sydney. John co-founded the Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Cognea in 2005. The company became recognised as a world leader in delivering virtual human solutions before being acquired by IBM in 2014. He was the Program Director for Virtual Agent technologies at IBM Watson Group until 2019, where he played a key role in developing the next generation of cognitive computing alongside colleagues at IBM. John holds a PhD in AI and has published his work internationally. He also holds numerous patents and has given invited talks at forums such as TED. LinkedIn Profile

How did the Gold Coast go from zero biotech companies 20 years ago, to an industry powerhouse for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices and biotech in 2023, not to mention the largest regional city in Australia for the delivery of clinical trials? Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics here on the Gold Coast has been absolutely foundational to this exponential biotech growth, and our guest Dr Chris Davis, General Manager at the Institute, has an incredible story to tell about how we got here, and what opportunities lie ahead for the Gold Coast. About Chris Dr Chris Davis obtained a PhD in synthetic medicinal chemistry from the Institute for Glycomics on the Gold Coast before launching his career in the private biotech sector, negotiating technology deals with pharmaceutical and biotech companies globally. In 2009 he returned to the Institute as General Manager, where he leads a group of professionals dedicated to the strategic and operational development of the Institute, covering domestic and international business strategy, technology commercialisation and general Institute operations. The primary focus of the Institute is developing and translating its drug, vaccine and diagnostic inventions into health, social and economic benefit, locally and globally. Links from this podcast Institute for Glycomics Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct COHORT

In a broad-ranging discussion, Estella and Dan cover ground such as the Gold Coast's unique benefits and opportunities compared to other large cities, our challenges, including transport, housing affordability and workforce shortages, and a really interesting examination of how the 2032 Olympics can be a generational catalyst for making the Gold Coast a better city, and what exactly we could look like post games. If you are interested in how the Gold Coast can manage growth and opportunities, this is a must. About Dan  Dan Barr leads the multi-disciplinary consultancy, Better Cities Group – a collaboration of leading city shaping consultants that work throughout Australia to drive economic revitalisation and create great places. In this role Dan is commonly sought after to lead a response to complex projects for both the public and private sector. Dan has lived on the Gold Coast for nearly twenty years and prior to founding Better Cities Group he held leadership roles in the delivery of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and Community Renewal program. He holds formal qualifications in urban design, public health, and project management. Links from this podcast:  Better Cities Group Better Cities Group Instagram Awesome Women in Construction Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee