Actuaries Institute Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship
International study opportunity supporting senior leaders working in AI and Data Science.
2026 recipient announced!
Professor Cori Stewart - Founder and CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub (ARM Hub) - has been awarded the 2026 CEW and Actuaries Institute Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship.
The scholarship will enable Professor Stewart to further her impact by attending the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program in Leadership program in the United States.
Professor Stewart is a leading figure in AI and innovation acceleration. She is working with manufacturers across the country to adopt AI and robotics, helping the Australian economy by lifting productivity, reducing costs and competing globally.
The Actuaries Institute Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship, run in partnership with Chief Executive Women (CEW), is offered to develop the leadership capabilities of those working in areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to further their opportunities in leadership and governance.
Actuaries Institute Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship
2026 recipient: Professor Cori Stewart
"Attending the Stanford program will make me a little more dangerous - in the best possible way. Less constrained by the habit of running hard, clearer about the scale of need and opportunity ahead, and more deliberate in my actions to bring people and partners with me. What a remarkable opportunity."
AI leadership
AI matters when it stops being a technology conversation and starts changing how work gets done. The material opportunity for the Australian economy is rapid widespread adoption of AI. It is in applying AI to the industries we are already good at and using it to make high-value production viable here.
Actuaries Institute Women Leaders in AI and Data Science Scholarship
2025 recipient: Andrea Cross
Andrea Cross is a digital leader, currently serving as Chief Information Officer at The Treasury - the Australian Government's lead economic adviser. With over 20 years of experience in technology roles, Andrea started her career as a digital creative working at tech start-ups, before moving to the public sector where she has specialised in digital transformation, digital policy, and emerging technology. She is particularly passionate about harnessing the power of AI and data to improve digital services for Australians at scale.
Scholarship reflections
The entire experience has genuinely shifted how I think about challenges and opportunities, and how I lead and operate day-to-day.
Actuaries Institute Women Leader in AI and Data Science Scholarship
2024 recipient: Zilinka Jiang
Zilinka Jiang is an Executive, Data Science at Quantium. Zilinka leads high-impact projects across telecommunications, retail, and finance, delivering value through AI and data-driven transformations. She holds a Fellowship from the Actuaries Institute and a degree in Applied Finance and Actuarial Studies from Macquarie University. This scholarship gave Zilinka the incredible opportunity to attend the Stanford Graduate School of Business’s Executive Program in Leadership.
Scholarship reflections
My goal is to drive outcomes that improve the lives of everyday Australians through data-driven decision making.
Actuaries Institute Women Leader in AI and Data Science Scholarship
2023 recipient: Lisa Green
Lisa Green, Telstra Executive, was the recipient of the inaugural Chief Executive Women and Actuaries Institute AI and Data Science in 2023. As part of her scholarship, Lisa travelled to the United States to study at the Harvard Business School in 2024.
Scholarship reflections
I would strongly recommend people apply for this scholarship. It is an opportunity to travel the globe to learn from others, from different cultures, different industries, different backgrounds, and look at new perspectives around how your leadership could evolve to have greater impact. Make lasting friendships and reflect on your own personal leadership and leadership journey. Plus, you'll have a bucket load of fun while you're there!
Scholarship information
This scholarship, run in association with Chief Executive Women , to the value of AUD $25,000 is awarded to one executive woman working in AI or data science specifically, who has at least three years senior executive experience in data science, artificial intelligence, or quantum technology, with direct involvement in major AI and data projects.
The successful candidate undertakes their choice of study at either:
