We are a social enterprise offering support, training, mentoring, coaching and networking for women entering or working in the industry.
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Our Vision
To increase the participation of women in the steel industry. We work to inspire women to join our industry with the help of our supportive national community filled with experiences, successes, and lifelong learning of women in steel.
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Our Mission
To connect members and stakeholders within the Australian steel industry and provide effective education, training, coaching, and mentorship opportunities that increase the accessibility of leadership positions for women.
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Our Services
- Networking events
- Mentorship program
- Internship program
- Coaching sessions
- Developmental Training sessions
the steel chicks community
Our Way
To be a Steel Chick
You follow your passion with boldness and determination. You challenge yourself, and you challenge the system.
You learn to collaborate with integrity and openness. You value all views and experiences and respect the team, our network, and its diversity.
You share and celebrate the stories of success to encourage and inspire more women to join the industry and more men to understand how they can drive change in the workplace.
You allow yourself to build friendships and have fun.
To be a Steel Chick supporter
You value diversity of thought and what it brings to our industry
You strive for excellence and seek meaningful initiatives
You understand you can create social change
Our Founder
Maria Mavrikos is the visionary force behind, first, Structural Challenge, the steel fabrication powerhouse she founded in 2000 and has since been managing and her upcoming venture, Steel Chicks.
Learn More About Maria Below.
ABOUT
Maria Mavrikos
Biography
Maria Mavrikos is the visionary force behind, first, Structural Challenge, the steel fabrication powerhouse she founded in 2000 and has since been managing and her upcoming venture, Steel Chicks.
As a leader, Maria has always focused on growth, innovation, sustainability and inclusion. She remains as passionate about Australian manufacturing as she was on her first day on the job and is excited about the role it can play in Australia’s future workforce development. This is precisely the mission of Steel Chicks, a social enterprise aiming to help women grow meaningful careers in the steel industry and support their transition to senior roles.
Currently serving as a member of an advisory group to the Local First Jobs Commissioner, Maria is also a board member of the Australian Steel Institute, a committee member of the Steel Fabricators Association of Victoria and committee member of the charity organisation ‘The Steel Club of Victoria.
Awards
- NAWIC City of Melbourne, Crystal Vision Award for Advancing the Interests of Women in the Construction Industry (2005)
- Telstra Young Women in Business Award finalist (2004)
- Australian Steel Institute, Fabricators Award (2006, 2008, 2014)
- The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Business Excellence Award (2019)
