We’re a social enterprise working to increase women’s participation in the steel industry

We support women at every career stage—from students and apprentices to emerging leaders and seasoned professionals—to enter, stay in, and progress to leadership roles in steel.

What we offer

We support women to thrive and succeed in the steel industry through:

  • Our vision

    To increase women’s participation in the steel industry by fostering a connected, confident and inclusive community of professionals who uplift, support, and lead. We inspire women by sharing experiences, successes, and lifelong learning of women.

  • Our mission

    To connect members and stakeholders across the Australian steel industry and provide practical, effective education, training, mentorship, and coaching that creates pathways to long-term career success and leadership opportunities for women.

  • Our values

    Steel Chicks values diversity of thought and what it brings to industry relationships and productivity. The ecosystem operates with integrity and openness, valuing all views and experiences, sharing stories of success, and encouraging more women to join the industry.
Let's connect

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.

Join Us Now

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

Become Our Partner

Our founder

Maria Mavrikos, founder of steel fabrication powerhouse Structural Challenge, has led thousands of major projects over two decades to become one of the most respected voices in Australian steel and manufacturing. Recognising the challenges women face in the industry, she is now leveraging her resources and deep expertise to support other women through her social enterprise, Steel Chicks.

ABOUT

Maria Mavrikos

Biography

As a leader, Maria has always focused on growth, innovation, sustainability and inclusion. Drawing on decades of experience in steel and business management, Maria is working through Steel Chicks to address gender equality in the sector, by supporting women to progress into rewarding careers in energy and manufacturing.

Passionate about Australian manufacturing and the role it can play in Australia’s future workforce development, Maria is also working to support the broader industry to grow and evolve, harnessing the diverse skills and perspectives of an underused workforce to support the industry’s project delivery targets, regional development, and economic outlook.

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 a committee member of the charity organisation The Steel Club of Victoria.

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Awards

The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Business Excellence Award
2019

Kane Constructions
Victorian Subcontractor
Most Valuable Player Awards
Specialist Subcontractor Award
2017

Outcomes Business Group
Business Outcomes Award
2016

Kane Constructions
Victorian Subcontractor
Most Valuable Player Awards
Steel Structure Award
2015

Australian Steel Institute
Sustainable Steel Award
2015

Australian Steel Institute
Buildings – Large Projects Award
2014

Australian steel institute
Fabricators Award
2006, 2008, 2014

NAWIC city of Melbourne
Crystal Vision Award
for Advancing the Interests
of Women in the Construction Industry
2005

NAWIC city of Melbourne
Victorian Building Commission
Award for Outstanding Achievement
as a Businesswoman
2005

Telstra
Young Women in Business
Award Finalist
2004