From Fear to Influence: How Speedy Shatari Found Their Voice in Advocacy

In this episode of Her Tech Circle, Bec O’Brien speaks with Speedy Shatari, a dedicated advocate for social justice, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and equity within the Jewish community in Australia. As General Manager of Programs and Engagement at STANDUP, Speedy has played a pivotal role in LGBTQIA+ advocacy, creating Australia’s first Jewish LGBTQIA+ mentorship program and working to make spaces more inclusive.Speedy shares their personal and professional journey, from navigating gender identity to stepping into leadership roles in the nonprofit and advocacy sectors. They discuss:The power of storytelling in advocacy and leadershipOvercoming the fear of public speaking and embracing confidenceHow gender influences job applications and career progressionBuilding mentorship programs to support marginalized communitiesThe importance of networking and finding alliesWhy the tech industry must embrace diversity to drive real innovationThrough their work at Speedy Speaking, Speedy continues to promote inclusive workplaces, community engagement, and leadership development. This conversation is packed with valuable insights on career growth, diversity, and pushing past societal barriers.Notable Quotes:💬 “Progress is happiness. Every year, if you can move forward in some way, that’s success.”💬 “If no one else is doing it, sometimes you just have to do it yourself.”💬 “Women and gender-diverse people should apply, apply, apply—even if they don’t tick every box. Your skills and experience matter.”Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Speedy Shatari02:12 – The power of storytelling in advocacy05:16 – Speedy’s career path: from ancient history to social justice08:19 – How to demonstrate the need for new programs and initiatives09:55 – Gendered differences in job applications and confidence13:06 – The role of mentorship and finding career champions17:02 – Overcoming public speaking fears and learning from great speakers19:45 – Why tech and innovation need more diverse voices22:45 – Speedy’s vision for the next five years24:53 – Final thoughts and where to find SpeedyConnect with Speedy:🌐 Website: www.speedyspeaking.com📸 Instagram: @speedyspeakingofficial