Women in Focus
The Women of Winter – Women in Focus series aims to inspire, promote and connect women in the snowsports industry and encourage future female leaders.
The series features women excelling in their chosen disciplines within the industry.
This season, the Advancing Women in Snowsports (AWS) evening returns to Mt Buller on Saturday, 15 August.
The networking evening provides an opportunity to connect with others employed across the diverse snow industry and hear from an accomplished panel of speakers.
Topics will include resilience and longevity, health and wellbeing, and workplace culture.
This year’s panellists include:
Manuela Berchtold is a two-time Australian Winter Olympian.
Following a 12-year international career in mogul skiing, Manuela founded High Country Fitness, where she has become a highly regarded coach, mentor and community leader.
Through her work, she has supported athletes at all levels, from grassroots participants to future Olympians, while championing long-term athlete development and holistic wellbeing.
Shea de Lorenzo is the APSI member services officer.
As an active member of the APSI Advancing Women in Snowsports Committee, Shea champions initiatives that expand pathways for women in snowsports, strengthen representation and foster inclusive leadership across the industry.
Elaine Purser is an HR and talent leader who has worked across London, Zurich and Australia in the private, government and not-for-profit sectors.
She also has extensive consulting experience from running her own HR consultancy between Switzerland and Australia, supporting organisations in leadership development, team coaching and organisational learning.
Isla Marsh is head coach of the Thredbo Mountain Academy’s alpine, multi-discipline and moguls teams, helping shape the next generation of skiers.
Isla’s coaching story began not on the snow, but in the pool.
Growing up immersed in swimming, she naturally moved into teaching and coaching at her swim club.
A gap year teaching skiing changed the course of her life.
Isla credits the women who came before her, who broke barriers and reshaped the snowsports landscape, with making her own journey possible.
Their courage and leadership continue to guide her work today.
She believes women bring invaluable strengths, including communication, collaboration, leadership, creativity, community building and emotional intelligence, which are all essential to the future of the sport.