Welcome to Season 4, Episode 9 of the CGA Podcast – Heart Stories
Welcome to Season 4 of the CGA Podcast, where online visibility expert Doreen Brown engages with remarkable Caulfield Grammarian alumni and community members as they reflect on their experiences with Caulfield Grammar School, careers, and so much more!
In this episode, Dana shares her inspiring journey as a young innovator and software engineer.
Show Notes
From her time at Caulfield Grammar School to her recognition as one of Vogue Australia’s top five future innovators, Dana discusses the importance of hard work, creativity, and resilience in her career.
The conversation included some of the following discussion highlights:
>Dana’s journey showcases the importance of hard work and dedication.
>How high school experiences shaped her values and career path.
>Creativity is essential in problem-solving and entrepreneurship.
>Her recognition by Vogue Australia validated her innovative ideas.
>Studying software engineering revealed her passion for technology.
>The tech industry is becoming more accessible due to AI.
>Innovation is accelerating in the tech space
>Leadership requires compassion and visibility.
>Hard work is essential for balancing education and entrepreneurship.
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About Dana McDonald
In her final year at Monash University, Dana is pursuing an Honours degree in Software Engineering alongside a Commerce degree. Her dedication to excellence and innovation has earned her recognition as one of Vogue Australia’s top 5 future innovators in 2024, a testament to her remarkable contributions to the tech industry.
Dana is the founder of SPECULR, a groundbreaking virtual try-on software that uses cutting-edge AI image generation to transform the global shopping experience.
Balancing entrepreneurship with hands-on industry experience, she is also an Associate Software Engineer at Coles Group, where she contributes to technical advancements.
A high achiever academically, Dana participated in an exchange program at the University of Leeds and graduated from Caulfield Grammar School in 2019 with an impressive ATAR of 98.3.
Learn more about Dana
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About The Host
Doreen Brown is the 2025 host of Heart Stories for the Caulfield Grammarians’ Association and a seasoned digital strategist with over a decade of experience. Since entering the digital space in 2012, she has worked with businesses and organisations to strengthen their online visibility and brand presence.
In 2020, Doreen launched her own podcast, Let’s Get Visible with Doreen Brown, where she shares practical insights into digital marketing. Through this platform, she discovered the powerful role podcasting can play in expanding brand reach and building authentic engagement with audiences. Whether leading storytelling initiatives or guiding digital strategy, Doreen is passionate about helping brands connect meaningfully and grow with purpose.
Connect with Doreen on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Let’s Get Visible.
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