What's New?
You might be asking what makes the Women in Leadership Summit series different: Genuine connections, practical insights, and the energy of a community committed to real impact. In 2025, we’re building on that legacy with even more value for you and your team.
Impact Challenge
Work in small cross-sector teams to design an innovative solution to workplace burnout. Pitch your idea, vote on the strongest solution, and see winning ideas from all five cities shared after the Summit.
Key Highlights
Discover the Queensland Government’s latest commitments to advancing women’s economic security and wellbeing from;
Hon Fiona Simpson, Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security | Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships | Minister for Multiculturalism
Learn what it really takes to lead at the highest level as CEOs discuss emerging trends, including cost constraints, global instability and emerging technologies;
Chiou See Anderson, Chair, Conpago
Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, Queensland University of Technology
Edward Chung, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, TechnologyOne
Rowenna Walker, Managing Director, Australia, EGIS
Hear how CEOs from Cape York Partnership, Diabetes Australia, Great Southern Bank and RACQ are embedding inclusion by building trust, influence and accountability from the top
Our Speakers
Agenda
Day One | Tuesday, 25 November 2025
8:00
Registration and Morning Refreshments
8:30
Welcome to Country
8:40
Women Leaders Institute Welcome Address
8:50
Chairperson's Opening Address
Chiou See Anderson, Chair, Conpago
Dr Diana Tolmie, D’Addario-endorsed woodwind performing artist | Senior Lecturer, Professional Practice, Griffith University
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN AN AI-DRIVEN ENVIRONMENT
9:00
Strategic Leadership in a Disrupted World
Ellen Fanning, one of Australia’s most respected journalists and broadcasters, draws on decades of experience translating complex political, social, and technological shifts into meaningful insights. In this keynote, she reveals how leaders can navigate today’s AI-driven disruption and shifting public expectations with resilience, clarity, and purpose.
Ellen Fanning, Award-Winning Public Affairs Broadcaster and Journalist, ABC
9:30
CEO Panel: The Leadership Balancing Act
How are CEOs adapting their leadership to meet the moment? This panel brings together senior executives to discuss the top trends keeping them up at night – from AI integration and workforce transformation to global instability and cost constraints.
What trends are keeping leaders up at night, and where are they placing their boldest bets?
How AI is reshaping productivity expectations and leadership priorities
Turning AI anxiety into advantage across your organisation through mindset, clarity and upskilling
Strategies for managing fatigue, maintaining trust, and building resilience in high-pressure environments to ensure long-term business performance and adaptability
Moderator: Chiou See Anderson, Chair, Conpago
Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, Queensland University of Technology
Edward Chung, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, TechnologyOne
Rowenna Walker, Managing Director, Australia, EGIS
10:10
Networking Activity: Get to know your fellow attendees
10:25
Morning Tea
LEADING THROUGH ADVERSITY & DISRUPTION
10:55
Leading Through Change and Complexity
Navigating tough calls to lead with conviction and clarity in complex environments
Turning disruption into strategic advantage through clear decision-making
What teams need most from their leader in uncertain times
Stephanie Leathers, Managing Director (ANZ), ghd; AFR Women in Leadership 2025 Young Leader Winner
11:25
In Conversation: Making the Call When There’s No Playbook
Join CEO leaders as they share their lessons from navigating major crises, restructures, or controversies, and what grounded their leadership during these difficult moments.
How to lead decisively when visibility is low and pressure is high
Balancing stakeholder demands, values, and performance under fire
Reflections on what they’d do differently and what they stand by
Moderator: Chiou See Anderson, Chair, Conpago
Stephen Smith AFSM, Commissioner, Queensland Fire Department
12:05
Networking Lunch
STRENGTHENING LEADERSHIP CAPABILITY
12:55
Conversation Starter
1:00
UN Women in Conversation Keynote
Session will be live streamed from Sydney 🎥
Moderator: Georgina Williams, Board Chair, UN Women Australia
1:50
Introduction to Mini Leadership Labs
These interactive 45-minute sessions cut straight to the skills leaders need most today. Each lab zeroes in on a specific challenge, giving you tools, frameworks, and peer insights you can immediately apply in your role.
1:55
Mini Leadership Labs
Lab A: Resilience in High-Pressure Environments
How do you keep people motivated when the pace is relentless? This session helps you sharpen the ability to make clear decisions in uncertain conditions, sustain your team’s energy, and remain composed when pressure builds.
Skills Learned: Decisive decision-making, stress management, sustaining team motivation, and role-modelling resilience.
Lab B: Thriving in Male-Dominated Environments
Working in environments where women are underrepresented can lead to isolation, limited influence and stalled career growth. Develop practical tools to navigate power dynamics with confidence, amplify your voice in critical conversations, and build allies who accelerate your impact.
Skills Learned: Self-advocacy, navigating power dynamics, and building strategic relationships.
Amanda Spencer, Director, Solutions Engineering, Cloudfare
Lab C: Building Strategic Influence
Whether you are managing upwards, across or diagonally, influence is the currency of leadership. Learn how to frame ideas persuasively, shift thinking and gain buy-in from decision-makers across your organisation.
Skills Learned: Stakeholder engagement, persuasive communication, shaping strategic decisions, and driving organisational alignment.
Marnie Beckett, Strategic Advisor
Lab D: Leading High-Performing, Inclusive Teams
What separates good teams from great ones? This lab explores the leadership practices that create accountability, trust and sustained performance. You will learn how to lead effectively through conflict, address underperformance and bring out the best in diverse teams.
Skills Learned: Building trust, fostering accountability, leading inclusively, and resolving conflict to sustain performance.
Deborah Dixon, General Manager Navigation, Carers Queensland
2:45
Afternoon Tea
LEADERSHIP RESILIENCE
3:10
Interactive Discussion: Owning Your Leadership for Success
How can you take greater ownership of your career direction and growth?
What does backing yourself as a leader look like in practice, and how can you start doing it more often?
3:20
Leading with Purpose, Resilience, and Strength
Reserved
4:00
Networking Drinks and End of Summit Day One
POST-SUMMIT WORKSHOP
Future-Ready Leadership: Leading High-Performing Multigenerational Teams with Clarity and Confidence
Today’s teams span five generations, each with different expectations, communication styles, and motivations. Add high-pressure environments and shifting priorities, and leadership gets even more complex.
This interactive workshop will give you practical tools to lead diverse teams with confidence.
Learn how to:
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Communicate clearly across generations and cultures
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Build trust, accountability, and performance
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Stay composed and make smart decisions under pressure
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Lead inclusively and adapt your style for greater impact
FACILITATOR:
Ally Nitschke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Made for More