Dr Diana Tolmie
Pronoun
D'Addario-endorsed Woodwind Performing Artist | Senior Lecturer, Professional Practice
Griffith University
Dr Diana Tolmie is Chair of the Juror Council for the Australian Women in Music Awards, D’Addario International Artist, and Churchill Fellow. She utilises her current role and influence as Senior Lecturer in Professional Practice at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to empower arts and communities through inclusive education, research, policy reform, and creative leadership. Her work has been recognised by the three most prestigious Australian teaching awards: the 2018 University Australia Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, the 2021 Australian Universities Award for Teaching Excellence (Creative Arts) and the 2023 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Employability Award. She continues to lead an exciting life as a freelance woodwind specialist in a multitude of genres, performing in countless interstate and international tours, plus appearing in live radio and television broadcasts as performer and speaker. An advocate for women in the arts, Diana ensures gender parity is achieved through her work as an artistic talent consultant.
Connect with her via https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-tolmie/
SESSIONS
Day 1
8:50
Chairperson's Opening Address
Chiou See Anderson, Head of Delegation – Australia, Women20; Chair, Conpago
Dr Diana Tolmie, D’Addario-endorsed woodwind performing artist | Senior Lecturer, Professional Practice, Griffith University
Day 1
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: Dr Diana Tolmie, D’Addario-endorsed woodwind performing artist | Senior Lecturer, Professional Practice, Griffith University
Stephen Smith AFSM, Commissioner, Queensland Fire Department
Rebecca Munn, Group Executive People, Safety and Sustainability, Queensland Rail
Day 2
9:00
Chairperson's Opening Address
Chiou See Anderson, Head of Delegation – Australia, Women20; Chair, Conpago
Dr Diana Tolmie, D’Addario-endorsed woodwind performing artist | Senior Lecturer, Professional Practice, Griffith University
Day 2
9:50
CEO Panel: Stronger Together – Building Trust, Influence and Impact
Who gets heard, backed, and seen – and how leaders are shifting that power dynamic
Unpacking what it really takes to build trust across teams with diverse backgrounds and lived experience
Personal examples of allyship in action and how it made a difference
Embedding accountability and navigating discomfort with courage
Moderator: Dr Diana Tolmie, D’Addario-endorsed woodwind performing artist | Senior Lecturer, Professional Practice, Griffith University
Fiona Jose, Chief Executive Officer, Cape York Partnership
Justine Cain, Group Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes Australia; AFR Women in Leadership 2025 Finalist
Paul Lewis, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Great Southern Bank
David Carter, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, RACQ