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Women in Leadership Summit in partnership with UN Women Australia

Sydney

Summit: 1-2 September

Post-Summit Workshop : 3 September

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

Building momentum towards the next era of leadership

SPEAKERS

“PowHer” House Duo Celeste Barber & Hannah Ferguson
Celeste Barber Women in Leadership Summit in partnership with UN Women Australia

Celeste Barber

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Hannah Ferguson 

Australia’s queen of comedy meets the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 force behind Cheek Media Co. Together, they deconstruct radical authenticity, elite storytelling, and how to lead with social "bite" when the world is watching.

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Jennifer Westacott

The first woman to serve as Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Jennifer is a powerhouse of economic reform with unmatched experience navigating institutional complexity and driving national momentum. 

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Lisa Annese

The CEO of Chief Executive Women and an AFR 100 Woman of Influence, Lisa is the primary architect for shifting structural power and advancing gender equity across corporate Australia.

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Joanna Robinson

A double-recognition Top 50 CMO and B&T Power 20 leader, the CMO of THE ICONIC is the definitive master of digital transformation and leading vision in competitive, digital-first markets.

AGENDA

8.15

Registration and Morning Refreshments

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8.45

Welcome to Country

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8.55

Women Leaders Institute Welcome

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9.00

Chairperson’s Opening Address

Simone Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, UN Women Australia

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CALIBRATING FOR THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

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9.10

Keynote Panel: The 21st Century Leadership Pivot

Seize opportunities amidst global volatility and tech disruptions to masterfully navigate the business landscape and accelerate your leadership growth.

Lisa Annese, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Women (Moderator)
Jennifer Westacott, Chancellor, Western Sydney University
Anushka Patel, Chief Executive Officer, The George Institute for Global Health
Romilly Madew, Chief Executive Officer, Engineers Australia
9.40

C-suite Panel: Changing the Narrative from (Ms.) Representation at the Top

Diversity is no longer the destination – it’s the baseline. Discover how the most successful leaders excel within diverse senior teams and shift the narrative from "occupying space" to "defining the future".

Jason Heng, Assistant Commissioner, Tax Consel Network, Australian Taxation Office (Moderator)
Kate Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Supply Nation
Catherine Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, Diversity Council of Australia
Joanna Robinson, Chief Marketing Officer, THE ICONIC
10.20

The Subtle Art of Strategic Connection

Stop "schmoozing" and start building a high-value network. Learn the subtle art of purposeful engagement that turns a brief introduction into a long-term commercial and professional asset.

Wendy Lloyd Curley, Director, Strategic Networking

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10.35

Morning Tea

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INFLUENCING LEADERSHIP

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11.15

Pop Culture Session

Answer 5 questions related to current pop culture via SLIDO. The most accurate and quick response is in for a treat!

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11.20

UN Women Keynote

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11.45

Table Talks Connect: Discussing Leadership in the Current Business Landscape

In this session, discuss with your peers at your table, the key takeaways from the morning sessions.

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11.50

Streamed Fireside Chat: Using Social Platforms for Authentic Storytelling and Driving Impact on the Career Ladder

What happens when Australia’s queen of comedy meets the sharpest voice in independent media? Hannah Ferguson (Cheek Media Co. CEO and Forbes 30 Under 30) sits down with Celeste Barber to deconstruct how to use storytelling to drive massive social impact and navigate a high-stakes career on your own terms. This is a raw, progressive look at making the complex accessible and leading with "bite".

Hannah Fergusson, Founder, Cheek Media (Moderator)
Celeste Barber, ,

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12.40

Networking Lunch

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1:00

Leaders’ Digest

The Networking Lunch is designed for you to partake in activities that resonate with you. Meet with some of our sponsors, participate in activations, or join a group of like-minded leaders’ sharing nuggets of experience and having bite-sized conversations on topics of interest.


Topics Include:

  • Leveraging Your Network

  • Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace

  • The Best Leadership Advice I Ever Ignored

Malini Raj, Executive Director, Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance

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UPSKILLING AND CONTINUOUSLY GROWING AS A LEADER

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2.10

Quick Energiser

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2.15

The Personal Leadership Toolkit

Equip yourself with high-impact leadership strategies through sessions designed to sharpen your professional edge and personal influence

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2.20

Mini Workshops

Shelly McElroy, Chief Executive Officer, Dream Culture
Laura Connarty-Duncan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Champion Women
Josette Owen, Chief Executive Officer, Elevate Leadership

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3.20

Afternoon Tea

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THRIVING AS HUMANS AND LEADERS

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4.00

Fireside Chat: Leading Amidst the Storm | Grit, Grace, and Governance

Join North Sydney Council’s Mayor as she discusses the resilience required to lead decisively, and deliver for the residents.

Cr Zoe Baker, Mayor, North Sydney Council

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4.40

Chairperson’s Closing Address

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4.50

Networking Party and End of Conference Day One

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