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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 Darling Harbour

Building momentum towards the next era of leadership

“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

Tuesday | 1 September 2026

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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.

Jennifer Westacott, Chancellor, Western Sydney University
Romilly Madew, Chief Executive Officer, Engineers Australia

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Anushka Patel, Chief Executive Officer, The George Institute for Global Health

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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".

Kate Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Supply Nation
Lisa Annese, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Women

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Joanna Robinson, Chief Marketing Officer, THE ICONIC
Jill Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Mid North Coast Local Health District

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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

Opening Address: Leading Forward

UN Women Australia opens the Summit, tracing the line from individual leadership to national impact - the leadership women step into, the cultures organisations build around them, and the commitments Australia makes as a country and beyond. Because when women lead, the gains are felt in every boardroom, every household and every community.

Simone Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, UN Women Australia

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11.35

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".

Celeste Barber, Australia’s Queen of Comedy

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Hannah Ferguson, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Cheek Media Co

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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.

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Leveraging Your Network

Leveraging Your Network

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

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Finding Your Leadership Identity

Finding Your Leadership Identity

Anmol Saini, Director, WLP Restructuring | University of Sydney X UN Women Australia MBA Scholarship Recipient

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Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace

Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace

Natasha Mann, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner and Deputy Secretary, Department of Customer Service

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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 Mini Workshops

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

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Workshop 1: Say the Hard Thing

Master the communication styles that get your message across when it matters most.

Shelly McElroy, Chief Executive Officer, Dream Culture

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Workshop 2: Get Out of Your Own Way: Putting Your Most Aligned Self Forward

Your greatest obstacle to growth is rarely external. Identify your protective patterns keeping you from showing up at your best, and create a values-based blueprint that moves you forward with confidence and purpose. 

Amelia Kruse, Founder, Sageform

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Workshop 3: High Performance, Low Friction – Scaling your ambition without the burnout.

Re-define excellence. Discover how to build a high-output leadership model that prioritises sustainable success and long-term organisational impact.

Laura Connarty-Duncan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Champion Women

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Workshop 4: Under Pressure: How We Show Up Changes Everything

Build clarity, confidence, and self-trust to lead intentionally under pressure - because how we think, respond, and show up shapes our leadership impact.

Josette Owen, Chief Executive Officer, Elevate Leadership

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Workshop 5: The Human Advantage: Developing your Leadership Mindset in an AI-Driven World

AI is changing the workplace but leaders who strengthen human capabilities that will have the advantage. This interactive workshop explores how women can develop a future-ready leadership mindset - drawing on Worldwide SHEroes' global experience in cross-cultural leadership and mentoring, participants will unpack the “human advantage” to enhance their influence and prepare them to lead with confidence in an increasingly interconnected world.

Sahera Sumar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Worldwide SHEroes

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3.20

Afternoon Tea

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THRIVING AS HUMANS AND LEADERS

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4.00

Keynote: 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

Music, drinks, and informal networking to continue conversations from the day

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Post-Summit Workshop

Emotional intelligence in leadership: Driving high-performing teams 

Thursday | 3 September 2026

Shelly McElroy 
Chief Executive Officer
Dream Culture 

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