Morgana Jones is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health and Equality Queensland, an organisation working to equitably resources women and their families to be healthy safe and thriving. She leads with a clear focus on gender equality, good governance, and safe, accountable care. Morgana brings extensive experience in the health and wellbeing sector and holds formal qualifications in governance, compliance, communication, policy development and mediation. Her work centres on collaborating to build effective systems and services, and deliver sustainable, high-quality outcomes for women, their families and communities to be healthy, safe and thriving. Morgana is committed to working in partnership with community, sector, government, First Nation’s and philanthropic partners to end Domestic and Family Violence.

More information coming soon.

This session will explore actionable strategies for leaders and their teams using wellbeing tools from some of Women & Leadership Australia’s programs. Learn techniques you can use right away and discover how our programs support your ongoing journey towards creating an adaptive, supportive, and high-performing workforce.

Effective networking fosters professional growth, improves job satisfaction, and helps build supportive, innovative relationships. This session will bust some common networking concerns and myths, introduce practical mindsets and strategies, and enable you to grow your network in real time through guided networking activities.

Balance the Scales: Become a Catalyst for Change

Building on UN Women Australia’s 2026 International Women’s Day theme, this panel will bring together leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are reshaping the landscape of equity and inclusion in Australia. Together, they will reflect on what compels them to stand up for justice, drive meaningful change, and sustain their commitment in the face of challenge and complexity. Hear how practical supports like mentoring, strategic planning, peer networks, inclusive policies, and ongoing training empower changemakers, and discover how authentic allyship, meaningful community connections, and access to diverse knowledge and resources turn inspiration into action. Join us to learn the habits, networks, and skills that help change agents balance the scales by fostering dignity and belonging, through advocacy, empathy, and action.

	April Lea (She/Her) Founder, The Neurodiversity Network April Lea is the founder of The Neurodiversity Network, an Australian social enterprise dedicated to helping neurodivergent people build meaningful, sustainable careers. Drawing on over a decade of leadership experience in the tech sector, April created the Network to address the systemic gaps neurodivergent professionals face in employment, progression, and wellbeing. April’s work focuses on practical, accessible career support; combining mentoring, community, and advocacy to create real change in how leadership and work are experienced.
	Aimee McVeigh Chief Executive Officer, QCOSS Aimee is QCOSS’ Chief Executive Officer, and a strong advocate for equality, opportunity, and wellbeing for all Queenslanders. As a community lawyer and human rights advocate, Aimee led the successful campaign for a Human Rights Act for Queensland. Aimee has been engaged by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples as a gender advisor and has worked with several non-profit organisations in Queensland, including during the Child Abuse Royal Commission. She was also a state finalist for the 2017 Australian of the Year Awards, and a finalist for the 2019 Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Medal. She has worked across a range of project streams including, child protection, domestic and family violence services, family and relationship services and disability services.
	Giridharan Sivaraman Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission Giridharan Sivaraman commenced as Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner in March 2024. Prior to becoming Commissioner, he was Principal Lawyer with Maurice Blackburn where he led the firm’s Queensland Employment Law department. He also held the position of Chair of Multicultural Australia from 2021-2024 and was a member of the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Council from 2019-2024, where he was an advocate for the rights of victims of racial vilification. Commissioner Sivaraman was born in India and migrated to Australia as a child. His anti-discrimination, legal, and advocacy work is based on his strong passion for human rights, as well as his moral conviction to speak truth to power and fight for the rights of the marginalised, oppressed, and vilified.
	Tegan Acton (They/Them) Head of Inclusion and Diversity, NAB Tegan Acton is the Head of Inclusion and Diversity at NAB, leading organisational strategies that create a workplace where all colleagues and customers feel respected, valued, and able to thrive. With deep expertise in intersectional inclusion, cultural capability, and system level change, Tegan works across the business to embed inclusive thinking into everyday decisions. Their work spans risk, customer advocacy, leadership capability, and enterprise transformation, ensuring inclusion is not an add on, but a core part of how NAB operates. Tegan is recognised for their practical, human centred approach and their ability to bring people together to solve complex challenges. They are passionate about amplifying diverse voices, breaking down structural barriers, and helping people succeed as their authentic selves. Alongside their role, Tegan is a trusted adviser and speaker, committed to driving meaningful, sustainable change across corporate Australia.
	Chloe Jesson (She/Her) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) Chloe Jesson is Deputy CEO of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) and works at the intersection of policy, advocacy, workforce development, and sector leadership. Chloe brings experience across the mental health, disability, and community services sectors, with a particular interest in how lived experience, social connection, and community-led approaches can shape more responsive systems. She is currently Interim Chair of Inspire Youth & Family Services, supporting governance and strategic direction for services working with vulnerable young people and families. Alongside her executive role, Chloe is completing a Master of Public Policy, where her research focuses on how community mental health voices are reflected in policy reform processes. She is passionate about translating sector knowledge into practical policy change.

Courage Under Fire

Rabia is an international humanitarian lawyer, retired British Army senior officer, former war crimes and terrorism prosecutor, and hostage survivor. She has undertaken humanitarian aid work in Asia, South America, Europe and the Middle East, for which she was decorated by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Having survived a hostage crisis in Iraq in 2005, Rabia sued the British Government for discrimination when both the military and government tried to cover up her involvement in the incident. Her landmark case heralded profound changes in defence and public policy, attitudes, and the support offered to female soldiers serving on the frontline, ethnic minorities, and military personnel suffering with PTS. Rabia is now a multi award winning storyteller, global inspirational speaker, leadership consultant, media commentator, non-executive director, philanthropist and human rights advocate.

Leadership Development in Action

Sheree will share her leadership journey, reflecting on the experiences and turning points that shaped how she leads today. The discussion offers real-world insights into how leadership develops through learning, challenge and reflection.

I’m Your Peri Godmother

Shelly Horton is the personification of confidence. She’s a TV journalist, sought after MC, and runs her own company ShellShocked Media where she teaches speaker and media training. She also runs Speak with Impact workshops. Shelly’s 30-year career encompasses significant roles, including 11-years at ABC, eight-years at Channel Seven, six-years with Fairfax, and five-years for ET America. In her current nine-year tenure at Channel 9, she has been a weekly feature on TODAY and TODAY EXTRA. Shelly is also a women’s health advocate, speaking up and campaigning in parliament to destigmatise taboo topics like choosing to be childfree, bladder leakage, heavy periods, and perimenopausal depression.