Nayomi Kannangara is a feminist leader in the international development sector, with over two decades of experience advancing gender equality, driving systemic change, and championing decolonised approaches to aid. As Chief Executive Officer of the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) – Australia’s only development organisation focused exclusively on gender equality – Nayomi brings deep expertise in feminist leadership, innovative funding models, and partnerships that centre the leadership, voices, and agency of women’s rights organisations across Asia and the Pacific. Her career spans senior technical and leadership roles at Save the Children, Oxfam, ChildFund, and Plan International, where she led global programs across gender equality, child protection, and locally led development. Nayomi is recognised for her strategic vision and her commitment to shifting power in aid and philanthropy, strengthening inclusive organisational cultures, and supporting feminist movements to thrive on their own terms.

Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec began with the AFP in 2001, assigned to ACT Policing after recruit training at the AFP College. During her 22-year career she has worked in dedicated roles within ACT Policing, International Operations, Counter Terrorism, ACCCE, Child Protection and Human Trafficking. These have included working in general duties policing, adult and child sexual assault teams, in the Office of the Chief Police Officer, and the City Beats Team. She also served in the people smuggling and counter-terrorism areas, and held a pivotal role in the AFP’s assistance following the downing of Flight MH17 in the Ukraine. In 2019 she was awarded the Australian Police Medal in recognition of their meritorious service and commitment to the Australian community in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Much is made of the gender pay gap, but what does it really represent and what does it have to say about where progress can be made on gender equality in Australia.

The presentation will position the gender pay gap as a financial proxy for gender inequality in Australia.

It will examine the origins of the gender pay gap and what the number really means.

It will explore the various elements that separately contribute to this number and what these can tell us what individuals, organisations and governments can do to progress gender equal Australia.

Finally, we will examine the challenges that DEI and gender equality are currently facing as a result of dramatic shifts in United States government policy surrounding DEI.

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.

	Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes (She/Her) Associate Professor, Indigenous Studies, School of Culture and Communications, University of Melbourne Associate Professor Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes is a Gomeroi woman who has low vision. Located at the University of Melbourne she lectures in Indigenous Studies, and was the inaugural Deputy Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion – Disability, at the Faculty of Arts. Sheelagh is the Chief Investigator of a Discovery Indigenous Australian Research Council grant known as BlakAbility that focuses on Indigenous ways of disability. Sheelagh is the co-chair of the government’s Accessible Communications Technical Advisory Group and a community member of the National Disability Data Asset Advisory Committee. Shelagh has been a leading figure in Indigenous and disability rights for four decades and is passionate about equity and belonging.
	Amanda McKenzie Chief Executive Officer, Climate Council Amanda McKenzie is a leading Australian climate advocate and co-founder of the Climate Council, which she has led as CEO since 2013. Under her leadership, the Council has become a powerful and trusted voice on climate action driving campaigns to change public opinion and national and state policy. She previously co-founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and has advised numerous governments and corporations on climate and energy. Amanda’s governance experience includes founding Chair of the Centre for Australian Progress and director roles at Plan International. Named one of Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence, she holds an Honours degree in Law from Monash University and an Arts degree from the University of Melbourne.
	Chris Hardman AFSM Lead Executive Director, Forest and Fire Operations Division (FFOD) & Chief Fire Officer, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action Chris Hardman is the Lead Executive Director, Forest and Fire Operations Division (FFOD), and Chief Fire Officer, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and is responsible for ensuring delivery of state forest management operations, and fire management operations on public land. Chris is also the lead for FFMVic’s command and control arrangements for fire and emergency response, along with fuel management operations. Chris’ knowledge of land management operations is complemented by his significant experience in fire and emergency management. Chris is one of Victoria’s State Response Controllers and a Level 3 Incident Controller, with experience as an Incident Controller from the 2010 floods, 2009 Black Saturday fires, and 2006 and 2003 fires.
	Cherie Clonan (She/Her) Founding Director & Chief Executive Officer, The Digital Picnic Cherie Clonan is a proud Autistic woman, and the Founder and CEO of The Digital Picnic, a digital marketing agency and education platform built on a simple belief: that you can build high-performing businesses without burning people out. This simple philosophy has seen Cherie scale her own company into a multi-seven-figure business. And this same philosophy – often referred to as Kind Genius™ – champions kindness, creativity and commercial excellence in equal measure. With over 17 years in content and digital strategy, Cherie and her team have helped thousands of business owners and marketers grow their brands – from global brands like McDonald’s, Uber, Amazon, PepsiCo, and more… through to family-run ‘mum and dad’ businesses.
	Ro Allen FAICD FIPAA (They/Them) Commissioner, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission Ro Allen is the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, and works to uphold Victorians’ rights, promote accountability, and to build a fairer, safer, and more inclusive community. Prior to joining the Commission, Ro served as the inaugural Victorian Commissioner for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse, Intersex Queer and Asexual (LGBTIQA+) Communities. Ro has held a wide range of leadership roles, including chairing the Victorian Adult, Community, and Further Education Board and the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, serving as a Commissioner on the Victorian Skills Commission, and as founding CEO of UnitingCare in Shepparton. Ro worked at the grassroots level to develop and support Aboriginal self-determination, refugee settlement, and family violence and mental health initiatives, as well as emergency disaster responses. Ro was inducted into the Victorian Government Honour Roll for Women in 2009, has a Centenary Medal for services for young people, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the AICD Victorian Division Council.

Cheryl Smith is a Noongar woman from Boorloo (Perth), with strong family connections to the Ballardong and Goreng peoples of southern Western Australia. She serves as Group Manager for the West and South Group within the National Indigenous Australians Agency, overseeing operations and service delivery throughout South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia. Cheryl is deeply committed to building authentic relationships with communities and stakeholders to achieve purposeful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She has driven major policy reforms that embed culturally responsive frameworks into government services, particularly in the areas of health and social outcomes. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing programs that improve the social and emotional wellbeing for First Nations communities. With a career spanning senior roles such as Assistant Director General, Aboriginal Outcomes at the Department of Communities and Director of Aboriginal Health Strategy with WA North Metropolitan Health Service, Cheryl combines professionalism with a personal passion for equity and systemic change.

Leadership Development in Action

Dr Urooj Raza Khan is a strategic leader, technologist, and digital health academic, currently serving as Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University, where she leads the postgraduate Digital Health programs. With a background in ICT and software engineering, and a Professional Doctorate in IT (Digital Health), Dr Khan brings extensive cross-sector experience across government, healthcare, and higher education. Her career reflects a deliberate shift from technology delivery to purpose-driven digital transformation in healthcare. She works at the intersection of technology, clinical practice, and policy, translating strategy into real-world implementation, including through her role as Digital Health Director within a general practice setting. A committed advocate for equity and inclusion in STEM, Dr Khan mentors emerging leaders and champions inclusive pathways into digital health, advancing science and technology for meaningful societal impact.

From survival to global impact: unlocking the power of human potential

Billie Jordan’s life story proves that adversity can ignite extraordinary possibility. After surviving a traumatic childhood and the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand, she channelled her experiences into founding The Hip Op‑eration Crew; a hip‑hop dance group of seniors aged 65 to 96 who went on to perform at the International Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas. Her journey has inspired audiences worldwide and demonstrates how courage, mindset, and human connection can unlock potential in individuals and teams. Billie has been recognised as New Zealand Woman of the Year, is a recipient of a Queen’s Honour (MNZM), and won the New Zealander of the Year – Local Hero Award. She is the central figure of the award‑winning documentary Hip Hoperation, and her life story has been purchased by Hollywood for a feature film. Billie’s keynotes empower audiences to rethink what’s possible – for themselves, their organisations, and the people they lead.