Summit Overview

The National Police, Defence and Emergency Services Leadership Summit is a major annual event for women at all levels to connect, share ideas and build their leadership skills. Created by Australia’s leading authority on women’s leadership, Women & Leadership Australia, the Summit is supported by a wide range of departments, organisations and stakeholders throughout the police, defence and emergency services sectors. 

Supporting Leadership Equity and Excellence 

This significant annual event represents a key national platform for women in police, defence and emergency services organisations to enhance their leadership knowledge and capacity. 

The purpose of the Summit is to contribute to the development of resolute and effective women leaders through skills development, expert advice and strategic industry based networking. The 2020 Summit will provide a unique opportunity to learn from a wide variety of personnel from on the ground front-line managers to inspirational senior decision makers.

Event Speakers

Event Themes

Event Facilitator

Suzi Finkelstein

Director, Leadership and Advocacy, WLA 

With over twenty years of leadership development experience, Suzi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as WLA’s Director of Leadership and Advocacy. Over an exceptional career, Suzi has built a reputation for designing and delivering quality professional development with a particular focus on transforming the performance of women leaders and their teams. As a development consultant, Suzi has worked across all levels of leadership and management in partnership with many of Australia's leading organisations.

Friday 27th March, 2020  |  Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

The National Police, Defence
and Emergency Services

Women's Leadership Summit

Connect with peers

Of attendees strongly agree summit presenters are highly stimulating and engaging​

Of attendees strongly agree summit content is useful in their everyday role​

Of attendees strongly agree summit content was appropriate for their leadership level

Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny

​Assistant Commissioner, Response and Operations, NZ Police

Adrienne Clarke OAM FSM

​Firefighter and Station Officer, South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service; Alpaca Breeder

Georgeina Whelan AM CSC and Bar

​Commissioner, ACT Emergency Services Agency

Major General Natasha Fox AM CSC

​Head of People Capability, Department of Defence

Commander Kelly Haywood

​Maritime Logistics Officer, Navy Women’s Strategic Advisor, Royal Australian Navy

Professor Tanya Monro FAA FTSE FOSA FAIP

​Chief Defence Scientist, Department of Defence

Jenn Morris OAM

​Director, Minderoo Foundation; Dual Olympic Gold Medallist

Jasmine ‘Jazz’ Young

​Air Force Officer, Royal Australian Air Force; First Australian female to be deployed on fast jet operations

Sergeant Maha Sukkar APM

​Law Instructor, Victoria Police

Mandy Newton APM

​Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Australian Border Force

During the Summit, participants will hear from a number of inspirational speakers about their leadership/career journeys and the key elements that have contributed to their success. Armed with this valuable insight, participants will identify their own unique gifts and talents and begin to create their personal brand and message.

My Leadership Journey​

Swimming against the tide in order to create positive change within an established workplace culture takes a strong focus as well as a confident and resilient mindset. Maintaining personal and professional resolve in the face what can sometimes be overwhelming resistance can prove extremely difficult. This panel session will explore how individuals have found the courage and conviction to stand strong, confront ingrained belief systems, and create long-term, positive change for the benefit of their workplace communities.

Finding Your Voice​​

Influencing others may be as simple as asking a person to do something, or as complex as building strategic coalitions to achieve long term goals. Whatever the desired outcome, your ability to influence and negotiate effectively and with integrity depends on your awareness of your style, motivators and derailers. This session explores how we influence and negotiate; in particular, how effective leaders draw on different tactics to best suit the person and situation they are in.

Negotiating with Influence