2021 SPEAKERs INCLUDE
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Addressing a wide range of topics including gender equality, leadership, career advancement and life fulfillment, the Symposiums offer an important opportunity for Australian women to stay abreast of current local and international trends. Designed to encourage interaction and collaboration, the events create a setting for women leaders at all levels to reflect on their experiences, envisage a future to which they are entitled and draw inspiration for the journey ahead.
... And be inspired!
Showcasing the country’s most respected and celebrated female talent the Symposiums annually attract over one hundred inspirational guest speakers and presenters. Richly diverse in their achievements and fields of endeavour, Symposium speakers are universally recognised for their vision, resilience and capacity to influence change. By sharing their unique skills and knowledge, Symposium speakers encourage participants to unlock their innate strengths and talents and pursue their own unique vision of success.
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Drawing participants from every corner of the nation, the Symposiums offer an unrivaled opportunity for participants to extend their networks and develop lasting friendships and alliances. Through the sharing of personal experiences, participants unlock a spirit of camaraderie which typically extends far beyond the events themselves. Each year women from highly diverse backgrounds are drawn together through the Symposiums leading to powerful opportunities for collaboration on important national issues.
Planning for success through sharing success
An opportunity to step back, reflect and focus
Attended by a veritable who’s who of Australian organisations, the symposiums represent an accessible platform for businesses to remain connected to the gender equality debate and compare the latest thinking and strategy.
Showcasing celebrated and respected women from every field of endeavour, the events are synonymous with excellence and achievement across all facets of business and community leadership.
Michelle Dalzell
Michell Wool Pty Ltd
The inspiring speakers have ignited the urge to make changes in my work and personal life upon my return home.
Julie-Ann Gray
City of Albany
Today was very inspiring and motivating. I am currently undergoing the WLA Executive Ready Program, and this day has added value to the learning.
Lorna McCarthy
Victoria Police
I really enjoyed everything about this symposium. The keynote speakers were absolutely fantastic and relevant.
Vinu Thomas
Teachers Mutual Bank
Best two days of my life!
Very inspiring and thought provoking!
Bec Condon
Logan City Council
There have been so many ideas that I can take back to my management team to drive an improved and increased diversity awareness. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Pam Ronan
Catholic Education SA
It is so rare to be immersed in a professional program that encapsulates the value of women and how it really matters in the world.
The Australian Women's Leadership Symposiums are a national series of events focused on the experiences of women leaders in the contemporary workforce.
Held annually, in every state and territory, the Symposiums have been running for over ten years and have become the most highly attended women's leadership events in the country.
Connecting, Empowering and Celebrating Women Leaders
The Australian Women’s Leadership Symposium
Both participants and speakers share their leadership journeys and experiences at the WLA symposiums.
WLA Symposiums – Participant Impressions
WLA symposium participants share their experiences and impressions of their time at the event.
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
sYMPOSIUM
Early-bird tickets now available for 2021
Professor
Cheryl Praeger AC
Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Western Australia; Western Australia's First Female Maths Professor (WA)
Dr Marrwah Ahmadzai
Medical Doctor, Freelance Writer and Diversity Advocate (ACT)
Anna
Brown
CEO, Equality Australia (VIC)
Professor Helen
Milroy
Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission, 2021 WA Australian of the Year (WA)
Leigh
Sales AM
Journalist and Presenter, ABC’s 7.30 (ACT)
Asha
Bhat
CEO, Southern Aboriginal Corporation (WA)
Florence
Drummond
Founder, Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (WA)
Professor Tracy
Smart AO
Professor, Military and Aerospace Medicine, Australian National University; Air Vice-Marshal (Ret) (ACT)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE
Former Professional Tennis Player; Sport Australia and International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee (QLD)
Steph
Tisdell
Comedian (QLD)
Antoinette Braybrook
CEO, Djirra (VIC)
Kat
Henaway
Director, Women’s Business (NSW)
Natalie Kyriacou OAM
CEO, My Green World (VIC)
Leah
Cameron
Principal Solicitor and Managing Director, Marrawah Law Pty Ltd (QLD)
Michelle
Fyfe APM
CEO, St John WA (WA)
Kate
Ceberano AM
Australian singer-songwriter and Multi-ARIA Award winning artist (WA)
Angel
Dixon OAM
Disability Activist; Model; 2019 QLD Young Australian of the Year (QLD)
Select your State to book your tickets
To discuss sponsorship opportunities please contact WLA’s Head of Events,
Sofia Monkiewicz via phone 03 9270 9095 or email smonkiewicz@wla.edu.au
Sisonke
Msimang
Author and Advocate (WA)
Katrina Fanning PSM
Board Director and Chairperson; 2020 ACT Australian of the Year (ACT)
More to come!
Julia
Banks
Business Leader, Lawyer, Author and Former Federal Member of Parliament (ACT)
Pip
Courtney
Host, ABC’s Landline (QLD)
Cindy
Mitchell
CEO, Mill House Ventures; 2020 ACT Woman of the Year (ACT)
Dr Elaine
Stead
Managing Director, Human VC (SA)
Han
Worsley
CEO, Country to Canberra (ACT)
Teresa
Dyson
Non-Executive Director, Seven West Media (QLD)
Kat
Reed
Chief Executive Officer, Women With Disabilities ACT (ACT)
Sandy
Anghie
Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Perth (WA)
Inspector Gai Bolderrow
Inspector, State Intelligence, Crime and Intelligence Command, Queensland Police Service; Founding Member of the QPS LGBTI+ Support Network (QLD)
Nas
Campanella
Disability Affairs Reporter, ABC (NSW)
The Hon. Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM
Chair, South Australian Teachers' Registration Board and Don Dunstan Foundation; Former Lord Mayor, City of Adelaide (SA)
Commander Elizabeth McDonald
Deputy Chief Police Officer - Capability and Community Safety, ACT Policing (ACT)
Rachel
Hunter PSM
Deputy Chancellor, Griffith University; Under-Treasurer, Queensland Treasury (QLD)
Dr Sarah
Pearson
Innovation Lead and Deputy Director-General Innovation, Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation (QLD)
Leadership development grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Gold Sponsor
Advocacy Partner
NATASHA CHADWICK
Founder and CEO, NewDirection Care; 2019 Telstra Businesswoman of the Year (QLD)
Debra Thurley GAICD
Non-Executive Board Member, Council on the Ageing; Secretary, Australian Local Government Women’s Association Tasmania (TAS)
Miriam
Silva
Chair, InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (SA)
Lucy
O’Flaherty
CEO, Glenview Community Services Inc. (TAS)
Dr Jana
Pittman
Athlete, Doctor and Author (VIC)
Virginia
Trioli
Journalist, Author, Radio and Television Presenter (VIC)
Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb
Assistant Commissioner, Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, NSW Police (NSW)
Kate
Foy
Deputy Secretary, Community Engagement, Department of Premier and Cabinet (NSW)
Lauren
Hepher
Acting Clinical Support Manager, Ambulance Tasmania (TAS)
Sorèl
Coward
Accredited Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Director, One Life To Live (SA)
Jahna
Cedar OAM
Executive Director, IPS Management Consultants (NT)
Emily
Briffa
CEO, Hamlet Inc. (TAS)
Jamila
Rizvi
Author, Presenter and Political Commentator (SA)
Hina
Durrani
Senior Deputy Chairperson, Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils’ of Australia (FECCA) (TAS)
Sam
Bloom
2 x World Para Surfing Champion and Bestselling Author (SA)
Cathy
Freeman OAM
Olympic Champion (NSW)
Kerri
Hartland
Principal Advisor, Proximity; Former Secretary, Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business (ACT)