Featured Speakers in 2020
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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.
Gold Sponsor
Platinum education Partner
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
sYMPOSIUM
Justine
Saunders APM
Deputy Commissioner ABF Support, Australian Border Force
Dr Tammie
Matson
Zoologist, Author, Conservationist and Entrepreneur
Yumi
Stynes
Broadcaster, Writer, Author and Social Commentator
Brooke
Boney
Journalist; Radio Presenter; Entertainment Reporter, Nine’s Today Show
The Honourable Linda Dessau AC
Governor of Victoria
Kristal
Kinsela-Christie
Managing Director, Indigenous Professional Services; Non-Executive Director; Entrepreneur
Lara
Giddings
Former Premier of Tasmania; CEO, Australian Medical Association - Tasmania
Lisa
Sthalekar
Former Cricketer and Captain of Australia's International Women's Cricket Team
Ann
Sherry AO
Chairman, Carnival Australia; Chair, UNICEF Australia
Carly
Findlay
Writer and Appearance Activist
Dianne
McGrath
Astronaut Candidate, Mars One
Dr Larry
Marshall
CEO, CSIRO
Clover
Moore
Lord Mayor, City of Sydney
Fiona
O'Loughlin
Comedian, Author and Television Presenter
Louise
Taylor
Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court
Gill
Callister PSM
Professor (Practice) and Associate Dean, ANZSOG; Former Secretary, Victorian Department of Education and Training
Marina
Go
Chair, Suncorp Super Netball; Non-Executive Director
Daisy
Pearce
Commentator and AFLW Player
Professor Margaret Sheil AO
Vice-Chancellor, Queensland University of Technology
Tess
Walsh
Assistant Commissioner, Victoria Police
Rae
Johnston
Editor, Junkee; Host, That Start Up Show; Award-Winning STEM Journalist
Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond APM
Assistant Commissioner, People Capability Command, Queensland Police Service
Lisa
Rodgers
Director-General, Department of Education WA
Narelle
Anderson
Founder and Director, Envirobank
Sallyanne Atkinson AO
Former Lord Mayor of Brisbane; Businesswoman
Florence Drummond
Founder, Indigenous Women in Mining Australia
Julie
McKay
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, PwC Australia; Former Executive Director, Australian National Committee for UN Women
Cassie
Workman
Multi Award-Winning Transgender Comedian
Zali
Steggall OAM MP
Independent MP for Warringah; Former Olympian
Professor Caroline McMillen
Chief Scientist for South Australia
Pat
Turner AM
CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
Terri
Janke
Solicitor and Owner, Terri Janke and Company; 2011 NAIDOC Person of the Year
Virginia
Trioli
Journalist, Author, Radio and Television Presenter
Manal
al-Sharif
Activist, Advocate and Scientist; Co-Founder, #Women2Drive movement
Libby
Trickett OAM
Olympic Gold Medallist Swimmer; QLD Mental Health
Ambassador
Ita
Buttrose AC, OBE
Media trailblazer, businesswoman, best-selling author, and former Australian of the Year
Catherine McGregor AM
Writer, Broadcaster, Cricket Commentator, Former Defence Force Officer
Gail
Kelly
Business Woman; Former CEO, Westpac; Author
Dr Terry Fitzsimmons
Managing Director, Australian Gender Equality Council
Liz
Cosson AM, CSC
Secretary, Department of Veterans’ Affairs; First Female Major General
Layne
Beachley AO
Eight Time World Champion Surfer & Champion Motivator
Meshel
Laurie
Comedian, Radio and Television Presenter
Emma
Hogan
Secretary, NSW Department of Customer Service
Nova
Peris OAM OLY
Olympic Gold Medallist and Former Federal Senator
Lee
Lin Chin
Former SBS Newsreader, Television & Radio Presenter, Journalist
Clare
Bowditch
Musician, Actor, Radio Presenter, Author and Business Entrepreneur
Catherine
Fox
Journalist, Author and Walkley Award Winner; Director of Diversity, WLA
Narelle
Underwood
Surveyor-General of NSW
Natalie
Brennan
General Manager, Muffin Break, Foodco Group Pty Ltd
Julie
Chai
Founder and CEO, Asian Leadership Project
Catherine Marriott
Commissioner, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Emma
Bennison
CEO, Blind Citizens Australia
Belinda
Sharpe
First Female Referee, National Rugby League
Dr Misty
Jenkins
Laboratory Head, Walter and Eliza Hall
To discuss sponsorship opportunities please contact WLA’s Head of Events,
Sofia Monkiewicz via phone 03 9270 9095 or email smonkiewicz@wla.edu.au
Advocacy Partner
Leadership development grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of the situation moving forward, changes have been made to a number of the 2020 Symposium events. Further details can be found on the Agenda page of each specific event. All registered delegates for impacted events have been contacted via email. Please email events@wla.edu.au if you have not yet received correspondence about your registration. Women & Leadership Australia is monitoring the situation closely, and will make further changes to other events if needed. We thank you in advance for your continued engagement during this period and we appreciate your ongoing support.