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.

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 Mary Foley AM

Managing Director, Telstra Health (NSW)

STEPH
TISDELL

Comedian (QLD)

Jan
Fran

Journalist, TV Presenter and Internet Commentator (NSW)

SAM
BLOOM

2 x World Para Surfing Champion and Bestselling Author (SA)

LEIGH
SALES AM

Journalist and Presenter, ABC’s 7.30 (ACT)

JAMILA
RIZVI

Author, Presenter and Political Commentator (SA)

JULIA
BANKS

Business Leader, Lawyer, Author and Former Federal Member of Parliament (ACT)

EVONNE GOOLAGONG CAWLEY AC MBE

Former Professional Tennis Player; Sport Australia and International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee (QLD)

CATHY
FREEMAN OAM

Olympic Champion (NSW)

Elizabeth
Proust AO

Chair, SuperFriend; Independent Chairman and Non-Executive Director (VIC)

VIRGINIA
TRIOLI

Journalist, Author, Radio and Television Presenter (VIC)

Yasmin
Poole

Board Director, Author and Youth Advocate (VIC)

NAS
CAMPANELLA

Disability Affairs Reporter, ABC (NSW)

PIP
COURTNEY

Host, ABC’s Landline (QLD)

Clare Bowditch

Musician, Actor, Radio Presenter, Author, and Business Entrepreneur

Kate
Ceberano AM

Australian singer-songwriter and Multi-ARIA Award winning artist (WA)

ANTOINETTE BRAYBROOK

CEO, Djirra (VIC)

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

More to come!

Professor Nicola Spurrier

Chief Public Health Officer, SA Health (SA)

KERRI
HARTLAND

Principal Advisor, Proximity; Former Secretary, Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business (ACT)

KATE
FOY

Deputy Secretary, Community Engagement, Department of Premier and Cabinet (NSW)

DR JANA
PITTMAN

Athlete, Doctor and Author (VIC)

ANGEL
DIXON OAM

Disability Activist; Model; 2019 QLD Young Australian of the Year (QLD)

DR ELAINE
STEAD

Managing Director, Human VC (SA)

Marlee
Silva

Founder, Tiddas 4 Tiddas Podcast; Host, Always Was, Always Bill Be Our Stories Podcast; Author (NT)

KATRINA FANNING PSM

Board Director and Chairperson; 2020 ACT Australian of the Year (ACT)

COMMANDER ELIZABETH MCDONALD

Deputy Chief Police Officer - Capability and Community Safety, ACT Policing (ACT)

PROFESSOR TRACY
SMART AO

Professor, Military and Aerospace Medicine, Australian National University; Air Vice-Marshal (Ret) (ACT)

Karen
Weston

CEO, Northern Territory Department of Education (NT)

KAT
HENAWAY

Director, Women’s Business (NSW)

Marion Scrymgour

CEO, Northern Land Council (NT)

Leadership development grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

FIND OUT MORE

Gold Sponsor

Advocacy Partner

RACHEL
HUNTER PSM

Deputy Chancellor, Griffith University; Under-Treasurer, Queensland Treasury (QLD)

SORÈL
COWARD

Accredited Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Director, One Life To Live (SA)

SANDY
ANGHIE

Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Perth (WA)

LEAH
CAMERON

Principal Solicitor and Managing Director, Marrawah Law Pty Ltd (QLD)

HAN
WORSLEY

CEO, Country to Canberra (ACT)

THE HON. DR JANE LOMAX-SMITH AM

Chair, South Australian Teachers' Registration Board and Don Dunstan Foundation; Former Lord Mayor, City of Adelaide (SA)

DR SARAH
PEARSON

Innovation Lead and Deputy Director-General Innovation, Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation (QLD)

PROFESSOR HELEN
MILROY

Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission, 2021 WA Australian of the Year (WA)

Katrina
Fong Lim AM

General Manager, Variety; Former Lord Mayor, City of Darwin (NT)

MICHELLE
FYFE APM

CEO, St John WA (WA)

Sarah
Bolt

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Equal Opportunity Tasmania (TAS)

TERESA
DYSON

Non-Executive Director, Seven West Media (QLD)

ANNA
BROWN OAM

CEO, Equality Australia (VIC)

SISONKE
MSIMANG

Author and Advocate (WA)

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER KAREN WEBB

Assistant Commissioner, Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, NSW Police (NSW)

FLORENCE
DRUMMOND

Founder, Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (WA)

PROFESSOR
CHERYL PRAEGER AC

Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Western Australia; Western Australia's First Female Maths Professor (WA)

Hina
Durrani

Senior Deputy Chairperson, Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) (TAS)

MIRIAM
SILVA

Chair, InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (SA)

Ginna
Webster

Secretary, Department of Justice (TAS)

LUCY
O’FLAHERTY

CEO, Glenview Community Services Inc.; 2019 Tasmanian Telstra Business Woman of the Year (TAS)

Gönül
Serbest

Chief Executive Officer, Global Victoria (VIC)

DR MARRWAH AHMADZAI

Medical Doctor, Freelance Writer and Diversity Advocate (ACT)

KAT
REED

Chief Executive Officer, Women With Disabilities ACT (ACT)

INSPECTOR GAI BOLDERROW

Inspector, State Intelligence, Crime and Intelligence Command, Queensland Police Service; Founding Member of the QPS LGBTI+ Support Network (QLD)

NATASHA CHADWICK

Founder and CEO, NewDirection Care; 2019 Telstra Businesswoman of the Year (QLD)

LAUREN
HEPHER

Acting Manager, Education and Professional Development, Ambulance Tasmania; Mental Health Advocate (TAS)

Deborah
Di Natale

CEO, Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NT)

Lyn
Johnson

President/Chairperson and Peer Support Coordinator, Tasmanian Amputee Society; President, Devonport Chapter, Soroptimist International (TAS)

ASHA
BHAT

CEO, Southern Aboriginal Corporation (WA)

Dr Emma
Lee

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Fellow, Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology (TAS)

Christian
Wright

Midwife; 2018 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards Graduate of the Year (NT)

JAHNA
CEDAR OAM

Executive Director, IPS Management Consultants (NT)

NATALIE
KYRIACOU OAM

CEO, My Green World (VIC)

EMILY
BRIFFA

CEO, Hamlet Inc. (TAS)

DEBRA THURLEY GAICD

Non-Executive Board Member, Council on the Ageing; Secretary, Australian Local Government Women’s Association Tasmania (TAS)

Katrina
Rathie

Chair and Non-Executive Director; Former Partner in Charge, King and Wood Mallesons (NSW)

Libby
Trickett

Olympic Gold Medallist Swimmer; QLD Mental Health Ambassador (NT)

Neil
Paterson APM

Deputy Commissioner, Capability, Victoria Police (VIC)

Rae
Johnston

Award-winning STEM Journalist; Host, That Startup Show; Science & Technology Editor, NITV (TAS)

Meredith
Nash