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 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)
SU
MCCLUSKEY
Non-executive Director (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, Melissa Rutherford on events@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)
Claire
Parkinson
Company Director and Executive; Former Head of Justice Sector Reform for South Australia (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.
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
Deputy Commissioner, 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)
KERRYNNE
LIDDLE
SA Liberal for Senate (SA)
MIRIAM
SILVA
Chair, InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (SA)
Ginna
Webster
Secretary, Department of Justice (TAS)
CARMEN
SZABO
Group Manager Finance Shared Services, Origin (SA)
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)
DEBRA
THURLEY
Non-Executive Board Member, Council on the Ageing; Deputy President of Zonta International Hobart Club (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)
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)