Paula Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Committee for Perth

• How AI is reshaping decision making, productivity and leadership expectations in the workplace

• The leadership risks and responsibilities in building trust and workforce readiness

• Practical ways for executives to build digital fluency, inspire confidence through change and position their organisations for sustainable growth

Moderator: Tolu Okitika, Chief Impact Officer, Perth Children's Hospital Foundation; Research Fellow, Global Center on AI Governance; Founder, ParadAI Solutions

Natalia Kacperek, Chair, WA Government AI Advisory Board; Chief Data Officer, Department of the Premier and Cabinet of WA

Janie Plant, Chair, Women in Technology WA (WiTWA)

How are Senior Leaders adapting their leadership to meet the moment? This panel brings together senior executives to discuss the top trends keeping them up at night – from AI integration and workforce transformation to global instability and cost constraints.

• What trends are keeping leaders up at night, and where are they placing their boldest bets?

• How AI is reshaping productivity expectations and leadership priorities – and how to turn AI anxiety into advantage

• Strategies for managing fatigue, maintaining trust, and building resilience in high-pressure environments to ensure long-term business performance and adaptability

Bernadette Cullinane, Asia Pacific Chair, Partner, Energy, Resources and Industrials Industry Leader, Energy and Chemicals Sector Leader, Deloitte

Ben Lambert, Managing Director, Western Australia and Northern Territory, Aurecon, Non-Executive Director, CEOs for Gender Equity

Samantha Giannasi, Australia Managing Director, Albemarle

Joanne Abbiss, Chief Executive Officer, City of Armadale

Liz Del Borrello, Founder and Leadership Coach, Leaders Lobby

Session will be live streamed from Sydney 🎥

Leadership and influence take many forms – from the boardroom to the ballot box. In this candid conversation, Simon Holmes à Court shares how he came to recognise the lack of women in political leadership, why representation matters for national progress, and how he’s using his platform to back female candidates and shift the culture of influence and funding in Australia

Moderated by Georgina Williams, this discussion explores what genuine allyship looks like in action, and what lessons corporate and government leaders can draw from movements that are changing who holds power, who funds it, and how progress is made.

Moderator: Georgina Williams, Board Chair, UN Women Australia

Simon Holmes à Court, Founder, Climate 200

Hear Zainab Zaki as she shares how stepping into a chair role accelerated her growth, shaping her approach to influence, accountability, and courage. Drawing on her work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and diverse stakeholders, she offers practical ways to build trust, honour culture, and turn lived experience into leadership capability.

Zainab Zaki, Chair, Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services; Partnerships Coordinator Aboriginal Health, The Kids Institute

• Drawing strength from values, heritage and identity to stay grounded through uncertainty

• Building resilience and optimism in the face of uncertain futures

• How today’s leaders can leave a legacy of strength and opportunity for the next generation

Kim Farmer, Magistrate, Children's Court of WA, Patron and Vice Chair, Polly Farmer Foundation, 2025 WA Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee

Denice Kickett, Cultural Architect, Muminbulah Wilak Cultural Services

• Making decisions that protect long-term social impact, even when short-term trade-offs are required

• Building trust with stakeholders by leading transparently and upholding ethical standards

• Navigating conflicting interests whilst upholding cultural and ethical integrity

• Fostering positive relationships between all stakeholders

Moderator: Shamsa Nasr, Director, Innovation and Strategy, Anglicare WA

Ashlee Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Zero2Hero

Wadzi Katsidzira, Head of Sustainability, Minderoo Foundation

These interactive 45-minute sessions cut straight to the skills leaders need most today. Each lab zeroes in on a specific challenge, giving you tools, frameworks, and peer insights you can immediately apply in your role.

Lab A: Resilience in High-Pressure Environments
How do you keep people motivated when the pace is relentless? This session helps you sharpen the ability to make clear decisions in uncertain conditions, sustain your team’s energy, and remain composed when pressure builds.

Skills Learned: Decisive decision-making, stress management, sustaining team motivation, and role-modelling resilience.

Olivia Trembath, Executive Coach, Grace Papers; UN Women Perth Chapter

Lab B: Building Executive Presence and Self-Belief
Executive presence is critical for leaders who want to influence decisions and advance their careers. This lab will help you strengthen self-belief, communicate with confidence and authority, and position yourself effectively for progression opportunities while staying authentic to your leadership style.

Skills Learned: Strengthening executive presence, communicating with authority, building self-belief, and strategic self-advocacy.

Peta Slocombe, Chief Executive Officer, Performance Story

Lab C: Leading High-Performing Teams

What separates good teams from great ones? This lab explores the leadership practices that create accountability, trust and sustained performance. You will learn how to lead effectively through conflict, address underperformance and bring out the best in diverse teams.

Skills Learned: Building trust, fostering accountability, leading inclusively, and resolving conflict to sustain performance.

Jessica Farrell, Vice President Innovation, BHP

• How boards and executive teams are building sustainable leadership continuity and future-ready leadership pipelines in a volatile landscape

• Where the biggest risks and gaps lie – and what’s being done to address them

• Rethinking succession: from names on a list to building capability, adaptability and leadership depth

• Making succession a leadership priority, not a background process

Moderator: Anna Black, Founder, Strategic Career Planning

Sally Langer, Non-Executive Director, Northern Star, Sandfire Resources, The Gold Corporation, Federation Mining, Jupiter Mines, Hale School; Deputy Chair, Ronald McDonald House Charities

Veena Mendez, Strategy Advisor, Chevron, Founder and Chair, Women in Oil and Gas