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Sydney Cricket Ground
26-27 November 2024

Key Highlights

Hear from Emma McKeon AM as she reveals her winning mindset, both in and out of the pool. 

​Emma McKeon AM, Australia’s Most Decorated Olympian and 2024 Young Australian of the Year

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Gain practical insights on how CEOs are navigating VUCA environments through empathy and agile leadership: 

Annika Freyer, Chief Executive Officer, Champions of Change Coalition

Lisa Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Product and Portfolio, Suncorp

Ashok Sukumaran, Managing Director Australia, Stantec

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Join Sarah Walsh to learn how to translate the National Gender Equality strategy into actionable plans and practices for your organisation.

Sarah Walsh, Head of AFC Women's Asian Cup™ 2026 Office, Football Australia

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Hear practical examples on how to champion intersectionality and allyship to effectively build inclusive, high-performing teams: 

Chantelle Stratford PSM, Member, Women’s Economic Working Group, G20 Brasil 2024; Chair, Global Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy, APEC – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Lisa Sarago, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Land on Heart, Winner – Indigenous Leader of the Year 2022 for Women in Digital

 

Nicholas Stone, Chief Executive Officer APAC, Bupa

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Discover how to lead authentically and harness your team’s diverse skills to capitalise on new opportunities with Moo Baulch.

Moo Baulch, Chair, Our Watch; Director Primary Prevention, Women and Girls’ Emergency Centre; Advisor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

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Action-Packed Reflection: Develop an action plan to transform your learnings into actionable steps for leadership growth.

Meet the Speakers

Emma McKeon AM

Emma McKeon AM

Australia's Most Decorated Olympian, 2024 Young Australian of the Year

Shivani Gopal

Shivani Gopal

CEO and Founder; Member, Women’s Economic Working Group,

Elladex; G20 Brasil 2024

Simone Clarke

Simone Clarke

Chief Executive Officer

UN Women Australia

Chantelle Stratford PSM

Chantelle Stratford PSM

Member, Women’s Economic Working Group; Chair, Global Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy

G20 Brasil 2024; APEC – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Professor Rae Cooper AO

Professor Rae Cooper AO

Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations; Founding Director

University of Sydney; The Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work

Annika Freyer

Annika Freyer

Chief Executive Officer

Champions of Change Coalition

Catherine van der Meulen

Catherine van der Meulen

Co-Founder; Founder; Board Member

Girls who Grow; Climate Action Marlborough; UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand

Lisa Sarago

Lisa Sarago

Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Winner - Indigenous Leader of the Year 2022 for Women in Digital

Land on Heart

Agenda

Day One – Tuesday, 26 November 2024

7:50

Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:30

Welcome to Country

8:40

Women Leaders Institute Welcome Address 

8:50

Chairperson's Opening Address

Simone Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, UN Women Australia

FUTURE READY LEADERSHIP

9:00

Keynote: Driving Gender Equality Innovation & Economic Adaptability

  • Explore how inclusive policies like pay transparency and gender budgeting drive economic competitiveness and societal reform

  • Unpacking how adaptable policies in areas like parental leave and the care economy respond to market disruptions and technological advancements

  • How gender-responsive reforms boost productivity and workforce participation, driving long-term economic growth

  • Real-world examples of how gender-focused policy adaptations have improved social and economic outcomes

  • Practical steps for applying empathy, collaboration, and resilience to lead change and foster inclusive growth in your organisation


Chantelle Stratford PSM, Member, Women’s Economic Working Group, G20 Brasil 2024; Chair, Global Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy, APEC – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

9:30

CEO Fireside Chat: The Art of Agile Leadership & Bold Decision Making

  • How do you make better, more decisive leadership decisions under pressure?

  • Leading teams through uncertainty and change, whilst maintaining team morale and focus during transitions

  • What are the most practical tools for effective decision-making and leadership in VUCA environments?

  • How do you ensure a culture of psychological safety and encourage an environment where team members are empowered to share ideas, innovate and take risks


Moderator: Annika Freyer, Chief Executive Officer, Champions of Change Coalition


Lisa Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Product and Portfolio, Suncorp


Ashok Sukumaran, Managing Director Australia, Stantec


Mike Zorbas, Chief Executive, Property Council of Australia


Anouk Darling, Chief Executive Officer, Scape

10:10

Networking Activity: Get to know your fellow attendees

10:30

Morning Tea 

BUILDING YOUR LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT

11:00

Golden Ticket – Stand a chance to win our mystery prizes

11:05

Keynote: Leading with Authenticity – From Purpose to Impact

  • Rethinking what it means to be a leader to lead according to your strengths and staying true to your ethics and values

  • Learn the value of having diverse strengths within your teams by focusing not on the ‘what’ but ‘who’, ‘how’ and ‘why’

  • Harnessing the strengths of your environment to take advantage of emerging opportunities and navigate potential risks


Moo Baulch, Chair, Our Watch; Director Primary Prevention, Women and Girls’ Emergency Centre; Advisor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

11:35

Introduction to the "How-To Leadership Toolkit"

Join our "How-To Leadership Toolkit" sessions for two focused 30-minute sessions. Bring your questions and leave with actionable strategies as you'll work with seasoned leaders and peers to tackle key leadership challenges.

11:40

"How-To" Leadership Toolkit

Personal Leadership


1. How can you communicate your worth effectively to advance your career?

Anna Cheney, Communication Performance Coach, Bendelta


2. Which strategies are effective for making decisive leadership decisions under pressure and communicate effectively and confidently?

Hanna Fold, Sales Director, Kenvue


3. How do you leverage mentorship and networking for continuous career growth?

Penny Ransom, Chief Investment Officer, Lendlease


4. How should you balance ambition with your well-being to avoid burnout and sustain long-term success?

Mariam Veiszadeh, Chief Executive Officer, Media Diversity Australia, Advisory Group Member, Yindyamarra Pledge for Democracy, Charles Stuart University, Chair and Founder, Islamophobia Register Australia, Ambassador and Advisory Panel, Welcoming Australia


Team Leadership


1. How to lead teams through uncertainty and change, while maintaining team morale and focus during transitions?

Kerryn Coker, Co-chair Australasia, Arup


2. How to coach and mentor team members for development and growth?

Professor Susan Rowland, Vice Provost, University of Sydney


3. How to attract and retain diverse talent?

Sam Turner, Chief People Officer, Allens


4. How do you delegate effectively, empower your team, manage team performance and accountability?

Kristen Sweeney, Group Executive, People & Corporate Affairs, Sydney Airport

12:50

Networking Lunch

CREATING A CULTURE OF EMPOWERMENT

1:50

Trivia

2:00

UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand In Conversation Keynote

Session will be live-streamed from Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand


Catherine van der Meulen, Co-Founder, Girls who Grow; Founder, Climate Action Marlborough; Board Member, UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand

3:00

Afternoon Tea

INSPIRING PURPOSE AND CHANGE

3:30

Sharing of "Your Breakthrough"

3:40

A Conversation with Olympic Gold Medallist Emma McKeon AM

Emma McKeon AM, Australia’s Most Decorated Olympian and 2024 Young Australian of the Year

4:30

Chairperson's Closing Address

4:40

Cocktail Party & End of Summit Day One

Sydney Cricket Ground

 

Driver Avenue, Sydney, 2021

 

View venue details.

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Explore the Summit

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