LGBTIQA+ Leadership Summit 2025

Pre-Conference Workshop

09:00AM - 3:00PM Unleashing your leadership potential as a mentor

Mentoring is one of the most powerful tools for leadership development and personal growth. In order to ensure LGBTQIA+ team members have a pathway to success, and to grow representation in senior leadership, it is imperative that existing leaders foster future leaders as mentors. This not only benefits the lives and careers of mentees, but adds valuable leadership experience and confidence to mentors as well. This pre-conference workshop will help you overcome the imposter syndrome that often crops up for mentors; those nagging question we often ask ourselves like 'can I actually help someone? Do I actually have anything to offer?' This workshop will also explore mentoring skills, the power of vulnerability, building your confidence as a mentor and bringing out the value of your experiences to help mentees.

This workshop will cover:

Quick overview

• Understand mentoring and how it contributes to leadership success and career growth
• Overcoming the imposter syndrome that often affects new mentors
• Becoming a mentor and how it benefits both the community and your leadership
• Resources to support both mentors and mentees in their growth

Conference Day One

09:05 OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR

Dana Lightbody is the CEO of The Leadership Institute. She is a staunch advocate of equality for women in business and believes women should be helping other women every chance they get. Dana established Konnect Learning in 2013 and the Leadership Institute in 2017. Since then she has advocated for equality for women in all aspects of her entrepreneurial and professional life – in particular by chairing and assisting the production team in the development of TLI’s Women in Leadership line of events

Session 1: 09:20AM Creating Cultures of Belonging That Move Beyond Inclusion

Learn how leaders are transforming workplace culture by embedding belonging into policies, systems, and team dynamics. This session explores the difference between surface-level inclusion and true equity. Gain tools to cultivate spaces where all voices are not just welcomed, but valued.

Session 2: 11:00AM Leading to Ensure Inclusion is at the Heart of Your Organisation

Explore how leadership drives systemic change and shapes organisational culture. You’ll hear strategies for operationalising inclusion beyond policy, making it a core business driver. This session is essential for those looking to influence from the top down.

Session 3: 11:50PM STANDING PROUD: Identity, Resilience and Authentic Leadership

Anthony Callea, celebrated for his powerful vocals and as one of Australia’s most recognized singers, takes us on an intimate journey beyond the stage. From his meteoric rise on Australian Idol to navigating the complexities of fame, Anthony shares the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped his two-decade-long career. Drawing from his memoir, Behind the Voice, he offers candid reflections on overcoming public scrutiny, embracing his true self, and the resilience required to maintain authenticity in the entertainment industry.

Attendees will gain profound insights into balancing personal identity with public expectations and the courage it takes to remain genuine amidst external pressures. This keynote promises a heartfelt exploration of identity, perseverance, and the power of staying true to oneself.

12:50 Lunch

Session 4: 01:50PM Pathways to Executive: Supporting LGBTIQA+ Talent into Senior Roles

How do we move more queer professionals into C-suite and boardroom roles? This session explores proven strategies to mentor, sponsor and elevate LGBTIQA+ talent. Hear from leaders who have made it to the top—and how they’re paving the way for others.

Session 5: 02:40PM Intersectionality at Work: Policies and Practices That Make a Difference

Many diversity initiatives miss the mark by ignoring how race, gender, disability and sexuality intersect. This session will give you the tools to move beyond the checkbox. Learn how intersectionality can reshape hiring, retention, and everyday leadership behaviours.

03:30PM Afternoon Tea

Session 6: 03:50PM Visibility, Voice and Value: Lessons from Out Executives

Hear from executive leaders who bring their whole selves to the boardroom—and why it’s made them better at their jobs. This panel will uncover real stories of leadership, rejection, acceptance and influence. A must-attend for anyone climbing the ladder and refusing to hide.

Conference Day Two

09:00 OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR.

Begin Day Two with renewed focus on the future of inclusive leadership.

Session 1: 09:10AM Creating Psychological Safety: The Real Driver of Innovation and Engagement

Psychological safety is a game-changer for high-performing teams. This session explores what it takes to build trust and openness from the top down. Leave with strategies that go far beyond HR policy and into daily leadership practice.

Session 2: 10:00AM Rising Above Bias – Leading While Queer

Whether overt or subtle, bias still affects how LGBTIQA+ people are seen and heard at work. In this session, you’ll hear stories and strategies for thriving while challenging bias. Walk away with ideas for turning adversity into influence.

10:50AM Morning tea

Session 3: 11:15 Empowering Allies – Practical Strategies That Work

Being an ally is more than wearing a rainbow badge. This session delivers real-world tips to engage allies in meaningful action. Ideal for HR leaders, people managers and advocates.

Session 4: FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JOEL CREASEY

12:00PM: COMEDIC ACTIVISM: Fighting Hate One Joke at a Time

Dubbed Australia’s ‘Crown Prince of Comedy’, Joel Creasey has carved a niche with his sharp wit and fearless storytelling. In this engaging fireside chat, Joel delves into his journey from a 15-year-old aspiring comedian to a national sensation, co-hosting Australia’s top-rated drive show and gracing international stages. He’ll discuss the transformative power of humour in addressing societal issues, sharing how comedy became his tool for advocacy and connection.

Joel will also reflect on personal anecdotes, including the challenges of coming out at 16, navigating the entertainment industry, and the role of authenticity in leadership. Attendees can expect an unfiltered conversation filled with humour, heartfelt moments, and actionable insights on leveraging one’s unique voice to inspire and lead.

01:00PM LUNCH

Session 5: 01:30PM Building Queer-Inclusive ERGs: Beyond Rainbow Washing

Employee resource groups (ERGs) can be transformational—but only if they’re done right. Learn how to structure ERGs for impact, not just optics. This session covers budgets, leadership buy-in, and programming that works.

Session 6: 02:40PM The Future of Work Is Inclusive: Embedding Equity into Everyday Leadership

Inclusion can’t be a side project—it must be embedded into the way we lead. This closing session looks at what inclusive leadership really means in 2025. Gain inspiration and practical tools for making equity a daily practice.

03:30PM: END OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshops

09:00 Mindful Leadership for LGBTIQA+ Leaders

This one-day workshop is designed for aspiring and current LGBTIQA+ leaders, offering practical strategies to build self-awareness, navigate personal and people challenges, effectively communicate and connect with your team, have critical conversations and demonstrate mindful and inclusive leadership.
Workshop Overview: Through a combination of practical activities, reflective exercises, and connected conversations, participants will learn how mindfulness combined with key leadership actions can enhance their leadership effectiveness while supporting the well-being of themselves and others.
The workshop will focus on creating an inclusive and affirming environment where participants can explore their leadership potential and build a supportive network.

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Lead with Authenticity: Opportunities to reflect on what is important to you as a leader and key strategies for taking genuine and inclusive leadership actions that strengthen, motivate and inspire your team and community.
• Unlock Your Highest Potential: Utilising practical tools, build on your strengths, develop confidence and overcome barriers to having the brave and necessary conversations that effectively address challenges and create safety and support within the team.
• Cultivate Inclusive Leadership Practices: Drawing upon inclusive leadership principles, build awareness of the signature traits of inclusive leadership and how to put these into practice on a day to day basis.
• Create Joy and Meaning in Leadership: Discover ways to infuse your leadership journey with purpose, making a positive impact on both your life and the lives of others in the LGBTIQA+ community.

By the end of the workshop, you will have a key practical leadership tools that will enhance your ability to lead teams, connect with your team, colleagues and stakeholders, and build your overall confidence and ability to bring your best to any leadership role in the present and future. This workshop provides a collaborative and safe space, free from judgment, where LGBTIQA+ leaders can learn, grow, and support one another