LGBTIQA+ Leadership Summit 2026

Pre-Conference Workshop

The Practical LGBTIQA+ Leadership Playbook: Leading with Clarity & Courage

9:00AM - 4:00PM

Step into the next level of leadership — unapologetically you.

This workshop is designed specifically for LGBTIQA+ leaders and emerging leaders, equipping you with practical tools, tested strategies, and the confidence to lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity.

You’ll walk away with a comprehensive toolkit—proven templates, practical techniques, and conversation guides—designed to help you lead boldly, support others, and build inclusive teams that thrive. Everything you learn will be immediately applicable in your workplace and across your leadership journey.

“I wish I’d done this workshop when I first stepped into leadership — it would’ve changed everything.”

What You’ll Learn:

Grounded in research and guided by inclusive leadership practice, this masterclass will help you:

• Strengthen self-awareness and emotional resilience: Understand your leadership style, regulate emotional responses, and build confidence in your unique strengths as an LGBTIQA+ leader.
• Create psychological safety for others: Build inclusive environments with clear boundaries and shared expectations that empower authenticity and accountability.
• Support and lead your team through challenges: Recognise what team members need to succeed—and lead with empathy, especially in environments where being out or different can carry extra weight.
• Deliver feedback that supports growth and inclusion: Learn how to give constructive feedback that builds trust, addresses issues early, and uplifts others with respect and clarity.
• Navigate hard conversations with courage and care: Use the Correction Continuum to approach tough conversations authentically, avoiding conflict avoidance and people-pleasing tendencies.

“This is the first leadership program I’ve done that gave me the tools to lead like myself, not like someone else’s idea of a leader.”

What You’ll Take Away:

Built for real-world impact, this masterclass provides you with:

• A practical leadership playbook filled with scripts, templates, and frameworks designed for inclusive, values-based leadership.
• A peer learning experience where you’ll connect with others navigating similar challenges in leadership and identity.
• Confidence to lead authentically—without code-switching, hiding, or holding back.
• A space to explore how your identity can strengthen, not limit, your leadership.

Conference Day One

9:00 AM: Welcome to Country

09:10 AM: Opening Remarks From Emcee

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:
09:30AM Leading Beyond Visibility: From Presence to Influence

For many LGBTIQA+ professionals, visibility at work is a powerful milestone. But being seen is only the beginning. True leadership comes from influence, credibility, and the ability to shape decisions that matter.

This opening keynote sets the tone for the summit by exploring what it takes to move beyond visibility and into positions of real impact. Gain insight into how leaders build trust, navigate complex environments, and step confidently into spaces where they can lead change, not just be part of it.

10:20 AM Leadership Networking

10:40 AM Morning Tea

Session 2:
11:10 AM Building Influence in the Rooms That Matter

Leadership is not just about having a seat at the table. It is about being heard, respected, and trusted when it counts. For many LGBTIQA+ professionals, navigating senior environments can come with added complexity.

This session explores how to build influence in high stakes settings, from executive meetings to key stakeholder conversations. Learn how to communicate with clarity, establish credibility, and confidently contribute to decision making, even in spaces where you may feel outnumbered or overlooked.

SESSION 3
12:00 PM: Turning Identity Into Leadership Strength

For LGBTIQA+ leaders, identity can often feel like something to manage rather than something to leverage. But the very experiences that shape who you are can also strengthen how you lead.

This session explores how to embrace your identity as a source of perspective, resilience, and connection. Discover how authentic leadership can enhance your impact, build trust with others, and create environments where people feel empowered to bring their full selves to work.

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM From Insights to Action: What lessons have we learned so far?

Session 4:
02:00 PM Leading Your First Team With Confidence

3:10 PM Afternoon Tea

Session 5:
3:30 PM Becoming Unapologetically You and Leading With It

Leadership starts with self acceptance. The confidence to show up fully, without compromise, is what allows leaders to connect, inspire, and create lasting impact.
In this powerful keynote, hear a deeply personal story of identity, resilience, and growth. Through honest reflection and lived experience, this session explores what it means to embrace who you are and use it as a foundation for leadership. Be inspired to lead with confidence, authenticity, and the courage to take up space.

4:20 PM Closing Reflections and Insights to Action

4:40 PM Close of Day one & Networking Drinks

Conference Day Two

9:00 AM Opening Remarks from Emcee 

Session 1:
09:10AM Leading Up: Influencing Senior Leaders and Decision Makers

Strong leadership is not only about leading teams. It is also about influencing those above you. The ability to manage upwards and shape decisions is a critical skill for anyone looking to progress into more senior roles.

This session explores how to effectively engage senior leaders, communicate ideas with impact, and build the trust needed to influence outcomes. Learn how to navigate hierarchy with confidence, position your perspectives strategically, and ensure your voice is heard where it matters most.

Session 2:
10:00 AM From Inclusion to Impact: Embedding Change in Organisations

Creating inclusive workplaces requires more than good intentions. It requires leaders who can translate ideas into action and embed change across systems, processes, and culture.

This session focuses on how leaders can move beyond conversation and drive meaningful outcomes. Explore practical approaches to influencing policy, shaping culture, and ensuring inclusion becomes part of everyday leadership. Gain insight into how to create lasting impact that benefits individuals, teams, and organisations as a whole.

10:50 AM From Insights to Action: What lessons have we learned so far?

11:10 AM Morning Tea

Session 3:
11:40 AM Navigating Visibility, Risk and Career Progression

For many LGBTIQA+ professionals, visibility can come with both opportunity and risk. Knowing when to speak up, how to show up, and how to navigate different environments is a constant balancing act.

This session explores how to make confident, strategic decisions about your visibility at work while protecting your wellbeing and advancing your career. Gain insight into managing perception, handling challenging situations, and building a leadership presence that supports both authenticity and long term success.

Session 4:
12:30 PM The Next Step: Accelerating Your Leadership Career

Progression into senior leadership does not happen by chance. It requires clarity, strategy, and the confidence to pursue new opportunities.

This session focuses on how to take the next step in your leadership journey. Learn how to position yourself for advancement, build a strong professional profile, and identify the opportunities that will support your growth. Walk away with practical insights to help you take ownership of your career and move forward with purpose.

1:20 PM Lunch

2:20 PM From Insights to Action: What lessons have we learned so far?

SESSION 5:
2:40 PM: Owning Your Story and Leading With Impact

Every leadership journey is shaped by the experiences, challenges, and moments that define who you are. The ability to own your story is what allows you to lead with confidence and authenticity.
In this inspiring closing keynote, hear a powerful reflection on leadership, identity, and impact. This session will leave you with renewed clarity, motivation, and a strong sense of purpose as you continue your leadership journey beyond the summit.

3:30 PM Bringing it all together: Final From Insights to Action

4:00 PM: CONFERENCE CLOSE

Post-Conference Workshop

09:00AM - 4:00PM 
The Practical LGBTIQA+ Leadership Playbook: LeadingwithClarity & Courage

Step into the next level of leadership — unapologetically you.

This workshop is designed specifically for LGBTIQA+ leaders and emerging leaders, equipping you with practical tools, tested strategies, and the confidence to lead with clarity, courage, and authenticity.

You’ll walk away with a comprehensive toolkit—proven templates, practical techniques, and conversation guides—designed to help you lead boldly, support others, and build inclusive teams that thrive. Everything you learn will be immediately applicable in your workplace and across your leadership journey.

“I wish I’d done this workshop when I first stepped into leadership — it would’ve changed everything.”

What You’ll Learn:

• Strengthen self-awareness and emotional resilience: Understand your leadership style, regulate emotional responses, and build confidence in your unique strengths as an LGBTIQA+ leader.
• Create psychological safety for others: Build inclusive environments with clear boundaries and shared expectations that empower authenticity and accountability.
• Support and lead your team through challenges: Recognise what team members need to succeed—and lead with empathy, especially in environments where being out or different can carry extra weight.
• Deliver feedback that supports growth and inclusion: Learn how to give constructive feedback that builds trust, addresses issues early, and uplifts others with respect and clarity.
• Navigate hard conversations with courage and care: Use the Correction Continuum to approach tough conversations authentically, avoiding conflict avoidance and people-pleasing tendencies.

“This is the first leadership program I’ve done that gave me the tools to lead like myself, not like someone else’s idea of a leader.”

What You’ll Take Away:

Built for real-world impact,this masterclass provides you with:

• A practical leadership playbook filled with scripts, templates, and frameworks designed for inclusive, values-based leadership.
• A peer learning experience where you’ll connect with others navigating similar challenges in leadership and identity.
• Confidence to lead authentically—without code-switching, hiding, or holding back.
• A space to explore how your identity can strengthen, not limit, your leadership.

“Every time I need to have a brave conversation, I go back to the tools from this session. It’s changed the way I lead.”