Women In Leadership Summit 2025

Pre-Conference Workshops

09:00 Your Balance Blueprint: Achieving Sustainable Success and Life Balance in Leadership

In an era of relentless ambition and unprecedented challenges, the quest for leadership success has never been more demanding. The journey to the top is fraught with obstacles, not least of which is maintaining a harmonious balance between professional achievements and personal fulfillment. As we navigate through the complexities of the modern world, the significance of sustaining equilibrium in our lives and careers cannot be overstated.

Your Balance Blueprint is an innovative half-day masterclass designed to empower women with the strategies, tools, and insights necessary to achieve a sustainable blend of professional success and personal well-being. This workshop is more than a learning experience; it’s a transformational journey tailored to help you craft a life of equilibrium, where leadership excellence and personal satisfaction coexist harmoniously.

Key Course Takeaways:

• Master the Art of Equilibrium: Learn how to seamlessly integrate career aspirations with personal well-being to foster a fulfilling life of leadership.
• Strategies for Sustainable Success: Uncover the secrets to long-lasting achievement in your career, without sacrificing your health, relationships, or personal goals.
• Overcoming the Obstacles to Balance: Identify the common pitfalls that disrupt life balance and discover practical steps to navigate around them.
• The Blueprint to Your Best Self: Craft a personalized plan that harmonizes your professional ambitions with your personal life, ensuring you thrive in both realms.
• Mindset for Mastery: Shift your perspective to embrace a holistic approach to success, equipping you with the mindset needed to excel as a leader and individual.
• Building Resilience and Adaptability: Strengthen your capacity to handle stress, adapt to change, and recover from setbacks, all while keeping your sights set on your goals.
• Network of Empowerment: Engage in a supportive, collaborative environment with fellow women leaders, fostering connections that inspire growth and resilience.

By the conclusion of this workshop, you will leave with a comprehensive blueprint for achieving leadership success that does not compromise your personal happiness or well-being. This session promises to be a dynamic and interactive experience, providing a safe space for women to explore, learn, and grow together, free from the constraints of judgement or organizational politics.

Join us on this enlightening journey to redefine what success looks like for women in leadership. Together, we will discover how to create a life of impact and fulfillment, proving that it is indeed possible to have it all.

12:30 Lunch

13:30 Pre-Conference Workshop 2. Communicate with confidence and get your voice heard

No matter your role, it’s important that you speak your truth and learn how to communicate so that your voice is heard.

All too often we find ourselves leaving conversations frustrated that we haven’t been heard or understood clearly. There are times when we haven’t been able to find the space in a meeting to share our perspectives at all! This half day masterclass will give you the opportunity to build your gravitas in all contexts, communicate with confidence and clarity, and make the practical mindset changes needed to remove roadblocks to expressing yourself.

You will Learn:

• Limit inner conflicts which might limit workplace performance
• Project more authority and communicate with gravity
• Master sustainable control of stress and stressors in the work environment
• Improve positive-attitude maintenance in challenging situations
• Assess and adjust personal leadership style quickly, accurately and privately

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• Uncovered what is in the way of you finding and expressing your voice with confidence and clarity
• Understood how to build capacity in your communication style and how to listen for and respond to other people’s styles of communication
• Built the confidence and know how to show up and have your voice heard

Conference Day 1

08:50 Welcome to Country

9:05 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.

09:20 Tips and Tools to Put Into Your Leadership Toolkit

In this key session, our speaker emphasises the significance of self-awareness in leadership development, urging attendees to identify their own personal strengths and areas for growth in the way that she identified theirs.
She will share practical strategies harnessed for building resilience in the face of challenges  and fostering inclusive work environments. Leveraging her own experiences, she highlighted the importance of continuous learning and mentorship and the importance of establishing a toolkit that works for you.

10:10 It’s Time.....for Networking!

10:30 MORNING TEA

11:00 Making Choices That Align With Your Life Without Sacrificing Your Career

In this session, the Head of HR for Ikea Australia will share her personal journey of navigating the challenges of balancing a demanding executive role with the responsibilities of being a single parent.

This session will explore the strategies she has employed to maintain a successful career while prioritising her family’s needs. She will discuss the importance of setting boundaries, making intentional choices, and seeking support systems that allow for both professional and  personal fulfilment.

Attendees will gain insights into how to create a work-life balance that aligns with their values, enabling them to thrive in their careers without compromising on what matters most in their personal lives.

11:50 Carving Your Own Path Means Daring to Do Things Differently

Lisa McGuigan knows what it means to build something that’s truly your own. Coming from one of Australia’s most iconic wine families, she could have followed an expected path—but instead, she chose to take risks, challenge traditions, and forge a brand that reflects her own bold vision.

In this candid session, Lisa shares how she stepped out from behind a legacy to create her own lane in a competitive industry, the lessons she learned along the way, and why staying true to your instincts is the most powerful thing you can do in business and in life.

12:50 Lunch

1:50 PM: Taking Advantage of Opportunities Through Loyalty, Positioning and Commercial Understanding

In this session, Sally will explore how her long-term loyalty to a single company became a strategic advantage, allowing her to capitalise on a wealth of opportunities throughout her career.

By deeply understanding the business and its culture, Sally positioned herself as a trusted leader, ready to take on new challenges and high-impact projects.
She will share how she leveraged her accumulated institutional knowledge and built a strong internal network, using these assets to innovate, drive change, and continuously advance her career within the organisation.

2:40 PM: Purpose Driven Leadership

In this session, will explore the profound impact that understanding one’s purpose has on leadership effectiveness. Amelia will share her journey in discovering her own leadership purpose and how this
clarity has guided her decision-making, shaped her leadership style, and influenced the culture of the organisations she leads.

She will discuss the importance of aligning personal values with professional responsibilities, and how this alignment can drive meaningful change, inspire teams, and lead to sustained success.

3:30 PM AFTERNOON TEA

EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE SESSION
3:30 PM: Sometimes the Strongest Move Is Knowing When to Step Back

Allison Langdon has built a high-profile career in journalism, navigating breaking news, early  mornings and live television with grit and grace—but behind the scenes, she’s also had to  make tough personal choices about when to push through and when to prioritise her own wellbeing and family.

In this honest and inspiring session, Ally reflects on the moments that defined her career, the pressure of public expectation, and the power of knowing when it’s time to step back. Her story is a reminder that strength isn’t just about endurance—it’s also about recognising what matters most.

4:40 PM END OF DAY ONE &    NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2

8:55 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.

09:00 Leadership Lessons Learned

Louise Baxter is the CEO & Executive Director of the Starlight Children’s Foundation. She is also on the Board of Community Council for Australia, Stanford Australia Foundation and a Member of Chief Executive Women. Louise will cover the significance of self-awareness in leadership development. She will explore how to identify personal strengths and play to these, as well as harness the strengths of others.

Louise will share practical strategies for building resilience and finding opportunities in the face of challenges. And, how all of this contributes to a high performing team and culture of creativity & innovation. Starlight was awarded ‘Best Place to Work for Women 2023’ (As recognised by Great Place to Work Australia 23).

09:50 PANEL DISCUSSION Discussing the Challenges and Strategies for Women Transitioning From

Panelists will provide insights on overcoming common obstacles and effective strategies for making significant career leaps.

10:40 AM MORNING TEA

EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE SESSION
11:00 PM: Success Isn’t a single Moment—It’s the Ability to Reinvent Again and Again

Nicole Livingston has experienced the thrill of standing on the Olympic podium and the challenge  of starting over—again and again. From elite athlete to broadcaster, administrator, and leader in
Australian sport, Nicole’s career has been a masterclass in reinvention. In this inspiring session, she shares how to navigate life after a big high, how to find purpose in  new chapters, and why the key to long-term success isn’t just about winning—it’s about having the courage to evolve.

SESSION 4: EXCLUSIVE IN CONVERSATION
11:50 AM: Insights from Real-world Leadership: Building a company culture of success

As a celebrated producer and director, Claudia’s creativity and vision have significantly shaped Australian entertainment. Her journey from a young actress to a multifaceted industry leader
showcases her resilience, talent, and dedication. At the Women in Leadership Summit 2025, Claudia will share her experiences and insights, offering invaluable lessons on perseverance,  innovation, and leading with authenticity.

Join us to be inspired by Claudia’s story and her commitment to empowering women to break barriers and achieve their fullest potential.

12:50 PM LUNCH

1:50 PM: Surrounding Yourself With People Who Elevate Your Career

In this session, Ellen , will share her journey to leadership within one of the world’s leading professional services firms. She will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities women face
in rising to senior leadership roles and how she navigated these challenges throughout her career. Ellen will offer insights into the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and building a strong  network, as well as the role of resilience and adaptability in leadership. She will also explore how organizations can create environments that support and promote women leaders, and what
individuals can do to advocate for themselves and others in their leadership journey.

2:40 PM: Carving Out Your Own Space as a Leader in a Male Dominated Field

As a senior leader with extensive experience in energy and infrastructure, Caroline will discuss the strategies she employed to overcome challenges and break through the barriers that often exist for women in such fields. She will explore how she navigated complex professional landscapes, built strong networks, and leveraged her expertise to rise to the top. Caroline will also provide insights into the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and advocating for oneself and others in similar environments. Attendees will walk away with actionable advice on how to assert their place and lead with confidence in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

3:30 PM AFTERNOON TEA

3:50 PM: Longevity, Resilience and Empowering Women

Deanne Stewart, CEO of Aware Super, will share her insights on how she has sustained a successful career in finance, emphasizing the importance of resilience, innovation, and ethical leadership. Additionally, Deanne will explore the critical role financial literacy plays in empowering women, highlighting how informed financial decisions can significantly impact women’s long-
term financial security and independence. She will discuss initiatives that promote financial education for women, aiming to close the gender gap in financial knowledge and ensure that women are equipped to navigate their financial futures confidently.

4:30 PM CLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshop