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 The Care-Driven Leader: Harnessing Humanity in the Age of Disruption

In an era of constant disruption, care-driven leadership is not just important, it is essential. In this session, Shez explores how empathy, critical thinking and radical candor can turn chaos into clarity and fear into action. Learn how to stabilise teams during unexpected shocks, foster psychological safety and lead with purpose when certainty disappears. When the rulebook is no longer relevant, care-driven leaders create a new one with care at the centre.

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: Building Trust, Culture and Performance

In this key session, Sophia shares her journey of steering organisations through transformation while fostering inclusive leadership. With a career spanning senior roles at Maple-Brown Abbott,  Janus Henderson, and Macquarie, Sophia brings deep insight into navigating complex transitions and rebuilding trust. She will reflect on the importance of aligning culture with strategy, empowering diverse teams, and leading with clarity and resilience. Sophia will offer practical advice for women aspiring to executive leadership, including how to influence from within, manage through uncertainty, and create lasting impact in traditionally male-dominated industries. Her story is one of vision, accountability, and the power of leading with purpose.

2:40 PM: Surrounding Yourself With People Who Elevate Your Career

Katrina shares her path to leadership at a global professional services firm, reflecting on the challenges women face and how she overcame them. She will highlight the power of mentorship, sponsorship, and strong networks, along with the importance of resilience and adaptability. This session also explores how individuals and organisations can foster environments that support and advance women in leadership.

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.

09:10 AM Leading Before You’re Ready: Lessons from the Executive Journey

Lisa has led major teams across law, banking, and insurance, and now heads up a cutting-edge regtech company—yet her leadership journey didn’t always come with a clear roadmap. In this session, she’ll share what it means to lead before you feel fully ready, drawing on moments in her career where she had to step up, trust her instincts, and grow into roles without waiting for the perfect conditions. Whether you’re stepping into a new challenge, leading without a title, or navigating uncertainty, Lisa will offer honest insights on backing yourself, building presence, and growing your leadership edge from wherever you are.

10:00 AM Cultivating Relationships and Seizing Opportunity: Lessons in Career Growth

In this session, Anna draws on her executive leadership journey at Aurizon and across Australia’s energy and transport sectors to share how meaningful relationships and well-timed decisions can shape a thriving career. Anna will explore the importance of cultivating trust, seeking diverse mentors, and recognising when to back yourself and say yes. With practical insights on building influence, aligning your values to your work, and taking smart risks, this session will inspire attendees to be intentional about their networks and bold about the opportunities that come their way.

10:50 AM MORNING TEA

EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE SESSION
11:00 AM: 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.

Quick Break & Raffle Ticket Prize Draw: 12:00 PM

EXCLUSIVE IN CONVERSATION
12:20 PM: Finding Strength and Success in Unexpected Places

1:520 PM LUNCH

2:20 PM: Success Beyond the C Suite

In this insightful session, Christine draws on her experience as a former CEO and current board member to explore what leadership can look like after executive life. With a career across banking, insurance and wealth management, Christine unpacks the challenges and opportunities that come with stepping away from day-to-day operations and into broader influence. She shares honest reflections on shifting identity and redefining success and continuing to lead with clarity and impact through board work, mentoring and values driven contributions.

3:10 PM: Surrounding Yourself With People Who Elevate Their Career

Drawing on her journey as Chief Customer Officer at Zurich Financial Services Australia, Annmaree shares how surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate your career growth. Throughout her career, Annmaree has been shaped by three key groups: the believers who gave her confidence to step into challenging roles, the challengers who pushed her to think bigger and challenge the status quo, and the collaborators who worked alongside her to achieve ambitious goals. From leading customer-first transformation at Zurich to building high-trust, high-performance teams, she demonstrates how intentional connections with people who inspire, challenge, and support you can open doors and elevate your potential. Her message is clear: talent will take you far, but the right people will take you further.

4:30 PM CLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshop