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The details
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05 - 08 August, 2025 Canberra
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QT Canberrra
LEADING CHANGE. INSPIRING PROGRESS.
Welcome to the Women in Public Sector Leadership Summit 2025, where we continue the journey of empowering women to lead boldly and drive meaningful change in the Australian Public Service.
This year, we’re building on the momentum of progress, with women now holding over 40% of senior leadership roles in the APS. While this is a significant achievement, there’s still work to be done to ensure leadership opportunities are accessible to all. This summit is dedicated to equipping you with the skills, insights, and connections to make a real difference in your career and community.
Inspiration with impact
Hear from trailblazing women in leadership who share their stories of success, resilience, and lessons learned along the way. Our practical workshops and expert-led sessions are designed to help you navigate the unique challenges of public sector leadership, from mastering digital transformation to fostering inclusive and thriving workplaces.
Connect and collaborate
The 2025 summit is also your chance to network with like-minded peers, mentors, and leaders who are passionate about advancing women in the public sector. These connections will inspire, support, and empower you on your leadership journey. Join us in Canberra for a powerful experience that combines inspiration, practical strategies, and a commitment to building a gender-equal future in the public sector. Together, let’s lead the way forward.
Join us today!
FIRST CELEBRITY KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2024!
Author & Advocate, Logie-Nominated Entertainer
Multi- Award-Winning Crime Writer The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man
Television Presenter 60 Minutes, The Today Show
Co-Located with the Public Sector EA/PA Summit 2025.
Welcome to the EA/PA Leadership Summit 2025—the event designed to help Executive and Personal Assistants thrive.
This is your assistant’s chance to elevate their role and expand their horizons in our rapidly evolving professional world. If you are attending this event, why not share the love with your EA or assistant? If you’re attending this event, EAs from the same organisation are entitled to a 20% discount!
Find out more by visiting the Public Sector EA/PA Summit 2025 Website here
Agenda
Pre-Conference Workshops | 5th August
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05 - 08 August, 2025 Canberra
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QT Canberrra
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.
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12:30 Lunch
13:30 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
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Conference Day One | 6th August
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05 - 08 August, 2025 Canberra
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QT Canberrra
Conference Day One
09:05 Welcome to country + Opening Remarks from 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.
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09:20 Driving performance through collaboration, consultation, and negotiation
10:10 IT’S TIME....FOR NETWORKING!
10:30 Adjusting leadership styles when you move departments
11:30 Morning Tea
11:50 Still Laughing, Still Relevant: Jean Kittson Reflects on Comedy, Change, and Longevity
With decades in the spotlight, Jean Kittson has seen the comedy world shift dramatically—but has it
changed enough? In this session, she reflects on her experiences navigating gender bias in a male- dominated industry, the progress (and setbacks) she’s witnessed, and what still needs to be done.
With humor and insight, Jean also shares the secret to staying relevant across generations, adapting to new media landscapes, and why comedic storytelling remains a powerful tool for change.
12:50 Lunch
13:50 Self Advocacy And The Importance Of Demanding People Take Notice
14:40 The Importance Of Effective Stakeholder Management In Leadership Roles
15:00 AFTERNOON TEA
15:50 Cutting Through in a Cut-throat World From Journalism to Bestselling Fiction: Jane Harper on Life Transitions, Complex Characters, and the Craft of Writing
Jane Harper’s journey from journalism to bestselling fiction is a masterclass in storytelling, blending investigative precision with deep emotional insight.
In this session, she shares how her background in reporting shaped her writing, the pivotal moments that led to her literary success, and how she crafts characters with rich psychological depth. With a keen eye for human emotions and the complexities of motivation, Jane reveals the secrets behind creating gripping narratives that resonate with readers worldwide.
16:50 CLOSE OF DAY ONE, NETWORKING DRINKS + EXCLUSIVE BOOK SIGNING
Conference Day Two | 7th August
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05 - 08 August, 2025 Canberra
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QT Canberrra
Conference Day Two
09:00 Opening Remarks from Chair
09:10 Tips And Tools To Put Into Your Leadership Toolkit
10:00 Enabling Female Leadership Through Mentoring, Relationships And Positive Organisational Culture
10:50 MORNING TEA
11:20 Thinking About Leadership
12:10 Cutting Through in a Cut-throat World
Navigating a shrinking and fiercely competitive media landscape is no easy feat, but Sarah Abo has forged a path to success while breaking barriers in an industry that has historically lacked diverse representation. As the child of migrants, she shares her journey of resilience, determination, and the challenges of carving out a space in Australian television.
From tackling bias and industry gatekeeping to achieving commercial success, Sarah provides a candid look at what it takes to thrive in media today and why diverse voices are more important than ever.
14:10 Learning to Embrace Change, Cultivate Resilience, Prioritise Self-care as Your Career Grows
15:00 Afternoon Tea
15:20 Developing Your Leadership Toolkit: Strategies For Self-awareness And Growth
16:10 CLOSE OF CONFERENCE
Post-Conference Workshop | 8th August
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05 - 08 August, 2025 Canberra
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QT Canberrra
Post-Conference Workshop
09:00 Mindful Leadership for Women Masterclass
This one-day workshop for aspiring and current female leaders will provide progressive approaches to boost self-confidence, gain influence at multiple organizational levels, live a more balanced life, and inspire other women to do the same. This program will take an “inside-out” approach to introduce the relevance and benefits of mindfulness and compassion in leadership. The facilitator will utilize practical activities, exercises, and tools, and will incorporate case studies on how mindfulness can make a measurable impact on organisational effectiveness.
Key Benefits Of Attending:
- Lead with authenticity
- Unlock your highest potential
- Cultivate greater influence
- Build a courage mindset
- Create greater joy and meaning
By the end of the day you will have a personalised plan to build your gravitas that will have you seen as a serious contender for major role advancement/promotion/project lead/overseas secondment/board appointments. This is a collaborative and highly interactive experience for women, in a safe environment free from judgement, censure, politics or organisational power plays.
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Fuel the Momentum!
“Join us at the Women in Leadership Summit 2024, a dynamic platform for connection, inspiration, and empowerment.
This summit is not just about discussing change; it’s an active force in creating it. Tailored for both emerging leaders and established executives, the summit features a range of exclusive keynote sessions, engaging panel discussions, and interactive Q&A segments, all designed to provide actionable insights for your leadership journey.
With a lineup of distinguished speakers from Australia and around the globe, each session is a fountain of knowledge and inspiration. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of trailblazing women from diverse backgrounds who have overcome challenges, shattered barriers, and crafted legacies. Gain invaluable insights from these pioneers who share not only their successes but also the obstacles and lessons learned along the way.
Seize this unique opportunity to network with professionals and be part of a community driving the future of leadership. Whether you are advancing in your career or steering organisational change, this summit serves as the catalyst for your personal and professional development.”
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Dana Lightbody
Director, The Leadership Institute
Your Keynote Speakers
Leadership potential is within everyone, let us unlock the leader in you.
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Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Your Keynote Speakers
Leadership potential is within everyone, let us unlock the leader in you.
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Tennis Commentator & Former World #4 Tennis Champion
Value Event Partners
F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
F-magazine
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
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Partnerships Now Open!
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Wearing Memories Wine Merchants is the importer and distributor of luxury beverages. All of our beverages are personally picked by sommelier, Kiron Barui. As well as being a designer of the beautiful jewelry range, Kiron is also an accredited WSET 3 trained sommelier. We selectively import lifestyle beverages, including champagne and prosecco, that are ideal for weddings and functions.
Kiron’s love is to design and blend beverages for the female palate. She is creating a collection of outstanding wines and champagnes that are ideally suited to the female palate. These beverages will be part of her portfolio and are available through retailers or by contacting us to find out more. For further information on B2B purchasing or any of our tastings please do not hesitate to contact us via our website.
F-magazine celebrates Australian female success across ages, industries, and lifestyles.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2018, the online magazine – www.f-magazine.online – is supported by a weekly e-newsletter, emailed to 26,000 plus readers each Monday. F-magazine is published by Queensland Magazines, which has three print plus online publications, INDULGE eat. live. play, The West End Magazine, HIGHLIFE Downs Living and The Prestige Property Magazine online.
The National Women in Transport initiative aims to showcase, support, and increase the number of Australian women working in transport. One way in which this is done is through the Speaker Bureau, which demonstrates the contributions women make to transport across Australia. Speakers are senior leaders across a range of transport modes and specialties.
This is an initiative of Australia’s infrastructure and transport ministers who agreed to the Women in Transport Initiative at the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (ITMM) in May 2021.
The initiative is supported by the Australian Government and Infrastructure Australia and coordinated by the National Transport Commission.
Past Testimonials of our Women in Leadership Summit
University of Canberra
The networking opportunities at the summit were unparalleled. The organisers facilitated a welcoming environment that encouraged meaningful connections among professionals
April 2024
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Defence Housing Australia
Each speaker delivered not just a presentation, but a vision for the future of public sector leadership.
April 2024
Services Australia
Such a great summit! Each presentation was a masterstroke of inspiration, truly setting a new standard for leadership events.
April 2024
QLD Fire & Emergency Services
It was good to have a mix of speakers from different backgrounds and in different fields who presented with their own styles; all speakers showed personality and were inspiring to listen to over the 2 days. Thanks for such a well-organised and impactful event.
April 2024
Department of Foreign Affairs
The selection of speakers was impeccable, providing a diverse range of insights and perspectives. The panel sessions that followed each presentation were particularly engaging, adding a valuable layer of interaction and discussion.
April 2024
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
This presentation was a standout for me, prompting deep reflection and revealing opportunities for growth. The speaker's eloquence and intelligence shone throughout. I was captivated from start to finish and left wanting more!
April 2024
East Gippsland Water
The summit was an outstanding experience, featuring compelling presentations and offering the chance to connect with wonderful people. It was both enlightening and enjoyable.
April 2024
NSW Department of primary industries
real and direct. good to see variation in roles and life balance. good varied insights.
April 2023
ATTO
different perspective and great presentation. really interesting and insightful.
April 2023
NSW ATTO
tenacity and courage. empowering, vulnerable and fun. great presence and relaibility.
April 2023
Department of agriculture DAFF
very interestinng speech, funny, motivating. fantastic quotes and great presentation.
April 2023
PMC
INSPIRATIONAL. excellent speech.
April 2023
NDIA
“Very insightful with very different perspectives. A lot to take away.”
October 2019
Department of Defence
“Excellent day. Fantastic insights, each speech was valuable to listen to.”
October 2019
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
“It was great. A fantastic line up of strong confident successful women that were all engaging.”
October 2019
SA Health
“I have already emailed my boss to say that this is the best conference I have been to. The range of speakers and experience is fantastic. I have pages of note and have written down reminders of where my focus needs to be. Thank you.”
October 2019
Sunshine Coast Council
“Overall a great experience and phenomenal presenters. It is refreshing to attend a conference with so many varying presenters!”
October 2019
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
“Fantastic day. So many good insights and I am taking away so much from this. I feel confident walking back to my workspace.”
October 2019
University of Canberra
The networking opportunities at the summit were unparalleled. The organisers facilitated a welcoming environment that encouraged meaningful connections among professionals
April 2024
Defence Housing Australia
Each speaker delivered not just a presentation, but a vision for the future of public sector leadership.
April 2024
Services Australia
Such a great summit! Each presentation was a masterstroke of inspiration, truly setting a new standard for leadership events.
April 2024
QLD Fire & Emergency Services
It was good to have a mix of speakers from different backgrounds and in different fields who presented with their own styles; all speakers showed personality and were inspiring to listen to over the 2 days. Thanks for such a well-organised and impactful event.
April 2024
Department of Foreign Affairs
The selection of speakers was impeccable, providing a diverse range of insights and perspectives. The panel sessions that followed each presentation were particularly engaging, adding a valuable layer of interaction and discussion.
April 2024
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
This presentation was a standout for me, prompting deep reflection and revealing opportunities for growth. The speaker's eloquence and intelligence shone throughout. I was captivated from start to finish and left wanting more!
April 2024
East Gippsland Water
The summit was an outstanding experience, featuring compelling presentations and offering the chance to connect with wonderful people. It was both enlightening and enjoyable.
April 2024
NSW Department of primary industries
real and direct. good to see variation in roles and life balance. good varied insights.
April 2023
ATTO
different perspective and great presentation. really interesting and insightful.
April 2023
NSW ATTO
tenacity and courage. empowering, vulnerable and fun. great presence and relaibility.
April 2023
Department of agriculture DAFF
very interestinng speech, funny, motivating. fantastic quotes and great presentation.
April 2023
PMC
INSPIRATIONAL. excellent speech.
April 2023
NDIA
“Very insightful with very different perspectives. A lot to take away.”
October 2019
Department of Defence
“Excellent day. Fantastic insights, each speech was valuable to listen to.”
October 2019
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
“It was great. A fantastic line up of strong confident successful women that were all engaging.”
October 2019
SA Health
“I have already emailed my boss to say that this is the best conference I have been to. The range of speakers and experience is fantastic. I have pages of note and have written down reminders of where my focus needs to be. Thank you.”
October 2019
Sunshine Coast Council
“Overall a great experience and phenomenal presenters. It is refreshing to attend a conference with so many varying presenters!”
October 2019
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
“Fantastic day. So many good insights and I am taking away so much from this. I feel confident walking back to my workspace.”
October 2019
University of Canberra
The networking opportunities at the summit were unparalleled. The organisers facilitated a welcoming environment that encouraged meaningful connections among professionals
April 2024
Defence Housing Australia
Each speaker delivered not just a presentation, but a vision for the future of public sector leadership.
April 2024
Services Australia
Such a great summit! Each presentation was a masterstroke of inspiration, truly setting a new standard for leadership events.
April 2024
QLD Fire & Emergency Services
It was good to have a mix of speakers from different backgrounds and in different fields who presented with their own styles; all speakers showed personality and were inspiring to listen to over the 2 days. Thanks for such a well-organised and impactful event.
April 2024
Department of Foreign Affairs
The selection of speakers was impeccable, providing a diverse range of insights and perspectives. The panel sessions that followed each presentation were particularly engaging, adding a valuable layer of interaction and discussion.
April 2024
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
This presentation was a standout for me, prompting deep reflection and revealing opportunities for growth. The speaker's eloquence and intelligence shone throughout. I was captivated from start to finish and left wanting more!
April 2024
East Gippsland Water
The summit was an outstanding experience, featuring compelling presentations and offering the chance to connect with wonderful people. It was both enlightening and enjoyable.
April 2024
NSW Department of primary industries
real and direct. good to see variation in roles and life balance. good varied insights.
April 2023
ATTO
different perspective and great presentation. really interesting and insightful.
April 2023
NSW ATTO
tenacity and courage. empowering, vulnerable and fun. great presence and relaibility.
April 2023
Department of agriculture DAFF
very interestinng speech, funny, motivating. fantastic quotes and great presentation.
April 2023
PMC
INSPIRATIONAL. excellent speech.
April 2023
NDIA
“Very insightful with very different perspectives. A lot to take away.”
October 2019
Department of Defence
“Excellent day. Fantastic insights, each speech was valuable to listen to.”
October 2019
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
“It was great. A fantastic line up of strong confident successful women that were all engaging.”
October 2019
SA Health
“I have already emailed my boss to say that this is the best conference I have been to. The range of speakers and experience is fantastic. I have pages of note and have written down reminders of where my focus needs to be. Thank you.”
October 2019
Sunshine Coast Council
“Overall a great experience and phenomenal presenters. It is refreshing to attend a conference with so many varying presenters!”
October 2019
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
“Fantastic day. So many good insights and I am taking away so much from this. I feel confident walking back to my workspace.”
October 2019
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2025 MELBOURNE
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28 - 31 May, 2025
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Marvel Stadium, 740 Bourke St, Docklands VIC, 3008
