ACT Women in Leadership Summit 2025

Written Communication 101 

- Explore a range of communication styles and how it will help when using written communication 

- Understanding and segmenting your audience

- Creating key messages and incorporating them into your communication

- Defining the best written media for your communication

Business Writing Channels and Message Formats 

- The basic structure of agendas, emails, business letters, proposals and reports

- The importance of grammar and punctuation

- Business writing Do’s and Don'ts - email etiquette

- Passive, aggressive and assertive communication 

- Using clear, concise and inclusive language with the right tone of voice 

Writing for Impact and Influence

- How to communicate with your reader in mind for impactful engagement 

- Set clear objectives and build a logical structure 

- The importance of planning, drafting, editing and proofreading 

- Communicate key messages with the right level of detail

Writing for Different Purposes 

- How to respond to get what you want from to stakeholders 

- How to handle difficult complaints and communications 

- Writing in practice: Interactive practical exercise application of skills learnt

Join us as we officially open the summit, set the scene for the days ahead, and highlight key themes. Start the journey towards meaningful conversations and new connections.

When uncertainty is the norm and pressure is constant, values become the most reliable compass for leadership. For Letitia, effective leadership is not just about delivering results, it’s about leading with authenticity, compassion, and a deep commitment to people and purpose. In this session, Letitia will share how anchoring leadership in strong values creates teams that are empowered, accountable, and deeply engaged, fostering a culture where trust and integrity are the foundation for success.

- Define the core values that guide your leadership style

- Connect values to team engagement to foster accountability, trust, and alignment

- Lead with compassion and integrity to reinforce a culture of ethical stewardship and shared purpose

In the midst of deadlines, pressures, and competing demands, it’s easy for purpose to slip into the background. The real challenge isn’t identifying what you stand for - it’s living it, consistently, in the everyday moments that define your leadership. In this inspiring keynote, Lorraine Finlay draws on her distinguished career and her work as Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner to explore how leaders can bridge the gap between big-picture principles and daily action. With practical insights and powerful reflections, Lorraine will show how aligning your values with your leadership practice can create a lasting and meaningful impact.

- Connect professional purpose with practical, day-to-day leadership

- Integrate your values into everyday decisions and behaviours

- Embrace small opportunities to lead with purpose and drive meaningful change

Take a break, grab a coffee, and connect with fellow attendees. A great opportunity to reflect on the morning’s discussions and continue the conversation in a relaxed setting.

We all have an inner voice but what happens when that voice is our harshest critic? In this session, we’ll explore the roots and impact of the inner critic, unpacking how it can hold us back from stepping into our full potential. Drawing on lived experience, research, and practical tools, Liz will offer insight into recognising the voice of the inner critic, understanding its function, and learning to reframe or quiet it. Whether it manifests as perfectionism, impostor syndrome, or fear of failure, you’ll leave with strategies to build self-trust, lead with authenticity, and move from self-doubt into strength.

- Identify how your inner critic affects decision-making and confidence

- Reframe self-critical thoughts into constructive self-leadership

- Walk away with tools to foster resilience

Navigating career and family can be challenging, especially after a significant life change like maternity leave. How do you advocate for the flexibility you need while maintaining career momentum? In this session, Crystal shares her journey as a part-time SES officer, balancing her role with motherhood and adjusting her work patterns through trialing different models to find the best fit for her evolving needs.

- Advocate for flexibility and adaptability in your role

- Discover practical tips for having open conversations about work arrangements

- Gain insights on building a career path that evolves with your life

Enjoy a well-deserved break with a delicious meal and the chance to network with peers. Use this time to recharge and exchange insights from the morning’s sessions.

Leadership is central to digital transformation. Emerging technologies like AI and advanced data systems are reshaping industries, offering immense potential for innovation and efficiency. But they also bring complex challenges that require strong leadership to navigate them. This panel delves into the technical considerations, ethical implications, and critical skills that leaders need to thrive in this era of rapid technological change.

- Embrace digital transformation to develop new capabilities

- Cultivate adaptability, empower teams, and drive a culture of change

- Balance innovation and accountability

Step into a dynamic, hands-on session designed to sharpen your leadership edge. In this collaborative problem-solving lab, attendees will work in small groups to tackle real-world leadership challenges, ranging from navigating team conflict to managing change and making complex decisions under pressure. With a focus on peer learning and practical application, this session will stretch your decision-making muscles, build confidence in handling ambiguity, and strengthen your ability to think strategically and act decisively.

- Experience structured problem-solving in a leadership context

- Learn diverse approaches to common workplace dilemmas

- Enhance collaboration, critical thinking, and decision-making skills

Refuel for the final stretch of the day with a selection of refreshments. A perfect moment to pause, reflect, and prepare for the closing session.

What defines a "good leader" isn't static. It evolves with context, challenge, and culture. When pressure rises, self-awareness becomes essential. Knowing your strengths allows you to lead authentically, even in the most demanding situations. In this session, MAJ Daly shares lessons from leading in high-stakes, high-pressure environments. She explores how those moments reveal your core strengths, and sometimes your blind spots, and why adaptive, values-driven leadership matters most when it’s tested.

- Understand your personal leadership style and the impact stress, fatigue, and complexity can have

- Identify how gender perceptions impact leadership skills

- Build resilience whilst staying true to your values

Join us for our end of day one networking. Enjoy canapés and drinks whilst getting to know your peers further, build ongoing relationships, and share your highlights of the day.

We're back! Another day and a whole lot more learning to come - time to check back in with your fellow leaders.

Tick off any goals you've scored so far, develop an implementation plan for your new goals and set yourself up for another exciting day!

Representing a nation on the world stage demands more than policy expertise. It calls for clarity of purpose, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to lead with both strength and humility. For Karen Sandercock, effective leadership is built on trusting relationships and a commitment to values that transcend borders. In this session, Karen will share reflections from her career in international education and diplomacy, including leading Australia’s engagement across South and South East Asia and serving in senior roles abroad. She will explore how leadership grounded in integrity can shape global partnerships, strengthen Australia’s education reputation, and influence lasting outcomes.

- Build trust and influence through in complex contexts

- Navigate diplomacy with clarity, compassion, and cultural intelligence

- Lead with purpose to align priorities and shared outcomes

A thriving, high-performing team doesn't just need clear goals and good processes - it needs psychological safety. This means creating a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, admit mistakes, and be themselves without fear of judgment or reprisal. But psychological safety doesn’t happen by chance, it’s built through trust, empathy, consistency, and courageous leadership. And when it’s absent, the cost is high; creativity stalls, fear sets in, and cultures of silence take hold. In this panel, leaders will unpack what it really takes to create psychological safety at work, beyond surface-level gestures, and what it looks like when it's missing. Together, they’ll explore how to lead with intention, model vulnerability, build trust in teams, and hold space for open, honest conversations that drive lasting cultural change.

- Lead by example with vulnerability and courage

- Recognise and repair when safety has been broken

- The risks of a silent culture and the true cost of fear in the workplace

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

Unconscious bias influences decisions at every level, often in ways we don’t realise. In this session, Bec explores how bias shapes workplace culture, decision-making, and leadership in the public sector. Through practical strategies, she will empower leaders to recognise and challenge their own biases, creating more inclusive and equitable environments.

- Realise your unique strengths and reach your potential

- Challenge negative self-talk and reframe your narrative

- Embrace each experience as a learning opportunity

From accelerating self-development to progressing in your career, there are so many benefits to mentoring for both parties in the relationship. Finding the right mentor can help guide you through your career and expose you to new perspectives and opportunities. In this session, Kylie shares her experiences of utilising mentors throughout her career and how she pays it forward by mentoring others.

- Identify possible mentors and explore how to initiate a new mentoring relationship

- Understand the difference between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship

- Seek support with taking the next step in your career

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

With constant change and uncertainty around us, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless to make a real impact. The big picture can seem out of reach, and yet it’s often the small, everyday interactions that leave the most meaningful impressions. What are the little moments that matter - the subtle, easily overlooked opportunities to build trust and foster a people-centred culture that drives success? In this session, our panellists will explore these hidden opportunities to slow down, regain focus, and create small moments with a big impact.

- Translate strategic goals into meaningful everyday actions

- Harness your own "little moments" for personal and professional growth

- Real-world examples of how people-centred leadership builds trust, engagement, and resilience

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

Failure is an inevitable part of any ambitious leadership journey but how we respond to it can either build trust or break momentum. In this session, Jade explores how leaders can create cultures that are open to reflection, resilient through setbacks, and focused on continuous learning. Through practical insights and real-world examples, Jade will share how owning failure, rather than avoiding it, can strengthen teams, sharpen decision-making, and lead to more impactful outcomes.

- Strategies for creating psychological safety and accountability in teams

- View setbacks as learning opportunities

- Cultivate a leadership culture that learns, not blames

We wrap up our two days of insight and inspiration with this interactive roundtable session. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Network with your peers, reflect on your journey so far and create an action plan to carry you forward!

- Reflect on your key takeaways from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

Develop self-awareness and authenticity

- Align your values to lead authentically

- Identify your strengths and potential challenges

- Optimise your leadership style for your organisation

Advanced communication and influence

- Manage emotions for effective communication

- Develop your “conversational intelligence”

- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations 

Develop reflective leadership

- Recognise the benefits of reflection

- Develop skills for effective reflective practice

- Apply reflection to enhance organisational culture

Strategic career progression

- Create a personal leadership plan

- Build relationships for professional opportunities

- Manage personal branding and visibility

Accelerate team performance

- Leverage team dynamics to optimise performance

- Challenge, support, and empower others

- Develop strategies to manage disruptors

Drive change and innovation

- Recognise and overcome obstacles

- Trust your instincts, embrace risks, and push boundaries

- Create a culture of positive change 

Remain productive in a crisis

- Build resilience to thrive under pressure

- Support your team and engage others to deliver

- Provide and accept feedback after crisis

Action planning for leadership

- Plan approaches for short and long-term goals

- Identify and understand challenges

- Share approaches to move your career forward