NSW Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit 2026

Join Liquid Learning for this kick-off session as we prepare for two days of incredible speakers, senior leaders, expert deep-dives and unmissable panel discussions!

From the hospital floor to the executive boardroom, Sonia has built a career defined by courage, compassion and purpose. In this keynote, Sonia will reflect on three decades of leadership in healthcare and the public sector, sharing how clarity of purpose, resilience and values-based decision-making can guide leaders through complexity and change. Drawing on her experience leading through crisis and driving system-wide reform, Sonia will explore how purpose-driven leadership creates stronger teams and builds a more agile future-ready public sector.

- Leadership lessons on navigating complexity with conviction

- Learn how purpose anchors effective decision-making and drives cultural transformation

- Explore how to build resilient teams and systems that can adapt, innovate and thrive

Leadership isn’t just about what meets the eye, it's about understanding the invisible challenges that shape the experiences of women in the workplace. In this session, Tat brings the hidden realities of women to the forefront, including menopause and neurodiversity, to inform leadership decisions and enhance team inclusivity. Tat will explore how leaders can understand and respond to the diverse, often unseen, needs of their teams, advocate with purpose and create an environment where everyone can contribute their best. Learn practical strategies for creating workplaces where all team members are seen, supported and able to thrive. 

- Understanding the often-invisible challenges women face and their impact on leadership and team performance

- Interpreting diverse team needs to drive inclusivity and empower individuals

- Translating personal experiences into leadership practices 

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

Leadership in higher education comes with high demands, tight schedules, and constant responsibilities, yet life extends far beyond work. In this session, Claire explores how to integrate personal passions, family and professional growth without compromise. She shares practical strategies, real-world experiences and actionable steps to help leaders not just survive but thrive, both inside and outside the workplace.

- Discover how hobbies, interests, and experiences outside work can strengthen leadership capabilities

- Engage with diverse social circles and networks to gain fresh perspectives and inspiration

- Discover how experiences outside work can strengthen leadership capabilities

Today’s public sector leaders are navigating unprecedented complexity, shifting policy priorities, rapid change and rising community expectations. These challenges can no longer be solved by relying solely on authority, hierarchy, or expertise. To move forward, we need to activate leadership at every level and create cultures where people feel empowered to contribute, challenge and innovate. This session will be led by Claire McKendrick, a leadership strategist known for helping public-sector leaders see complexity more clearly and bring their strategies to life. Claire’s work blends systems thinking and adaptive leadership creating the conditions for real insight, real alignment and meaningful change.

- Strategies to introduce healthy challenge and encourage hard questions

- Tools for cultivating distributed leadership

- A framework for leading in complexity, helping you create the cultural conditions where new possibilities can emerge

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

The future of work in the NSW public sector is continually evolving, bringing with it a mix of exciting opportunities and complex challenges for leaders who are shaping what comes next. In this panel, senior leaders from across the public sector will explore the key trends transforming the workforce. They will share practical insights and strategies on how to lead with adaptability, purpose and collaboration, equipping current and emerging leaders with the tools to navigate a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.

- Rethinking flexibility to drive inclusion and performance

- Developing new capabilities and leadership mindsets for future readiness

- Empowering teams to thrive through change

Transforming complex public systems is never easy, especially when people’s lives are at stake. Susan brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare, from starting as a registered nurse in Broken Hill to leading a $30 billion health system with over 120,000 staff. She has directed NSW Health’s operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic and led the successful statewide vaccine rollout, establishing over 40 vaccination clinics and more than 100 outreach locations. Drawing on her leadership journey, Susan shares practical strategies for driving meaningful change, balancing day-to-day pressures with long-term goals, and building resilience to shape the next generation of public sector leaders. She highlights the importance of collaboration, alignment, and culture in embedding improvements that truly make a difference.

- Practical strategies for driving meaningful change in complex public systems

- Techniques for balancing immediate operational demands with long-term organisational goals

- Insights into building resilience and shaping the next generation of public sector leaders

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

Leadership is not just about position, it’s about impact and the courage to shape meaningful change. In this keynote, Karen will share her journey across her career, highlighting how to lead with purpose, drive results and empower others along the way. Drawing on her experience leading high-performing teams, delivering major events and managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios, Karen will show that leadership is about combining strategic vision with operational excellence and people-focused action. 

- Navigating complex environments and driving transformational outcomes 

- Building pathways for women and mentoring the next generation of leaders

- Leading teams and initiatives that balance operational excellence with social and community impact

As day one of the conference comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on today's insights and how they can shape your journey. What key takeaways will help you move closer to your personal and professional goals?

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.

Welcome back for Day Two - there's a lot to digest from our amazing speakers and action modules so far!

Recap the key learnings and takeaways from Day One, and prep an action plan to maximise your event experience over our jam-packed second day!

Innovation and leadership often require asking the questions others are unwilling to ask. In this keynote, Annamarie will explore how curiosity, critical reflection and the courage to challenge social norms can create a more inclusive, dynamic and forward-thinking approach to leadership. Drawing on her decades of experience as a scholar of queer and feminist studies and a senior university leader, Annamarie will show how embracing unconventional ideas can transform organisational culture, open pathways for diverse voices and inspire meaningful change.

- Practical strategies for using curiosity as a tool for leadership and decision-making

- Lessons in leveraging critical theory to reimagine institutional culture

- Insights on supporting diversity in ideas, identity and leadership pathways

Clear goals and strong processes are important, but they’re not enough on their own to create a high-performing team. At the core is psychological safety - an environment where people feel free to speak their minds, take bold ideas forward, learn from mistakes and show up as their authentic selves without fear of criticism or backlash. Psychological safety isn’t accidental, it’s cultivated through consistent trust-building and the courage to be real. In this panel, leaders will go beyond buzzwords to uncover what psychological safety really looks like in practice. They’ll share how to create environments where trust runs deep, feedback is welcomed and open dialogue fuels collaboration and performance.

- Showing vulnerability and courage as a leader and why it matters

- How to acknowledge, address and rebuild when safety has been compromised

- Breaking the silence: recognising the hidden costs of fear-driven cultures

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

Ever wondered how AI can actually make your leadership easier and more impactful? This session empowers you to leverage AI and data analytics to boost your leadership effectiveness and future-proof your role. Rabia will guide you through using data storytelling to make smarter decisions, inspire your team, and drive innovation in your daily work.

- Practical skills to use data-driven insights in your leadership decisions

- Clear understanding of AI tools you can apply now to your role

- Strategies to lead innovation and prepare your team for future disruptions

Transforming systems in the public sector is never simple, especially when it affects people’s lives so directly. In this insightful session, Rebecca shares her journey in establishing Homes NSW, uniting multiple agencies and stakeholders under a single vision to deliver better housing outcomes for communities. Drawing on her decades of experience in housing policy, social impact and executive leadership, Rebecca explores how leaders can navigate high-stakes, complex change while keeping people and purpose at the centre.

- Learn how to create meaningful change

- Explore strategies to collaborate effectively across government and community

- Discover how to maintain purpose, and impact while leading large-scale transformations

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

The systems and cultures of the public sector have historically advantaged men, reinforcing patterns that limit diversity at the top. Creating equitable leadership requires more than policy it demands a shift in culture, behaviours and mindsets. This panel will explore the levers of change from structural reforms to personal advocacy that can reshape the leadership ecosystem to support women, men and non-binary leaders alike. Panelists will share practical strategies for fostering inclusive cultures and empowering leaders to lead with impact.

- Practical approaches to building inclusive environments with diverse perspectives

- How leaders at all levels can challenge bias

- Strategies for making inclusive leadership business as usual

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

Leadership in any environment demands resilience, courage and the ability to lead with impact, especially in roles where decisions affect both communities and people’s lives. This is reflected in Leanne career in the NSW Police Force, which spans frontline duties, critical investigations, regional command and strategic leadership in human resources. In this interview session, she will share insights on navigating complex and high-pressure environments, driving fearless and purpose-driven team and empowering the next generation of women leaders.

- Explore strategies for leading teams through crisis and high-stakes situations

- Gain insights into career development for women in traditionally male-dominated environments

- Learn how to lead with influence and compassion, extending impact beyond rank or title

Take your Women in Leadership Summit journey to the next level with the Platinum Pass. Enjoy exclusive access to our 2-day immersive leadership workshop, designed to translate inspiration into action. Your pass also includes unlimited streaming access via our iQon app, giving you the flexibility to revisit every session, anywhere, anytime.

Plus, enjoy bonus networking opportunities and premium inclusions that elevate your professional development experience beyond the main event.

Transform your inspiration into real-world impact: Go Platinum!