QLD Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit 2026

Understand change and mental wellbeing

- Explore how change influences psychological wellbeing

- Identify common signs of stress

- Acknowledge and address mental health needs in relation to change

Build stress management and resilience

- Develop practical techniques to manage stress

- Stay positive when facing challenges and setbacks

- Build a supportive network focussed on solutions

Cultivate a growth mindset

- View challenges as opportunities for learning

- Embrace failure as a part of the learning process

- Develop strategies that promote growth and success

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.

Change is a constant in today’s world, particularly in the public sector where new policies, reforms, and major projects shape the way we serve our communities. Yet amidst the momentum of transformation, it’s critical not to lose sight of the everyday services that people rely on, because while we innovate for the future, the buses and trains still need to run on time. In this session, Deborah will reflect on the importance of balancing big-picture change with the discipline of doing the day-to-day things well. She will share her passion for reconnecting with purpose, reminding us that true impact lies not only in delivering major projects but also in maintaining the trust and reliability of essential services.

- Anchor yourself in purpose during uncertainty

- Balance transformation with daily responsibilities

- Reconnect with your why

Understanding the unique needs and perspectives of different communities and stakeholders promotes better decision making and genuine relationship building. Stacie has applied this throughout her career journey from teacher and principal through to Deputy Director-General. Join her in this session as she explores how authenticity and building genuine rapport has allowed her to drive change and empower those around her.

- How to build and sustain impactful community engagement 

- Fostering open discussions with a range of stakeholders and perspectives 

- Driving innovation and reform as a leader 

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.

This session explores the critical link between leadership and wellbeing, highlighting how self-aware, values-driven leadership fosters psychologically safe and high-performing environments. Miriam will share evidence-based strategies to help you manage energy and cultivate cultures of empathy. You will gain practical tools to align leadership behaviours with wellbeing outcomes, demonstrating that when leaders prioritise wellbeing, they enhance resilience, engagement, and sustainable performance across their teams and organisations.

- Learn actionable strategies you can use to manage energy

- Effective leadership is grounded in self-awareness

- Creating psychologically safe environments

Stepping into leadership is always daunting but working in industries and environments traditionally dominated by men comes with its own unique challenges (and opportunities). In this session, Donna shares her experiences navigating these spaces with resilience, confidence, and authenticity. Drawing on her career journey, she will explore strategies for overcoming bias, building influence, and creating impact while staying true to your values.

- Navigate bias with confidence and credibility

- Utilise strong networks and for support and influence

- Back yourself in your leadership journey

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.

Queensland's public sector is rich with talent eager to shape the future of government. As the sector evolves, so too does the need to prepare and empower the next generation of leaders. In this session our panelists focus on the practical steps you can take to progress from emerging leader to executive, as well as helping those around you shine.

- Unpack the importance of career planning and building visibility

- Highlight the value or mentorship, sponsorship, and professional networks

- Practical pathways and strategies for progressing into senior leadership roles

Imagine having all the capabilities and tools at your fingertips, but still feeling held back by your own self-talk and limiting perceptions? Building these skills will often push you outside your comfort zone, and require elevated ways of thinking to approach challenges. Join Deborah as she explores how, with the right tools, you can build confidence, reshape your focus, and thrive both professionally and personally. 

- Take charge of building your confidence as a leader to influence with impact

- Reframe your thoughts and behaviours to achieve success

- Understand and leverage NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) strategies for personal growth

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.

Leadership identity is more than a title or a role, it’s the unique blend of values, beliefs, skills, and behaviours that shape how you lead and how others experience your leadership. Drawing on her journey across both private and public sectors, and through career moves shaped by setbacks as much as successes, Brooke will share how she has built a leadership identity grounded in vision, strategy, and authenticity.

- The power of strategic vision coupled with operational insight

- Keep sight of the bigger picture to navigate change with clarity

- Reflect on your own leadership identity and the decisions that shape it

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!

Leading people is never straightforward. Whether it’s unexpected challenges, shifting priorities, or navigating constant change, leaders are often tested in ways they don’t anticipate. In this session, Gillian shares the pivotal moments that strengthened her resilience and adaptability, offering insights into how she learned to turn difficulties into opportunities for growth. Walk away with practical tools to embrace change, bounce back from setbacks, and build a resilience strategy to support your leadership journey.

- Hear first-hand experiences of building resilience in leadership

- Use challenges and change as opportunities for growth

- Develop your own resilience and adaptability plan

Change is never just about structures and systems, it’s about people, purpose, and the courage to lead through uncertainty. From reshaping national sporting bodies and driving major event strategies, to strengthening integrity in sport and pioneering pathways for women in leadership, Eugenie knows transformation better than most. In this session, she'll share the practical leadership lessons she has learned throughout change, navigating complex stakeholders, balancing commercial and social outcomes, and ensuring lasting impact.

- Drive transformation in environments where passion, politics, and performance collide

- Build trust in times of change

- Create long-term change through legacy-focused leadership

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

As leaders, speaking up, having difficult conversations, and leading discussions that create real value are core parts of the everyday role. But how can leaders effectively build rapport and develop impactful communication styles, particularly when it comes to integrating or providing feedback? In this session Amy will explore strategies to facilitate open and authentic discussions, while leaning into your unique strengths.

- Be prepared to engage with various audiences, personalities, and perspectives

- Learn to adjust your communication approaches 

- Overcome challenges in providing effective feedback

Over the last five years, Steph has navigated a range of changes in the public sector, from political shifts, structural reorganisations, budget adjustments, and leadership transitions. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in the Queensland Government, she will explore how values-led leadership, innovation, and strong stakeholder engagement can help teams stay motivated, resilient, and effective, even during periods of uncertainty.

- Ways to support your team through times of change

- Deliver meaningful outcomes through innovation and collaboration

- Adapt to shifting landscapes in the public sector

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

Rejection is an inevitable part of leadership and career growth, yet it can feel discouraging in the moment. This panel brings together accomplished leaders who have faced setbacks, knockbacks, and closed doors. In this session, they will share how to reframe rejection, build resilience, and find the confidence to pursue new opportunities with clarity and purpose.

- Recognise rejection as redirection

- Explore non-linear career paths and consider how this could work for you

- Inspiring stories of leaders who bounced forward, not just back

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

As leaders, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of believing we don’t deserve our successes, that we’ve somehow just been lucky. Impostor syndrome is a common challenge, especially for high achievers. But what if you could reframe your thinking, build confidence, and step fully into the leader you aspire to be? In this session, Jenni shares how she confronted impostor syndrome head-on, not by trying to be someone else, but by leaning into her passion and leading with purpose.

- Explore the common limiting self-beliefs associated with impostor syndrome

- Finding your own rhythm in a new role 

- Developing your own authentic leadership style 

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

Agile Leadership Principles

- Responsiveness over rigidity

- Experimentation over perfection

- Empowerment over control

- Learning over knowing

Frameworks for Agility

- Adaptive Leadership

- Growth Mindset

- Psychological Safety

Leading Through Change & Uncertainty

- From “predict & control” to “sense & respond”

- Scenario thinking and feedback loops

- Reframing failure as learning

- Simulation: handling shifting scenarios

Personal Agility & Self-Leadership

- Emotional agility and self-awareness

- Adaptive prioritisation (stop/start/continue)

- Mapping strengths and resistance points

Agility in Teams

- Distributed decision-making and empowerment

- Building trust and psychological safety

- Encouraging experimentation

- Influence without authority and collaborative problem-solving

Agile Communication & Influence

- Adapting style to context

- Deep listening and navigating tension

- Role-play practice

Embedding Agility into Practice

- Micro-habits for individuals and teams

- Learning loops and pulse checks

- Scaling agility through role-modelling

Action Planning & Commitments

- Putting Agility into Action

- Translating principles into daily habits

- Designing small, testable “Agility Experiments” to trial in real work

- Building accountability partners or team check-ins to sustain progress