Women in Agribusiness Leadership Summit 2025

Understanding conflict in the workplace

- Define and identify different types of conflicts that can arise in all workplace settings, from supply chain to agribusiness operations. 

- Explore the root causes and common triggers of conflicts in high pressure environments 

Develop effectiveness when communicating with others

- Enhance non-verbal communication to convey confidence in diverse workplace settings, from boardrooms to production teams. 

- Practice assertive communication techniques to control conversations while navigating challenging dynamics 

Navigate and resolve conflict with proven strategies:

- Learn collaborative problem-solving techniques that support team work across predictions, logistic and corporate teams 

- Explore methods for de-escalating tense situations, whether in person or remote. 

Build confidence in your resolution and communication skills

- Identify personal communication strengths and areas for improvement

- Boost self-confidence in communication and conflict resolution scenarios

- Gain practical tips for staying composed and effective under pressure

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!

In agribusiness and in leadership the cycles of challenge and growth are constant. Too often, women downplay their achievements, focus on what hasn’t gone right and set themselves impossibly high standards. Drawing on her own journey, Mandy shares how pausing to reflect, celebrating success and shifting to a mindset of gratitude can transform both personal resilience and team culture. This session explores how leaders can move beyond self-criticism, recognise progress and role model the kind of mindset that inspires others to thrive.

- Discover how negative thinking can be a road block

- Explore practical ways to reflect and celebrate progress

- Learn how leaders can create cultures of recognition that bring out the best in their teams

In a world that doesn’t stand still, leaders like Rose are redefining what it means to create impact. Drawing on her journey leading multidisciplinary research teams to tackle the complex challenges of a changing climate, Rose shares how she’s learned to lead with curiosity, courage, and a commitment to delivering new knowledge that drives real change. This session explores what it takes to bring new ways of thinking into established systems, how to inspire collaboration across diverse fields, and why creating space for innovation starts with leadership that’s open, adaptive, and forward-thinking.

- Discover how to lead teams through complexity and change

- Explore the mindset needed to challenge the status quo

- Learn how to plant the seeds for future change

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

Imagine a world in which we were always confident in what we were doing. Where we didn't second guess our abilities, question if it was the right career move or what someone else might think of us. As leaders we are looked up to by the people around us but sometimes we struggle to see the superhero that they see. Join Bron Williams in this session to take control of your destiny and drive your own achievements.

- Discover your superpowers and take control of your career

- Identify your motivations and drivers and embrace your strengths

- Develop the art of self-reflection with honesty and courage

In a world of rapid change, real and lasting transformation often begins with people, those who care deeply, advocate fearlessly, and work together with purpose. In this inspiring keynote, Josie will reflect on the power of the people, how collective effort, advocacy, and collaboration can spark change that’s both sustainable and far-reaching. For leaders looking to make an impact, her message is clear: putting people first isn’t just good leadership, it’s the foundation for lasting progress. This session is a reminder that when we lead with people at the centre, we don’t just respond to change, we shape it.

- Practical strategies for embedding people-first values into decision-making

- The importance of collaboration and shared purpose in driving meaningful change

- Building a culture that prioritises people and long-term outcomes

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

In agribusiness, leadership isn't just about today’s results, it’s about planting seeds for a sustainable future. This panel brings together female leaders who are redefining what it means to lead with vision, responsibility, and heart. Together our industry professionals will explore how women across the sector are thinking long-term: mentoring the next generation, preparing for success and championing sustainable practices that nurture both people and the future of the industry. With a focus on future-proofing and legacy-building, these leaders will share how they’re cultivating resilient careers to keep up with a rapidly changing industry.

- Learn how to build a career that lasts long term

- Discover the importance of mentorship 

- Prepare for success 

In the complex world of agribusiness, transformation isn’t just about systems, strategies or frameworks it’s about people. Real change happens when leaders place relationships at the centre and build trust that empowers teams to thrive. Join Cassie Soady and Shona Crighton, as they reflect on their leadership journeys and how they are shaping transformation from the inside out. Together, they’ll explore how transformation is made possible by people-first strategies grounded in trust and collaboration and how these approaches can unlock lasting impact across complex and evolving environments.

- Learn why successful transformation is built on trusted relationships and inclusive leadership

- How to implement people first strategies 

- Leading change with clarity and resilience

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

Every leadership journey is shaped by moments of challenge, discovery, and growth. In this keynote, Carmel shares her path into agribusiness, one grounded in resilience, shaped by purpose, and driven by a passion that evolved over time. From navigating uncertainty to finding clarity in her calling, Carmel’s story highlights the power of perseverance and self-belief in forging a meaningful career. As she reflects on the experiences that led her to where she is today, Carmel will offer valuable insights on what it takes to stay grounded through change and inspired by the bigger picture.

- Navigating the ups and downs of career discovery and personal growth

- How resilience helped shape a purposeful path in agribusiness

- Lessons learned from turning passion into progress and challenge into opportunity

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!

Leadership isn’t just about pushing forward, it's about tuning in. In this honest and empowering keynote, Tanya explores the role of self-awareness as both a strength and a powerful catalyst for growth. Drawing on her own leadership journey, Tanya unpacks how recognising your own patterns can be the difference between self-sabotage and self-belief. She explores how self-awareness builds resilience, sharpens judgment, and helps you know when to lead and when to step back. She also offers practical insights for working with others who may lack self-awareness.

- How to use self-awareness to push through imposter syndrome 

- Recognising when to lead and when to step back 

- Navigating challenging dynamics with those who lack self-awareness

Kathryn Davies leads with people at the centre. With deep agribusiness roots and experience from the front line to the executive table, she’s built her career on the belief that when individuals thrive, so do teams and communities. In this session, Kathryn reflects on her own leadership journey, how she got to where she is today and how she’s created environments where people feel seen, supported and empowered to grow. Through times of change, she’s remained anchored in purpose, preparing teams for the future while staying connected to what matters most. 

- Navigating leadership transitions with purpose and authenticity

- Coaching your people to lead and flourish in uncertain times

- Creating stability and momentum when everything around you is shifting

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

Overwhelm has become the norm. Expectations are higher, resources are tighter, and the pressure to deliver, without burning out, is real. What worked in the past is no longer enough. The real opportunity? It's in shifting how you lead. Exceptional leaders don’t do it all. They engage others, create clarity, and build the kind of trust that turns reactive teams into engaged ones. Whether you're leading on the land, in the office, or across teams, you'll walk away with actionable insights to lift your leadership and unlock the full potential of those around you.

- Uncover what’s really holding you back from performing at your best

- Get crystal clear on the goals that matter, and what might be sabotaging them

- Learn how to collaborate and co-create in ways that energise your team and boost engagement

What would you say to your younger self if you had the chance? In this personal and moving session, Kaylene Little invites us into a moment of reflection, looking back not with regret, but with compassion, clarity and a sense of purpose. With warmth and honesty, Kaylene explores the lessons she’s learned along the way: the value of personal growth, the quiet power of mentorship and the courage it takes to forge your own path, even when your “why” doesn’t look like everyone else’s. It’s a session about giving yourself permission to enjoy the journey, to honour who you are and to trust that every step no matter how uncertain has shaped the leader you are becoming.

- Reflect on how to lead with self-compassion and clarity

- Be inspired to define success on your own terms

- Discover why personal growth, mentorship and authenticity matter more than ever

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

In the ever-evolving world of agribusiness, change is constant, whether it's shifting market demands, climate challenges, technological disruption, or global supply chain volatility. This panel brings together seasoned leaders who’ve learned how to navigate uncertainty while keeping an eye on what's coming next. They’ll explore how to lead with resilience and clarity when every day brings new complexities. Expect real talk on decision-making, adaptability, and the mindset required to lead your business and teams through cycles of disruption and transformation.

- Gain strategies for staying focused on the big picture during times of change

- Learn how leaders balance daily demands with long-term growth

- Hear stories of resilience and practical leadership lessons from the field

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

Leadership isn’t just about managing people it’s about moving ideas forward and inspiring change. But too often, leaders hold themselves back, not for lack of ambition, but because they haven’t created the space to reflect, plan, and act with intention. In this session, leadership coach Cindy Drake invites you to take ownership of your aspirations and lead from a place of clarity and conviction. Drawing on two decades of experience coaching executives and business owners, Cindy shares how to turn your dreams into actionable plans, recognise and seize new opportunities, and navigate role transitions with purpose. You'll explore the essential mindset shifts required at every stage of your leadership journey and how those shifts can unlock your full potential.

- Learn how to turn dreams into a roadmap for meaningful action

- Understand why each new role demands a different mindset

- Discover how to stay grounded in your values while adapting to change

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

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

- Leadership essentials for women in Agribusiness

- Understand your key strengths and optimal leadership style

- Boosting your emotional intelligence, motivation and personality strengths

Leading Yourself to bring out your best

- What’s your motivation style?

- The four communication styles and their traps.

The four questions to ask yourself to change your performance.

Confidence, Attitude and Your area of Influence

- The three layers of confidence and fear that impact action.

- Learn what you can control and what you can’t

- Understand the impact of change and how to navigate it.

Leading Others with greater success

- Three essentials of leading others.

- Explore Personality Filters and how they impact your work dynamics

- Your leadership environment - getting the details right.

Preparing for Meetings and Communication Skills

- Communicating from the bush to boardrooms

- Structure your presentation for your goal and for diverse stakeholders

- Preparing the right way for your personality.

Boosting your Confidence to Present

- How to engage and keep people listening.

- Creating communication flow.

- Managing nerves, the inner critic and attention.

Strategies to Strengthen Your Resilience and Habits

- Managing stress in yourself and others.

- Improve your resilience and self-awareness skills

- Design a self-care plan based on habits and personality.

Women in Agribusiness Think-Tank

- Wrap up reflection and discussion on key themes, and career action plan

- What will you do differently – your personal plan.

- How to stay on track when other priorities demand attention