Women in Leadership Summit 2025

Fundamental skills for communicating in a male dominated environment

- Dive into your unique communication style

- Engage in confident and clear communication 

- Learn how to communicate with different audiences

Tackling conflict and difficult conversations

- Understand the importance of timing and place

- How to have difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism

- Individualised communication interactions 

Use communication to build trust and rapport

- Match and mirror communication mannerisms 

- Set implicit positive intent in your engagements 

- Position yourself to be open and available to communicate with

Influential conversations with staff, employees, and stakeholders

- Establish credibility in your conversations 

- Increase your ability to evaluate nonverbal cues to increase influence 

- Be compelling and enticing throughout your interactions

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!

When Simone O’Brien survived a near-fatal domestic violence attack, her life changed forever. Rather than remain silent, she chose to speak. Rather than retreat, she chose to lead. In this powerful and emotional keynote, Simone shares her lived experience as a survivor turned advocate, and how trauma can become a turning point for purpose. Her story is a call to action for every leader: to stand up, to speak out, and to create safe, inclusive cultures where people are truly supported.

- Using lived experience as a catalyst for purpose-driven leadership

- The role of empathy and courage in modern leadership

- How to champion change even when your voice shakes

Following Simone O’Brien’s powerful keynote, this guided session offers space to pause, process and begin to translate inspiration into action. Led by event chair and leadership facilitator Jo Wise, this interactive and practical session invites you to connect with fellow leaders across industries, reflect on what resonated, and explore how courage, compassion and clarity shape strong, inclusive leadership. A mix of guided networking, small-group dialogue, and hands-on leadership exercises to supercharge your summit experience.

- Reflect on key emotional and leadership insights from the keynote

- Explore how vulnerability, empathy, and advocacy show up in your own leadership

- Make meaningful new connections across sectors

- Identify one personal leadership action you’ll take forward from today

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

In today’s evolving workplace, leaders face a critical challenge: how to cultivate trust while driving high performance and accountability, demanding a move away from micromanagement and toward empowerment. But how can leaders strike the right balance, ensuring teams feel supported without sacrificing results? This panel will explore the trust-performance paradox, diving into strategies for fostering a culture of autonomy, redefining productivity beyond outdated surveillance methods, and leading with confidence in an era of flexible work. Join us as industry experts share insights on building high-performing teams where trust and accountability go hand in hand.

- Learn how to build trust and maintain accountability 

- Find balance and build trust in your teams

- Create a culture of autonomy and accountability 

What happens when leaders embrace momentum over perfection, and progress over paralysis? In this session, Catherine Anderson will share how staying in motion however imperfectly has shaped her leadership journey. With a focus on collaboration, she’ll explore how talking through big decisions with trusted colleagues leads to clearer thinking and better outcomes. Through this session you will discover it’s not about doing it all flawlessly; it’s about doing it together, thoughtfully and consistently.

- Learn how to prioritise momentum without getting stuck in perfectionism

- Discover how collaboration and shared reflection can lead to better decision-making

- Gain insights on finding balance through your unique leadership journey

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

In our hyper-connected world, your personal brand is more than just a buzzword, it’s your leadership signature. But how do you craft a brand that reflects who you are while positioning yourself for the opportunities you deserve? This panel dives into the art of personal branding, not as a performance, but as a powerful tool for influence, connection, and impact. Hear from leaders who have carved out distinctive voices in their industries, and learn how to show up with confidence, communicate your value, and build a brand that opens doors without losing your authenticity.

- Learn how to define and communicate your leadership brand

- Build influence without compromising authenticity

- Navigate visibility, self-promotion, and impact with confidence

Great leadership isn’t defined by a single path, it's shaped through a collection of experiences. Join Angela Anthony, as she reflects on her journey across diverse industries and global organisations, sharing how each chapter has influenced and refined her leadership approach. With a focus on collaboration and curiosity, Angela will explore the true value of diversity, not just as an idea, but as a powerful driver of innovation, creativity, and team strength.

- Discover how diverse experience can strengthen leadership impact

- Learn why listening and understanding are underrated leadership superpowers

- Explore how a collaborative approach drives innovation and team performance

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

True leadership isn’t just about performance, it's about purpose. In this inspiring and actionable session, leadership expert; Amanda shares how reconnecting with your personal "why" can elevate your leadership and drive meaningful impact in your work. This session explores the intersection of purpose and performance, showing how aligning what matters most to you personally with your professional role creates the foundation for effective leadership and how the risks of misalignment can lead to burnout and disengagement.

- Learn how to lead with intention

- Understand how purpose protects against leadership fatigue

- Gain strategies to stay connected to your “why”

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!

How do you stay at the top when the world is watching and the pressure never lets up? For Jacqui Cooper, it wasn’t just about winning, it was about bouncing back. Again and again. Across a record-breaking 20-year career, Jacqui faced devastating injuries, intense scrutiny, and the relentless demands of elite sport. In this high-energy and deeply honest keynote, she shares what it takes to push beyond limits, reset after failure, and maintain excellence over time, lessons that translate powerfully into leadership, career longevity and personal growth.

- Reframing setbacks and failure as fuel for growth

- Cultivating a high-performance mindset in leadership

- How to lead with confidence, clarity and staying power

It’s easier for individuals and teams to focus on tasks that have tangible, measurable, and observable indicators. However, without attention to the way people interact, give and take, push and pull, talk and listen, question and answer, act and react, things inevitably fall apart. Small actions can impact our satisfaction and of the people around us. In this expert session learn how to navigate complexities, manage polarities, and work amidst uncertainty and change:

- Improve organisational culture

- Collaborate effectively with greater ambitions

- Implement solutions quickly and create healthier bottom lines

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

Technology isn’t coming, it’s already here, and it's rewriting the rulebook. If you think leadership is about playing it safe, think again. In a world reshaped by AI, automation and relentless disruption, leaders who hesitate risk becoming obsolete. The question isn't if you will change, it’s how fast you can adapt. This electrifying session dives into the future that’s already happening: how bold women in leadership are seizing the moment, harnessing technology and humanity to drive real change. Discover how the smartest leaders are building workplaces where innovation and inclusion aren’t buzzwords, they’re survival strategies.

- Lead through chaos with clarity, courage and real-world impact

- Build teams that don't just survive disruption they thrive because of it

- Learn from women rewriting the future, and why standing still is the biggest risk of all

When leadership roles are often predefined, what does it take to create your own? For Felicity Ross, the answer lies in courage and a commitment to staying true to yourself. In this inspiring session, Felicity reflects on her journey to a role that didn’t exist until she asked for it. With a career built on bold moves, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership, Felicity shares how she’s learned to back herself, seize opportunities, and build a career that aligns with her values and vision.

- Gaining the confidence to ask for what you want

- Identifying and chasing the opportunities that matter most

- Navigating growth with authenticity, even when the path isn’t clear

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

For Hannah Trimby, leadership begins with finding your voice and having the courage to use it a principle shaped by her career in complex, male-dominated industries. In this session, Hannah will explore the profound opportunities that come with leading in an era of rapid technological change. She’ll reflect on the importance of backing yourself, building confidence over time, and staying resilient when the path isn’t always clear. Drawing on her own leadership journey, Hannah will share honest insights and practical guidance to help participants navigate uncharted terrain, unlock their unique strengths, and lead with clarity. This is a conversation for women ready to harness their personal leadership brand, lead with authenticity, and create space for others to rise.

- Thriving as a woman in traditionally male-dominated spaces

- Adapting to change and redefining what leadership looks like today

- Unlocking your unique leadership strengths

When crises can emerge swiftly and unpredictably, the ability to remain steady within it becomes paramount. Join Ursula McGinnes, an executive with deep experience across both the public and private sectors, as she delves into the intricacies of leading amidst tension and uncertainty. In this keynote, Ursula will share insights from her extensive career, highlighting how intuitive leadership and a steadfast approach can guide teams through the most challenging situations.

- How to stay focused and strategic in high-pressure environments.

- Shift from reactive to proactive leadership under pressure

- Remain responsive when faced with challenges

What does it mean to lead not just for performance, but for purpose? For Angela Tatlis, leadership is about creating the conditions for everyone to thrive because when people grow, so does the whole organisation. In this thought-provoking keynote, Angela shares how her leadership philosophy is grounded in empowerment, systems thinking, and a deep commitment to collective success. With a strong focus on long-term impact over short-term wins, Angela explores how leaders can shift from managing parts to nurturing the whole.

- Empowering others to lead and succeed

- Creating aligned, purpose-driven teams

- Leading with intention to build organisations that last

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

From ideas to impact, an energising cross-sector wrap-up session weaving together top takeaways and sparking new collaborations. This interactive session brings speakers from all streams together to reflect, recharge, and reimagine what’s next for women in leadership.

- Reflect on your key learnings 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