Women in Leadership Summit 2025

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 today’s world where systems fracture without warning, anxiety stifles clarity, and challenges defy predictable patterns, care-driven leadership becomes the North Star. In this session, Shez explores ways to transform fragility into resilience, replace paralysis with purpose, and decode chaos into strategy. Discover how leading with candor, critical thinking, and empathy can turn overwhelming disruption into opportunity, ensuring AI and other “disruptors” are used to empower teams and humanise progress in a world where certainty is extinct.

- Stabilise teams amid unexpected breakdowns

- Combat decision paralysis with transparent communication

- Master non-linear adaptive challenges by fostering cultures where curiosity and critical thinking thrive

After gaining experience at a global company, Larissa made a bold move into a small business to gain a different perspective. The shift brought proximity to people, purpose, and decision-making she hadn’t seen at scale. Navigating new environments, she’s learned that trust is foundational and being intentional about where, how, and with whom you build your career can shape not just outcomes, but impact.

- From scale to intimacy: shifting from global to small business

- Trust as strategy in navigating career moves

- Intentional placement to build influence and momentum

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trust-performance paradox, diving into strategies for fostering a culture of autonomy, redefining productivity beyond outdated surveillance methods, and leading with confidence in an era of flexible work.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

Innovation doesn’t only happen in start-ups. In large, established organisations, it takes entrepreneurial leadership to challenge the status quo and turn ideas into action. In this session, Chanchala shares how she brings an innovation mindset to a corporate environment, spotting opportunities, building momentum around new ideas, and executing change without waiting for perfect conditions. She’ll discuss what it takes to back your vision, test and learn along the way, to deliver value in systems that aren’t always built for speed.

- How to apply entrepreneurial thinking to drive innovation from within

- Tactics for testing ideas and gaining support in structured environments

- How to keep momentum when things get stuck

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!

Michelle's early career success came from experience and hard work, but she soon learned that climbing higher required more than results. It meant building relationships, finding backers, and being visible beyond her immediate role. She shifted from relying on her work to speak for itself to actively investing in a strong internal and external network. That network not only helped her grow but gave her the platform to support others in return. She’ll show you why who you know, and who knows you, matters more than ever.

- Early promotions come from performance but future growth needs champions

- Know which relationships will move you forward and invest early

- Your network is a long-term asset, build it with care and authenticity

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.

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

 As AI agents, automation, and digital co-workers become embedded in the workplace, the role of the leader is undergoing its most radical shift yet. What happens when your team isn’t made up of people - but of technologies that mimic human decision-making and cognitive abilities? In this session, Hannah Trimby explores the rise of digital labour and what it means for the future of leadership. She’ll explore the concept of the AI-Augmented Superleader - a leader equipped not just to manage people, but to orchestrate human-machine collaboration at scale. Drawing on her work in enterprise technology and AI strategy, Hannah will uncover the skills leaders and organisations will need to thrive in this new reality - from ethical judgment, systems thinking, and emotional intelligence to digital literacy and strategic foresight.

- Understand the changing nature of leadership in AI-enabled workplaces

- Build influence and impact across human and non-human teams

- Lead with clarity, adaptability, and authenticity in a world of exponential change

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 everyone 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

We wrap up our inspirational and jam packed two days with this interactive closing round table. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Reflecting on the inspiring stories that have been shared, discussing your key learnings with your peers, and creating your action plan for moving forward.

- 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