Women in Leadership Summit 2025

AI: Demystified

- What AI actually is (and what it’s not)

- Understanding the difference between traditional AI and GenAI

- Busting the biggest myths - no tech background needed

Productivity Hacks and Smart Tools: Supercharge Your Work with AI

- Hands-on demos and practical tools that can save you hours every week

- AI-powered apps for writing, summarising, analysing and decision-making

- Boost your visibility, performance and professional brand using AI in your role

- Learn the tools your team is already quietly using, and how to lead from the front

From Awareness to Action: Making AI Part of Your Leadership Toolkit

- Identify where AI can support or streamline your current role

- Build a simple, personal roadmap to explore AI use safely and ethically

- See how other leaders and organisations are using AI to drive results

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.

What does it take to truly be seen and heard in leadership? For Danni, the journey hasn’t always been easy but each challenge shaped her into the leader she is today. Now leading a high-impact portfolio at Optus, Danni is using her platform to elevate women’s voices and build spaces where diverse talent can thrive. In this session, she shares her personal story and how every leader, no matter their level can influence culture, create visibility, and drive meaningful change.

- Learn practical ways to advocate for women’s visibility and influence

- Understand how personal challenges can fuel a purpose-driven leadership style

- Explore how to lead inclusively and influence change no matter your role or level

Over the past decade we have seen a real shift in gender equity in the workplace, however there is still a long way to go. We dream of the day when we can look back on this topic as a win in the history books. But for now, we must support each other and pave the way for the next generation of female leaders to make sure they have it better than those before us. In this session Peggy shares her passion for developing other leaders, particularly women in STEM.

- Identify ways to support other women in your vicinity

- Be the change you want to see

- Inspire the next generation of leaders in your world

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

Many women enter leadership with drive and a strong work ethic but navigating organisational culture can be just as challenging as the role itself. In this session, Loshana shares how she moved through those moments with purpose. She let go of perfection and focused on creating space for others to grow. “You’ve got to be hardworking, resilient, and flexible in your approach,” she says. That means having a plan B (and C), understanding what motivates your stakeholders to building strong, lasting relationships.

- Shifting from perfectionism to practical, people-focused leadership

- Why great mentors, and becoming one can shape your journey

- Leading with confidence, flexibility, and authenticity

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

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

Empathy, vulnerability, and deep listening were once seen as ‘nice to have’ now, they’re reshaping what leadership looks like. As organisations prioritise authenticity, and people-first culture, these so-called soft skills are proving to be serious power moves. In this panel, hear from leaders who are using emotional intelligence to influence outcomes, build high-performing teams, and challenge traditional leadership norms. Discover why relational leadership isn’t a weakness, it’s a competitive advantage.

- Using emotional intelligence as influence

- Vulnerability as a leadership strength

- Deep listening and psychological safety as culture-shifters

As leaders we are continuously looking for ways to improve, better understand our teams, and increase engagement. By understanding the principles of behavioural science, leaders can create environments that foster employee success, productivity, and satisfaction. In this expert session, Leanne Elich unpacks the key biases of behavioural science that you can use to enhance your leadership skills. 

- Uncover tools and strategies to overcome barriers through the lens of behavioural science

- Explore employee motivations and help your team reach self-actualisation

- Develop habits that put trust and psychological safety at the core of leading

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

Kate didn’t have it all mapped out starting her career, she followed opportunities that felt aligned with her values. Now part of a senior leadership team in a sector where women make up 64% of the workforce and lead the way in pay equity, Kate shares how purpose, patience, and strategic sideways moves helped shape a fulfilling leadership journey.

- Leading with values in sectors that make a difference

- Rethinking career timelines and taking the long view

- Finding growth in every step of your career journey

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!

Ever heard the saying, "People don't remember what you say; they remember how you make them feel"? When it comes to leadership, emotional intelligence is the key to creating an environment where your team feels truly valued and supported. In this session, Erika shares her wisdom on harnessing emotional intelligence to build a workplace that inspires growth and connection.

- Lead your team with a people-focused, emotionally intelligent approach

- Learn effective ways to communicate your company’s culture through empathy and understanding

- Define your vision for an ideal workplace grounded in Emotional Intelligence principles

How do you turn a bold digital inclusion strategy into real-world change? In this session, Rania shares how her experience leading in complex, high-stakes environments helped bring together government, industry, and community to launch NSW’s first whole-of-government Digital Inclusion Strategy. With a deep focus on collaboration and customer-centric thinking, Rania unpacks what it takes to lead transformation that’s both inclusive and actionable.

- Navigate complexity to lead with clarity and purpose

- Champion inclusion with stakeholders

- Drive cross-sector outcomes through trust and strategic alignment

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

Courage is as much about vulnerability as it is about strength. Courageous leaders are open and humble, and willing to admit they don’t have all the answers, but they can also inspire their teams to new heights of high performance. Join Sheila as she shares practical, courageous steps to drive a culture of excellence in your team.

- Embrace honest truths and challenge the status quo

- Recognise that significant changes come from small actions

- Create high performance within your organisation

In leadership, we’re often called to lead through complexity and uncertainty while keeping our teams motivated and connected. In this empowering session, Sushma shares her tried-and-true approach to leading with clarity and purpose. Discover how creating a shared vision not only supports your team through change but unlocks new opportunities for collaboration.

- Lead with transparency to build trust and resilience

- Inspire a collective vision that empowers others to embrace change

- Turn moments of uncertainty into opportunities for innovation and progress

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

You’re meeting every deadline, leading with competence, staying composed and quietly running on empty. High-functioning burnout is hard to spot because from the outside, everything looks fine. But beneath the surface, it’s taking a toll on your energy. This conversation brings burnout out of the shadows. It’s not about weakness, it's about how achievement can sometimes mask exhaustion, and what it really takes to recover without losing your edge.

- Recognising the warning signs in yourself and others

- How workplace culture contributes and how it can shift

- Unlearning perfectionism as a leadership strategy

When everything feels urgent, how do you make space for what’s important? Susan shares how to zoom out, lead with intention, and make decisions that matter five years from now, not just tomorrow. Drawing on her role in delivering the University of Sydney’s 2032 Strategy, she explores how to lead with clarity in complex, time-constrained environments.

- Delivering strategy even when your calendar is full

- Making values-based decisions under pressure

- Communicating long-term vision to motivate your team today

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

As Chief Customer Officer for Zurich, Annmaree has led major transformation programs by putting customer needs at the centre of strategy and culture. With over 20 years’ experience in change and project management, she brings deep insight into leading through complexity in highly regulated environments. In this session, she shares how to influence across a global business, embed customer-first thinking, and lead with clarity and empathy.

- Embedding customer-first thinking across teams

- Leading large-scale change with clarity and empathy

- Building influence and alignment in complex environments

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

Liquid Learning’s inaugural Women in Leadership Awards celebrates the achievements of trailblazing women who are driving change, breaking barriers, and redefining leadership across industries.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we come together for an exclusive gala event on 19th November to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Australia’s most inspiring women in leadership.