top of page

Agenda

Day One | Wednesday | 12 March

7:50

Registration and Morning Refreshments 

8:30

Welcome to Country

8:40

Women Leaders Institute Welcome Address

8:50

Chairperson's Opening Address 

Dr Catherine Ball, PhD, Associate Professor, Author, Entrepreneur, Scientific Futurist, and Visioneer

 FUTURE READY LEADERSHIP – DRIVING INNOVATION IN STEMM 

9:00

Opening Keynote: A future-focused approach to drive systemic change

  • How is the government supporting women in STEMM careers as they transition from study into work?

  • Creating workforce cultures that support diverse experiences and lifepaths

  • Encouraging systemic change within STEMM sectors through long term scalable funding


Dr Janin Bredehoeft, Chief Executive Officer, SAGE

9:30

Panel: Agile leadership and decision making in STEMM   

  • Enhancing decisions making skills in fast-paced and competitive STEMM environments

  • Steps to managing competing priorities to maintain focus in leadership roles

  • Making data-driven decisions to create a supportive and inclusive culture


Moderator: Dr Rebecca Casson, Chairperson, Building Industry Consultative Council, Independent Director, Infrastructure Victoria

Shaun Jenkinson, Chief Executive Officer, ANSTO

Ruth Bishop, Director - Technology and Compliance, Aspen Medical

William Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Aurecon

Megan Astle, Deputy Director, Health and Biosecurity Research, CSIRO

10:10

National Breast Cancer Foundation Presentation

Dr Julie Demetriou will share her personal journey to leading the way for Women in STEMM and Penny Waitsman will offer insights about leadership, driving change within the community and how together we can change women’s lives.


Dr Julie Ince-Demetriou, Executive Director of Research, National Breast Cancer Foundation

Penny Waitsman, General Manager Philanthropy and Partnerships, National Breast Cancer Foundation

10:40

Networking Activity: Get to know your fellow attendees!

11:00

Morning Tea  

ENGAGEMENT, RETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT 

11:30

Golden Ticket 

11:35

Case Study: Empower, elevate, excel: Supporting women in IT

  • Developing the women in your business through mentoring and effective leadership programs

  • Attracting top female talent through forward-thinking policies and benefits


Gael McLennan, Chief Financial Officer, Australia and New Zealand, Microsoft

12:05

Panel: Career changes and transitions: The value of STEMM skills in leadership

  • Understanding the value of transferrable STEMM skills in leadership roles

  • Evaluating different pathways to grow and develop your career

  • When to implement a mentoring vs sponsorship program and why you should incorporate both


Moderator: Alison Every, Director, STEM Careers, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Belinda Nation, Chief Architect, Optus IT

Michelle Batsas, Executive Director Government and Stakeholder Relations, Yarra Trams

Katrina Schwetz, Head of Retail and Supply Chain Management (ANZ), Enterprise Support, Amazon Web Services

12:45

Networking Lunch 

BUILDING YOUR LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT 

1:45

Trivia 

1:50

Leadership Lightning Talk: Redefining your leadership path in STEMM environments 

  • Leveraging career pivots as opportunities for growth and innovation

  • Strategies for redefining leadership styles to overcome traditional barriers in male-dominated sectors.

  • Recommendations from the top to elevate your leadership journey


Mary-Beth Hosking, Chief Executive Officer, Women 4 STEM

2:10

Introduction to the "How-To Leadership Toolkit" sessions

Join our "How-To Leadership Toolkit" sessions for two focused 30-minute sessions. Bring your questions and leave with actionable strategies as you'll work with seasoned leaders and peers to tackle key leadership challenges.

2:15

"How-To Leadership Toolkit" sessions 

Personal Leadership:


  • Accelerate workplace promotion: Building a personal brand for unconventional leadership

Dr Morley Muse, Co-founder, iSTEM Co-Chair, Science Technology Australia EDI Committee


  • How to lead with purpose and vision to inspire and motivate others?

Vanessa Xavier, Head of Market Access, Sanofi


Team Leadership

  • How to address sensitive issues in the workplace to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture?

Claire Singleton, Director, BBD Consultancy

3:20

Afternoon Tea 

BREAKING BARRIERS AND EMPOWERING FUTURE LEADERS 

3:50

Fireside chat: Practical advice for mentorship in STEMM 

  • The value of a supportive mentorship in fostering confidence and championing equity

  • Develop your own mentorship skills to support newer graduates and employees

  • Fostering a culture which supports and values mentorship to see lasting improvements


Moderator: Vivian Wong, Country Manager, Amplitude

Associate Professor Natalie Yang, Medical Director, Department of Radiology, Chair of the Senior Medical Staff Association, Austin Health

Vanessa Riley, Chief People Officer, Richard Crookes Constructions

4:30

Chairperson’s Closing Address

4:40

Networking Drinks and End of Summit Day One 

CONTACT US

Level 12, 2 Bulletin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000

E: info@womenleadersinstitute.com 

Tel: +61 2 8378 4334

  • LinkedIn
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon

The Women Leaders Institute acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
© 2025 Women Leaders institute. All rights reserved.

bottom of page