An International Women's Day event

THE 2026 AGENDA

Evolving your career is no longer an option, it's a necessity. It ensures relevance, enhances earning potential and provides the agility to foster greater agency in your career. In 2026, the FW Leadership Summit will unlock new ways to future proof your career. You’ll be inspired by incredible speakers and spark meaningful connections with people across industries and sectors. 

Thursday, March 12, 2026
9:00 AM

Head to the registration desk to pick up your lanyard, then make sure to grab a coffee or tea and network with other attendees before heading into the ballroom

10:00 AM

With Maddy Lawson a proud Aboriginal woman from Quirindi and Ngemba Country. 

Maddy Lawson
10:10 AM

Welcome to the FW Leadership Summit 2026 with Journalist and Presenter Leila McKinnon

Leila McKinnon
10:20 AM

We are living through the most significant technological shift of our careers - and possibly our lifetimes. In this opening keynote, FW's Digital Director Mel Lee brings the audience up to speed on the rapidly evolving AI landscape and what is means for women who work and women who want to work. 

Mel Lee
10:50 AM

Take a moment to get to know the people around you. 

Leila McKinnon
11:05 AM

The must-attend session with identify the jobs and skills needed to future proof your career. You will learn about the best ways to remain employable and the practical actions you can take to avoid being left behind. 

Mel Lee Kimberley Hubble Cliff Bingham Stefan Hajkowicz PhD
11:40 AM

When Nathalie McNeil started her career as a pharmacist, she witnessed sick patients missing out on life because crucial medicines did not yet exist. Incredible advancements have been made since then, but too many Australians are still missing out. This speech explores the intersection of health, gender and career choices, and it looks at how individuals can create meaningful change.

Nathalie McNeil

11:50 AM

Four leaders reflect on the events that have transformed the industries they work in as well as their personal leadership style. They'll also look ahead to the big changes that promise to upend our working lives.  

Krissy Barrett APM Dr Simon Longstaff AO FCPA

12:15 PM
 
1:15 PM

Hear how some of Australia's most influential leaders are thinking about the impact of AI on their lives, the teams the lead and the country they shape. 

Leila McKinnon Dr Angela Jackson Susan Woods Rowena Westphalen

2:10 PM

From passive aggressive emails to a 'not my job' mentality, these are the corporate habits that might seem small but can creep up and create a toxic company culture. This panel will help you identify workplace culture killers and give you the tools to set about eliminating them. 

Leila McKinnon Anja Christoffersen Michelle Wood Aubrey Blanche Ruby Leahy Gatfield

2:45 PM

Jamila Rizvi Rosie Waterland

3:05 PM

If you don't laugh, you cry. These speakers tell their story of giving something a go, perseverance and arriving at their destination - despite a wrong turn (or five!) along the way. 

Marjorie Anderson Astrid Edwards Susan Pearce AM

3:30 PM

Reflect on what you’ve heard, learned and discussed and look forward to day two with FW's Managing Director, Helen McCabe. 

Helen McCabe

Friday, March 13, 2026
8:45 AM

Make sure to bring your lanyard for Day 2. If you didn't pick up you lanyard yesterday please visit the registration desk. Afterward, enjoy some coffee or tea and take the opportunity to network with fellow attendees before we move into the ballroom.

9:30 AM
 
9:40 AM

Welcome to the FW Leadership Summit 2025 with FW's Commercial Director Dymphna James Scott. 

Dymphna James Scott
9:50 AM

Chairman of Quantium, Peter Tonagh will speak about AI's real world impacts, its risk and role. Impact of AI on business - at home and abroad. 

Peter Tonagh

10:30 AM
Peter Tonagh Alastair MacGibbon
10:40 AM
 
11:00 AM

Sometimes a set back can help you to refocus and reframe. These speakers share what they've learned from those times from when it all goes terribly wrong and how they set about rebuilding their careers. 

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Dr Kirsten Banks Cherie Clonan Kylie Watson Terese Edwards

11:35 AM

If you're feeling stuck in your career, this panel will help shake things up. These speakers share the simple steps that can shift your career trajectory as well as the best ways to boost your leadership potential. 

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Sarah Rowley Ruby Riethmuller Dr Kate Mason

12:00 PM

Nathalie McNeil Jamila RizviHelen McCabe

12:20 PM
 
1:15 PM

From hiring tools to healthcare algorithms, emerging technology is quietly reinforcing old biases in new ways, putting gender equity at risk just when progress was beginning to accelerate. But AI also holds incredible potential to unlock new opportunities for women by removing barriers, amplifying underrepresented voices and reshaping access to work, leadership and services. Jamila Rizvi lays down the challenge to finally balance the gender scales by ensuring the systems of tomorrow are designed with everyone in mind. 

Jamila Rizvi
1:45 PM
Jamila Rizvi Caroline Wall Annabelle Daniel OAM
1:55 PM

This sessions examines how to recover from redundancy, toxic workplaces and what it means to feel psychologically safe. 

Mary CoustasVictoria Buchan

2:35 PM

These remarkable First Nations women reflect on the theme of the summit 'evolve'. They'll look back on pivotal moments that have shaped the leaders they are today and share what brings them hope for the future. 

Rachelle Towart OAM Sharon Winsor Mikaela Jade FTSE Dr Casey Sullivan

3:10 PM

We award FW’s Mentor Of The Year and our Trailblazer, an extraordinary woman who has made history in her field, paving the way for others to succeed. 

3:25 PM

Closing remarks on FW Leadership Summit with FW's Founder and Managing Director, Helen McCabe.

Helen McCabe
Time Zone: (UTC+11:00) Sydney [Change Time Zone]
Thursday, March 12, 2026
9:00 AM

Fix yourself a cuppa, be sure to have a notebook handy and settle in.

9:50 AM

Welcome back to the FW Leadership Summit with virtual MC Alice Monfries.

Alice Monfries
10:00 AM

With Maddy Lawson a proud Aboriginal woman from Quirindi and Ngemba Country. 

Maddy Lawson
10:20 AM

We are living through the most significant technological shift of our careers - and possibly our lifetimes. In this opening keynote, FW's Digital Director Mel Lee brings the audience up to speed on the rapidly evolving AI landscape and what is means for women who work and women who want to work. 

Mel Lee
11:05 AM

The must-attend session with identify the jobs and skills needed to future proof your career. You will learn about the best ways to remain employable and the practical actions you can take to avoid being left behind. 

Mel Lee Kimberley Hubble Cliff Bingham Stefan Hajkowicz PhD
11:40 AM

When Nathalie McNeil started her career as a pharmacist, she witnessed sick patients missing out on life because crucial medicines did not yet exist. Incredible advancements have been made since then, but too many Australians are still missing out. This speech explores the intersection of health, gender and career choices, and it looks at how individuals can create meaningful change.

Nathalie McNeil

11:50 AM

Four leaders reflect on the events that have transformed the industries they work in as well as their personal leadership style. They'll also look ahead to the big changes that promise to upend our working lives.  

Krissy Barrett APM Dr Simon Longstaff AO FCPA

12:15 PM

Alice MonfriesBelinda Casselden

 
12:20 PM

Make yourself a sandwich, top up your glass of water and join a virtual networking breakout room during lunch. Networking opportunities are made available via Zoom. Please see the FAQs to test your device set up in advance.

1:15 PM

Hear how some of Australia's most influential leaders are thinking about the impact of AI on their lives, the teams the lead and the country they shape. 

Leila McKinnon Dr Angela Jackson Susan Woods Rowena Westphalen

2:10 PM

From passive aggressive emails to a 'not my job' mentality, these are the corporate habits that might seem small but can creep up and create a toxic company culture. This panel will help you identify workplace culture killers and give you the tools to set about eliminating them. 

Leila McKinnon Anja Christoffersen Michelle Wood Aubrey Blanche Ruby Leahy Gatfield

2:45 PM

Jamila Rizvi Rosie Waterland

3:30 PM

Reflect on what you’ve heard, learned and discussed and look forward to day two with FW's Managing Director, Helen McCabe. 

Helen McCabe

Make yourself a sandwich, top up your glass of water and join a virtual networking breakout room during lunch. Networking opportunities are made available via Zoom. Please see the FAQs to test your device set up in advance.

Friday, March 13, 2026
8:45 AM

Fix yourself a cuppa, be sure to have a notebook handy and settle in for Day 2. 

9:20 AM

Welcome back to the FW Leadership Summit with virtual MC Rumali Kularatne. 

Rumali Kularatne
9:30 AM
 
9:50 AM

Chairman of Quantium, Peter Tonagh will speak about AI's real world impacts, its risk and role. Impact of AI on business - at home and abroad. 

Peter Tonagh

10:30 AM
Peter Tonagh Alastair MacGibbon
10:40 AM
 
11:00 AM

Sometimes a set back can help you to refocus and reframe. These speakers share what they've learned from those times from when it all goes terribly wrong and how they set about rebuilding their careers. 

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Dr Kirsten Banks Cherie Clonan Kylie Watson Terese Edwards

11:35 AM

If you're feeling stuck in your career, this panel will help shake things up. These speakers share the simple steps that can shift your career trajectory as well as the best ways to boost your leadership potential. 

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Sarah Rowley Ruby Riethmuller Dr Kate Mason

12:00 PM

Nathalie McNeil Jamila RizviHelen McCabe

12:20 PM

Make yourself a sandwich, top up your glass of water and join a virtual networking breakout room during lunch. Networking opportunities are made available via Zoom. Please see the FAQs to test your device set up in advance.

 
1:10 PM

Rumali Kularatne

1:15 PM
 

From hiring tools to healthcare algorithms, emerging technology is quietly reinforcing old biases in new ways, putting gender equity at risk just when progress was beginning to accelerate. But AI also holds incredible potential to unlock new opportunities for women by removing barriers, amplifying underrepresented voices and reshaping access to work, leadership and services. Jamila Rizvi lays down the challenge to finally balance the gender scales by ensuring the systems of tomorrow are designed with everyone in mind. 

Jamila Rizvi
1:45 PM
Jamila Rizvi Caroline Wall Annabelle Daniel OAM
1:55 PM

This sessions examines how to recover from redundancy, toxic workplaces and what it means to feel psychologically safe. 

Mary CoustasVictoria Buchan

2:35 PM

These remarkable First Nations women reflect on the theme of the summit 'evolve'. They'll look back on pivotal moments that have shaped the leaders they are today and share what brings them hope for the future. 

Rachelle Towart OAM Sharon Winsor Mikaela Jade FTSE Dr Casey Sullivan

3:10 PM

We award FW’s Mentor Of The Year and our Trailblazer, an extraordinary woman who has made history in her field, paving the way for others to succeed. 

3:25 PM

Closing remarks on FW Leadership Summit with FW's Founder and Managing Director, Helen McCabe.

Helen McCabe
Time Zone: (UTC+11:00) Sydney [Change Time Zone]