
SUMMIT AGENDA
Day 1 | Wednesday, 16 October 2024
7:50
Registration and Morning Refreshments
8:30
Welcome to Country
8:40
Welcome Address from the Women Leaders Institute
8:50
Chairperson’s Opening Address

Kate Jones, Executive Director, Tech Council of Australia; Advisor - Strategy and Engagement, Soda
THE FUTURE OF TECH
9:00
International Keynote: Charting Tomorrow's Tech: Harnessing Opportunities for Leadership Growth and Innovation
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Understanding the emerging trends and predictions across the tech and IT sector
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Future-Focused Leadership: Capitalising on the opportunities for leadership development
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Strategies for driving innovation and resilience during industry-wide disruptions?
9:30
Keynote Panel: Building Stronger Tech Teams and Organisations
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Navigating uncertainty to support teams through challenges and foster a culture of adaptability
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How to make strategic, agile decisions while practicing empathetic leadership?
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Preparing businesses for cyber, data and AI: How to best equip and upskill your teams to use these as tools?
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Understanding the impact of global tech trends on Australian workplaces and how to adapt effectively.




Claire Southey, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Rokt
Suzanne Hall, Chief Information Officer, Baptcare; CIO50 2023 Award Winner
John Paitaridis, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, CyberCX
Dr Eva Balan-Vnuk, Chief Information Officer, Department of Treasury and Finance, South Australia; Founder & Company Secretary, HerTech Path
10:20
Networking Activity: Get to know your fellow attendees
10:40
Morning Tea
MENTORSHIP & SPONSORSHIP
11:10
Golden Ticket: Stand a chance to win one of our mystery prizes
11:20
Empowered Leadership Panel: Chartering Career Paths & Facilitating Leadership Opportunities
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Recognising and supporting the diverse needs of your employees, including neurodiversity
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Developing career and leadership pathways for women at all life stages, including career breaks, for working mothers and parents returning to work
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Maximising Potential: Unleashing the power of mentorship and sponsorship for diverse talent in tech
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Balancing Growth and Performance: Strategies for continuous learning and upskilling without compromising productivity





Moderator: Alice Young, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, TA, Atlassian
Shreya Sethi, Global President, Salesforce Women's Network | Regional VP Sales of Tableau Financial Services, Salesforce
April Lea, Founder, The Neurodiversity Network; Head of Product, REA Group
Katische Vinning, Chief Information Officer, Defence Housing Australia
Miranda Ratajski, Chief Information Officer, Group Business Units, Westpac
12:00
Keynote: Empower, Elevate, Excel: Supporting Women in IT
Hear Microsoft ANZ’s story to attract, develop and support all women in the workplace including leadership principles, policies and benefits, employee resource group programs, mentoring and leadership development programs, and community/industry engagement.

Gael McLennan, Chief Financial Officer, Australia and New Zealand, Microsoft
12:30
Networking Lunch
NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY & CHANGE
1:30
Trivia
1:40
Mini Workshops
Delegates will be able to participate in two mini-workshops. Each workshop will run for 40 minutes



A: From Tech Expert to Strategic Business Leader: Building Business Acumen and Leadership Presence for C-Suite Success
Address the next steps to enhance your business acumen and develop an executive presence. Position yourself for success in senior leadership roles by understanding business architecture and building your strategic thinking and leadership agility.
Lisa Hilton, Group CTO & APAC CIO, Cover-More Group
B: Strategic Decision-Making for Tech Leaders
Explore ways to enhance your strategic decision-making as a tech leader, including leveraging technology for organisational success, assessing risks, and prioritising tech investments effectively. Evaluate emerging technologies including AI and machine learning for business impact.
Ursula Phillips, CEO and Founder, Batea
C: Building High Performing Hybrid Teams
Discover ways to effectively monitor the performance of hybrid or remote teams. Learn how to develop tools and implement best practices to manage poor performers and effectively motivate your teams.
Angela Anthony, Executive General Manager IT & Digital, DuluxGroup
3:10
Afternoon Tea
FROM CHAOS TO CATALYST: LEVERAGING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF
3:40

Keynote: Leveraging Your Authentic Self to Redefine Leadership
Ellie Cole AM, Most Decorated Australian Female Paralympian of all Time
4:30
Chairperson’s Closing Address
4:40
Cocktail Party and End of Summit Day One
Day 2 | Thursday, 17 October 2024
8:30
Registration and Morning Refreshments
Welcome Address from the Women Leaders Institute
9:00
Chairperson’s Opening Address

Tara Searle, President, WIC - Women in ICT
*Bring along an ally for morning block of sessions (up until morning tea)*
CULTIVATING AN INCLUSIVE & RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE CULTURE
9:00
CEO Panel: The Next Steps in Cultivating an Inclusive, Respectful Workplace Culture
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Navigating the complexities of cross-cultural boundaries, nuances, and sensitivities
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Cultivating an inclusive, respectful culture where employees can bring their whole selves to work
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Equipping your leadership pipeline with the resources and space to build inclusive teams





Cynthia Scott, Group CEO & Managing Director, Zip Co
Melinda Petrunoff, Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Pinterest
Joseph Lyons, Chief Executive Officer, ELMO Software
Paul Barlow, Managing Director, carsales
Brian Maher, Chief Executive Officer, Aussie Broadband
10:10
Interactive Session: Allyship in Action
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The importance of sponsorship in advancing diverse talent and improving the visibility of women in tech leadership
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Developing active mindfulness in allies to build understanding of DEI challenges and experiences
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Addressing institutional and unconscious bias by asking questions and raising awareness when issues arise
Reserved
10:40
Lightning Address
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Christine Khor, CEO and Founder, Peeplcoach
10:50
Morning Tea
MENTAL HEALTH & RESILIENCE
11:20
Trivia
11:30
Keynote: Leading with Clarity: Setting Boundaries and Embracing Vulnerability
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How to define, communicate and establish your professional and personal boundaries?
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Discover how use vulnerability as a strength to build trust and improve team dynamics
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Cultivating Self-Reliance in Decision-Making: Explore strategies for confidently making tough choices on your own
Reserved
12:00
Entrepreneur Panel: Innovative Leadership Strategies for Cost Optimisation
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Doing more with less: Recognising and addressing the current pressures and constraints in tech
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Learn innovative leadership approaches to optimise costs, drive operational efficiency, and empowering teams through adversity
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What leadership lessons have you learned from your entrepreneurial journey?



(Moderator) Sian Priest, Director of Communications & Community, Cicada Innovations
Alison Harrington, CEO & Founder, Resparke
Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann, Managing Director, ATech; Vice Chair of QLD Branch Executive Committee, ACS (Australian Computer Society)
12:40
Networking Lunch
CHARTERING YOUR GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
1:40
Prize Draw
1:50
Introduction to the How-to Leadership Toolkit
2:00
How-to Leadership Toolkit
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in two sessions. Each session will run for 30 minutes





A: How to develop the confidence to speak up and effectively communicate during meetings or difficult conversations?
Bianca Wirth, Chief Information Security Officer | Director - Emerging Technology, NSW Department of Planning and Environment
B: How to address imposterism to boost self-esteem and confidently take charge of your professional and personal life?
Sanaz Bassiri, Head of Change & Transformation | Co-Chair of Nine's Women in Tech, Nine
C: How to proactively pursue opportunities and lay the groundwork for achieving your goals effectively?
Ruth Santangelo, Director - Data, Digital and Automation, Optus
D: How to develop your emotional intelligence to build strong relationships and navigate challenging conversations with your team?
Jennifer Firbank, Cyber Security Strategy & Influence Principal, Telstra
E: How to address sensitive issues in the workplace to create a support and inclusive workplace culture?
Representative, Avanade Australia
F: How to build your network and make meaningful connections to advance your career?
Melanie Evans, Group Executive, Digital Services, Ventia
3:10
Afternoon Tea
DEFINING YOUR PURPOSE & TAKING INTENTIONAL ACTION
3:40
Interactive Mini Workshop: Breaking Codes, Shattering Ceilings: Redefining Leadership through your Unique Purpose and Strengths
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Defining your unique purpose, values, and passions as a leader
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The importance of strengths-based leadership for continuous development: leaning into your strengths and determining areas for growth
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Empowerment through Intention: Mapping out milestones to confidently achieve your goals
