18/05/2017
Printable agenda 
8:30 am - 9:00 amRegistration and Welcome Coffee
9:00 am - 9:15 amOpening Remarks from Forum Chair and Public Sector Network
Simon Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Cross Coaching & Development
9:15 am - 9:30 amDisrupting the status quo: Women Transforming Leadership
Professor Cobie J Rudd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Partnerships), Edith Cowan University
9:30 am - 10:00 amThe A to Z of Being Bold For Change
Joanne Abbiss, CEO, City Of Kwinana
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was #BeBoldForChange. Organizations and individuals around the world were called upon to take groundbreaking action that truly drives the greatest change for women to achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias; call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive flexible cultures. Each one of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence by taking bold pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity but it must start with each one of us being #BeBoldForYou. Joanne explores she has been bold for change in her personal and career journey.
10:00 am - 10:30 amUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) – Gender Equality
Louise Giolitto, CEO, WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS)
While the world has achieved progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment under the Millennium Development Goals (including equal access to primary education between girls and boys), women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large.  Louise is the CEO of WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS), committed to influencing and shaping policy to benefit those who are experiencing disadvantage and poverty. Louise is part of numerous committees and is dedicated working at driving policy that will improve the lives of women, children and equality. More Australian women today have higher qualifications and are making progress in the workplace, but we still have a fair way to go when it comes to women in leadership and closing the Gender Gap.  And the gender divide for women and girls in regional Western Australian is even wider.   Louise’s presentation will demonstrate the links between all SDG’s to close the gender gap, the gap that exist in Australia, and showcase some excellent initiatives underway across our nation to close the Gender Gap. The presentation will also highlight what supports do women need to participate more fully and what actions must be taken to end all forms of violence against women. Fundamental to ending violence against women is eradicating sexist’s attitudes and behaviours.
10:30 am - 11:00 am21st Century Women Leadership: Why Innovation and Creativity Matters
Marion Burchell, Executive Director Policy and Governance; Innovation, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer
11:00 am - 11:30 amMorning Tea & Networking Break
11:30 am - 12:00 pmGender Diversity Needs a Mixed Team Playing on a United Front!
Lyn Hawkins, Director, Business Women Australia
12:00 pm - 12:55 pmPANEL DISCUSSION: What will we need from our Future Leaders in an Uncertain and Changing World?
Lucy Gunn, Executive Director Accountable Government, Department of Aboriginal Affairs
Melanie Strawbrige, Director Land and Water Assessment, Department of Agriculture and Food
Ms Stephanie Underwood, Director Strategic Program Office, Department of Fire and Emergency Services
  • What challenges do women and leaders face in the years to come?
  • How can we adapt as leaders to the changing needs of our staff?
  • Do we as leaders need to be tech savvy to ensure we match the needs of the future? If so, how can we do it?
  • Does our education need to change, or are we ok the way we are?
  • How do we manage the future of the workforce and workplace effectively? Does there need to be a paradigm shift to the way that
  • we work? Or is this something for Silicon Valley and all the technology companies
  • How can we ensure that we effectively nurture the next generation of leaders, and continually drive forward diversity in the workplace?
12:55 pm - 1:00 pmClose from Chair
1:00 pm - 2:00 pmNetworking Lunch
2:00 pm - 2:00 pmWorkshops Begin

Afternoon workshops are separately bookable from the half day conference. To attend the afternoon sessions you must purchase a Full day conference pass.


2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Interactive Discussion group: Developing Your Personal Brand & Creating Presence and Authenticity in Communications to Influence
3:00 pm - 3:15 pmNetworking Break
3:15 pm - 5:00 pmInteractive Discussion group: Unlocking your Leadership Potential
5:00 pm - 5:00 pmConference Ends