WA Women in Leadership Summit 2025

Critical thinking and problem solving as a key priority

- Review the current context and landscape for problem-solving 

- How critical thinking provides the necessary lens to frame problems rationally and produce evidence-based solutions

- How problem-solving ability could drive your career advancement

Problem-solving methods and key tools

- Reviewing common types of problems

- Root cause analysis - getting to the heart of the problem

- Explore how Systems Thinking is applied to provide clarity around root causes, interdependencies, possible constraints and outcomes

- Creating a process map or mind map to provide clarity around the problem

- Creative problem-solving techniques and activities 

mplementation: Problem-solving in action

- View problem-solving as a systematic process and use critical thinking at each step:

- Analyse variables, identify root causes, and understand interdependencies

- Design possible solutions, explore opportunities, and consider different actions

- Decide on the implementation plan

- Monitor progress, learn from results, and evaluate effectiveness

Enhancing your critical thinking skills

- Wrap up discussion on key themes

- What will you do differently as a result of this program?

- Develop your action plan to implement on your return to

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.

As a leader, navigating your own change and transformation is only part of the journey, you also need to guide your team through it. Kristy, who is leading the implementation of NextDigital ERP for Mineral Resources, shares her experiences of steering through these complexities and focuses on her passion for working with others. She offers practical strategies for aligning teams while staying mindful of the unique culture within an organisation.

- Master the art of leading transformational change

- Empower your team to adapt to shifts

- Gain practical skills to strengthen your leadership during change

Few understand resilience like those in fire and emergency services, where each day presents new challenges requiring strength and adaptability. In this fireside chat, Melissa and Kate share insights into managing pressures while leading with compassion. Learn how they boost emotional agility, sustain high performance, and create a culture of resilience within their teams, inspiring others to thrive in demanding environments.

- Develop your resilience strategy

- Enhance emotional agility for effective leadership

- Maintain high performance under pressure

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

With a diverse career background across a broad range of corporate disciplines, Danielle has honed her ability to lead people successfully. By putting people first, she lays the foundation for a motivated workforce that drives lasting results. Danielle shares insights on how to prioritise individual needs, cultivate trust, and foster innovation where teams feel valued and empowered.

- Prioritising people for success

- Cultivating a supportive, inclusive environment

- Empowering teams to drive long-term results

Leaders invest large amounts of resources on developing strategic outcomes and skillsets only to fall short due to misaligned mindsets of either themselves or their team. In business and in life, what we ‘think’ determines our results. Therefore, it's important that leaders learn to reflect on their own mindsets and determine which ones to foster, reexamine or possibly let go. In this session, join Amanda as she shares her strategies for reflection and developing a winning mindset.

- Learn why mindset trumps skills and behaviours

- Understand why each new role requires a shift

- Acknowledge that your mindset (and those of your team) determines the results you get

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

WA has one of the fastest rates of equity in leadership across Australia, but how can we keep up this momentum? Success in leadership isn’t just about individuals, it’s about the people who support and surround you. In this panel, we explore the importance of building strong, diverse networks and surrounding yourself with those who uplift and challenge you. From mentors to colleagues, the right people can help drive progress, offer new perspectives, and fuel growth. Join us as we discuss how putting people at the heart of your leadership journey can create lasting impact and success.

- Surround yourself with people who uplift you

- Leverage your networks to accelerate growth and unlock new opportunities

- Embrace people-focused leadership

Navigating career growth often involves overcoming self-doubt and seizing opportunities that may initially seem daunting. As women, we tend to overanalyse our perceived "failures" and hesitate when it comes to taking the next step. In this session, Jackie shares the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her journey and how she continues to apply these insights to empower others in their own career development.

- Be comfortable with uncertainty

- Maximise the potential of your transferable skills

- Pave your way to success

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

Leading in technical spheres requires a unique approach. Guiding teams of experts can feel daunting when you’re not the subject matter specialist, but leadership in this space isn’t about knowing every detail, it’s about enabling success. Great leaders provide vision, and environments where technical talent thrives. In this session, Margaret shares how focusing on clear communication helps translate expertise into impact. Her insights prove that leadership is not about having all the answers but empowering others to excel.

- Leadership isn’t about expertise; it’s about enabling success

- Collaboration and trust drive technical teams forward

- Clear communication turns knowledge into impact

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!

Effective stakeholder engagement starts with actively listening, understanding needs, and taking action based on those insights. To inspire action and create meaningful impact, leaders must communicate with clarity, clearly defining their "why" to align and achieve shared goals. Join Krystal, the Executive General Manager, remote communities as she shares her leadership experience in building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and driving successful outcomes through strategic communication.

- Engage stakeholders to drive positive impact

- Identify key stakeholders and communicate effectively

- Enhance negotiation skills through clear, purposeful communication

In the past decade, we've seen a rise in women in politics, STEM careers, and corporate leadership roles. However, working in a predominantly male environment remains a challenge for many women across Western Australia. Join Jessica in this session as she explores how to be an adaptive, agile, and successful leader.

- Be a curious leader

- Celebrate being a woman and the strengths it brings to your leadership

- Encourage mutual support among women

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

Vulnerability, often seen as a weakness, holds remarkable strength when embraced by leaders. It's not easy discovering and owning your authentic self as a women in leadership and the transformative impact of vulnerability and a "we not I" attitude has on team engagement and success. In this session, Vickie shares the importance of leveraging her authenticity. By being open, genuine, and transparent with her team, she fostered deeper connections, trust, and empowerment. 

- Owning your authentic style

- Allow yourself to be vulnerable and a true leader

- Create a culture of team success over individual success

A successful career is built on a commitment to continuous learning and seizing opportunities to grow. Pauline’s journey spans roles in both public and private sectors. Along the way, she has embraced new challenges, shared knowledge through mentor walks, and gained fresh perspectives that have shaped her leadership. In this session, Pauline invites you to explore how you can open doors, spark innovation, and create lasting impact, both personally and professionally.

- Explore different learning opportunities to further your career

- Create a culture of continuous professional development within your team

- Set yourself an action plan for your next learning opportunity

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

How can leaders influence change while navigating evolving work models in Western Australia? This panel delves into the power of understanding your audience and tailoring your communication style to inspire action and engagement. As WA rethinks work structures, from flexible arrangements to hybrid models across various industries leaders must adapt to drive progress effectively. Join us to explore strategies for recognising diverse needs, building influence, and fostering collaboration in dynamic and evolving workplace environments.

- Adapt to inspire and lead effectively

- Tailor communication to diverse needs

- Drive progress in evolving work mode

Leaders of high-performing teams often adopt strategies and behaviors that set them apart from others. By focusing on these practices, leaders can effectively drive their teams towards high performance and sustained success. In this session, Natalie helps us reflect on the key learnings of day one and identify the attributes of high performance.

- Focus on marginal gains for continued improvement

- Establish a clear, compelling vision and set specific, measurable goals

- Model the behaviors you expect from your team

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

Embarking on a career change or starting something new can feel overwhelming, but it also opens the door to incredible opportunities. A shining example of this is a notable figure at Murdoch University, who now serves as Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations. Her journey hasn’t been a straight line to triumph but a testament to the power of reinvention. Her story proves it’s never too late to change lanes, embrace new challenges, and create a meaningful impact.

- New paths bring new opportunities

- Reinvention sparks growth

- Small steps create big change

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

Develop self-awareness and authenticity

- Values-based leadership: what it means to be an authentic leader

- Identify personal strengths and potential de-railers as a leader

- Determined the most effective way to utilise your optimal leadership style within the context of your organisation

High level communication, influence and negotiation skills

- Manage emotions for positive and assertive communication and relationships

- Develop effective techniques of persuasion, negotiation and influence using coaching skills and “conversational intelligence”

- Build confidence to prepare for and successfully navigate difficult conversations 

Develop self and others with “reflective leadership”

- Understand the benefits of reflective practice 

- Develop skills to engage in reflective practice

- Using reflective practice to improve organisational culture and relationships 

Strategic career progression

- Everyday career management practices and creating a personal leadership plan

- Maximise relationships and build new ones for professional opportunities

- Manage personal branding and visibility effectively 

Transformational leadership strategies to accelerate team performance

- Leverage team dynamics to optimise performance

- Challenge, support and empower others to excel 

- Develop strategies to manage uncooperative team members

Drive change and innovation as a leader

- Recognise and overcome obstacles to change

- Learn to trust your intuition, take risks and step outside your comfort zone

- Create a culture of positive change 

Remain productive in a crisis

- Build resilience to thrive under pressure

- Support your team and engage others to deliver

- Debrief after crisis - Provide and accept feedback

Action planning for leadership

- Develop a personalised approach to development that spans short and long-term goals

- Identify and understand personal and organisational challenges 

- Share approaches to move your career forward