WA Women in Leadership Summit 2026

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.

The world of work has changed and with it, the expectations of how, where, and why we work. From hybrid patterns to cultural and neurodiverse needs, leaders are now being challenged to design workplaces that truly enable every individual to thrive. Drawing on her experience at Westpac and building inclusive programs across Australia’s regions and communities, Suzi explores what it takes to create a workplace where everyone can belong and perform at their best.

- See how inclusive design drives innovation and engagement

- Recognise and adapt to different working styles

- Prioritise your own needs to sustain wellbeing and performance

Leadership isn’t just a title, it’s the ability to connect strategy with action and inspire teams to deliver results. In this session, Janine draws on her experience leading strategic reform and driving organisational performance to provide practical insights for navigating silos, building collaboration, and turning ambitious ideas into real impact.

- Lead beyond your title to create real impact

- Connect strategy and day-to-day operations effectively

- Navigate silos and inspire collaboration across teams

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

When it comes to leadership, Jennie knows that people are at the heart of every success story. She has transformed teams, culture, and the HR function itself, turning it from transactional support into a strategic powerhouse that drives real business results. In this session, Jennie will take you behind the scenes of her leadership journey building high-performing across complex and dispersed environments.

- How to unlock the potential of your people and your teams

- Turning leadership vision into measurable impact

- Making inclusion and engagement the engine for business success

Recognised as one of the 2020 Global Inspiring Women in Mining, Tijana is leading one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries through an unprecedented green transition. As General Manager, Green Metal at Fortescue, she leads the company’s push to decarbonise heavy industry, overseeing initiatives in green iron, green steel and low-emissions processing technologies. In this session, she shares how “you have to find a way to be comfortable with vulnerability” to build trust and belief, helping teams navigate industry-wide transformation and achieve meaningful impact.

- Inspiring teams through shared purpose and accountability

- Balancing strategic vision with operational realities

- Measuring impact and maintaining momentum in long-term change

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

The world of work is evolving faster than ever, with everything from AI, automation, hybrid teams, and shifting employee expectations reshaping how we lead and connect. This dynamic panel brings together forward-thinking leaders who are actively reimagining what work can look like. From human-centered leadership to leveraging technology without losing authenticity, our panelists will explore how to create workplaces where innovation thrives, people feel valued, and culture drives performance.

- Redefining leadership for a hybrid and AI-enabled world

- Balancing flexibility with accountability and belonging

- Building adaptive, purpose-driven cultures that attract and retain top talent

Effective stakeholder engagement begins with truly listening, understanding needs, and acting on those insights. To create lasting impact, leaders must communicate with clarity and a strong sense of purpose to align with others and achieve shared goals. Join Poonam, as she shares her leadership journey in strengthening relationships with diverse stakeholders and achieving successful outcomes through strategic communication.

- Engage stakeholders to drive positive impact

- Identify key stakeholders and communicate effectively

- Enhance negotiation skills through clear, purposeful communication

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

Achieving net zero requires a significant change in organisational decision making and behaviour. Mussaret will share how to lead the change required to deliver an ambitious and uncertain goal – net zero emissions.

- Spark creativity wherever you are

- Turn bold ideas into real outcomes

- Lead with curiosity, courage, and collaboration

As day one of the conference comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on today's insights and how they can shape your journey. What key takeaways will help you move closer to your personal and professional goals?

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!

Great leaders aren’t defined by titles but by the moments that test and transform them. Drawing on a career spanning senior roles across Federal and State Government, Rebecca reflects on the pivotal experiences that have shaped her leadership approach, from navigating policy and performance challenges to driving growth and innovation for Western Australia.

- The power of reflection and adaptability in leadership

- Lessons in leading with purpose and composure

- How to turn complex challenges into opportunities for growth

Psychological safety sits at the heart of a strong and healthy workplace culture. When people feel safe to speak openly, share ideas, admit mistakes, and bring their full selves to work, trust and collaboration naturally follow. But creating that kind of environment doesn’t happen by accident, it requires intentional leadership and consistency. In this panel, leaders explore what psychological safety really looks like in practice and how to cultivate cultures grounded in openness, respect, and genuine connection.

- Showing vulnerability and courage as a leader and why it matters

- How to acknowledge and rebuild when safety has been compromised

- Recognising the hidden costs of fear-driven cultures

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

In business and in life, what we think, and how we think, very often determines our results. As leaders, you can invest a lot into developing you and your teams' skillsets only to fall short due to misaligned mindsets. This expert session unpacks practical strategies for self-reflection, to help you develop and foster a winning mindset, for yourself and your team.

- 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

True leadership is about people, knowing when to guide, when to listen, and how to balance the needs above and below you. In this session, Edwina shares how she redefined purpose and culture through leadership programs built on trust, presence, and communication. Discover how to navigate personalities, drive change, and bring others on the journey all while staying authentic.

- Build trust by managing up and down with clarity and empathy

- Lead with presence: listen, connect, and act with intent

- Create real change through purpose-driven leadership

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

Transitioning from a technical role to a leadership position is one of the most definin and often daunting shifts in any career. It’s not just about changing titles, it’s about redefining how you create impact, influence others, and see yourself. This panel brings together leaders who’ve made that pivotal leap, those who’ve moved from mastering technical expertise to shaping strategy. In this session, they’ll unpack the key moments that prompted them to step up, the challenges of finding their voice in unfamiliar spaces, and the lessons learned in earning trust and leading beyond their domain.

- Recognise the pivotal moments that signal it’s time to step up and lead

- Learn how to communicate and influence beyond your technical expertise

- Gain strategies to lead with confidence and authenticity

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

In Fire and Emergency Services, leadership means guiding teams through uncertainty, intensity, and constant change. Melissa and Kate share how they lead with empathy and courage to build cultures of trust and safety. Learn how they help their teams stay grounded under pressure, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and create space for open, honest communication, no matter how tough the situation.

- Cultivate psychological safety and trust during high-stress situations

- Build collective resilience through empathy and connection

- Stay calm, focused, and effective under sustained pressure

We wrap up our two days of insight and inspiration with this interactive roundtable session. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Network with your peers, reflect on your journey so far and create an action plan to carry you forward!

- Reflect on your key takeaways from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

Take your Women in Leadership Summit journey to the next level with the Platinum Pass. Enjoy exclusive access to our 2-day immersive leadership workshop, designed to translate inspiration into action. Your pass also includes unlimited streaming access via our iQon app, giving you the flexibility to revisit every session, anywhere, anytime.

Plus, enjoy bonus networking opportunities and premium inclusions that elevate your professional development experience beyond the main event.

Transform your inspiration into real-world impact: Go Platinum!