Women in Leadership SummitSydney 2026

In this insightful session, Peggy Renders explores how connection can become a powerful driver of influence, innovation, and organisational performance. Drawing on her experience leading customer strategy, digital transformation, and enterprise partnerships across Telstra and SAP, Peggy will share practical insights into navigating complexity, influencing outcomes, and building high performing relationships at scale.

This session will examine how leaders can strengthen collaboration, lead through change with greater impact, and create momentum in environments where success depends on people working together.

Drawing on real world experience, practical insight, and the patterns she has observed across thousands of women leaders, Dana unpacks why confidence is not a prerequisite for leadership, but a result of action. She challenges common myths around readiness, authority, and self belief, and examines how women can build influence, presence, and trust without waiting for permission.

This session is designed to help women reframe imposter syndrome, recognise their existing capability, and step forward with greater clarity and conviction. You will leave with practical ways to own your voice, lead authentically, and back yourself even when it feels uncomfortable. Because leadership does not begin with certainty. It begins with choosing to step forward.

We spend so much of our careers making decisions, taking opportunities and building our leadership, yet our financial future can sometimes take a back seat. Taking ownership of your career also means taking ownership of the wealth you are building along the way.

This practical and empowering session brings superannuation into focus, exploring the decisions and strategies that can make a meaningful difference at every stage of your career. From understanding the benefits of favourable tax treatment and long-term investing to recognising opportunities to grow your super, you’ll gain practical insights to help you make your money work harder for the future you want.

Because financial confidence isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about understanding your options, backing yourself to make informed decisions, and taking action today that your future self will thank you for.

In this insightful session, Alison Deitz reflects on her leadership journey within one of the world’s largest global law firms and explores what it takes to build authority in high stakes environments. Drawing on decades of experience navigating regulation, governance, and institutional leadership, Alison will examine how leaders can strengthen their influence, make difficult decisions, and lead with confidence in traditionally complex and high pressure sectors.

Delegates will gain practical insight into executive leadership, stakeholder management, and building credibility that lasts over the long term.

In this insightful session, Lisa Claes explores what it takes to lead through complexity at the highest levels of business. Drawing on her experience leading large scale transformation across international organisations, Lisa shares how leaders can navigate ambiguity, balance data with judgement, and maintain clarity under pressure.

This session will examine the realities of executive leadership in fast moving environments and explore how leaders can build trust, drive transformation, and make confident decisions when there is no obvious path forward. Delegates will leave with practical insight into strategic leadership, decision making, and leading with confidence through uncertainty.

In this insightful session, Sophie Ryan reflects on her leadership journey across international humanitarian work, law, and social impact leadership. Drawing on experiences ranging from prison reform projects in Sudan to leading the Sony Foundation Australia, Sophie explores what it means to lead with humanity in environments where the stakes are high and the challenges are deeply real.

This session will examine how leaders can build meaningful impact through relationships, lead with authenticity and resilience, and maintain perspective in demanding environments.

Drawing on more than two decades in the technology industry, including leading AI, innovation, and transformation initiatives, Angelica Veness explores what it takes to communicate with clarity and authority when it matters most.

This session will examine how leaders can articulate ideas succinctly without overexplaining, build a leadership presence that ensures their perspective is heard and valued, and navigate when to challenge or influence the status quo.

Grounded in real world leadership experience and a passion for inclusive leadership, delegates will leave with practical strategies to strengthen their influence, shape outcomes, and communicate with greater impact in any room.