• What is one habit that every emerging leader should build early?
• How did you come to identify your leadership style?
• What kinds of talent or skills are you looking for in your next leadership hires?

Kamala D. Harris has dedicated her career to public service, from her roles as District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California, to her time as a U.S. Senator, and ultimately as the Vice President of the United States. She has made history at almost every stage of her career, most notably becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American Vice President. Born to immigrant parents, her journey embodies her mother’s sage advice: “Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last”.

In this exclusive interview moderated by Leigh Sales, discover her advice on how to fight for your values, build strong coalitions, and lead with impact to redefine possibilities for those who come after you.

Join your fellow attendees for a networking experience curated by Women UNLIMITED. With a set of intriguing questions in hand, you’ll engage in casual conversations and discover new connections as you work your way through your Summit Bingo card. It’s a great way to break the ice and start building valuable connections from the very beginning.

• Leadership advice from a combined career of 50+ years
• Navigating different types of roles to strengthen and guide your leadership career
• Balancing authentic leadership with extremely sensitive information and situations

Annabel Crabb is an award-winning ABC writer, broadcaster and political commentator with nearly 30 years covering Australian politics and society. Creator of Kitchen Cabinet and Ms Represented, and author of the bestseller The Wife Drought, Annabel brings unique insights into leadership, gender and power drawn from her deep experience observing Australia’s leaders up close.

• Why gender equity efforts must embrace disability, neurodiversity, race, and more
• The lived experience of women navigating leadership with intersecting identities
• From accommodation to inclusion: redesigning systems that work for all
• The power of visibility and representation in shifting workplace cultures

• Reflections on a career fighting for the rights of women and girls
• How the experience of racism early in life inspired a career of social justice
• How to imagine, set and achieve courageous goals as a leader

• Leading the world’s first government regulatory agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online
• Building resilience and courage to lead through scrutiny, complexity and change
• Inspiring ethical, inclusive and future-focused leadership in a connected world

• Reflections, learnings and anecdotes from sport teacher to SES leadership
• Understanding “the five R’s” as an approach to authentic leadership
• First Nations leadership concepts that are useful for everyone

It’s time to put ideas into action! In groups, discuss critical leadership challenges with your peers. Share your knowledge and gain the wisdom of your peers in this valuable and practical networking exercise.

• The role of male leaders and allies in advancing gender equity beyond tokenism
• Challenging traditional gender roles: navigating shared parental leave, care, and domestic labour
• Creating workplace cultures that support men to take on care responsibilities without stigma
• How equitable leadership at home drives equity and success in the workplace

• Leadership tips from the Rugby field to Parliament House
• Maintaining a values-led approach in complex environments with competing interests
• What leaders can do now to create a better future for all Australians
• What allyship means to me, and how to identify allies along your leadership pathway

Join your peers in an insightful conversation about your leadership journey. Share how you have uncovered new approaches in familiar settings, how you have led in a complex, evolving environment, or created space for others by challenging limiting structures or assumptions. Explore with others the next steps you might take to redefine possibilities in your own team or work.

• Destigmatising mental health in high-performance environments: What needs to change
• Burnout among women leaders: Recognising the signs and responding with care
• Are EAP programs enough? Access, awareness and barriers to support
• The case for mid-career breaks: Redefining success and sustainability in leadership

Leadership is tested in moments of challenge. In this energising session, you’ll step into a real scenario, collaborate with your table and uncover bold, practical strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities.

Join us for an inspiring keynote and Q&A with the Hon Julie Bishop — a trailblazer and role model for women leaders.

With a distinguished career spanning law, politics, and global diplomacy, Julie will share unique perspectives shaped by her roles on the world stage.

Through candid reflections and lessons learnt from world leaders, she will explore the power of authentic leadership and the importance of building a strong personal brand. Her career insights offer practical lessons in influence, resilience, and leading with purpose.

• Navigating an early public sector career with an Art History degree
• Working and leading in male dominated fields
• The complex task of reflecting Australia’s past while shaping its future

• Becoming a mentor to strengthen your leadership and support the next generation
• Finding a mentor to progress your career and grow as a leader
• Building your network through mentoring and releasing new opportunities

• Key milestones, wins and lessons learned in my career to date
• One piece of advice that I would give to my past self
• Top three leadership tips for the women in the room