Workshop & Conference Program

Click here to download the program (pdf)

Tuesday 1 September: Boardroom Readiness Workshop
  • The WOB WAY - Ruth Medd, Chair Women on Boards
  • Director's Duties - Fiona Shand, senior facilitator AICD
  • Making the most of your CV - Kerry Chater, business principal
  • UBS Boardroom Briefing Lunch - Caroline Gurney, MD Corporate Communications UBS
  • Marketing and Branding - Judeth Wilson, Up-Front Communications
  • Hear from a Director - Denise Aldous, professional NED

Click here for all the details...

Wednesday 2 September - Conference & Mentoring Dinner

Welcome and Opening Session

  • Claire Braund, Executive Director Women on Boards
  • Ruth Medd, Chair Women on Boards

Plenary Session 1: Is there merit in quotas?

Session Chair: Claire Braund, Women on Boards

Plenary Session 2: Where are the women?

Session Chair: Catherine Fox, Deputy-Editor BOSS Financial Review

  • David Gonski AC, Chair ASX, Coca-Cola & Westfield
  • Katie Lahey, Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia
  • Chris Thomas, partner Egon Zehnder

Concurrent Session 1: Getting Started on Your Board Career

Session Chair: Denise Aldous, NED

  • Pip Downes, Director Swimming Australia
  • Jennifer Reynolds, Director Melanoma Instiute of Australia
  • Monique Beedles, Health Quality & Complaints Commission

Concurrent Session 2: Getting Serious about Your Board Career

Session Chair: Ruth Medd, Chair Women on Boards

  • Pauline Carr, Chair Newmont Australia Superannuation Plan
  • Helen Wiseman, Chair Shine for Kids
  • Jane Toohey, Director Mini Movers

Concurrent Session 3: Interview with company directors

Interviewer: Margot Saville, journalist & author

  • Peter Shergold, Chair Centre for Social Impact, director AMP, former head Prime Minister & Cabinet
  • Joanne Grainger, Chair Cotton Australia
  • Melinda Snowden, director Vita Group

Concurrent Session 4: Interviews with company directors

Interviewer: Helen McCombie, Citadel (corporate communications)

  • Paul Binsted, Chair Sydney Ports Corporation
  • Rebecca Davies, partner Freehills
  • Lynn Ralph, director Sydney Swans Ltd

WOB Mentoring Dinner - "Harvesting Talent"

MC: Jean Kitson

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Thursday 3 September - Conference

Plenary Session 3: Gender is a business issue

Session Chair: Narelle Hooper, Editor BOSS Financial Review

  • Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, CEO of 20-First & Honorary President European Professional Women’s Network
  • Renee Adams, Professor of Finance - University of Queensland

Plenary Session 4: Why women matter: A resources industry perspective

Session Chair: Narelle Hooper, Editor BOSS Financial Review

  • Peter McCarthy, Managing Director of AMC Consultants
  • Emma Wimberley, Queensland Resources Council
  • Erica Smyth, Chair Toro Energy Ltd & Screen West

Plenary Session 5: Strategies for advancing women

Session Chair: Jeanne Vida Douglas, Business Review Weekly

  • Megan Dalla-Camina, Director Strategy Australia & New Zealand, IBM
  • Kate Rimer, Executive Director Mallesons Stephen Jaques
  • Liz Cacciottola, CEO UBS Wealth Management Australia

Plenary Session 6: Cultural change in the boardroom

Ninety minutes with Sarah Cornally

When leaders are looking for the extraordinary they come to Sarah Cornally. With more than 20 years as a leadership and management consultant, Sarah specialises in improving the performance culture of organizations through professional development coaching, facilitation and keynote speaking services. She is a leading expert in organisational dynamics, examining the culture and strategy of senior executives and leadership at boardroom level.

Plenary Session 7: Time for Action - Getting the message across

Session Chair: Claire Braund, Women on Boards

  • Jane Caro, author, educationalist & regular on The Gruen Transfer
  • Jeanne Vida Douglas, jourmalist BRW
  • Ruth Medd, Chair Women on Boards