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MAY 6 SYDNEY
The brightest minds.
The boldest ideas.
One powerful day.
Join the women designing the future at the Forbes Australia Women’s Summit, presented by Lancome.
The Summit brings together Australia’s most formidable founders, leaders and creators to discuss the themes defining our next decade. Expect fresh thinking, data-backed strategy and the kind of candid insight you won’t find anywhere else.
What to expect
Ideas you’ll use the next day
Curated by Editor-in-Chief Sarah O’Carroll, every speaker is selected against one brief: bring ideas that are fresh, evidence-based and genuinely useful to attendees.
High calibre room
Founders. CEOs. Creators. Innovators. The insights shared and connections made are why people come back to Forbes events year after year.
Premium hospitality
Lunch, post-event cocktails, and Sydney’s best new venue. Bring your leadership team or your best clients — and let the day do the work.
A powerful event and fantastic networks that spawned from it. It changed people’s lives.
Kim Randle, CEO Fair Supply
2026 speaker lineup
Geraldine Slattery
President
BHP Australia
Geraldine Slattery is President Australia at BHP, overseeing its Iron Ore, Copper, Nickel, Metallurgical and Energy Coal operations across multiple states. She previously led BHP’s global Petroleum business and has spent more than 30 years in technical, commercial and executive leadership roles across Australia, the UK and the Americas. Geraldine began her career in project engineering within the refining and pharmaceutical sectors and is known for building high-performing, safety-focused teams while working closely with partners, communities and governments.
Satya Tammareddy
Head of GTM Au
Open AI
Satya is Head of Go-To-Market for Australia and New Zealand at OpenAI, where she works with organisations from startups to large enterprises to scale AI adoption and drive measurable impact. She previously spent nine years at Stripe building high-growth businesses across APAC, including leading the SaaS Platforms business and expanding into Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. Earlier in her career, she was Dropbox’s first APAC hire, co-founded an online travel company, and began as an equity analyst.
Alexis Fernandez
Neuroscientist, Author
DYF*M Podcast
Alexis Fernández-Preiksa is a performance coach, speaker and author whose work combines neuroscience, mindset and high performance. She is known for translating complex psychological concepts into practical strategies and hosts the globally popular podcast Do You F**ing Mind?. Alexis works with leading brands and athletes to optimise mental performance, encouraging individuals to build resilience, discipline and lasting self-belief.
Bruna Papandrea
Founder & CEO
Made Up Stories
Bruna Papandrea is an Emmy and Golden Globe–winning producer and Founder and CEO of Made Up Stories, known for championing distinctive, female-driven storytelling. She has produced globally acclaimed series including Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers and The Undoing, and co-founded Pacific Standard with Reese Witherspoon, producing Gone Girl and Wild. Across film and television, her work spans major global hits for platforms such as Netflix, HBO, Apple TV+ and Amazon, cementing her reputation as one of the industry’s leading creative producers.
Chloe Fisher
Author, Influencer
Darling, Shine!
Chloe Fisher is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, podcaster and content creator known for her candid storytelling and strong connection with her audience. She rose to prominence as co-host of the podcast Darling, Shine!, where she openly discusses grief, fertility, motherhood and mental health, while also founding consumer brands Hard Fizz and Kirra and leading YLB (‘You Little Beauty’) Properties. Through business, media and brand collaborations, Chloe champions honest conversations, community and purpose-driven storytelling.
Katrina Leslie
Founder & Chairman
Swipejobs
Katrina Leslie is Founder and Chairman of swipejobs, an AI-native employment platform operating in the United States and the UK. She has founded multiple technology and jobs-focused businesses, including a U.S. job ranking company later acquired by Gartner, and previously held senior HR leadership roles at Westpac and Microsoft across Australia and Asia Pacific. Katrina began her career at BHP’s Steel Division and holds qualifications in applied science, organisational psychology and commerce, and is a registered psychologist.
Bahar Etminan
Founder & Editor
Ageless Radiance Club
Bahar Etminan is the host of Ageless Radiance Club Podcast, a Harper Collins author and expert commentator on trends in aesthetics, beauty, longevity and women’s wellness. A thought leader with over three decades of experience in luxury branding and women’s lifestyle media.
Annie Liao
Founder
BuildClub
Annie Liao is the founder of Build Club, one of the largest and most collaborative AI communities in the world with 50,000+ members. She previously worked at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and across venture and AI startups. Annie is also the creator of Solaris, an AI adoption platform helping enterprises roll out AI tools and train their workforce. She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work advancing global AI builder communities.
Grace Toombs
Founder
June Health
Grace Toombs is the founder of June Health, an Australian women’s health startup working to make cervical screening, STI testing and reproductive care more accessible, private and stigma-free. With a background in health and research, she combines clinical insight and lived experience to advocate for earlier intervention and better pathways into primary care for young women. Grace is passionate about challenging systemic gaps in healthcare and building bold, user-centred solutions that change how women engage with their health.
Kayla Itsines
Founder
SWEAT
Kayla Itsines is one of the world’s most recognised fitness entrepreneurs and trainers, with a global community of over 43 million women. She is the founder and sole owner of SWEAT, a leading women’s fitness app with over 40 million downloads. Over more than a decade, she has empowered women through simple, effective training. Known for her supportive coaching style and trusted expertise, Kayla continues to inspire women everywhere to feel strong and confident.
Trish Botha
Managing Director
Australian Indigenous AI Solutions
Trish Botha is the Managing Director of Aus Indigenous AI Solutions (AI2 Solutions), where she leads the delivery of AI and digital transformation initiatives that are both commercially viable and culturally aligned. With a background in business development, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, she works across government, corporate, and Indigenous sectors to create meaningful, long-term outcomes. She is focused on building pathways into the future workforce, increasing Indigenous participation in technology, and balancing innovation with cultural integrity, and is known for her ability to bring people together and lead initiatives that deliver both social impact and commercial results.
Monica Saunders-Weinberg
Co-Owner, Co-Vice Chair
Terrace Tower Group
Driven by purpose, connection and joy, Monica Saunders-Weinberg is a business leader, investor, philanthropist and creative producer whose work spans commercial real estate, the arts and social impact. She is Co-Owner and Co-Vice Chair of Terrace Tower Group, where she began as a board member 27 years ago, and leads Hana Black Productions, developing projects across theatre, film and television. She also continues the philanthropic legacy of her late father as Executive Chair of The Saunders Family Foundation, and is a founding partner of The Growth Project and Director of Feel The Magic, supporting charities and communities at scale. Based between Sydney and the US, she is married to TTG CEO Richard Weinberg and is a mother of three.
More speakers to be announced – look out for news here or on Forbes Australia socials
Event agenda
| 9:00 am Registration opens |
| 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Summit Open & Welcome Remarks Sarah O’Carroll, Editor-in-Chief Forbes Australia Fireside Chat What’s Next in Leadership Panel 30-minute break What’s Next in Longevity Panel |
| 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Lunch |
| 2:15 pm – 5:00 pm What’s Next in AI Panel What’s Next in Creativity Panel Fireside Chat Event Concludes |
Post-event cocktail and networking function |
Past attendees
Sessions & topics
What’s next in LEADERSHIP
This session brings together women running complex organisations at a moment of genuine inflection. They’re navigating legacy thinking inside institutions that weren’t built for speed, managing boards while moving fast, and making high-stakes calls with incomplete information — in public.
What you’ll take away
The decision-making frameworks, culture-building instincts and hard-won strategic lessons from the women running Australia’s most complex organisations — and what their version of ‘what’s next’ looks like from where they sit.
What’s next in CREATIVITY
Creativity isn’t a personality type. It’s a practice — and for the leaders, founders and brand-builders in the room, it may be the highest-value skill you’re systematically underinvesting in.
This session goes beyond the myth of the ‘creative genius’ to explore what original thinking actually looks like in practice: how it’s blocked, how it’s built, and how it compounds into brand, business and cultural impact.
What you’ll take away
Neuroscience-backed strategies for unlocking creative confidence, a practical framework for building a brand with genuine cultural relevance, and the tools to manage cognitive load so your best ideas aren’t crowded out by the noise.
What’s next in LONGEVITY
presented by Lancôme
What does it mean to truly build what’s next — when “next” could mean decades more of energy, ambition and impact? Longevity has moved from the fringes of wellness into the boardroom, the beauty industry, and the investment portfolio. The science is accelerating, the culture is shifting, and the women leading this conversation are doing it from every angle — clinical, commercial, personal and entrepreneurial.
What you’ll take away
In this Lancôme-presented panel, four remarkable voices explore what the longevity revolution really means: how we age, how we invest in ourselves, how beauty and science are converging, and what it looks like to build a life — and a business — with the long game in mind.
What’s next in AI
With AI, a single founder with a bold idea can now move with the speed, scale, and firepower that once required a team of hundreds. The question is no longer if AI will reshape industries – it’s who will be bold enough to lead that transformation.
What you’ll take away
Hear direct from the women leading the AI revolution on which tools are actually moving the needle, and what it takes to lead with confidence in a landscape that’s reinventing itself every six months.
+Exciting speaker news coming soon
Tickets
Buy your second-release tickets now and save $150 on Executive Table door price. Volumes are strictly limited at this price so don’t delay.
Why attend
Influential and relevant speakers
Host clients or reward your team
Lunch and post-event cocktails
Fresh ideas for your business
Breaking the barrier
10%
of women hold CEO positions across the ASX 300
39%
of Australian board seats are women – the closest ever to parity
24%
of deals in 2025 involved a female founder, down from 28% YOY
35%
higher ROI reported from women-led startups
Location
Ilumina
1 Elizabeth St, Sydney
Past speakers
Sam Mostyn
Governor General Australia
Christine Holgate
Group CEO, Team Global Express
Robyn Denholm
Chair of Tesla
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy
CEO, Xero
Miranda Kerr
Founder & CEO, KORA Organics
Melanie Silva
VP & MD, Google AU & NZ
Sarah Walsh
Women’s Football Australia
Florence Drummond
CEO Indigenous Women In Mining
Chanel Contos
Founder & MD, Teach Us Consent
Natasha Oakley
Founder, Monday Swimwear
Steph Claire Smith
Founder & Podcaster, KiC
Kristy Chong
Founder, Modibody
FAQ
| How and when will I receive my live event ticket? You will receive your live event ticket via email within 24 hours of completing your purchase. Guest tickets will be emailed within 72 hours of providing full details. |
| Is this event live or virtual? The Forbes Australia Women’s Summit is a live, in-person event hosted in Sydney. Please note the Women’s Summit will not be streamed virtually. |
| What do I need to bring to gain entry to the event? Please bring along your pre-purchased ticket along with photo identification. |
| Can I purchase a ticket on the day/at the venue? Yes, tickets will be able to be purchased on the day of the event, if ticket allocations have not already been exhausted. You can purchase tickets online or speak to a Forbes member at the venue. |
| Is the Women’s Summit suitable for men to attend? The Forbes Australia Women’s Summit is a gender inclusive event that will address topical issues around equality and representation in the workplace and beyond. We invite all genders to attend to work towards a successful and equitable future together. |
| Is there a discount for group or corporate bookings? Yes, please contact us at events@forbes.com.au for more information on group and corporate packages. |
| Am I able to alter the attendees name? Only the purchaser of the ticket(s) can alter an attendees name up until 11.59pm (AEDT) on the 5th of May 2026. This can be done by the purchaser by clicking on the modify registration button on your confirmation email. |
| Venue The venue is Ilumina, 1 Elizabeth St, Sydney. |
| Is there a dress code? The dress code is smart casual. Any inappropriately dressed attendee may be refused access to the Forbes Australia Women’s Summit. |
| Event Terms and Conditions Click here for the Terms and Conditions for the Forbes Australia Women’s Summit. |