Australia’s premier annual event for women in leadership

Every year the Australian Women’s Leadership Symposium provides an unparalleled opportunity for hundreds of Australian women to gather together to explore contemporary leadership theory and observe current ‘best practice’ examples.

Through participation in the two-day program, female leaders from all sectors and industries are exposed to state-of-the-art leadership thinking, delivered first-hand by Australia’s most inspirational leaders, trainers and academics.

Symposium speaker bio's Melbourne Sydney Canberra | Brisbane | Perth

Denise Aldous Non-executive director and chairman, Cronulla Sharks +Profile Denise is a non-executive director and chairman holding board and committee positions with Cronulla Sharks, KEA Australia, UnitingCare NSW/ACT and NSW Bar Association. In addition she runs her own business delivering practical solutions to individuals and businesses in the areas of governance and leadership. She has nearly 40 years of business experience, including at CEO level, in both large and small businesses in more than 20 different countries. After a long career in commercial banking in New Zealand she spent more than 12 years with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the investment banking arm of The World Bank Group. Her last executive role was as CEO of the IFC Sydney, the only woman in Australasia to have held this position.

Liesl Capper-Beilby CEO, MyCyberTwin +Profile Liesl Capper has over 15 years, international experience managing growth businesses. Before MyCyberTwin, Capper was founder and CEO of Mooter. Mooter is a stock-exchange listed company specializing in search and behavioural targeting. While leading Mooter, she raised millions in venture capital, created patents and defensible technology managed the expansion into US and Asian markets, secured deals with major clients including Yahoo! and Fairfax; and prepared the company for listing. Prior to Mooter, while in her twenties, Capper built a multi-national education franchise to 38 branches in four countries. She took the business online, and exited the business successfully via management buyout. Capper holds a bachelors degree in Psychology & Education, and has completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Venture Development. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has been an invited speaker at several international conferences. Recently, Capper was honoured by the Women in Technology organization, for her groundbreaking efforts in IT, as the recipient of their “ICT outstanding achievement” Optus award for 2007.

Layne Beachley Seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Neryl East is a writer, speaker, academic and communication specialist, with extensive experience on both sides of the microphone. She currently manages the communications and media function for Shellharbour City Council – an organisation in a period of transition following the dismissal of its elected Councillors in July 2008. Neryl’s previous positions include Head of Communications and Marketing at the Australian War Memorial, Manager Communications and Public Relations at Wollongong City Council, Manager External Relations at the University of Western Sydney Macarthur, and journalist, presenter and producer at WIN Television, Wollongong. Neryl has a PhD and a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wollongong. She is the author of Named and Shamed: Rod Oxley’s inside story of the Wollongong corruption scandal, released in December 2009. In 2010, Neryl was selected as an Ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government.

Dr. Cathy Foley Research Program Leader / Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO +Profile Dr. Cathy Foley is a Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering. She is the Research Program Leader for Devices Systems and Engineering and a project leader of a Superconducting Devices and Applications Project. This multi million-dollar project assisted with the discovery and delineation of the BHPB Cannington Silver mine and her team is currently commercialising their systems. Cathy has a world-class reputation in her field being a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in the UK, Immediate past President of the Australian Institute of Physics, Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ASTE) and the President of Federation of Australian Science and Technology Societies representing 60,000 Australian scientists and technologists. Dr. Foley is well known for her interests in physics, science education, women in science, science in the media and nuclear disarmament. Cathy was awarded a Public Service Medal on the 2003 Australia Day and won the Telstra Women’s Business Award for Innovation in 2009. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Emanuel Perdis Managing Director, Napoleon Perdis Emanuel Perdis proudly managed by Renegade Management +Profile Today, the $80M company boasts over fifty Concept Stores and over 35 David Jones counters throughout Australia, complemented by over 650 salon and pharmacy stockist’s of the brand throughout Australia, NZ, USA and Canada. The brand has also recently launched itself successfully in the USA and Canada. As the world’s largest makeup academy, Napoleon Perdis Make-Up Academy boasts 7 world class campuses in Hollywood, Paddington, Sydney, Parramatta, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Brisbane. The programs teach pupils make-up techniques that range from the most natural looks to the latest in fashion. Emanuel Perdis has been an instrumental figure in the creation of the Napoleon make-up phenomenon and is now the companies Managing Director. Emanuel is also an inspiring and passionate Executive Coach, Speaker, Mediator, Mentor, Trainer, and Homeopathic Counselor.

Lisbeth Rees AHRI HR Practitioner of the Year 2009 +Profile Lisbeth started as a graduate in ANZ and then transferred into another superannuation and investments organisation at the time of a Joint Venture. Lisbeth has held a number of roles within the HR department including recruitment, strategy and policy, and HR generalist. Over the past couple of years, Lisbeth has worked extensively with the Advice & Sales departments, Finance department & Superannuation & Investments departments, providing comprehensive HR strategy, support and guidance to these groups. Lisbeth has a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW) with a major in HRM and is currently studying her Masters degree. Lisbeth has two young girls, aged seven and five, and in her leisure time enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Lisbeth was awarded the AHRI HR Practitioner of the Year award in 2009.

Bev Manton Member of the Worimi nation, Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) +Profile Ms Manton is a strong and respected advocate for community development, particularly in relation to employment, housing, health and education. She has been actively involved with NSWALC, the state’s peak democratically elected Aboriginal body, since its inception, and is a former Chairperson and founding member of the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council. Ms Manton has had a lifetime commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of her people, particularly through education and training. In addition to her duties as Chairperson of NSWALC, she represents her people on a number of boards, including the Worimi Conservation Lands, Aboriginal Community Environment Network and the Northern Alliance. She is also a member of the State Government’s Ministerial Advisory Panel on child sexual abuse. Ms Manton was nominated for NSW Woman of the Year in 2007. She has been married for 41 years, has four children and nine grandchildren.

Leeanne Grantham Head of Women’s Football, Football Australia +Profile Leeanne has had extensive experience in the sport and major events industry. She was the CEO for the Women’s National Basketball League for 7 years, taking it from an organisation in the red to a healthy surplus, built the brand while maintaining the League its Clubs and the players integrity, growth and viability. Leeanne then took on the role of Chief Executive of the biggest multi-sport event in the world, the World Masters Games held in Melbourne in 2002. The event saw over 25,000 competitors from around the world come together and compete in their chosen sports within their age group while enjoying the fun and party atmosphere provided by the host city – Melbourne. Her roles have seen Leeanne manage large budgets and staff numbers from 3 to 50 with upwards of 3,000 volunteers at any one time She has represented Australia in basketball, attending pre-Olympic Games and World Championships.

Dr June Heinrich Chief Executive Officer, Baptist Community Services +Profile Since her appointment as CEO of BCS in 1994, June has become a key voice in the Australian not-for-profit sector on aged and community care issues. Under June’s leadership, BCS has experienced significant growth, and in 2009 has an operating budget of $200 million, with 3,600 people employed, working across 160 aged and community care services and programs. June and BCS are recognised for playing a pioneering role in the development of community aged care across NSW and the ACT, which has taken aged care services into the homes of older Australians, enabling them to remain in their own homes, enhancing their independence, safety and security. ‘Ageing in place’ is a passion of June’s, and she is committed to ensuring that BCS pursues innovate industry-leading practices. As part of this commitment June has overseen the development of the BCS Age Friendly Home in Marsfield in Sydney, which serves both as a ‘model home’ and R&D testing ground for physical, environmental and technological advancements in caring for the frail aged, people living dementia and people living with disabilities.

Maria Walton National Franchise and HR Manager, Minit +Profile Maria Walton knew it would be a significant challenge when she was recruited by Mister MINIT to upgrade its management practices and reinvigorate a very traditional business. She is the Australian and New Zealand Franchise/Human Resource Manager for Mister MINIT, the world’s leading service brand in shoe repairs, key duplication, engraving and watch servicing. Since originally joining Mister Minit as part of the Senior Executive Team in 2000, her leadership has driven the strengthening of the Mister MINIT Brand through the introduction and development of the new business model of franchising. This action aligned with ongoing service and product development has resulted in 8 consecutive years of strong sales and market share growth with constantly improving financial returns. She also led the Global Taskforce for MINIT Asia Pacific to synergise and develop people practices across the group in five countries. Operating in a service industry these practices provide the basic building block for the success of the business. Maria is also the current Franchise Council of Australia’s ‘Franchise Executive of the Year’ and was a finalist in the Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards. Her formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics, and a MBA

Neryl East Manager of Media and Communication, Shellharbour City Council +Profile Neryl East is a writer, speaker, academic and communication specialist, with extensive experience on both sides of the microphone. She currently manages the communications and media function for Shellharbour City Council – an organisation in a period of transition following the dismissal of its elected Councillors in July 2008. Neryl’s previous positions include Head of Communications and Marketing at the Australian War Memorial, Manager Communications and Public Relations at Wollongong City Council, Manager External Relations at the University of Western Sydney Macarthur, and journalist, presenter and producer at WIN Television, Wollongong. Neryl has a PhD and a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wollongong. She is the author of Named and Shamed: Rod Oxley’s inside story of the Wollongong corruption scandal, released in December 2009. In 2010, Neryl was selected as an Ambassador for the Year of Women in Local Government.

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