Courage. UNLIMITED.
We are leading in a time of sustained pressure, complexity and constant change. Across the public sector, leadership now means holding the line – delivering reform, meeting rising expectations, operating with constrained resources, and supporting teams through uncertainty while navigating it ourselves.
Women UNLIMITED creates the space to lead in exactly this context.
In 2026, this landmark summit brings together leaders working through ambiguity and disruption. Headlined by global leader The. Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand, it brings together voices who have led with clarity, empathy and courage under pressure, making high-stakes decisions when the path forward is uncertain. It explores how leaders create direction, momentum and trust when certainty is limited.
Across two days, the focus is practical and immediate: staying steady under sustained pressure, leading through change fatigue, and making confident decisions with incomplete information, while sharpening clarity, conviction and direction in how we lead.
Women UNLIMITED is where leaders reset, rebuild confidence, and return ready to lead with grounded courage.
2026 theme: The courage to lead differently
Watch out our summit video below
Our speakers in
Sydney 2026
The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern
The Hon. Prue Ann Car, MP
Rosemary Kayess
Susan Pearce AM
Annabel Crabb
Professor Verity Firth AM
Professor Michelle Ryan
Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM
Marina van der Walt
Laura Christie
Elizabeth Wood
Professor Tracey O’Brien AM
Yvonne Weldon AM
Dr Hannah Tonkin
Julie Tickle
Sonia Minutillo
Suzy Mann
Rachael Ward
Suneetha Bodduluri PSM
Sally Anne Friedlander
Karen Ko
Monique Hitter
Kinnie Ring
Miranda Ratajski
Lisa Annese
Alicia Lenart
Holly Ransom
Annelise McCarthy
Why attend
Sydney Public Sector 2026
The Women UNLIMITED Summit provides two days of insights and strategies, plus two post-summit online seminars forming a three-month learning journey.
All times are shown in AEST.
Welcome to Country
Opening remarks from The Hatchery
Ministerial Address
Session to be announced
Power pause
Connect with another delegate, sometimes insight comes from a quick conversation.
The new leadership mandate: Integrity, impact & the courage to lead differently
- Why ‘leading with values’ is no longer a soft skill, but a hard requirement for managing 2026’s sophisticated workforce
- How the best leaders move past ‘groupthink’ to create environments where the best ideas win, regardless of where they come from in the hierarchy
- Navigating high-pressure, high-scrutiny moments: how do you filter out the ‘noise’ to stay focused on the long-term mission?
- Redefining ‘executive presence’: how the most effective leaders today are trading authority for influence and authenticity
Morning tea
Leadership In Times Of Chaos
Annabel Crabb has spent nearly 30 years watching Australia’s leaders up close — in parliament, in their kitchens, and in an increasingly volatile political and economic arena. With a gift for naming dynamics that many find hard to pin down, she draws on the very latest from Canberra to illuminate what is going on and what you can expect next. Funny, forensic and deeply human, this session will leave you with a new understanding of what your ministers are really up against, and what to expect in the months and years to come.
Networking Bingo
Make every bite count
Use your lunch break to connect, engage and discover! Grab a Bingo card and mingle with fellow delegates.
Lunch
Invisible barriers: Navigating the unseen challenges of leadership across systems & societies
- Recognising the subtle biases, including ableism and unwritten rules that shape leadership journeys at organisational, national and international levels
- Strategies for overcoming setbacks and navigating complex systems, influence, and power dynamics across diverse leadership contexts
- Leading with integrity and resilience to drive inclusive change and equitable outcomes across communities, sectors and global platforms
Mentorship and coaching: Strengthening leadership & growing future leaders
- How becoming a mentor enhances your own leadership skills and perspective
- Finding the right mentors and coaches to support your career growth
- Building a culture of learning, guidance, and support within your organisation
Power pause
Reflect on a key takeaway learned so far and define how you will apply it to your role.
Uncovering one leadership lesson that changes everything
- What is the single leadership habit that has had the greatest impact
- A pivotal moment that reshaped how to lead teams, make decisions or influence others
- The one piece of advice they would give their younger self stepping into leadership
Afternoon tea
Ministerial address
Leading with purpose and integrity
- Reflections on a career driven by social justice, from the United Nations to the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner
- How leading with purpose can be key to driving social change
- The role we can each play in supporting women’s safety
From strategy to impact: What it really takes to lead large-scale change
- Leading 3,000+ teams and complex systems
- Moving from policy to real-world outcomes
- Enabling teams through trust and clarity
Closing remarks
Networking & refreshments
Acknowledgement of Country & Opening remarks
Beyond the Glass Cliff: Turning risk into opportunity for women in leadership
- Understanding the real impact of the Glass Cliff and how it shapes leadership pathways for women
- Identifying organisational behaviours and biases that create high-risk leadership appointments and how to challenge them
- Applying practical strategies to set leaders up for success, ensuring support, sustainability and long-term impact
The human advantage: Leading at the intersection of AI, tech, trust, & talent
- Bridging capability gaps and redesigning roles to focus on strategy as administrative tasks are automated
- How do you maintain a culture of trust and human connection when more decisions are being made by data and algorithms?
- How can government and corporate Australia collaborate to ensure tech advancement doesn’t leave the workforce behind?
Morning tea
In Conversation with Jacinda Ardern: Discovering, cultivating & unleashing a different kind of power
In this special Q&A moderated by Holly Ransom, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joins the stage to redefine the architecture of influence. Aligned with our theme, “The Courage to Lead Differently,” Ardern draws from her bestselling memoir, A Different Kind of Power, to challenge the outdated notion that leadership requires a “thick skin” or an iron fist.
Moderated by Holly Ransom, Acclaimed Interviewer of Barack & Michelle Obama & Hillary Clinton, Chief Executive Officer, Emergent Global & Author, The Leading Edge.
Power pause
Sip, breathe, smile — small pauses lead to big breakthroughs
Lunch
Leadership in action: Solving workplace challenges
Step into real leadership situations and test your problem-solving skills. In small groups, you’ll tackle authentic workplace challenges — from navigating bias and difficult conversations to leading through change. Collaborate, brainstorm, and share solutions that are practical, actionable, and relevant to your leadership journey.
Leading through uncertainty: Navigating change, complexity & constant pressure
- How leaders maintain clarity, confidence and direction in unpredictable environments
- Strategies for leading teams through policy shifts, political change and organisational disruption
- Turning uncertainty into opportunity by building resilient, adaptive and future-ready organisations
Leading side by side: The courage to empower, trust & rise together
- Redefining leadership beyond hierarchy and building trust, equality and shared success
- Having courage to lead with vulnerability, back each other and navigate challenge together
- Creating people-first cultures where empowerment drives performance, loyalty and impact
Afternoon tea
The legacy you leave: Harnessing your strengths to drive lasting change
- Understanding yourself as a resource and how self-awareness and reflection can strengthen your leadership impact
- Growing as a leader to develop skills, influence and resilience over time
- Driving lasting change and inspiring others to follow your lead
The power of saying yes
- Saying yes before you feel ready
- Getting comfortable being uncomfortable
- Building resilience through professional and personal challenges
Closing remarks & close of the summit
Leading in times of uncertainty: How to stay grounded & lead with impact
Overview
The pace and complexity of today’s work environment demands a new kind of leadership steadiness. This practical seminar draws on VUCA leadership principles, the concept of the Impact Player, and the critical distinction between distractions and genuine disturbance to help leaders cut through the noise, protect their focus, and show up with clarity and purpose – without burning out in the process.
Attend & learn
- Apply VUCA leadership principles to navigate volatility & complexity with confidence
- Distinguish between distractions & genuine disturbances that deserve your attention
- Identify what it means to be an Impact Player & how to lead beyond your formal role
- Build practical self-care habits that sustain your performance & judgement under pressure
- Develop your personal approach to staying grounded when conditions keep changing
How to make better decisions, prioritise your time & lead with confidence
Overview
The most significant leadership development happens when we confront the thinking, habits and assumptions that have quietly shaped our careers. This practical seminar helps leaders identify what’s holding them back, cut through competing priorities and define what success genuinely looks like at this stage of their journey – then leave with the tools to act on it immediately.
Attend & learn
- Identify & let go of the thinking patterns that quietly limit your leadership potential
- Prioritise what matters most when everything feels urgent & the list never gets shorter
- Reduce low-impact work to create space for the leadership that actually moves things forward
- Make faster, more confident decisions without second-guessing yourself at every turn
- Set clearer boundaries with stakeholders & teams without damaging trust or relationships
- Manage competing priorities & define success on your own terms, using a practical framework
Why bring your team
Strengthen your team
Develop and retain talent
Enhance your visibility
Collectively learn and implement
Get discounted table bookings
Who should attend?
Download our Letter to Your Manager template to easily share the value of this event with your organisation and secure approval to participate.
The use of the term “women” across the event is inclusive of both cisgender and transgender women. We acknowledge the under-representation of non-binary people in leadership, which is also a result of gender inequality.
Sydney 2026 | Pricing
Can’t attend in-person? Join the online interactive Sydney Summit and save $200 off the current rate
Groups of 3-4 save 5%
Groups of 5-9 save 10%
Groups of 10-19 save 15%
Groups of 20-29 save 25%
Groups of 30-49 save 30%
Groups of 50+POA
All prices shown in AUD
Special rates apply for non-government community service providers, & schools.
Call 1300 918 334 or email [email protected] to book.
Hear from our community
FAQs
Do all the speakers present live in person?
All speakers at The Hatchery present live and in person unless specifically noted on the event program or circumstances prevent the speaker from appearing live.
Are there opportunities to network with other delegates?
The Hatchery provides a number of networking opportunities for all event attendees. Clearly printed name badges are provided to all attendees at registration. Attendees are encouraged to wear these for the entirety of the event to ease networking processes during all session breaks. Attendees are also encouraged to bring plenty of business cards.
Online attendees are encouraged to network and collaborate during break out sessions or via chat forum on the online platform.
How do I access the slides and resources?
Once the event has finished you will be given the opportunity to provide feedback which will provide access to the session resources which we have permission to share.
Are meals included in my registration?
The program will include morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea for all participants. Please refer to the agenda tab above for more details.
Do you cater for dietary requirements and any additional needs?
Dietary requirements and any additional needs are to be communicated to event organisers minimum one week prior to the event commencing. Please identify yourself to The Hatchery staff upon arrival to ensure all your needs are met.
What if I cannot attend all sessions?
Some sessions are being recorded and will be made available after the event ends online (subject to speaker consent).
What happens if I am no longer able to attend?
All cancellations must be raised at least 2 weeks before the event. For cancellations received in writing more than 2 weeks before the event date, a credit voucher will be issued and valid for 12 months from the registration date to use for another The Hatchery event.
Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. The company regrets that no cancellations will be refunded. Course documentation will however be sent to the attendee.
A substitute attendee is always welcome at no extra charge, you must notify us in writing at least 48 hours in advance if you wish to send a substitute participant. Please email [email protected] and quote your invoice number to arrange this. Delegates may not "share" a pass between multiple attendees without prior authorisation.
For an event cancelled by The Hatchery registration fees are fully refundable.
