Future Women Leadership Series
Episodes
How to move past redundancy shame
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This panel discussion, recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, examines how to recover from redundancy and complex workplace situations. With ...
Kerri Hartland on how to keep leadership secrets
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kerri Hartland leads Australia’s most secret organisation. She oversees our network of spies and intelligence officers as the first-ever female ...
How to fix workplace culture killers
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From passive aggressive emails to a 'not my job' mentality, there are corporate habits that might seem small but can creep up and create a toxic compa...
BONUS FW series: Melanie Silva was "too excited"
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For years, in every performance review, Melanie Silva was told she was “too excited”. Too passionate. Not serious enough. Then she joined ...
How to overcome a career plateau
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What should you do if you are feeling stuck in your career? And what are the small, strategic steps you can make today to start moving forward? ...
BONUS FW series: Pamela Naidoo-Ameglio was "too quiet''
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Over 25 years, Pamela Naidoo-Ameglio has moved from diamond mines in South Africa to copper operations in rural Australia, and then made a leap that s...
Laura Kane's guide to navigating scrutiny
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How would intense public scrutiny impact your leadership style? Laura Kane is one of the most closely watched leaders in the nation. At just 33,...
BONUS FW series: Jamila Rizvi was "too co-dependent"
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
FW’s own deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi has spent her career as what she calls a “perennial number two” – from the Prim...
Nicole Scurrah on leading when people aren't your thing
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if your least favourite part of leading people is errr the people? Nicole Scurrah is an accomplished and widely-respected leader. She ...
BONUS FW Series: Giaan Rooney was “too invested”
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter...
Natalie Wilde's secrets to stakeholder management
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Natalie Wilde is one of Queensland's top public servants. She has worked across the public sector for over 23 years and is the current Director-Genera...
Ruby Riethmuller on how to choose the brave option
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does bravery mean in leadership? And are there secrets to being brave, even when you don't feel like it is possible? Ruby Riethmuller is the foun...
BONUS FW series: Kate Reid was "too lucky"
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Reid is the founder of the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. But before creating her own formula for the perfect buttery, flaky croissant, she was...
Michael De'Ath on how to become a courageous leader
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if courageous leadership isn't always about immediate action. But instead knowing how to wait and build influence to create maximum impact...&nbs...
BONUS FW Series: Lana Jones was "too strong"
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For almost two decades, Lana Jones was a principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, celebrated for lead roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping ...
Bonus FW series: Leemara Fairgrieve was "too accommodating"
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From styling hair to fighting crime, Detective Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve made quite the switch when she left hairdressing to join Victoria Po...
Summer shortcut: Prime Minister for a day
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You shortcut to this season's top leadership advice... Over the summer, we're playing a special series containing season five's most interesting...
BONUS FW series: Allegra Spender was "too nerdy": it took her to the top of fashion and politics
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Carla Zampatti’s daughter, self-confessed nerd Allegra Spender, never saw herself as a natural fit to lead her late mother’s fashion empir...
Back to basics: Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're revisiting our interview with newly minted Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg. Bennell-Pegg is Director of Space Tec...
Summer shortcut: The biggest leadership failures
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You shortcut to this season's top leadership advice... Over the summer, we're playing a special series containing season five's most interesting...
Summer shortcut: The best career feedback
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You shortcut to this season's top leadership advice... Over the summer, we're playing a special series containing season five's most interesting...
Georgie Holt on why you need leadership anti-values
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How often have you thought about your leadership values? Well, what you flipped that and started thinking in terms of anti-values? Georgie Holt ...
Paul Roos on what elite sports can teach corporate leaders
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What can the corporate world learn about leadership from elite sports teams? All AFL fans will recognise the name Paul Roos. He was a legendary ...
Back to basics: Wendy McCarthy on the politeness trap
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're revisiting one of our favourite FW Leadership Series episodes. Do you ever feel shackled by the expectation to be 'polite'? Wen...
Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks on how to stop people pleasing
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does there come a point where you stop worrying about being likeable? Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks is the founder of media start-up Missing Perspecti...
Justine Cain on what being widowed at 29 taught her about leadership
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is there a trick to pushing through tough times? Justine Cain is the Group CEO of Diabetes Australia. In this episode, she speaks about resilience and...
Van Tang on how to be a hardworking but lazy leader
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Van Tang is engineering giant GHD’s CEO for the Asia Pacific region. She leads a team of over 5600 people, spanning numerous countries and time ...
Mark Rigotti's guide to becoming a board member
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What sort of career moves should you be making if you want to join a board? Mark Rigotti was the Global CEO at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills,...
Erica Nelson's top tips for designing an effective org chart
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What should leaders think about when designing org charts? And what are the secrets to creating ones that fuel, rather than hinder, collaboration?&nbs...
Vicki Thomson on how to build compromise
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do we change as leaders over time? As CEO of the Group of Eight Universities, Vicki Thomson is one of the most important figures in Australi...
Kellie Hush's guide to career pivots
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the best way to overcome a public leadership failure? Kellie Hush is one of the most influential players in the Australian fashion landscape. ...
Mark Scott's blueprint for leading as an 'outsider'
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How should you approach leadership if you're an outside hire? Sydney University's Vice Chancellor Mark Scott is one of the country's most accomp...
Dr Kate Mason's guide to communicating with authority
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the difference between a good and a gifted communicator? Dr Kate Mason is a leading communications expert. Her new book, Powerfully Likea...
How to overcome a career plateau
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What should you do when you're feeling stuck in your career? And how can you best transform a plateau into new opportunities. In this panel disc...
Senator Jane Hume on how to avoid the likeability trap
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What should you do when strong convictions create conflict at work? Senator Jane Hume became a politician because of her strong convictions and ...
Rebekah Giles' secrets to reputation management
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What should you do when your integrity as a leader is called into question? Rebekah Giles is one of the most high-profile lawyers in Australia. ...
Fiona David's guide to making criticism count
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can being criticised as a leader also be a sign of success? The answer, according to Fiona David, is yes. A lawyer and anthropologist by trainin...
Craig Tiley's four tips for hiring the best people
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are the key traits leaders should look for when hiring? CEO of Tennis Australia Craig Tiley has one of the most high-pressure and high-profile sp...
Natalie Slessor on how to make your leadership ambitions visible
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the most effective way to make your ambitions a reality? The answer - according to Natalie Slessor - could be to start thinking of your career...
Jay Weatherill's guide to navigating divisive topics at work
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can leaders build cultures of respect in our increasingly polarised times? The answer, according to former Premier Jay Weatherill, mig...
BONUS FW SERIES: "LIke a game of chess." After she leaves
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: domestic and family violence. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. This is a whole ...
Dr Luci Ellis on leading as a technical specialist
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Luci Ellis is one of the most high-profile and respected economists in the country. She rose through the ranks to become Assistant Governor at the ...
BONUS FW SERIES: "I know where you are." After she leaves
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: domestic and family violence. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. This is a whole ...
Kathryn McMullan on how to develop executive presence
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is executive presence innate? Or, is it something we can work on and develop as we grow as leaders? Kathryn McMullan is one of the country&rsquo...
BONUS FW SERIES: "The ultimate act of revenge." After she leaves
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: domestic and family violence and homicide. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. Thi...
Dr Rachel David on how to stamp out passive-aggressiveness
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can leaders best spot and put a stop to passive-aggressive behaviours in teams? CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, Dr Rachel David, is som...
Part two: Mike Baird on managing underperformers
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can leaders bring the best out of team members? And what should they do when someone isn't pulling their weight? In the second part of a two...
Mike Baird on faith and leadership in the public eye
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At first glance, former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s career could almost seem pre-determined. He followed his father into politics and quickly estab...
Leading across genders
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can we best lead across genders? And how leaders should be thinking about bridging the gender divide? In this panel discussion recorded live at th...
Bernadette Black on learning to override fear
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a young mum, Bernadette Black had one of her most profound leadership realisations. Looking at her newborn son, she realised she would have to "ove...
Katrina Gorry is finally ready to call herself a leader
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Star Matilda's midfielder Katrina Gorry might be one of the most beloved athletes in the country. But for a long time she never saw herself as a leade...
Dr Kirstin Ferguson on blindspotting and why it matters
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible for you to be entirely unaware of what is holding you back as a leader? Dr Kirstin Ferguson is an internationally-recognised exec...
Discover your leadership style
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do different leadership styles go in and out of fashion? And is one version of leadership better than the rest? In this panel discussion rec...
Rowena Westphalen on leading half-human, half-digital teams
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Could this be the last generation of CEOs? As the Senior Vice President of Innovation, AI and Customer Advisory ANZ at Salesforce, Rowena Westphalen i...
Leading future generations
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can leaders tap into Gen Z talent? In this intergenerational panel recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join Helen McCabe as she quest...
Dr Katie Spearritt on the future of D&I
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does the widespread backlash to D&I signify? And how should leaders navigate it? Dr Katie Spearritt is a diversity and leadership exper...
Deanne Stewart on the pivotal moment that shaped her career
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can leaders best support talent? Deanne Stewart is one of the most in-demand executives in the country. As CEO of AwareSuper, she's in charg...
Georgie Dent on navigating a breakdown and becoming CEO
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"On paper things looked great … [but] I was a mess. And after 18 months, I sort of fell apart pretty catastrophically." Georgie Dent is the CE...
Bonus: Georgie Dent on nothing less than a revolution
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Georgie Dent in our third and final bonus episode as we unpack the costs of the childcare crisis to gender equality and the economy Plus: experts...
Peggy O'Neal on how to navigate being 'the first'
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Peggy O'Neal is best known for being the first woman in AFL history to serve as a club’s President. As President at Richmond, she helped steer t...
Bonus: Georgie Dent on the childcare deserts
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When is a choice not a choice? Almost a quarter of Australia’s population is now living in a ‘childcare desert’ - and this scarcity ...
Jayne Hrdlicka on stepping down as CEO of Virgin Australia
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a leader, how should you best step away from a role you've loved? Jayne Hrdlicka has had a high-profile and high-powered career as CEO of Virgin Au...
Bonus: Georgie Dent on the guilt-filled juggle
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How did struggling to access affordable childcare become the norm? The sky-high costs directly impact women’s economic security, career pro...
Tahnee Sharp on the dangers of personal brands
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How should leaders be thinking about building brands - now and into the future? Tahnee Sharp's business was born out of frustration, disappointm...
Rhian Allen on leading with tenacity
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What role does tenacity play in leadership? Rhian Allen is a wildly successful entrepreneur. She walked away from a high-powered role as a sales...
Tara Rae Moss on the power of public advocacy
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the best way for leaders to speak out and take a stand? Tara Rae Moss is - among many things - a best-selling author, documentary host a...
Bonus: Turia Pitt on being "too combative" and owning it
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Turia Pitt is one of Australia’s most inspirational women. She is a wearer of many hats - an author, speaker, business owner, ambassador. She is...
Alison Shamir on conquering imposter syndrome
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you project strength as a leader if you feel like a phony or a fraud? The answer — according to global imposter syndrome expert Alison Shami...
Bonus: Catherine Livingstone on being told she was "too inexperienced"
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Catherine Livingstone is the Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She’s also an extraordinarily accomplished businesswoman w...
Holly Masters on becoming the product
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can we view ourselves as products? And what leadership insights might be gained from doing so? Holly Masters is CEO of the McGrath Foundation. She joi...
Bonus: Dr Anne Summers on juggling "too many" professional passions
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is caring about too many things a legitimate risk to your professional success? Or does it speak to a drive that will keep you engaged throughout your...
Carly Kind on striking out across disciplines
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are the unique challenges that come with managing cross-disciplinary teams? As Australia’s Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind is a lead...
Bonus: Professor Georgina Long on keeping your professional passion alive
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when you're told you love your job too much? Professor Georgina Long shot to national attention when she was named Australian of ...
Susannah George on what it means to be a 'wartime CEO'
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a leader, is there a point where you've learned all there is to learn? The answer - according to Susannah George - is no. The award-winning entrepr...
Bonus: Moana Kidd on how to thrive professionally when you're "too open"
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you the one who always says what everyone was thinking? Moana Kidd never imagined she’d be a Senior Constable with Victoria Police. As a wom...
Back to basics: Chelsea Pottenger on building a mindful but productive schedule
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of our favourite FW Leadership Series. How can adversity and struggle lead to growth and opportunit...
Bonus: Brooke Blurton on owning your complexity at work
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like who you are was "too complex" for the field you work in? Brooke Blurton is best known for being the first Black and bise...
Back to basics: Sally Neighbour on staying fearless
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of our favourite FW Leadership Series. Award-winning journalist and former Executive Producer of AB...
Bonus: Chanel Contos on creating change by being "too disruptive"
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chanel Contos was just 21 years old when she launched an online petition that sparked a movement and propelled her into the global spotlight. Tea...
Back to basics: Melanie Silva on being a productive leader
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When are you at your most productive? Managing Director for Google Australia & New Zealand Melanie Silva doesn’t just fill her days up with ...
Bonus: Matildas star Lydia Williams on embracing being "too humble"
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does cockiness make you better at your job? That's what former Matildas star Lydia Williams was told when she rose to the sport's top flight. In this ...
Back to basics: Jamila Rizvi on growing your confidence
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where does confidence come from? Author, activist, and Future Women's Deputy Managing Director Jamila Rizvi brings both her experiences, and the resea...
Libby Allaway on what to wear and why it matters
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does your wardrobe reveal about you? Libby Allaway is an executive stylist, who's passion is empowering women through the transformative power of...
Lee Goddard on the consequences of absent leadership
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How present do leaders need to be? Rear Admiral Lee Goddard CSC served over 34 years in the Navy, commanding warships and joint taskforces at every se...
LTGEN Michelle McGuinness on cybersecurity & leadership
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC is Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator. She came to this role with over 30 years of experienc...
Jo McConnell's guide for first time leaders
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jo McConnell recently started an exciting new role as Chief People Officer at Herbert Smith Freehills. Prior to this, she was CEO of Transformation at...
Back to Basics: Anna Bligh on finding your voice as a leader
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Bligh AC was the first woman to become the Queensland Premier and the first woman to lead the Labor party. Anna shares with host Helen McCabe the...
Liz Cosson's 4 must-dos in the first 100 days of a new job
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Starting a new leadership position? Liz Cosson AM spent over 3 decades in the Australian Army, before moving into the highest ranks of the Public Se...
Kyah Bell’s pursuit of growth through hard choices
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kyah Bell is a Wulugurukaba, Juru, and Bindal woman, co-founder of the Black Excellence Fund, and Director at First Australians Capital. In this episo...
Anna Jepson on kindness vs niceness
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What role does kindness play in new-age leadership? In this conversation with Helen McCabe, Anna Jepson, CFO of Institutional Banking & Markets at...
Juliette Wright on getting your teams priorities right
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Juliette Wright OAM is the founder and CEO of GIVIT, an online platform connecting those who have, with those who need. Juliette has received numerous...
Dr Tiffany De Sousa Machado on why 'wellbeing at work' isn't working
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's the point of corporate wellbeing initiatives? Companies are throwing record investment into wellbeing programs, employee assistance programs, a...
Cherie Clonan's guide to creating a neurodivergent inclusive workplace
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cherie Clonan is a proud Autistic woman and the Founding Director and CEO of The Digital Picnic. In this episode, Cherie discusses receiving an autism...
Katrina King on building a culture of accountability
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when leaders lack accountability? In this episode, FW Managing Director Helen McCabe sits down with Katrina King—General Manager of Cli...
Jackie Hallan on what it means to be a 'trauma-informed' leader
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jackie Hallan is the Director of Service for Youth Involvement program, ReachOut PeerChat. In this episode, Helen McCabe and Jackie discuss why leader...
Katherine Bennell-Pegg on why following is just as important as leading
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag and Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space...
Fiona Webster on what Flight MH17 taught her about leadership
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you remain calm in a crisis? Fiona Webster is Chief Security Officer in the Diplomatic Security Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs &...
Mel Thomas on building unshakeable self belief
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to turn self-doubt into self-belief? Mel Thomas is founder and CEO of KYUP!, Australian of the Year nominee, martial arts champion, ...
Edweena Stratton's guide to redundancy
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is there ever a good way to deliver redundancy news? Edweena Stratton has broad experience as a people and culture leader, including leadership roles ...
Sonja Stewart on leadership that leaves a legacy
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What impact will your leadership have? Sonja Stewart has been involved in government, academia, and not-for-profits for over 20 years. Sonja was deput...