Megan Gilmour
EdTech Futurist | 2025 ACT Aus of the Year | Impact Architect | Speaker (TEDx 1M+ views) | Board Advisor | The Art of Agency | MissingSchool | Robots4Good
Megan Gilmour
Megan Gilmour is a visionary EdTech Futurist and social innovator recognized as the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year. A passionate advocate for educational inclusion, she is the co-founder of MissingSchool and Robots4Good, initiatives that leverage telepresence technology to reconnect critically ill children with their classrooms. Her work as an “Impact Architect” focuses on systemic change, specifically exploring the intersection of human agency and digital transformation, a theme she masterfully articulates in her globally acclaimed TEDx talk (boasting over 1 million views) and her book, The Art of Agency.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Gilmour serves as a high-level Board Advisor and international speaker, helping organizations navigate the future of learning and work. By championing the idea that technology should serve to strengthen human connection rather than replace it, she has become a leading voice in ensuring no student is left behind by the pace of modern innovation.
Nishita Khatter, CA
CEO, Blue Moon Marketing | Founder, Bad & Desi | Building marketing, AI and media infrastructure across 4 countries
Nishita Khatter
Nishita Khatter is a dynamic leader who seamlessly bridges the
gap between elite corporate rigour and entrepreneurial
innovation. A Chartered Accountant (CA) by trade, Nishita spent
years honing her expertise in business processes, HR, risk, and
financial frameworks within Big 4 consultancy firms.
Today, she serves as a driving force behind Blue Moon Marketing
as its Managing Director, where she has been instrumental in
scaling the agency into a global corporation. She specialises in
performance marketing, client growth, and building scalable systems that turn marketing
spend into measurable business outcomes. By embedding sophisticated systems and
operations into the creative landscape, Nishita has successfully grown over 50 client
accounts and now manages an expanding international team. Her unique
approach—treating marketing with the precision of a financial strategist—earned her a
nomination for the 2025 Sydney Young Entrepreneur Award.
Beyond her role at Blue Moon, she is also a dedicated podcast host and the visionary behind
Bad and Desi, a media network and creative platform connecting South Asian artists in
Australia and New Zealand. Through Bad and Desi, she is building infrastructure that
bridges the gap between exceptional South Asian talent and their communities—creating
sustainable career paths for artists who have been historically underrepresented in
mainstream media.
Whether she is deep-diving into business root causes or championing cultural storytelling,
Nishita is committed to excellence, operational intelligence, and the empowerment of the
next generation of creative leaders.
Sheryle Moon FAICD
President, Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT); General Manager, AmCham Australia
Sheryle Moon FAICD
Sheryle Moon FAICD is a highly accomplished executive leader with an extensive background in fostering strategic partnerships and driving organizational growth. As the General Manager of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham), she plays a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral trade and investment between Australia and the United States, leveraging her deep expertise in international business relations. Beyond her corporate leadership, she is deeply committed to social impact, serving as the President of Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT). In this capacity, she leads the capital region’s primary provider of mental health education, championing evidence-based programs that reduce stigma and promote wellbeing through lived-experience storytelling.
A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), Sheryle’s career is marked by high-level governance and a proven track record in the technology and non-profit sectors. Her dual roles highlight a unique ability to navigate complex commercial landscapes while maintaining a steadfast dedication to community health and advocacy. Throughout her professional journey, she has been recognized for her influence in the business community and her strategic approach to leadership, making her a prominent figure in both the Australian executive and philanthropic sectors.
Dr. Cathy Moloney
PhD | Senior Executive Leader & Trusted Advisor | Geopolitics, Defence, National Security & Nuclear | Shaping Strategy and Driving Impact Across the Indo-Pacific
Dr. Cathy Moloney
Dr. Cathy Moloney is a distinguished senior executive and strategic advisor recognized for her deep expertise in geopolitics, national security, and nuclear policy within the Indo-Pacific. Currently serving as Australia Vice President at The Asia Group (TAG), she provides high-level political insights and strategic analysis to help organizations navigate complex regulatory and security landscapes. Her career spans influential roles across government and academia, including serving as Deputy Director of Defence Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and as Head of the Centre for Defence Research at the Australian Defence College.
A leading voice in regional security, Dr. Moloney is a member of the Executive Committee for Women in Nuclear (WiN) Australia and the Asia Pacific Leadership Network (APLN). She holds a PhD in Nuclear Policy and International Relations from Griffith University and has served as the Editor of the Australian Journal of Defence and Strategic Studies. Her work is central to shaping Australia’s strategic discourse, particularly regarding AUKUS, nuclear deterrence, and the evolving security architecture of the Asia-Pacific.
Genevieve Jacobs AM
GAICD, CEO Hands Across Canberra, JP
Genevieve Jacobs AM
Genevieve Jacobs AM, GAICD, JP is a highly respected Australian journalist, community leader, and executive, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Hands Across Canberra, the independent community foundation for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). With over three decades of experience in public broadcasting and print media, including a prominent 12-year tenure as a presenter for ABC Radio Canberra, she has long been a trusted and influential voice in the region.
Beyond her media career, Genevieve is deeply committed to philanthropy, social justice, and regional development. She serves as a Justice of the Peace (JP) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), lending her strategic governance expertise to numerous boards, including the Cultural Facilities Corporation, the ACT Heritage Council, and the Canberra International Music Festival. In recognition of her significant service to the broadcast media and to the community of the ACT, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Australia Day Honours.
Vanessa Brettell
2025 Australian of The Year Local Hero Social Entrepreneur – Cafe Stepping Stone AIYD 2025 Delegate
Vanessa Brettell
Vanessa Brettell is an inspiring Australian social entrepreneur who was named the 2025 Australian of the Year Local Hero alongside her business partner, Hannah Costello, for their impactful work in grassroots community empowerment. As the co-founder of Café Stepping Stone—a work-integration social enterprise based in Canberra—Vanessa is dedicated to uplifting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women, particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds who face severe systemic barriers to employment. Inspired by her own grandmother’s migration journey from India, Vanessa established the sustainable, vegetarian café to offer these women financial independence through award-wage employment, accredited hospitality qualifications, and a safe environment to build confidence and social connections. Her exceptional leadership, commitment to social cohesion, and innovative approach to “business for good” earned her a selection as a distinguished Australian delegate for the 2025 Australia-India Youth Dialogue (AIYD). Through this prestigious platform, she collaborates with young leaders across both nations to discuss the future of leadership, further driving global conversations around economic empowerment, social justice, and inclusive community development.
Siobhan O’Sullivan
Founding Partner, Senior Executive, Board Director, Board Advisor, Speaker, Lecturer
Siobhan O’Sullivan
Siobhan O’Sullivan GAICD is a highly accomplished senior executive, board director, and advisor with over 25 years of experience driving growth, operations, and strategic change across Australia’s technology and corporate landscapes. Currently serving as a Chief Executive / Chief Operating Officer level executive within prominent innovation and tech ecosystems—including her recent leadership as Chief Growth Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Computer Society (ACS)—she specializes in scaling fintech, logistics, and retail tech operations. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and an MBA alumna of Macquarie Business School, O’Sullivan brings vast governance expertise to her roles as a founding partner and board director, advising organizations like Enterprise Ireland, Wych Money, and BrainSTEM to nurture international business expansion and future STEM leaders. Beyond the boardroom, she is a sought-after speaker, innovation mentor, and university lecturer who frequently shares her extensive real-world insights on digital transformation, executive leadership, and modern tech ecosystems with corporate audiences and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.
Nicola Grayson
Head of Public Affairs, Creative Australia
Nicola Grayson
Nicola Grayson is an accomplished public affairs executive and strategic communications leader who serves as the Head of Public Affairs for Creative Australia, the Australian government’s principal arts investment and advisory body. In her role, she plays a vital part in steering national advocacy, managing crisis communications, and enhancing public trust regarding the economic and social value of the country’s arts and creative sectors. Grayson is particularly recognized for her forward-thinking leadership on how public institutions navigate the digital age; she frequently speaks at major national summits on policy frameworks for responsible innovation, cybersecurity, and the ethical integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence within the creative industries. Prior to her impact at Creative Australia, she established a robust reputation in industry leadership and government relations, notably serving for three years as the Chief Executive Officer of Consult Australia.
Sunita Kotnala
CEO, Women’s Shed Canberra
Sunita Kotnala
Sunita Kotnala is the founder and CEO of Women’s Shed Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory’s first and only women’s shed. A dedicated social development professional holding a Master of Social Work, she established the grassroots non-profit in 2020 to create a safe, inclusive space for women to build practical confidence through trade skills. Merging her extensive background in gender equality and community development with a personal love for furniture restoration, she has built the organization into a thriving social enterprise operating out of a permanent hub in Greenway as well as a mobile service van. Under her leadership, the organization runs hands-on workshops in carpentry, home maintenance, and power tool safety, which serve as a supportive gateway to non-traditional trades and actively champion the circular economy. In recognition of her profound impact on women’s independence and community connection, she was honored as the 2025 Canberra Citizen of the Year.
Speakers Coming Soon …..
ACT International Women’s Day 2027: Leaders’ Breakfast
#LeadTheChange
About the event:
Join us for a moving and inspiring morning as we celebrate International Women’s Day 2027 with a special breakfast honouring the remarkable women who have shaped the Australian Capital Territory — not only through leadership and advocacy, but also through the often-unrecognised roles of motherhood, caregiving, and community building.
Guided by this year’s theme, Lead the Change, we recognise that leadership is not confined to a single path or profession. Too often, leadership conversations occur within industry silos — yet the skills, insights, and experiences that define impactful leadership extend across sectors. This event brings together voices from across government, business, academia, and community, creating a space to learn from one another and lead beyond boundaries.
Set against the backdrop of the ACT’s unique role at the heart of national decision-making, this event will shine a light on the women who have influenced policy, strengthened communities, and driven progress locally and across Australia.
Together, we will reflect on their legacy and look ahead with purpose — empowering each of us to lead the changetoward a more inclusive, connected, and equitable future.
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM
Governor of Queensland
Professor Lyn Beazley AO
Neuroscientist; 2015 West Australian of the Year; WA’s Chief Scientist(2006 – 2013)
Sallyanne Atkinson AO
First female Lord Mayor of Brisbane; Former Senior Trade Commissioner to Paris; Former Special Representative for Queensland in South East Asia
Dr Hilda Turnbull
Former Member for Collie(1989 -2001); First woman elected to the WA Legislative Assembly representing the National Party
Jean McRuvie
Chair, Council on the Ageing Queensland
Professor Samar Aoun AM
Researcher and advocate for end-of-life care, bereavement and grief support; 2023 WA AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR; Head of Palliative Care Research, Perron Institute
Emily Edgar
Lawyer, Person with Lived experience, Disability Advocate
Dr Emilia Dauway MD
FACS, FRACS, Director of Surgery and Critical Care Services at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital Health Service.
Andrea Musulin
Founder, WA Child Protection Society and The Child Focused Safety Service WA ; Director Safeguarding Program, Catholic Archdiocese of Perth and Safeguarding Lead Police and Community Youth Centres.
Jasmin Diab CSC GAICD
President, Women in Nuclear Australia; Veteran
Miquela Riley
Vice President & Deputy Chair, RSL WA; Veteran and Veteran’s advocate
Ashley McCarthy-Griffiths
Engineer; Winner Exceptional Young Woman in Queensland Resources
Mary Nenke
Director, Cambinata Yabbies; Mary’s Farm Cottages;
Jacinta Vu
2025 Local Hero for Western Australia
Nominee for Australia of the Year 2025 WA
Oral Medicine Specialist
Linda Ginger
Market Strategist
Asha Bhat OAM
CEO, Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Lisa Ward
Chief Executive Officer, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
Yasmin Khan
2017 QLD Local Hero; Churchill Fellow; State Multicultural Champion 2015
Chithrani Palipana
Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor, a Plan Manager (NDIS) and a pro-bono Disability Advocate
Tanya Brown GAICD
National Director – Special Olympics Australia
Director – Hardie Finance Corp
Hon Maryka Groenewald MLC
Member of Legislative Council, Western Australia
Prasitha Chavittupara
Advocate for Healthcare Reform Founder of Aishwarya’s Foundation