The Future of Women in Western Sydney Summit – International Women’s Day 2023
On International Women's Day 2023, we held our inaugural Future of Western Sydney Summit at CommBank Stadium Parramatta to highlight the voices of women in Western Sydney.
The Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC, Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health, opened the Summit by emphasizing the importance of engaging the next generation of young women and showcasing the opportunities available to them.
Keynote speakers Kaylene Hubbard, KPMG Australia Geographic Lead Greater Western Sydney, and Melissa Irwin, General Manager People, Culture and Transformation at Endeavour Energy, spoke about the importance of the next generation and women creating a sustainable future respectively.
Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement) at Western Sydney University, shared insights into the unique barriers facing Western Sydney women, including employment opportunities, digital exclusion, and caring responsibilities.
Partners
Western Sydney Women are grateful to our partners and sponsors for their support in creating meaningful change for women in Western Sydney.
Major Partner: Women NSW
Platinum Sponsors: Endeavour Energy and KPMG Australia
Gold Sponsors: Lendlease, Multiplex, City of Parramatta, Porsche Centre Parramatta, Walker Corporation, and Western Sydney Advisory
Print Partner: Bright Print Group
Panelists
Thank you to all our panelists who contributed to the Future of Western Sydney Summit!
Discussions were held around entrepreneurship, politics, bias, the next generation and sustainability, with panelists sharing their experiences of barriers they’ve faced and overcome, as well as their ideas on what we can achieve moving forward. What an amazing group of women listed below!
Entrepreneurial Women—Past Present and Future
Facilitated by Brigid Glanville
Deborah Burgess, Joint Managing Director, Bright Print Group
Wendy Daoud El-Khoury, CEO, Wedded Wonderland
Rebecca Pham, Corporate Operations, Strong Compute
Amanda Rose, Founding Director of Western Sydney Women
Diversity and Politics
Facilitated by Amanda Rose, Founding Director of Western Sydney Women.
The Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC, Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health, NSW Government
Clr Donna Davis, Lord Mayor of Parramatta and Labor Candidate for Parramatta
Elizabeth Farrelly, Independent NSW Upper House Candidate
Tania Mihailuk MP, Independent Member for Bankstown and One Nation Candidate for Bankstown
Maria Kovacic, President, Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division)
Bias by Design
Facilitated by Amreetha Kariyawasam, Director, Struber.
Dr. Sarah Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Western Parkland City Authority
Sophie Partridge, Director of Future Student Engagement, Western Sydney University
Adeleen Singh, Senior Contract Administrator, Multiplex
Queenie Tran, leader in the Specialist Disability Accommodation space
Next Gen Youth Pathways
Facilitated by Jessica Nguyen, Cyber Security GRC Analyst, UNSW
Grace Haydon, Senior Project Officer, City of Parramatta
Betty Nguyen, 2022 Western Sydney Young Woman of the Year
Daniya Syed, 2021 Western Sydney Young Woman of the Year
Olivia Widjaja, Aerospace Engineering Student, UNSW and Space Operations Analyst, EOS Space Systems
A Sustainable Future
Facilitated by Amy Brown, executive leader across private and public sectors
Katy Hannouch, General Manager/Community Engagement & Partnerships, Western Sydney International Airport
Brei Montgomery, Head of International Trade, Hort Innovation Australia
Gina Pavlovic, Manager Sustainability and Environment, Endeavour Energy
Danielle Woolley, Health Ageing and Human Services Partner, KPMG Australia
The Future of Western Sydney Summit was a successful celebration of women's voices and a commitment to creating a better future for women in Western Sydney.
This day wouldn't have been possible without our speakers, panelists, volunteers, team and attendees committed to seeing Western Sydney through the lens of women.