Lisa Annese commenced her role as the Chief Executive Officer of Chief Executive Women in January 2025 and is committed to the empowerment of women and girls across the economy. In this role, she leads a membership of 1300 women leaders across Australia to advance gender equality in Australia, focusing on increasing the representation of women in leadership across all sectors in the economy and advocating for important policy reform.

Prior to this, Lisa spent 10 years as the CEO of the Diversity Council Australia where she led a broad array of groundbreaking, evidence-based research, including Australia’s first national index on workplace diversity and inclusion, seminal research on the economics of the gender pay gap, and original work on Counting Culture and building Asian Leadership Capability, as well as research supporting individuals being ‘Out at Work’, mainstreaming flexible work and myth-busting workplace responses to sexual harassment and domestic and family violence. 

Lisa has served on the NSW Women’s Advisory Council the Respect at Work Council where she was appointed by the Attorney-General to implement the legislative reforms from the Respect@Work Act. In 2018, Lisa was named one of the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence. In 2019 she was elected to the Board of Amnesty International Australia and, in 2021, to the Board of non-partisan organisation Women for Election. As well as being their CEO, Lisa is also a member of Chief Executive Women.

Lisa has had a long career progressing positive change across the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Earlier in her career, at the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (formerly the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA)), she developed the first-ever census of Australian Women in Leadership, the first-ever Business Achievement Awards, the creation of the Employer of Choice for Women citation and the development and implementation of the policy framework for the EOWA Act 1999 with Australian businesses. For her contribution at EOWA, she was awarded a Medal for Significant Contribution to the Australian Public Service. 

Following her success at our 2023 Summit, we are delighted to welcome back celebrated Whadjuk Noongar journalist and presenter, Narelda Jacobs OAM as the MC for the Chief Executive Women Leadership Summit 2025.

Narelda's career at Network 10 spans a quarter of a century, where she currently presents the daily one-hour national news bulletin 10 News: Lunchtime, and 10 News: Afternoons.

You'll also find her on National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), podcast airwaves, appearing in documentaries and Australian dramas, hosting events around the country and internationally, sharing her lived experience on panels and giving back to her community through various ambassadorial and board roles.

With her compelling storytelling and fearless leadership, we are thrilled to have Narelda as MC for the CEW Leadership Summit.

Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher entered politics in 2001 in a bid to boost women’s representation in the ACT Legislative Assembly. Since then, she has dedicated her career to delivering progressive policies, with a particular focus on making sure that government works for women. 

In 2022 with the election of the Albanese Government, Katy became a proud member of Australia’s first majority women federal government and, with the recent election, is now a member of our country’s first gender equal cabinet.

Holding the portfolios of Finance, Women, the Public Service and Government Services across both terms of government, Katy has worked with her colleagues to ensure that women are at the centre of government decision making, with a focus on; Expanding paid parental leave, Paying super on top of Commonwealth paid parental leave, Working to close the gender pay gap, and Investments in women’s health and safety.

Dr. Catriona Wallace is a globally recognised authority in Artificial Intelligence, leadership transformation, and the ethics of emerging technology.

Named by the Australian Financial Review as Australia’s Most Influential Woman in Business & Entrepreneurship, as a pre-eminent scientist by the Royal Institution of Australia and as one of the Top Global Power Women by the Centre for Economic Development in the UK, she demonstrates a rare combination of business acumen and visionary insight.

A former Shark on Shark Tank Australia and Adjunct Professor with two PhDs, Catriona is the acclaimed author of Rapid Transformation, and transformative AI to equip leaders for today’s complex global challenges. She is also the author of Checkmate Humanity, founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance and chairs an AI venture capital fund, advising governments, corporations, and global forums on the ethical adoption of emerging technologies.

Catriona brings a consciousness-based lens to leadership, helping leaders and organisations navigate crises such as AI proliferation, mental health, climate change, and global polarisation. Her work bridges worlds, inspiring audiences to lead with courage, clarity, and expanded capacity in an age of rapid transformation.

Kim Brennan (nee Crow) is the epitome of the modern leader. An Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalist in rowing, Kim transferred her sporting skills to become an emerging leader in technology implementation for Management Consultancy EY. She is now their Oceania Digital Government Leader.

Born in Melbourne and the daughter of a VFL Footballer, Kim was raised into a very sporty Family. She commenced her elite sporting career as a track and field athlete. She finished second at the World Youth Championships in the 400m hurdles before injury forced her to give up on Olympic Athletics aspirations. Not to be thwarted, Kim took up rowing in 2005 and hasn’t looked back.

She made her first Australian team within 8 months of starting rowing, and won a bronze medal in the women’s eight at the World Championships that year. While competing, Kim continued her Melbourne University Law Degree remotely, graduating with first class honours and winning the prize for top female graduate of her year.

A disappointment at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 inspired Kim to bigger and better things- teaching her the power of continuous learning through both success and adversity. 

At the London Games, Kim was the only rower to compete in two separate Rowing events at the Olympics. Partnered with Brooke Pratley, the duo brought home a silver medal in the women’s double sculls, before Kim went on to claim a bronze in the single sculls. She was subsequently voted by her peers to the role of Chairperson of the Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, working tirelessly to improve support to athletes off the field of play.

2013 saw Kim win her first World Championships gold medal in the single sculls, and win the prestigious World Rower of the Year Award.

Kim finally added Olympic gold to her collection when she claimed the top spot on the dais at the Rio 2016 Games, rowing in the women’s single sculls. That year she was awarded the Gina Rinehart Award for Leadership, the Australian Female Sportsperson of the Year, the Rowers’ Rower of the Year, the Female Rower of the Year, the ACT Sportsperson of the Year, the Victorian Sportsperson of the Year, the Women’s Health Sportsperson of the Year and the flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games.

Kim married 2008 rowing gold medallist and doctor, Scott Brennan, in Hobart in 2015. They had their first child Jude Brennan in July 2018 and then daughter Violet in 2021.

Kim is an overachiever not only on the water, but also off it. She achieved a perfect score of 99.95 in her year 12 school results and went on to work as a lawyer specialising in sports and intellectual property law. In 2016 she was enticed across to EY to work in the growing field of technology advisory. There, Kim has led large scale technology implementation projects, taking a particular interest in the ethics of emerging technology and how to embrace innovation and AI in a changing world. 

Kim sat for 9 years on the Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission as Chair and Deputy Chair, 7 years on the Australian Sports Foundation (including Chairing its Finance Audit and Risk Committee), the AIS Ethics Committee, the Australian Olympic Committee High Performance Committee and the Rowing Australia Athletes’ Commission. She has been an ambassador for the Worldwide Fund for Nature Clean Water Project in Kafue, Zambia; the Reach for Nepal Foundation and the Australian Drug Foundation Good Sports Program.

While at EY she founded a pilot program for employing current competing athletes on flexible work arrangements, and was named one of Australia’s top 100 influential women by the Australian Financial Review in 2018. She sits on the EY Global Athlete Council chaired by Global CEO Janet Truncale.

Kim Brennan was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017 and won the Thomas Keller medal for outstanding lifetime contribution to the sport of rowing in 2018 (world rowing’s highest honour, awarded once annually).

Kerri Burgess leads Spencer Stuart’s Financial Services Practice in Asia Pacific and serves on the Board Practice, specializing in CEO succession planning. She is also part of the Leadership Advisory Services team and the Asia Pacific operating committee. Kerri brings more than 20 years of experience guiding senior leaders and boards across Australia, Singapore, New York, and London.

Before joining Spencer Stuart in 2001, Kerri held senior executive roles at Citigroup, including head of strategy and business development, group head of financial institutions, and chief of staff for the corporate bank, while serving as a trustee for the Superannuation Fund. She contributed to a global post-merger team, identifying strategic opportunities across consumer, corporate, and investment banking. Her career also spans leading structured products marketing for Asia and Europe, overseeing training programs for nine Asia Pacific countries, and heading derivatives and treasury functions in Australia. She began her career as a solicitor at Clayton Utz.

At Spencer Stuart, Kerri has led over 500 CEO, board, and executive leadership searches, as well as succession, assessment, and development assignments. She works across sectors including banking, insurance, consumer, government, technology, and professional services, helping leaders navigate complex challenges, make strategic decisions, and build high-performing teams.

As moderator of CEW’s “The Executive Edge: Practical Wisdom for Leading for Tomorrow,” Kerri draws on her extensive global experience to guide conversations with business visionaries, uncovering actionable insights and frameworks for leadership success.

Kerri holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and a diploma from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. She is a member of Chief Executive Women, serving on the Membership Committee.

Caroline Cox BA (Hons), MA, LLB, BCL is Chief Legal, Governance and External Affairs Officer at BHP, where she leads a global team of more than 450 professionals across Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Asia. She has overarching responsibility for Legal, Governance, Ethics and Compliance, Internal Audit and Advisory, Sustainability and Public Policy, Communications, and Corporate Affairs.

Caroline joined BHP in 2015 as Vice President, Legal and was appointed Group General Counsel & Company Secretary in 2016. In her current role, she focuses on enhancing BHP’s capacity to understand and respond to community expectations with a long-term view, while promoting strong governance and ethical practices across the organisation. She is a passionate advocate for advancing gender equality within BHP and the legal profession, championing initiatives around flexible work, and the elimination of sexual harassment and racism.

Prior to BHP, Caroline was a Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills for 11 years, specialising in cross-border transactions, disputes, and regulatory investigations. Earlier in her career, she practised as a solicitor at the Canadian law firm Osler Hoskin & Harcourt and clerked for judges at the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court of Queen’s Bench.

Caroline serves on the Legal Committee of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a board member of General Counsel or Diversity & Inclusion, and is a member of Chief Executive Women. Through these roles, she supports the development of diverse, high-performing teams and the advancement of leadership practices across the corporate sector.

With extensive experience navigating complex legal and corporate challenges, Caroline brings practical wisdom and actionable insights on decision-making, building diverse teams, and leading with integrity in today’s dynamic business environment. She will share her expertise on the CEW Leadership Summit panel, “The Executive Edge: Practical Wisdom for Leading for Tomorrow”, offering leaders concrete frameworks to unlock the benefits of diverse decision-making and drive sustainable organisational success.

Zoe Daniel is a consultant, author, journalist, and former independent Federal Member for Goldstein. Elected in 2022 as the first woman and only Independent to represent the electorate, she brought a career of nearly three decades as a foreign correspondent into the political arena.

As a journalist, Zoe reported from around the world on conflict, natural disasters, economics, and climate change. She covered bushfires and floods in Australia, typhoons in Asia, and the impacts of global warming in the Arctic. Her four years in the United States covering Donald Trump’s presidency gave her unique insight into political division and the consequences of democratic decline.

Motivated by frustration with the lack of action on climate, integrity, and gender equality, Zoe stepped into politics to create change. In Parliament, she championed climate action, accountability, and women’s economic security, securing healthcare funding, advocating for fairer student debt policies, strengthening climate legislation, and supporting the creation of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. She also introduced bills to improve online safety and reduce harmful gambling advertising.

Central to Zoe’s leadership is her collaborative, community-driven approach. In Goldstein, she built a grassroots movement that empowered local voices, turned contention into dialogue, and translated collective priorities into policy outcomes. Recognised for her ability to articulate clear messages and foster trust, she demonstrated how listening and empathy can drive tangible reform even in a polarised environment.

Today, Zoe works as a consultant and advisor, applying her experience in politics, media, and advocacy to advance transformational change across climate, gender equality, intergenerational equity, and corporate and government integrity. She continues to champion leadership that listens, grounded in integrity and community.

Zoe lives in Bayside Melbourne with her husband, two teenagers, and their golden retriever.

Swati Dave is an experienced CEO and non-executive director whose career spans over 30 years across domestic and international banking and financial markets. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to creating impact—both within organisations and across communities.

“I fell into banking by accident, but I quickly realised that through banking, you can make a very positive impact on your community and your country,” Swati reflects. This insight shaped her career, financing critical infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals, roads, ports, and renewable energy initiatives—each contributing to the growth and prosperity of communities across Australia.

Most recently, as Managing Director and CEO of Export Finance Australia (2017–2022), Swati led a major business and cultural transformation, securing an Indo-Pacific Infrastructure mandate, $1 billion in additional callable capital, and introducing an equity investment mandate. She also championed gender equality, with women representing more than 50 percent of both the Executive and Senior Leadership teams for the first time.

Swati has held senior roles at National Australia Bank, Deutsche Bank, AMP Henderson Global Investors, Bankers Trust, and Westpac. She currently serves on the Australian Financial Complaints Authority Board, as an independent member of the QIC Global Infrastructure Investment Committee, and was appointed to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Governance Board in December 2024. She is also the inaugural Chair of the Federal Government’s Centre for Australia-India Relations.

Her approach to leadership is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and empathy. “You need to be yourself when you’re leading… the best thing you can do is enable and empower your team to succeed,” she says. Swati’s career exemplifies the power of listening, understanding diverse perspectives, and building inclusive, high-performing teams.

Swati Dave’s journey demonstrates how determination, authenticity, and a focus on positive impact can shape a life of meaningful leadership, leaving lasting influence across organisations, communities, and international relationships.

Kate Dundas is the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA), leading the Australian chapter of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. Reporting directly to the board and in close contact with global headquarters in New York, she holds full strategic, operational, and financial accountability, overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget and a national team of specialists in climate, human rights, anti-bribery and corruption, and sustainable finance.

With over 20 years’ experience spanning entrepreneurship, urban development, and sustainability, Kate has built a successful circular economy business, led major precinct redevelopments, and driven double-digit business growth. She brings people together—from boardrooms to communities to the United Nations—to turn ambition into action at scale.

Kate operates at the intersection of business, government, and civil society, engaging directly with CEOs, ministers, regulators, and civil society leaders to influence corporate behaviour, align business strategies with the UN’s Ten Principles, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. She represents Australian business in international forums, leads cross-border collaborations, and contributes to global policy and practice development, anticipating emerging sustainability trends and positioning Australian companies as leaders in responsible business.

A strategic leader and natural connector, Kate is known for her energy, clarity, and collaborative approach. She has served over 15 years on boards and advisory groups, bringing expertise in governance, risk, and strategic oversight while balancing commercial outcomes with values. She is a seasoned public speaker, delivering keynotes and TEDx presentations that inspire action, not just conversation.

Deeply committed to people, community, and the planet, Kate applies this purpose to both her professional and personal life—whether leading national sustainability programs, running a not-for-profit, swimming in the ocean, or raising two lively boys. Her focus, optimism, and curiosity underpin a career dedicated to building resilient communities and empowering women to drive meaningful climate action.

Tanya is the former Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy at the Australian Football League and in 2021 South Australian – Australian of the Year.
Ms. Hosch has a long and distinguished history in Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander policy, advocacy, governance and is an accomplished
public speaker.

Before joining the AFL as the first ever Indigenous person and second woman in their Executive ranks in August 2016, Tanya was the Joint Campaign director of the Recognise movement for constitutional
recognition.

Tanya’s most recent work relating to inclusion focuses on Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, Gender Equity, Sexuality and Gender
Diversity, racism and sexism.
Tanya is a Co-Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group of the National
Australia Bank, a Director of the Coaxial Foundation, ANU Council, was
recently proudly appointed to the board of the Goodes O'Loughlin
Foundation (GO Foundation) and was a member of the Referendum
Council that led the process and final recommendation that resulted in
The Uluru Statement from the Heart in May 2017.

A career highlight was
contributing as a Consultant on the ABC drama, Total Control, where she
later appeared in a cameo part in Season Two.

As the AI Institute Leader and Strategy and Business Design Leader for Deloitte Australia, Dr. Kellie Nuttall leads the charge in collaborating with organisations to develop strategic plans for transforming complex data into valuable insights.  

Her passion lies in integrating AI and cognitive technologies into business and government to create a better world. 

Kellie has a vast track record in using AI, digital twins, and other emerging technologies to optimise complex operational systems and value chains, with a focus on driving high-value business outcomes. 

She has extensive experience designing AI operating models that align with companies’ strategic goals. Kellie is also a faculty member at Singularity University, where she applies exponential technologies to enhance transportation systems. 

Prior to her current role, Kellie led transport planning and applied advanced analytics at the Department of Transport and Main Roads (QLD). Kellie holds a Ph.D. in consumer decision making and nudge psychology. 

An inspiring leader, successful senior executive and active social commentator, Kylea (pronounced Kylie) Tink is widely recognized as a formidable change agent.

Not only was Kylea the first woman ever elected to represent the federal seat of North Sydney, but she has built and run successful businesses, teams and campaigns as a CEO, Senior Executive, Managing Director, Board Member and Strategic Advisor.

As a key member of the “Teal Wave” that swept federal politics in 2022, for over 35 years Kylea has worked across the Public Policy, Commercial, Government and Not-for-Profit sectors to build and lead high performing teams, businesses and communities.

Working across Australia and international markets, Kylea has significant experience in strategic planning to drive change and deliver tangible results. Her expertise in identifying and mitigating emerging issues is fundamental to her record of success.

A regular commentator in the media and a frequent speaker at conferences, Kylea’s thought-leading advocacy is renowned for challenging the status-quo.

During her career, whether as the Independent Federal Member for North Sydney, the CEO at the McGrath Foundation or Camp Quality, or her work in leading international communications agency, Edelman, in Australia, Kylea has prided herself on the teams she has been able to build and the results she has delivered.

From the "Sydney Pink Test" and the expansion of the McGrath Foundation brand, through to the rise of the Community Independent Movement, Kylea is driven by a desire to work with ambition and vision.

John Wylie AC is an investor and investment banker with more than 25 years’ experience and a profound dedication to philanthropy and community service.

Wylie began his career in the City of London at Hill Samuel & Co, and then Wall Street with First Boston Corporation after earning his Master of Philosophy from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 1983. He returned to Australia in 1991 with First Boston, which eventually became Credit Suisse, with whom he worked as head of investment banking from 1994 to 1999, before becoming chair of Credit Suisse Australia in 2000.

During his time with the company, Wylie led several high-profile transactions including the privatisation of Qantas, the IPO of Telstra, and the $30 billion sell-down by the Kennett Government of the Victorian power industry.

In 2000, Wylie co-founded advisory and investment firm Carnegie, Wylie & Company, which was acquired by Lazard in 2007. Wylie became CEO of Lazard Australia until stepping down in 2014. He founded the alternative asset firm Tanarra Group in 2015, which invests in venture capital, private equity, private credit and selected public companies.

Wylie is also a leading philanthropist, and in 2011 he established the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation, which has to date supported over 50 organisations and causes, including a visiting fellowship program at UQ named in honour of his father, Rodney Wylie OBE.

His community interest has seen him serve in a pro-bono capacity on several boards, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust, on which he served from 1998 to 2013 as chairman. He is president of the Library Board of Victoria and chairman of the Australian Sports Commission.  He was a trustee of the Rhodes Scholarship Trust at Oxford University from 2010 to 2019 and is a former director and honorary treasurer of the Florey Neurosciences Institute.

In 2007, he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the finance sector and wider Australian community.

Moya Dodd AO is a partner at Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers, and a former vice-captain of Australia’s women’s football team, the Matildas. She was one of the first women on FIFA's Executive Committee (2013-2016), served on Asian football's governing body for 12 years (2007-19), and on the board of Football Federation Australia (2007-17). In FIFA, Moya took a lead role on gender reforms following the FIFAGate crisis, and became “the driving force in the recent push for women within FIFA” (New York Times). She led the #womeninFIFA campaign, resulting in gender reforms to the FIFA Statutes. She was a strong supporter of integrity measures, and was one of only 3 FIFA Executive Committee members who did not accept a $25,000 gift watch.

Moya is currently Secretary to the Board of the Women's Leagues Forum, the global industry group connecting national women's football leagues as they professionalise. She also co-chairs Common Goal, the world's largest football-for-good network, alongside Juan Mata.

She is a regular speaker on sport, EDI, integrity and change, appearing at major conferences as well as corporate and private events. Her opinion pieces have appeared in major mastheads such as the New York Times, the Guardian and the Sydney Morning Herald (for more, see moyadodd.com or email MoyaDoddSpeaker@gmail.com).

She was listed in World Soccer magazine’s People of the Year (2013), won the Australian Financial Review Women of Influence Awards (2016) and was named the 7th most powerful woman in international sport by Forbes magazine (2018). In 2020 she was listed in the WICC's inaugural Best XI for advancing women's soccer, and in 2021 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Adelaide. In 2023, Moya was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List as an Officer of the Order of Australia for “distinguished service to football as a player and administrator at the national and international level, as a role model to women, and to the law”.

Melanie Fernandez is the General Manager of Policy, Communications and Research at Chief Executive Women (CEW).

Melanie has over a decade of experience in leadership roles in membership-based and NFP organisations.

She has previously been the Deputy CEO of NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS), Chair of the Women’s Electoral Lobby Australia and former Board member of Rape and Domestic Violence Service Australia, Reproductive Choice Australia and the Editorial Board of Apolitical – Women’s Empowerment Channel.

Melanie led delegations to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 61st, 62nd , 67th and 68th sessions held at the United Nations in New York.

At the CEW Leadership Summit, Melanie will moderate the panel ‘From Contention to Collaboration: Leadership that Listens’, featuring political figures Kylea Tink and Zoe Daniels, who will share reflections on navigating Australia's political landscape.