CEW Perth Annual Dinner 2026

Helen Conway is an experienced leader, director, senior executive and lawyer who has worked in a range of organisations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Helen Conway is an experienced leader, director, senior executive and lawyer who has worked in a range of organisations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors. Helen spent 10 years in private legal practice, including 7 years as a partner in a major law firm in Sydney, and then moved into the corporate sector where she worked as a senior executive. She has extensive experience as a Board Chair and Director in various sectors including health, transport, energy, housing and homelessness, education and training, financial services and domestic and family violence. Helen is a champion of women's rights. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, diversity and inclusion and has undertaken a range of voluntary activities in the not-for-profit sector. She was previously the Judicial Head of the NSW Equal Opportunity Tribunal, set up the Australian Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency, and was until recently the President of YWCA Australia. Helen is currently the Chair of KU Children's Services, Australian Business Volunteers and Mary's House (a domestic violence service) and a Non-executive Director of the NSW Energy Security Corporation and Youth Off The Streets.

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.

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. 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. In 2024, Lisa was appointed to the NSW Women's Advisory Council and reappointed to the Respect at Work Council by the Attorney-General, implementing 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 the non-partisan organisation Women for Election. Lisa has had a long career progressing positive change across the corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors. For her contribution at the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, she was awarded a Medal for Significant Contribution to the Australian Public Service. Lisa is also a member of Chief Executive Women.

Gabrielle Iwanow is a well-regarded business executive in Australia, working at senior operational and executive levels within the resource sector.

Gabrielle Iwanow is a well-regarded business executive in Australia, working at senior operational and executive levels within the resource sector. She is currently the President of Contract Mining for global mining services group, Perenti. Previous roles include the Managing Director and CEO of ASX listed nickel producer, Mincor Resources, and leadership roles at OZ Minerals and Rio Tinto. Last year, Gabrielle was awarded a Fellow by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences, one of Australia's highest honours in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and innovation. She has also been recognised with the Telstra Businesswomen's Award for Medium and Large Business in South Australia and as one of the Top 100 Inspirational Women in Mining globally. Gabrielle's career and recognitions reflect a deep commitment to excellence in business and transformation of the mining industry through leadership and innovation.

Amanda Lacaze is the CEO and Managing Director of Lynas Rare Earths, the world's only commercial producer of separated Light and Heavy Rare Earth oxides outside China.

Amanda Lacaze is the CEO and Managing Director of Lynas Rare Earths, the world's only commercial producer of separated Light and Heavy Rare Earth oxides outside China. Lynas was established as an environmentally responsible producer of Rare Earth materials from its mine in Western Australia to its processing facilities in WA and Malaysia. Rare Earths are essential to future facing and green technologies, including electric vehicles, electronics, robotics and wind turbines. Amanda was appointed CEO in June 2014 and successfully led the company through a challenging turnaround to become an ASX50 company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland and a postgraduate Diploma of Marketing from the Australian Graduate School of Management. She is a board member of the Minerals Council of Australia and a member of Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Amanda has been recognised in Forbes' 2026 50 Over 50 Global list; Forbes' Asia's Power Businesswomen 2025 list (the only Australian included); the Australian Financial Review's 2023 Business People of the Year list; and the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining for 2020. On 13 January 2026, Lynas announced Amanda's intention to retire on 30 June 2026 after 12 years as CEO and Managing Director.

Marah Braye is CEO of Perth Festival, with extensive experience in international arts and cultural leadership and a distinguished track record of revitalising major organisations.

Marah Braye is CEO of Perth Festival. A versatile executive with extensive experience in international arts and cultural leadership, Braye has a distinguished track record of revitalising major organisations through strategic vision and commercial acumen. Her experience spans festivals, the visual arts, publishing, and precinct design and management. Braye joined Perth Festival following ten years as CEO of Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, a leading multidisciplinary centre for contemporary arts and culture, and a recreational hub for more than 6 million annual visitors. Prior to relocating to Canada in 2014, Braye was CEO of the Biennale of Sydney for the 16th to 19th Biennales (2006 to 2014), during which time she doubled attendance and led the transformation of historic Cockatoo Island into a major exhibition venue. Her background also includes roles as General Manager at Sherman Galleries, Managing Editor at Fine Arts Press, and Publishing Manager at HarperCollins Publishers. Braye currently serves on the board of Fall for Dance North Festival.

Professor Clare Pollock commenced her role as Vice-Chancellor and President of Edith Cowan University on 30 September 2024.

Professor Clare Pollock commenced her role as Vice-Chancellor and President of Edith Cowan University on 30 September 2024. Prior to joining ECU, Professor Pollock was the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Western Sydney University and served as WSU's Interim Vice-Chancellor and President. Prior to her roles at WSU, Professor Pollock was Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) at Flinders University and held several senior leadership positions at Curtin University, including Associate Provost, Chair of the Academic Board and Head of the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology. Originally from the United Kingdom, Professor Pollock graduated from Oxford University and the University of London with a PhD in Psychology.

Rowena Smith was appointed Managing Director in March 2023, having served as CEO since July 2022, and brings over 30 years of experience in the mining and minerals processing sector.

Rowena Smith was appointed Managing Director in March 2023 and has served as CEO of Australian Strategic Materials since July 2022. Ms Smith has over 30 years' experience in the mining and minerals processing sector in a range of senior roles in strategy, operations and commercial. Prior to joining ASM, she was Chief Sustainability Officer at South32, accountable for sustainability strategy, risk management and HSE business processes. Other past roles include Vice President Supply at South32, General Manager of BHP's Kwinana Nickel Refinery, and operational leadership roles within Rio Tinto's aluminium smelting business.