Women, Management & Work Conference on 28-29 July 2011

Macquarie University continues to generate debate on women in management issues at their annual Women, Management & Work Conference in Sydney on 28-29 July 2011.

Now in it’s 23rd year, the 2011 Women, Management & Work Conference will focus on strategies to achieve higher levels of women in leadership roles throughout Australia. Leading women speakers such as, 2005 Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood AM and 2009 Telstra Business Woman of the Year Andrea Culligan, will share practical tips and tools to facilitate career progress and success.

Co-director of the conference Melanie O’Connor says: “This year we are aiming to ignite discussion and encourage women looking to make their mark in the leadership stakes to act on their strengths.”

“Debate continues to circulate around management circles as women start taking more positive and active leadership roles. But it isn’t enough. We need to ensure that the corporate landscape continues to change for the better. Although we have recently seen some increases in the numbers of women in senior management roles and CEO positions, the numbers are still too small to get excited about,” said Ms O’Connor.

According to research conducted by Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics’ Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency Census 2010, women are still underrepresented within key decision maker roles within Australia. The Australian Institute of Company Directors reported that in 2010 women made up about 25 percent of board appointments in Australia, but it slipped to 11 percent for the top 200 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

These findings highlight that few significant changes have occurred in the business landscape to address why capable women are still prevented from contributing at high levels of business.

“It is clear that we still have a long way to go to fully integrate talented women into leadership roles. We hope that this conference will continue to spark the conversations needed to make cultural change a reality,” said Ms O’Connor.

The Women, Management & Work: Ignite Your Strengths conference will consist of presentations and workshops with expert speakers from diverse backgrounds and industry sectors.

Featured Leading Speakers:

• Dr Fiona Wood AM – Head of Royal Perth Hospital Burn Unit
• Lynelle Briggs – CEO of Medicare
• Anna Booth – Board Director & Policy Developer
• Helen Conway – Director of Equal Opportunity in the Workplace Agency (EOWA)
• Andrea Culligan – Managing Director, Unimail and 2009 Telstra Businesswoman of the Year
• Captain Michele Miller – Director, Navy People Career Management Agency
• Robyn Merchant – Senior Director, Organisation & Talent, Oracle Corporation Asia Pacific
• Jane Scarlett – General Manager, Human Resources, Lend Lease

Each section of the conference has been specifically developed to provide practical and relevant advice on negotiation, communication, mentoring and career development.

Topics to be discussed over the two days include what the future of leadership will look like and how women fit into this concept, as well as tips on how to fast track your strengths to become an influential leader.

Date: 28 and 29 July 2011, 9am – 5pm
Where: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, 61-101 Phillip St, Sydney
Registration Fee: $2,300
For more information, program details & registration: For more information, program details & registration: www.lmsf.mq.edu.au/womenandleadership