Chief people officer at Virgin Australia, Lisa Burquest, will be one of the speakers at the QLD Women in Leadership Summit 2025 at Rydges South Bank, Brisbane, from 25 – 29 August. Photo: Supplied.
APS 5-6 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Date: 19 – 20 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Cliftons Canberra
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Practical, outcome-driven models for critical thinking and problem solving.
- Unpack critical thinking to address everyday problems.
- Apply a structured systems thinking approach for problem analysis and solution design.
- Use creative and lateral thinking for complex problem solving.
- Overcome common roadblocks to critical thinking and problem solving.
Trainer Liz Stephens is an experienced coach with an extensive career in the public service. Following her successful command tenure at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Liz established Ripple Impact, drawing on her experiences to help others be their best selves.
In her ‘’day job’’, Lieutenant Colonel Stephens is a facilitator, coach, and mentor at the Australian Command and Staff Course.
EL1-2 Women in Leadership Masterclass
Date: 19 – 20 August
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Ngunnawal Country, Canberra
Email: [email protected]
This is an immersive program designed to strengthen and guide your public sector career. Specifically designed for EL 1-2 officers and management, this highly interactive masterclass will equip you with the tools and strategies to lead with greater impact and confidently take on more senior and complex roles.
Learn how to overcome the common internal and external barriers to success faced by women in the workplace, enhance and refine your current leadership skills, and develop new capabilities to take the next step in your career. Set a career plan, seize progression opportunities, and learn how to purposefully lead yourself, your team, and your organisation into the workplace of the future.
This course is cognisant of the APS Work Level Standards (WLS) for EL1-EL2 and is designed to reflect and align with the expectations of these roles. It will support and enhance the capabilities and behaviours required of EL1-EL2 roles as per the APS Integrated Leadership System (ILS), which is essential for high performance.
Facilitator Kathryn Thomas has a career spanning more than 20 years as a management consultant and global learning leader. Kathryn specialises in unlocking performance for people and their organisations.
She has previously worked as an HR senior consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and held global and Asia-Pacific leadership roles with IBM Global Business Services. She brings deep expertise in adult learning, facilitation, leading change and leading with impact.
Cultural Competence & Awareness for Government
Date: 19 – 20 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Champion inclusivity and boost collaboration in diverse work environments.
- Enhance your understanding to create an inclusive workplace.
- Engage effectively with First Nations and intercultural communities.
- Map cultural preferences to recognise their impact on workplace interactions.
- Utilise communication to bridge cultural differences and enhance collaboration.
Trainer Suzanne Naden is a proud Yuin woman, raised on Darkinjung Country, and has strong family connections across the South Coast, Worimi Nation, and La Perouse Mission. As CEO of Bungree Aboriginal Association and principal consultant at Suzanne Naden – Land and Resource Management, she has more than 20 years of experience in governance, land management, and cultural heritage.
Known for her strategic focus and ”can-do” attitude, Suzanne excels in building strong partnerships and managing complex stakeholder relationships. Her work results in tangible outcomes that benefit Aboriginal communities, carers, families, and the broader public.
Trainer Joost Thissen is the founding partner of Culture Resource Centre, which specialises in intercultural learning and development. With more than 25 years of experience, Joost focuses on enhancing intercultural competence in individuals, teams, and organisations.
She believes that multiculturalism and globalisation require professionals to adopt multiple perspectives and a global mindset. Joost holds a master’s degree in business sociology and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Women in Leadership Series: Influential Communication Workshop
Date: 25 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Rydges South Bank, Brisbane
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Influential communication to achieve results.
- Improve clarity in verbal communication.
- Navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
- Enhance adaptability and flexibility.
- Understand and develop inclusive communication practices.
Trainer Miriam Henke Miriam is an experienced executive coach and health psychologist with the ability to have a significant positive impact on people and results. She achieves this by bringing more depth and focus to particular challenges, and collaborating with her clients on strategic solutions and meaningful growth.
Alongside Dr Simone Shaw, Miriam runs Leading Workplace Solutions, delivering workplace wellness, mental health and leadership programs to organisations in South-East Queensland. Miriam is the founding director of Lifespan Dynamics Pty Ltd, a company she started with her life and business partner, Michael, specialising in Red Light Therapy (photobiomodulation) products.
Lifespan Dynamics distributes wellness and medical PBM devices throughout Australia and internationally, and supports multiple research projects. Miriam is a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Adelaide, and facilitates wellness retreats on the Sunshine Coast and in Bali.
QLD Women in Leadership Summit 2025
Date: 25 – 29 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Rydges South Bank, Brisbane
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Real talk. Real strategies. Real leadership that makes a difference.
- Build confidence, capability, and community to achieve lasting impact.
- Discover how to maintain momentum while protecting your energy and values.
- Gain practical strategies for thriving through change and challenge.
- Hear from high-performing leaders lighting up industries across Queensland.
Speakers include:
- Chief people officer, Virgin Australia, Lisa Burquest
- General manager, strategic business development, Toll Group, Stephanie Callaghan
- Chief academic officer, TAFE Queensland, Jenni Butler
- A/Assistant Director-General, Department of the Premier & Cabinet Queensland, Prue Laven
- Deputy vice-chancellor, research and innovation, University of Queensland, Sue Harrison.
Managing Performance & Difficult Conversations
Date: 25 – 27 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Cliftons Adelaide
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Essential communication and conflict resolution skills to effectively and proactively manage performance.
- Understanding the risk of employee disengagement (and what it looks like).
- Providing proactive and effective performance feedback.
- Preparing for tough conversations.
- Essential conflict resolution skills.
Mastering Difficult Conversations & Feedback
Date: 27 – 28 August
Time: 9:30 am – 4 pm
Location: Meanjin | Cliftons Brisbane & Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Empowering you to have more genuine, effective and constructive engagement within your team and organisation.
Attend this two-day masterclass to transform your own performance to navigate difficult conversations well and deliver excellent feedback. Prepare for, lead and facilitate difficult conversations with skill, confidence and empathy.
Difficult conversations are tricky, but they cannot be avoided. It is essential for leaders to have the confidence to identify and manage problems at work early on, before they escalate.
Without the confidence to navigate difficult conversations, leaders may find themselves avoiding or delaying and actually perpetuating the problem. Generally speaking, this leads to more frustration, internal confusion and resentment, and despite all this avoidance and delay, you still have to have the (now even more difficult) conversation.
Eleanor Groat is an engaging and experienced facilitator who has held a lifelong fascination with what makes people ‘’tick’’. She brings a unique perspective on human behaviour, with a 20-year career in this field across the corporate, law enforcement, mental health, education, and not-for-profit sectors.
A committed developer of leaders and teams, Eleanor is the founder of Your Best Asset.
Neurodiversity for Managers & Leaders Workshop
Date: 2 – 3 September
Time: 9 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Cultivate inclusivity and team success with this hands-on guide.
- Understand neurodiversity and its importance in the workplace.
- Explore adaptive leadership strategies and address the diverse needs of your teams.
- Identify opportunities to improve team psychological health and performance.
- Develop a tailored action plan to implement and embed neurodiversity-informed leadership practices.
Trainer Amanda Riley is a dynamic facilitator and proud advocate for neurodiversity, infusing her sessions with a blend of personal experience and expert knowledge. As someone living with ADHD, she offers a unique perspective, debunking myths and championing acceptance in the workplace.
Drawing from her background in organisational change and a Postgraduate Certificate in Positive Psychology, Amanda guides individuals, teams, and leaders towards embracing neurodiversity. Her sessions are a blend of research, storytelling and interactive engagement, fostering understanding and appreciation for all types of brains, unlocking untapped potential within individuals and organisations.
APS 5-6 Leadership, Capability & Professional Excellence Masterclass
Date: 16 – 17 September
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm & 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Ngunnawal Country, Canberra, ACT (venue to be confirmed)
Email: [email protected]
Accelerate your leadership skills, exceed expectations and lead a high-performing team. Exceed your work-level standards, thrive in your role and unleash your leadership potential.
Aimed at APS 5-6 officers and management, this face-to-face two-day masterclass will provide an opportunity to advance core skills and explore the leadership requirements for effective APS 5-6-level professionals.
Practical, engaging and hands-on, this comprehensive masterclass will optimise your professional performance and accelerate your growth as a leader. You will walk away refreshed, inspired and confident in your leadership and the path ahead.
Specifically designed for APS 5 & 6-level roles and built around the core capabilities and characteristics set out by the APSC, the course will arm you with the key tools to thrive as a public sector leader and tackle your career with drive and resilience.
Facilitator Daniel Murray is Australia’s leading expert on strategic empathy. He blends the worlds of business strategy, leadership and emotional intelligence to support business and community leaders to drive high performance by creating more motivated and empowered teams.
Daniel shows business leaders how to foster organisational understanding, build deep, trusted relationships and create a culture of commitment through mastery of empathy as a capability.
APS 6 – EL1 Leadership, Capability & Professional Excellence Masterclass
Date: 18 – 19 September
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm & 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Ngunnawal Country, Canberra, ACT (venue to be confirmed)
Email: [email protected]
This tailored program aims to strategically fast-track your APS leadership skills. Learn how to lead at the top of your game, with tips from the top of the public sector. Practical, engaging and hands-on, this comprehensive masterclass will optimise your professional performance and prepare you for the next stage of your career.
Specifically designed for APS 6 & EL1-level roles and built around the core capabilities set out by the APSC, the course will give you the key tools to thrive as a senior public sector leader and tackle your career with drive and resilience.
A proverbial ‘’one-stop shop’’ for professional and leadership development, it will leave you inspired, re-energised and confident about your leadership and the path ahead.
Australia’s leading expert on strategic empathy, facilitator Daniel Murray has used his degree in mathematics, MBA and understanding of complex systems to drive strategic change in the corporate and not-for-profit worlds for the past 18 years.
