Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit

31 Mar 2025

Last month, Lynette Taylor and I had the privilege of attending The Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit in Canberra.

Over two days, we heard from a remarkable lineup of leaders who have navigated challenges and spearheaded meaningful change in their communities. Their insights were inspiring, and some of the standout moments included:

Jody Broun

Artist, activist and Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, emphasised the importance of working with colleagues, managers and organisations with values that align with your own. Jody encouraged us to reflect on what we want to be remembered for and asked us “What is the legacy you will leave?”.

Cain Beckett

In a panel conversation about bias in the workplace Cain Beckett, Disability Advocate and Assistant Secretary, Inclusion and Disability at the Department of Education urged us to fight against the “bigotry of low expectations” where low expectations are placed on those with a disability when, as we know, they can achieve great things like everyone else. We were asked to reflect on the question “how do we as leaders, ensure that all of our people thrive?”.

Hoa Wood

Deputy Commissioner, Private Wealth at the ATO, encouraged us to “take feedback seriously, but not personally” and to build an environment where people feel comfortable to provide feedback. Hoa also emphasised the importance of peer networks and encouraged us all to make the time to nurture the relationships and to “network with a purpose”, as time with peers is precious and often limited. Hoa shared that leadership can be lonely if you do it on your own, but if you do it alongside your team and your network it can be fulfilling and enjoyable.

Professor Marcia Langton AO

Professor Marcia shared many words of wisdom including “don’t give in to hate”, having faced much adversity throughout her career she is certainly a great example of what you can achieve personally and for others when living by that ethos.

Letitia Hope

Deputy Secretary, Families and Communities Letitia Hope was incredibly inspiring. She shared her journey as a young mother and how the kindness, care and humility of a Centrelink officer shaped her life and her career. Letitia urged us to carefully consider what we value the most, and to prioritise those that are the most important. She suggested we think of all of the plates that we are spinning and consider “which plates are made of fine china that we cannot let fall and which plates are made of Tupperware that can fall and it won’t really matter?”

Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern

Former New Zealand Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern, shared her concern that optimism is being reframed as naivety, when in fact optimism is true moral courage that is need during such uncertain times. Jacinda also spoke of the need for “informed intuition” as a leader, which involves being well informed and listening to the experts before making decisions on important issues.  

Congratulations to the team at The Hatchery for curating such exceptional guest speakers (including those that are not mentioned above) and for hosting such a great summit for Women in Leadership in the Public Sector.