International Women's Day 2026

Re-thinking the narrative: what it means to Australian women in business be included in 2026

This International Women's Day theme asks that we consider how business and organisations are actively working toward balancing the scales.

This CBD Women in Business event brings together women who are actively helping evolve the narrative around leadership and gender inclusion in their workplaces.

A keynote by Sally Loane AM will followed by a panel discussion that will touch on areas such as the application of quotas within some businesses. Are they helping to achieve practical results? How leaders and teams should be looking more to leverage women and men as allies as part of the personal and professional development journey? Has the glass ceiling already been well and truly cracked? Examples of how women in business are actually creating and leading change through leadership that is inclusive - regardless of gender and seniority - and leverages the application of both soft and hard skills to succeed.

The Agenda

• 12 Midday Arrival

• 12 - 12.30 pm networking & introductions

• 12.45 pm Lunch is served

• 1.00 pm Keynote address 

• 1.20 pm Panel Discussion/Question time

• 2.00 - 2.30 pm Networking & Close

Keynote: Sally Loane AM

Sally Loane AM is the Chair and independent non-executive director of Chubb Insurance Australia, Destination NSW and Ignition Advice and sits on the board of the Garvan Medical Research Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of consulting firm Orizontas and a mentor with McCarthy Mentoring. Sally was the first female Director of Waratahs Rugby in its 135-year history (2010-2017), and is a former Director of Venues NSW, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and PanKind.

Sally’s passion is women’s financial independence and economic security, and to this end has utilised her experience in financial services policy development, mentoring (Minerva Network; Super Stars of STEM) and has advised government via corporate advisory boards.

Membership.Counts

Presented by the CBD Sydney Chamber of Commerce to connect businesses through events, training opportunities, business support services and a 24/7 digital member community platform.