Leanne is a woman of the Dhulanyagen Ulupna Clan, Yorta Yorta nation and Executive Director of Koorie Women Mean Business. She has an extensive advocacy background working in Indigenous, legal and women’s sectors, and has represented Australian Indigenous Women at the United Nations, New York, as well as undertaking a UN Fellowship in Geneva. She was selected as the community representative, Australian Government delegation to the 54th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations, New York. In 2019, Leanne was elected as a member of the North East Region to the First People’s Assembly of Victoria. In 2023, Leanne was inducted to the Australia Day honours list for her “significant service to women’s affairs, and to the Indigenous community”.

Mudiwa Chipungu leads supply chain strategy and transformation at a large retailer, overseeing major projects, automation, and AI integration. She played a pivotal role in sustaining Australia’s food supply during COVID-19 and launching its first fully automated distribution centres. With experience in consulting, manufacturing, and transport, Mudiwa excels in leading high-performing teams. She holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Masters in Engineering from the University of Melbourne and is dedicated to advancing women in leadership through NAWO, Wayfinder, and board roles with Respect Victoria and Spectrum Victoria.

Sheree is the co-founder and CEO of One Roof, expert in curating spaces and communities that nurture female entrepreneurs. One Roof has created female-centric co-working spaces across 4 cities, engaged 10,000 women and hosted 500+ educational workshops. Sheree was awarded the 2016 Victorian Young Achievers Leadership Award. In 2015, she was nominated one of Australia’s top young innovators by the Foundation for Young Australians. Sheree is currently on a Leave of Absence from the board.

Neha Samar, graduate of the Australian Institute of Community Directors, is an experienced educator and leader in vocational education and training (VET). As a vocational specialist in youth mental health, she empowers young people to navigate the job market and achieve sustainable career goals. Her board director roles, with a focus on governance, risk, and strategy, have honed her strategic leadership skills. She also founded The Flamingo Project, a mentorship program fostering personal and professional growth for women in the Goulburn Valley.

Leena van Deventer is an award-winning writer, game developer, and educator. She has taught interactive storytelling at both RMIT and Swinburne University. In 2016, Leena published her first book Game Changers: From Minecraft to Misogyny, the fight for the future of video games with Dr Dan Golding (Affirm Press).

Fleur is the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). Innately understanding that legal services are essentially human services that need to be delivered with curiosity, humility, and empathy, Fleur has dedicated her career as an experienced governance and legal professional in the health law sector in order to make the greatest impact she can for her community. Fleur previously served as Chair and Board member of Sisters Housing Enterprises Inc in Wagga Wagga, is currently the Gender Equity Executive Sponsor at the RMH and has been a finalist as Corporate Counsel Healthcare Lawyer of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

Alana is a farmer and rural consultant. She was the Victorian Rural Woman of the Year in 2010. A founding member of Australian Women in Agriculture, Alana has worked extensively on behalf of rural women, nationally and internationally. She has served on a number of government and NGO boards and is currently the President of Voices 4 Indi, which initiated a democracy project in the lead-up to the 2013 federal election. Alana was listed in the inaugural AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence in Australia and was inducted onto the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2018.

Emma is a feminist philosopher and researcher at Monash University, and an expert on intersectional feminist theory. Her recent work explores grassroots initiatives across Australia, including the radical roots of Australia’s family violence movement and working with First Nations community leaders to explore changing connection(s) to Country in the context of climate crisis. Emma continues her research at the Indigenous Future Lives Stream at the ARC Centre for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW).

Nicky is the Director of Community Engagement at the law firm, Allens. Nicky is focused on leveraging the resources of the private legal profession to enable disadvantaged people to gain greater access to justice. She is also a director of pro bono clearinghouse Justice Connect. Nicky has a background in social justice work and law reform, focusing on women’s rights. She has a long term association with the VWT, having been a volunteer and and employee before joining the board.

Rana is a diversity and inclusion leader, making important inroads into Australian sporting culture and the community at large. Rana is a pioneer and a passionate advocate for social inclusion and reducing discrimination through the vehicle of sports and media. Hussain’s desire to see more diversity in both media and sport sees her freelance writing, as well as podcasting and broadcasting for the ABC.

After an extensive public policy career, Mary became the Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust in 1996. She has designed and led ground-breaking community engagement initiatives, such as the Purple Sage Project and Our Watermark Australia. In June 2012, Mary was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, for her distinguished services to public policy and advocacy for the advancement of women. In 2016, Mary won the Public Policy category as part of the AFR/Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence for her years of work in shaping public policy in Australia.

Christine is the Programming Manager for Readings, a role she has held for many years. Prior to realising the role of her dreams, Christine worked for many years in public women’s health. She is one of the founding board members of the Stella Prize, sits on the board of the Emerging Writers Festival and has been the recipient of two City of Literature international travel grants. In 2020 she completed a Women in Leadership certificate. Apart from a life -long devotion to feminism, Christine is an avid reader and gardener.