Women in Leadership Dinner 2026
Melbourne Business School’s 31st Women in Leadership Dinner will bring together more than 500 influential leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers for an evening of connection and thought-provoking discussion.
This year’s theme, From Idea to Impact: How Women Build, Scale and Back Innovation, explores how women are shaping innovation across startups and established organisations, turning bold ideas into meaningful impact.
Join us at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for cocktails, networking, a keynote address, panel discussion and dinner with Melbourne’s business community.
Dress Code | Business Cocktail Attire
This event tends to sell out, so we encourage securing your tickets early.
Contact
Have any specific questions that we haven’t answered in our FAQ, please reach out to the MBS Events Team via email [email protected].
Venue
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins,
Grand Ballroom,
Level 1, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact
From Idea to Impact
How Women Build, Scale and Back Innovation
This year's theme, From Idea to Impact: How Women Build, Scale and Back Innovation, will explore how ideas become impact through multiple perspectives across the entrepreneurial journey.
Featuring female founders, venture capitalists and business leaders, the discussion will focus on how innovation is driven by both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, and the role they play in creating meaningful impact within organisations and across industries.
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Speakers
Carol Schwartz AO
Carol Schwartz AO is one of Australia’s most influential business and community leaders, and a passionate advocate for women’s leadership in politics, media, policymaking and capital.
Carol is an Officer of the Order of Australia (2019), has Honorary Doctorates from Monash University and Queensland University of Technology, inducted into the Australian Property Hall of Fame, and received Philanthropy Australia’s Leading Philanthropist Award (2020). Current board roles include Reserve Bank of Australia Governance Board, EQT Holdings Limited, Climate Council, Trawalla Group and Grattan Institute. Via the Trawalla Foundation, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia and Female-Led Ventures, Carol has championed transformative gender equality initiatives such as Pathways to Politics for Women, WLIA Fellows, Women for Media research series, and the Female-Led Venture portfolio.Dr Andrea North-Samardzic
Dr Andrea North-Samardzic is an accomplished leader in higher education and research, with more than two decades of experience spanning academia, executive education, and organisational leadership.
She currently serves as Associate Dean of Executive Degree Programs and Associate Professor at Melbourne Business School. Andrea holds a PhD in Organisation and Management from the University of New South Wales and is recognised for her ability to identify strategic opportunities and lead significant transformation across education, research, and international markets. Andrea is also an Honorary Associate Professor at the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership.
Andrea has received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Indian Ministry of Education to develop women entrepreneurs across Australia, India, Vietnam and Latin America. She has co-authored the book ‘Entrepreneurship in India’ and is one of the editors of the book ‘Women's Entrepreneurship in the Asian Region: Building Sustainable and Responsible Businesses.’
Andrea co-designed and delivers the Aspiring CEO Program in partnership with Deloitte and also serves as a judge for Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies Awards. Her client portfolio spans a diverse range of industries and sectors, including organisations such as Coles, the ASX, NutrienAg, the War College, Acciona, Holden, Isuzu, Nissan, and the Tata Group. In addition, she has worked closely with government delegations from Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia during their visits to Australia.
Katrina Leslie
Katrina Leslie is the Founder & Chair of Swipejobs, an Australian AI native company for jobs in the United States & UK.
Swipejobs turns the job model upside down by taking all jobs and matching them to the jobseeker who can see their matches 24x7. It’s the jobseeker or consumer who has complete control over AI because they train their personalised job agent who refines the job matches for them. AI is never used to screen people out. For employers as they enter their job they can see all matched talent. Everything is real time on both sides.
Prior to Swipejobs, Katrina was the Founder of 3 other job related companies in the U.S & Australia focused on technology & data. Before becoming an entrepreneur Katrina held Head of HR roles with Westpac for Financial Services & Retail Banking NSW, & worked at Microsoft where she was HR Manager Australia & managed Recruitment for APAC. She started her career with BHP on a Graduate Development Program with the Steel Division, and worked in the steelworks in Whyalla, Wollongong & Newcastle. Her qualifications are Bachelor of Applied Science; Post Grad Org Psych; Masters of Commerce.
Dr Kate Cornick
Dr. Kate Cornick is an accomplished technology and innovation leader serving as the CEO of the Tech Council of Australia.
Her extensive executive background includes a successful tenure as CEO of LaunchVic, where she drove ecosystem growth and championed diversity by founding the women-focused Alice Anderson Fund, as well as leading an HR tech startup through an ASX listing. Dr. Cornick possesses deeply integrated experience across the public and private sectors, having previously served as Senior Telecommunications Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Federal Communications Minister, a General Manager at NBN Co, and a panel member for the federal Strategic Examination of R&D. Additionally, she holds a PhD in optical telecommunications from the University of Melbourne, where she now chairs the Genesis Pre-Seed Fund Investment Committee alongside her role as Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University.
Sponsorship
Partner With Us in 2026
We would be delighted to welcome your organisation as a Partner in 2026.
A range of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please view our Women in Leadership Dinner Prospectus. If you are interested in exploring broader engagement opportunities with Melbourne Business School, we also invite you to review our Engagement Partnerships Prospectus.
For further information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact:
Monique Currin
Engagement & Partnerships Manager
[email protected]
Program
Program to be released soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Is the Women in Leadership Dinner a new event?
No - the Women in Leadership Dinner, previously known as the Women in Management Dinner, is proudly returning for its 31st year.
It has always been one of MBS’ most loved events and we’re pleased to continue delivering it for you.
Who are the speakers at the event?
We will soon be revealing an impressive line-up of speakers for this year’s dinner.
Keep an eye out on our webpage for details - mbs.edu/WILD
Why have ticket prices increased this year?
Ticket pricing has been adjusted to reflect the rising costs associated with delivering a premium event experience, including venue, catering and event production costs.
We remain committed to providing a high-quality evening featuring exceptional speakers, networking opportunities and the overall experience for all attendees.
Is this an event for women only?
Not at all. The Women in Leadership Dinner welcomes everyone interested in leadership, innovation and meaningful conversation.
The evening brings together a diverse community of leaders, professionals and changemakers to hear inspiring perspectives and connect with Melbourne’s business community.
What is the dress code?
Can we purchase tickets on the door?
No tickets will be available at the door.
All tickets must be purchased ahead of the event.
The event tends to sell out quickly – so don’t miss out!
Register Now
Do I need to bring my physical ticket with me or is the online version enough?
In the name of sustainability, you won’t need to print your ticket.
The online version will be fine and will guarantee you access.
Am I able to request a refund if I am no longer able to attend?
No refunds will be provided for cancellations made within 14-days of the event - Thursday, 12 November 2026 - due to catering and logistical deadlines.
All other refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
To apply for a refund, please contact [email protected].
Can I attend this event virtually?
The Women in Leadership Dinner will not be available online.
Aside from the powerful presentations on the evening, there is a strong focus on nurturing relationships.
Can I request to be sat next to my friends and colleagues?
We cannot guarantee individually booked ticket holders are able to be seated next to their friends and colleagues on the night.
If you would like to guarantee this, tables of 10 are available for booking.
Past Events
Melbourne Business School’s 31st Women in Leadership Dinner will bring together more than 500 influential leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers for an evening of connection and thought-provoking discussion.
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Venue
Location
Level 1, 25 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Victoria
