International Women’s Day 2021 – TINA Talks

This International Women’s Day, YWCA Australia is re-launching our ‘TINA Talks’ with a four-part webinar panel series focusing on professional development topics for women. The first session will take place on International Women’s Day, Monday 8 March 2021, with the remaining sessions taking place on the following three Mondays.  

TINA Talks are; TopicalInspirationalNaked, and Authentic, and a great opportunity for corporate women at any stage of their career looking for professional development, connection with like-minded peers, and engagement with a range of intersectional feminist issues. 

Tickets are $50 for members (it’s free to join, so why not sign up?) and $55 for non-members, with bulk discounts available for organisations buying large numbers of tickets.

Accessibility note – all sessions will be closed-captioned using an auto-plugin.

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All sessions

DateTime (AEDT)SessionSpeakers
Mon 8 Mar7.30pmWomen in leadership
Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world
Jane Caro, Charisma Belle, Yasmin Poole, Jessica Brady
Mon 15 Mar7.30pmImpostor syndrome
Silencing self-doubt
Sally Hines, Wendy Tansey, Zahra Al Hilaly, Georgina Morphett
Mon 22 Mar7.30pmKeeping your cool
Managing difficult personalities in the workplace
Zoë Routh, Rebecca Thomas and Virginia Herlihy
Mon 29 Mar7.30pmThe road to the boardroom and equal representationRuth Medd FCPA, Gemma Hallett, Khayshie Tilak Ramesh and Nicole Lee

TINA Talks host

Marlee Silva

Marlee Silva is a 25 year old Aboriginal storyteller from the Gamilaroi and Dunghutti tribes of NSW.  Among many varied roles, Marlee is a writer, freelance consultant and the host of her own podcast ‘Always was, always will be our stories’ which presents conversations with successful Indigenous people from all walks of life. She also recently published her first book ‘My Tidda, My Sister: stories of strength and resilience from Australia’s first women.’  

Follow Marlee on Instagram / Follow Always was, always will be our stories

Presenter bios and session information

1: Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world

Session 1: Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world

Panel discussion featuring Jane Caro, Charisma Belle, Yasmin Poole & Jessica Brady

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, and makes a perfect introduction to our IWD TINA Talks series. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact for women right across the globe. There’s an increase in domestic and family violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty, and that gender pay gap isn’t getting any smaller. We’re going to have to work much harder to achieve gender equality, and one of the best ways to do that is by diversifying our leaders to include more women, especially more women of colour, women with disabilities and those in the LGBTIQ+ community. Women bring leadership qualities like empathy, compassion, communication and collaboration, making a more diverse and profitable organisation. Join Jane Caro, Yasmin Poole, Jessica Brady and Charisma Belle as they discuss how we get more women in leadership and what more needs to be done to speed up true gender equality.

Panellist: Jane Caro

Jane Caro AM is a Walkley Award winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator.

She has published twelve books, including three novels “Just a Girl” “Just a Queen” and “Just Flesh & Blood” – a trilogy on Elizabeth Tudor, and a memoir “Plain Speaking Jane”. She created and edited ‘Unbreakable’ which featured stories women writers had never told before, which was published just before the Harvey Weinstein revelations. Her latest book “Accidental Feminists” about the life story of women over 50 was launched in 2019. She is currently working on a novel.

She appears frequently on ABC Western Plains, The Drum, Sunrise & Weekend Sunrise. She created and presented 5 documentary series for ABC Compass, airing in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. She and Catherine Fox present a popular podcast with Podcast One, Austereo ‘Women With Clout’. She writes regular columns in ‘Sunday Life’ and her opinion pieces appear regularly in The Saturday Paper, Fairfax and The Big Smoke.

Follow Jane on Twitter

Panellist: Charisma Belle

The aptly named Charisma Belle is as beautiful on the inside as she appears in life. Charisma is an exceptional talent; a multi-awarding winning show producer, trained dancer and a veteran makeup artist, choreographer, actress, host and master of ceremonies. Charisma exudes old Hollywood glamour with a pop-twist. Highly adaptive to different patron’s needs, she makes friends with everyone she meets; her presence ensures a truly fabulous occasion for all. 

Charisma’s television credits include appearing on The Real Housewives of Sydney, guest crossovers on Seven Network’s Sunrise and Studio 10 and appearing alongside Khloe Kardashian for an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Charisma produces and stars in spectacular large-scale production show Premiere and hosts award-winning bingo. A cause close to her heart, Charisma also hosts Bingay, a monthly fundraiser for LGBTI health organization ACON, has raised over $1M since its inception and which has been enjoyed by the likes of Dawn French and Julia Morris. 

Learn more about Charisma / Learn more about Sydney Drag Royalty 

Panellist: Yasmin Poole

Yasmin Poole is an award-winning speaker, writer and youth advocate. She is currently Plan International’s National Ambassador and frequently appears on prominent Australian media programs to discuss the role of intersectionality in social change. Yasmin is also the Non-Executive Board Director of both YWCA Australia and OzHarvest.

Yasmin has established herself as a leading youth voice. In 2020, Yasmin was selected to be the Asia Pacific Youth Representative for Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She was also the Chair of the Victorian Government’s Youth Congress, representing over a million young Australians. In January 2021, Yasmin was honoured as the Youth Influencer of the Year from The King Center, which honours the work of the great Martin Luther King Junior. 

In 2019, Yasmin was the youngest member of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence and Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians.

Yasmin is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws/International Relations at the Australian National University. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, video editing and musing about how patriarchy intersects with social systems.

Learn more about Yasmin / Follow Yasmin on Twitter

Panellist: Jessica Brady

Having worked for CBA, Macquarie Bank and Zurich, Jess is fast becoming a pioneering force in financial services. After realising that young people were more interested in planning their meals and holidays than their financial futures, she co-founded Fox & Hare Financial Advice in 2017, with a focus on creating more diversity in the industry – both in those giving and receiving advice.

In 2018 Jessica was a finalist for Financial Adviser of the Year in both the Young Leaders in Finance Awards and Women In Finance Awards and was awarded the 2019 Newcomer of the year at the prestigious IFA awards.

Jess is passionate about making financial advice more accessible, especially for women.  

Follow Jess on Instagram / Follow Fox & Hare on Instagram / Follow Ladies Talk Money on Instagram 

2: Impostor syndrome: Silencing self-doubt

Session 2: Impostor syndrome: Silencing self-doubt

Panel discussion featuring Sally Hines, Wendy Tansey, Zahra Al Hilaly and Georgina Morphett

Have you ever had the feeling that you’re going to be found out? That you don’t ‘deserve’ your accomplishments, that you’re not good enough at your job, or you don’t belong? Sounds like you might have impostor syndrome! Don’t worry, you’re in good company – research has found 70% of people experience impostor syndrome at least once in their lives. But why does it happen? And more importantly, how can we move past it into accepting and owning our successes? Join Sally Hines, Wendy Tansey, Zahra Al Hilaly and Georgina Morphett as they discuss their experiences with impostor syndrome, the factors that influence it and how to silence self-doubt and face that feeling of inadequacy head-on! 

Panellist: Wendy Tansey

Wendy is an acclaimed Leadership Coach with a strong and extensive background in HR management, leadership development and coaching with over20 years’ experience.  Wendy is highly qualified in her chosen field of Leadership, Executive and Business Coaching with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology, Life Coaching Certification. an MBA from Deakin and is an experience Ei Practitioner, and much more. Wendy never stops learning and expanding her already incredible knowledge base and encourages all aspiring leaders and executive to do the same.  

Working with Wendy 1:1 will give you in-depth self-awareness to ensure you understand your strengths and style of leadership, guiding you towards becoming an even better authentic, engaging, and influential leader.   

Wendy thoroughly understands the intricate inner workings of people and the ambiguous world of leadership and intuitively help those in managerial roles come into greater awareness of what it means to be a leader.   

Wendy consolidated decades’ worth of her unparalleled knowledge and expertise into a powerful coaching program—Leadership with Confidence—that is essentially an end-to-end solution that  simplifies the complexities of managing people by upskilling leaders through micro-learning. It consists of three interdependent moving parts with a strong focus on the self, people, and teams that merge to lay the rock-solid foundation of great leadership.

Learn more about Wendy / Follow Wendy on Instagram

Panellist: Zahra Al Hilaly

Zahra is an intersectional feminist, pushing for equitable representation within decision making for marginalised constituencies, including women of colour and migrant and refugee women.

Zahra works within policy and advocacy at a local, national and international level. She currently represents Australia on UN Women’s Generation Equality Task Force, is a part of the World YWCA Women’s Leadership Cohort and sits on multiple advisory boards and round tables including the YWCA Australia Young Women’s Council and the WA Ministerial Council.

Zahra believes that story telling is a profound value that will change the world, and it is the stories of underrepresented constituencies that will shift the narrative in creating an intergenerational ripple effect towards achieving gender equality.

Panellist: Georgina Morphett

Georgina is an experienced board director with nine years experience across non-executive directorships and government advisory roles, including as a chairperson. 

Georgina was raised in a rural farming community and believes strongly that no woman should be disadvantaged by her location, particularly in relation to access to services. She brings a rural and gendered lens to decision-making and has a specific interest in women’s policy, and women’s involvement in governance.

Georgina was elected as an inaugural member of the YWCA Australia Young Women’s Council in 2018 and was previously a member of the YWCA Adelaide Nominations Committee.

Georgina currently works in the Australian Public Service in a risk and strategy role, and has experience in litigation, in-house legal, program management and service delivery.  She is currently also a director on the board of Global Voices and the board of Youth Law Australia.

Follow Georgina on Twitter

Panellist: Sally Hines

 
Sally is the Chief Executive Officer at Leadership Victoria, an innovative, independent social enterprise with a purpose to foster leadership that inspires, connects and transforms. She is an experienced leader from the social enterprise, not-for-profit and social service sectors, working at the forefront of cross-sectoral engagement to drive positive change.

Prior to joining Leadership Victoria, Sally was the Chief Operating Officer at The Big Issue and Homes for Homes, leading these social enterprises to diversify and create partnerships across business, philanthropy, government and the social sector to achieve innovative solutions addressing homelessness. Sally also has a depth of executive experience in the health, mental health and employment sectors, leading strategic decision-making and bringing together diverse teams, partnerships and stakeholders to support adaptation, sustainability and meaningful social and economic outcomes.

She also applies her purposeful leadership as a not-for-profit board member; currently Deputy Chair of Wallara and a non-executive director of Portsea Camp.

3: Keeping your cool: Managing difficult personalities in the workplace

Session 3: Keeping your cool: Managing difficult personalities in the workplace

Panel discussion featuring Zoë Routh, Rebecca Thomas, Virginia Herlihy and more

Just saying the words ‘difficult personalities in the workplace’ brings back memories in all of us – micro-managing bosses, apathetic co-workers and passive-aggressive emailers we’ve all experienced at one time or another. Setting boundaries and speaking up in the workplace seems impossibly tough, but with a bit of time and practice, it is a skill you can learn! Join Zoë Routh and Rebecca Thomas as they give you tactics to manage difficult personalities, diffuse tense situations and keep your cool at the same time. 

Panellist: Zoë Routh

Zoë Routh is a leadership expert specialising in the people stuff. She shows leaders and teams struggling with office politics and silos how to work better together.  
 
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From the wild rivers of northern Ontario to the remote regions of Australia, Zoë has spent the last thirty years showing teams how to navigate the wilderness of people stuff.  
 
Zoë is the author of four books.  Her fourth book, People Stuff – Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won ‘Book of the Year’ at the Australian Business Book Awards 2020. 
 
Her past leadership roles include Training Director at Outward Bound Australia, Chair of the Outdoor Council of Australia, President of the Chamber of Women in Business, and Program Manager at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.  
 
Zoë is also the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, a show about all things people stuff in leadership.

Learn more about Zoe / Follow Zoe on Facebook / Follow Zoe on Twitter / Connect with Zoe on LinkedIn / Follow Zoe on Instagram

Panellist: Rebecca Thomas

Rebecca is a banking and funds management professional with deep experience in debt and equity financing, having led large scale investments across both Europe and Australia over the last 15 years. She has a strong passion for driving change, especially in the Australian housing sector believing that everyone should have a safe place to call home.

Rebecca is responsible for directing institutional investment into the for purpose sector in her current role as Director, Impact Investing at Social Ventures Australia. The team currently manages a number of funds and investments delivering both social and financial returns. Rebecca joined the YWCA Board last year having previously been a Director on the YHousing Board.

She brings her enthusiasm and extensive expertise of investment in the social and affordable housing sector to her Board Director role.

Learn more about Rebecca

Panellist: Virginia Herlihy

Virginia Herlihy founded international coaching consultancy, How Do You Do It in 2006 with the aim of creating the working family support programmes she wished had been available for her and her partner when they became parents. Fourteen years on and How Do you Do Its’ award-winning coaching programmes support individuals and their managers across Australia, the UK and the Nordics to embrace different versions of success by supporting the drivers of meaningful change in organisations.  

As a senior executive transformational coach herself with 20 years’ experience and as leader of the How Do You Do It team who have coached thousands of working parents, carers and their managers across the world; Virginia has considerable insight into the barriers and solutions to creating more equal workplaces and what drives real change. She is a regular industry speaker and panellist on topics such as the motherhood penalty, the future of equality and how to speak up in everyday work situations to support gender parity.  

Virginia is a member of the prestigious Chief Executive Women – an invitation only group of leading female CEO’s in Australia, whose mission is to enable future women leaders. She is also part of Global Women Leaders, a philanthropic group that advocates for the wellbeing of people living through the world’s most neglected crises.  

Follow Virginia on Twitter 

4: The road to the boardroom and equal representation

Session 4:The road to the boardroom and equal representation

Panel discussion featuring Ruth Medd, Gemma Hallett, Khayshie Tilak Ramesh and Nicole Lee

What do you think of when you think about board members? Is it stuffy old white men in suits, discussing company numbers alongside their latest golf scores? Isn’t it about time we change that? Despite the fact that Australia has been churning out more female university graduates than male grads for the last 30-odd years, women only make up 21.8% of board and chair positions in Australia – and the numbers of young women are even smaller! So how exactly do you get on a board? What skills and experience are required? And what sort of equal representation is important, and why? Join Ruth Medd, Gemma Hallett and Khayshie Tilak Ramesh as they tackle these questions and more in our fourth and final TINA Talks session. 

Panellist: Ruth Medd FCPA

Ruth is the Chair WOB Pty Ltd (Women on Boards), Chair Australian Chocolate Pty Ltd, Chair of the Australian Health and Science Institute Pty Ltd and a director of the National Foundation for Australian Women and WOB UK Limited and a trustee of he NSW Historic Houses Trust. She is the former chair of Australian Ethical Superannuation Ltd and a former director of The Infants Home Ashfield and the NSW Casino Control Authority. She is an enthusiastic shareholder in a number of early stage companies; most recently Charley’s Chocolate Factory at Mission Beach. 
 
Ruth’s NED experiences to date have enabled her to contribute her finance and business management expertise as well as her in depth understanding of the public policy, regulatory and business interface. Prior executive roles include the Executive Director of the Australian Association of National Advertisers and senior positions with Telstra, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and the Federal government.  

Ruth has inspired and supported many hundreds of women to achieve and succeed at taking board roles from ASX listed companies to community organisations. This contributed to her being named as a Top 100 Women of Influence in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac awards in 2012. 

Learn more about Ruth

Panellist: Gemma Hallett

Gemma (she/her) volunteers as the Chair of the Board at the Minus18 Foundation, Australia’s leading charity supporting LGBTIQA+ young people. At age 22, Gemma was selected to join the Board as a young queer woman known for her curiosity,  passion for LGBTIQA+ equality, willingness to ask tough questions, and enthusiasm.

Over the past five years on the Board, Gemma has developed her leadership and directorship skills with a focus on people & culture risk and strategy. She led the development of Minus18’s 2020-22 Strategic Plan and has overseen a period of significant growth and change in the organisation. Last month, Gemma was fortunate to complete the AICD’s renowned Company Directors Course, generously supported by the Victorian Government’s Office for Women. She is delighted to have the opportunity to share her learnings and experiences with the audience at TINA Talks. In her day job, Gemma is a lawyer specialising in workplace and discrimination law. She advises corporate, NFP, government and individual clients on compliance, risk and strategy in complex employment matters. 

Learn more about Gemma

Panellist: Khayshie Tilak Ramesh

Khayshie is passionate advocate for youth, multiculturalism and diverse representation at influential decision-making tables. She is an experienced board director, youth mentor, legal advisor and is the Multicultural Youth Commissioner of Victoria

Khayshie’s expertise in governance, risk and strategy, alongside her lived experience has created value within a number of organisations including Ambulance Victoria, ARCJustice, Inaugural City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council and various State government appointments. As a pioneer of youth leadership within the community, her long-standing dedication has been recognised through accolades including Young Citizen of the Year, Law Student of the Year 2019, Premier’s Volunteer Champion 2019 and being named in the top 100 future leaders of Australia.  

Khayshie seeks to bring an intersectional lens and is most excited to champion capacity building for the voices of diverse young women in leadership at a national stage.

Panellist: Nicole Lee

Nicole Lee is a family violence survivor and passionate public advocate who has played a major role through her past appointment to Victoria’s first Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council. Nicole, who also uses a wheelchair, focuses on family violence perpetrated against those who have a disability, or who depend on carers or family members for support. After suffering a decade of abuse at the hands of her former husband, Lee now uses her lived experience of family violence to speak out for those who don’t yet have a voice.


Secret Sisterhood Fundraising Campaign

YWCA is excited to announce that we have partnered with Secret Sisterhood over International Women’s Day.

Secret Sisterhood creates beautiful jewellery that features their Sisterhood symbol of gender equality. 100% of all profits from their women’s empowerment jewellery will be donated to YWCA from the 8th to the 29th of March. By purchasing a piece of jewellery, you are making a difference to women around the world.