CBD Women in Business Network | Careers rarely unfold in a straight line | With the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson | 27 Oct

So far this year the CBD Sydney Chamber's CBD Women in Business Network has presented on a variety of topics designed and presented by women, including:

• IWD '26: What it means to be included - presented by Sally Loane AM
• Continuing to re-think the narrative. Creating space for women - presented by Ruchi Motial-Suri & Melanie Philippou
• Three Women. Three Perspectives. One Transformational Experience - led by Cathy Dimarchos
• Leading Through Self Doubt: Why Capable People Question Themselves - led by Ruchi Motial-Suri
• A Workshop: Interrupting the Pressure Effect - lead by Tulsi van de Graff

Join us for a candid conversation with the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson about the decisions, challenges, unexpected turns and defining moments that have shaped her career.

Beyond the titles and achievements, we’ll explore what it takes to navigate uncertainty, make difficult choices and take ownership of what comes next.

A conversation designed not to tell you what to do, but to leave you asking: What could be possible from here?




More About the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson

The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson brings more than 40 years of experience across small business, government, infrastructure and the not-for-profit sector. A former retail business owner and operator, she understands firsthand the demands of managing staff, serving customers and overseeing finances.  

As a regionally based NSW Minister for Small Business, Katrina brought a practical perspective to her work with business owners and industry representatives. During her tenure, she established the position of the NSW Small Business Commissioner, created Small Biz Connect (which later evolved into Business Connect), and introduced a mobile advisory service.
 
Katrina also served as Minister for Primary Industries and Assistant Minister for Tourism and Major Events. Over more than 18 years in the NSW Parliament, she represented regional electorates in southern and central NSW and held a range of shadow portfolios. Katrina understands the importance of small businesses to local jobs and community life.
 
After leaving Parliament, Katrina held senior government and regulatory affairs roles at Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet) and Barton Deakin. She also served as Chair of Realise Business for three years, and as a Director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), where she chaired both its Environment, Health and Safety Committee and its People and Performance Committee.
 
Katrina’s board experience currently extends across property and the not-for-profit sector. She is President of the NSW Parliament Former Members Association and recently retired as Chair of the NSW Nationals Women’s Council. She holds an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
 
Based in Kiama, Katrina remains a strong advocate for small businesses and the people behind them.
 

 
 

Why be part of the CBD Women in Business Network? 
 

This network was created over 8 years ago.

If you are a business owner, manager, hold or aspire to hold senior positions and you're interested in leadership, you should be involved with this network.  

Men or women - everyone benefits from the content and participating. 

If what we're doing sounds interesting, please join us. Members, Non-Members/Guests are welcome.

Other Coming Events​

Upcoming Events | CBD Sydney Chamber Calendar | CBD Sydney Chamber

 

• 29 Sept - CBD Sydney Chamber Roundtable Group | 29 Sept - Sep 29, 2026
• 1 Oct - Exclusive Breakfast | Official Launch of NSW Small Business Month 2026
• 20 Oct – After 5 Networking | Connections to Build On | 20 Oct - Oct 20, 2026
• 27 Oct - CBD Women in Business Network| Talking about things that matter - over lunch | 27 Oct - Oct 27, 2026

Event Supporters
 

 

aEX Institute (formerly BSI Learning) delivers the Women in Leadership Training program.

                        
Australian professional hair care products that uses no animal ingredients or testing, vegan certified and accredited by Choose Cruelty Free (CCF). Use plant-based and certified organic ingredients.

With the support of the City of Sydney

                         
 

 

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.

More information here.

Chamber Business Membership is $385 incl. GST for 12 months.

Join HERE