International Women's Day 2026 | Keynote by Sally Loane AM |10 March
Re-thinking the narrative: what it means to 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 Panel Discussion features:
Adele Fiene, State General Manager NSW/ACT - ANZ Bank
Kala Philip, CEO - BSI Learning
Noel Rowland, Partner - Rowland Sutton Executive Search
Ruchi Motial-Suri, Founder & Principal Consultant - Success Culture
We welcome men & women who wish to celebrate this important day.
Who Should be part of the CBD Women in Business Network?
Event Supporters
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
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12 Midday Arrival
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12 - 12.30 pm networking & introductions
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12.45 pm Lunch is served
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1.00 pm Keynote address
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1.20 pm Panel Discussion/Question time
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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.
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.
The Panel Discussion features:
Adele Fiene, State General Manager NSW/ACT - ANZ Bank
Kala Philip, CEO - BSI Learning
Noel Rowland, Partner - Rowland Sutton Executive Search
Ruchi Motial-Suri, Founder & Principal Consultant - Success Culture
We welcome men & women who wish to celebrate this important day.
Who Should be part of the CBD Women in Business Network?
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.
Event Supporters
Business banking specialists.
Delivering the Women in Leadership program and providing training programs in HR, IT, Leadership, Project Management and Business Diplomas.
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
Other Coming Events
- 24 Mar - CBD EXPO’26 which will bring together over 150 people, exhibition stands and keynotes
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
Sponsor Members
ANZ Business Banking | BSI Learning | Bank of Sydney | Corporality Global | CUPRA City Garage Sydney | Cybertify | De Lorenzo Haircare | Forvis Mazars, Sydney | Juris Techne | The Langham, Sydney | Realise Business | Resly | Softlabs
Corporate Members
Alyve Technnology | Castlereagh Boutique Hotel | Optus Enterprise & Business | Victorian Institute of Technology
ANZ Business Banking | BSI Learning | Bank of Sydney | Corporality Global | CUPRA City Garage Sydney | Cybertify | De Lorenzo Haircare | Forvis Mazars, Sydney | Juris Techne | The Langham, Sydney | Realise Business | Resly | Softlabs
Corporate Members
Alyve Technnology | Castlereagh Boutique Hotel | Optus Enterprise & Business | Victorian Institute of Technology
Images
Date and Time
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST
Tues 10 March
12 Midday to 2.30 pm
12 Midday to 2.30 pm
Location
Business Sydney Offices
Entry via Level 6
8 Chifley Square (corner Phillip St & Hunter St)
8 Chifley Square (corner Phillip St & Hunter St) Sydney NSW 2000
Fees/Admission
Two Course Sit Down Luncheon - incl. wine/non-alcoholic beverages.
CBD Sydney Chamber Members $88 ($80 + GST)
Guests & Non-Members $110 ($100 + GST) - register as Non-CBD Sydney Chamber members
