More Voices, More Representation

NEHA MADHOK (THEY/SHE)

Founder and Lead Consultant at Neha Madhok Consulting and former Co-Founder and CEO of Democracy in Colour

Néha Madhok (they/she) is a Consultant and the former Co-Founder and CEO of Democracy in Colour. As a lesbian of colour, they bring over a decade of experience in Australian political campaigning, specialising in anti-racism consulting, public speaking, training, and writing. In their role as National Director at Democracy in Colour, Néha led campaigns and training programs aimed at dismantling systemic racism and promoting economic justice. Their work empowers organisations to foster inclusive environments and achieve tangible social change. Additionally, they offer coaching for NGO leaders to enhance their impact and drive effective advocacy. Néha has also served as a Senior Campaigner within the climate movement and worked on the Yes campaign for Marriage Equality. She was a Digital Campaigner in the Australian union movement and is currently the Chair at 350 Australia.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, LGBTQIA+, Person with a disability

MICHELLE LIM 林敏诗 (SHE/HER)

40 under 40 Most Influential Asian Australian; Organisational Culture and Intersectional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist

Michelle is currently an Organisational Culture and Change Lead at the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) and Director of the Asian Australian Professionals Collective (AAPC). Prior to joining the RBA, Michelle was a senior consultant for several years advising clients on Organisational Culture, Transformational Change, and Risk Culture and Governance. Michelle focuses on the intersection of individual, environmental, societal, and cultural factors that inevitably shape an organisation’s culture. Viewing these elements through psychological and behavioural lenses, she develops strategies to address and anticipate complex cultural challenges, ensuring effective and sustainable organisational change. In addition to her work in organisational culture, Michelle is engaged in the ethics domain, working with executive leaders and focusing on the role of ethics in decision-making and governance. Michelle draws on her
psychology background to bring a deep appreciation of human behaviour to her work. Michelle is a LinkedIn Top Voice. She has been recognised as a 2022 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian Australian, is a Fellow of the Dr John Yu Fellowship for Leadership and Diversity and is a William Ah Ket Leadership Scholar.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, Person with a disability, Culturally and linguistically diverse, Socio-economically disadvantaged

PROFESSOR NAREEN YOUNG (SHE/HER)

Associate Dean, Indigenous Engagement and Leadership, Business School, UTS Sydney

I am a well-respected authority and in the developing area of employment and equal economic participation for Indigenous people and gendered expectations within that. I have been a leader in diversity employment for many years, leading two diversity employment peak bodies to enormous impact and success, and specialise at the impact of the intersection of the employment and human rights jurisdictions in Australia’s workplaces. I work with businesses, community and government partners collaboratively to achieve common goals. I commentate publicly widely to achieve these goals and actively participate in community forums eg boards and advisory committees, both Indigenous and mainstream

Intersecting identities: Aboriginal, Culturally and linguistically diverse

TIFF NG (SHE/HER)

Founder and Chief Storyteller, The Social Story

Tiff Ng is the Founder and Chief Storyteller at The Social Story. She brings over a decade of expertise in social media to empower impact-driven businesses to tell their stories and connect with audiences. With a diverse background spanning tech, food, and entertainment, Tiff specialises in bridging the gap between brands and their audience, focusing on authentic storytelling that drives meaningful engagement. Passionate about the transformative power of social media, Tiff champions inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability in every digital interaction. Beyond metrics, she believes in social media as a tool for positive change, advocating for impactful storytelling that inspires action.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, Culturally and linguistically diverse

RUHEE MEGHANI (SHE/HER)

Founder & Lead Facilitator, Allied Collective

Ruhee is the founder of Allied Collective, Australia’s first inclusive facilitation & wellbeing agency that prioritises purpose-led leadership development through future focused training. With over 12 years of experience across wellbeing, retail, advertising, sports management, hospitality, Ruhee is a thought leader in inclusive wellbeing, a Yoga philosophy teacher, and public speaker. With an academic background in psychology & business management, she brings a unique perspective on how we live & work
whilst balancing wellbeing. Ruhee also serves as a Regional Advisory Council member at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, where she advocates for and on behalf of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, Migrant, Culturally and linguistically diverse

TASNEEM CHOPRA OAM (SHE/HER)

CEO, The Culture Lens

As CEO of The Culture Lens, Tasneem Chopra OAM highlights issues of equity and belonging through an intersectional lens within leadership of government, corporate, arts and community sectors. She assists clients communicate, work with and lead across different cultures for greater impact, dissecting the breadth of inclusion. Tasneem has developed diversity, equity and inclusion policies, managed projects, curated exhibitions, facilitated leadership program and engagement strategies for a breadth of clients for two decades. For her efforts she was appointed the inaugural Ambassador for Women of Colour, Australia was an Anti-Racism Champion for the Australian Human Rights Commission and received an OAM.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, Migrant, Culturally and linguistically diverse, Culturally and racially marginalised (CARM)

AMANDA MORGAN (SHE/HER)

Survivor Advocate

Amanda Morgan is a Yorta Yorta woman living on Darug country. Amanda is an advocate, activist, advisor, speaker and consultant. In 2024 Amanda is travelling to 5 countries investigating trauma-informed approaches to legal processes for historically underserved survivors of violence. Amanda holds a bachelor of law and a bachelor of Psychology and will commence a PhD in law on July.

Intersecting identities: First Nations

JUSTINE MARTIN (SHE/HER)

Resilience Coach, Consultant and Speaker

Justine Martin is a Resilience Transformation Coach, International Keynote Speaker, Book Author and Podcast Host. Known as the Queen
of Resilience; her passion, energy and story to overcome adversities, is now a survival guide to thousands. Her story is unique, and courageous and it will challenge your belief of what strength and determination is. Thirteen years ago Justine was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, underwent three heart surgeries and then battled three primary cancers. Medical specialists told Justine she
would never work again. But that was never an option for her! Justine catapulted herself into the world of business. She not only changed her life to give it purpose & direction but also to inspire those around her with her story and determination.

Intersecting identities: Person with a disability

ANNELIL DESILLE (SHE/THEY)

CEO of Neurokinnection &
Disability Advocate

Annelil is an AudHD registered clinical
psychologist. Annelil uses their personal experiences, along with evidence-based practice to work with neurodivergent individuals. Her special interests include:- Neurodivergence – Mind/Body
connection – Sexual health, dating,
intimacy – Attachment – Spirituality In her spare time, you will find Annelil doing a select few activities, including: spending time with her cats Subu and Eos, doing yoga and sitting in front of the heater watching their favourite tv shows.

Intersecting identities: LGBTQIA+, Person with a disability

GRACE YOUNG (SHE/HER)

Chief Innovation Officer at WattWatchers

Grace has over two decades of
experience in online product design and development, with experience crossing strategic design, shared value and digital product development. She has an ability to synthesise multiple perspectives and
engage multi-sided markets to create
successful business outcomes. Grace is a thought-leader who has appeared at numerous digital industry, energy and sustainability events. She’s also an experienced facilitator with diverse
stakeholders ranging from executives to frontline employees.

Intersecting identities: LGBTQIA+

ROO HARRIS (SHE/HER)

Partner at Scale Investors

Before finding her self-described ‘life’s
purpose’ to invest in diverse founders
through Scale Investors, Roo Harris found herself on the road less travelled, leaving her legal career in Australia to spend a decade in the UAE honing her dealmaking skills with some of the world’s biggest investors, the Qatari royal family office. It was here she discovered her strong belief
in conscious capital. Through Scale, who she joined in 2021, she realised her desire to spend each day with passionate founders solving significant global challenges. An active advocate for the neurodivergent and disability
communities, Roo lives in Melbourne with her husband and two young children.

Intersecting identities: LGBTQIA+

SAMAR MCHEILEH (SHE/THEY)

Managing Partner at
Scale Investors

Fifteen years in finance shaped Samar
Mcheileh into both a driven and practical person, so when an issue is close to her heart, she goes all in. When she found out women over-55 were the fastest growing homeless cohort, she joined the YMCA’s finance committee, to help the charity invest better, and do more. With parents born into war-torn Lebanon, she knows the hardships migrants face, so she joined inTouch’s finance committee, to help support migrant women in need. Practicality and drive also drew Samar to IWD’s More Voices message, because, she says, problems are never solved if those facing them aren’t part of the conversation.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, CALD

ELSA TUET-ROSENBERG
(SHE/HER)

Co-Founder of Hue

Elsa is a queer, Jewish and Chinese woman of colour. She is an educator, facilitator, activist and performer. Prior to Co-founding Hue she was the Director of Training at Democracy in Colour, where she established the workplace training program, and was a presenter for a youth organisation where she co-designed a social
change program for young people that toured nationally. She has a background in Social Work and Psychology, and recently completed her honours thesis, an autoethnography on how multiracial
people from multiple minority heritages engage with their identities.
She is a member of the Public Fund Committee for Intertwine and is an organiser for Here, Queer and Jewish, creating educational and celebratory spaces for Queer Jews. In 2020 she
was awarded one of Out for Australia’s 30 under 30, for LGBTQIA+ role models and leaders.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, LGTQIA+

SONIA SOFAT (SHE/HER)

Co-Founder and Director of Hue

Sonia Sofat is an Indian woman of colour and co-founder of Hue, an organisation focused on anti-racism and anti-oppression training and consulting. With over 10 years of experience in the social justice sector, Sonia combines her passion for community organising, facilitation, and anti-racism campaigning to create inclusive educational experiences. She previously served as the Director of Community Organising at Democracy in Colour, establishing the Community Organising program in 2017. Sonia is adept at navigating internal workplace processes to dismantle oppression and believes in the power of collective organising to elevate voices of those with lived experiences of racism and oppression.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, person with a disability, LGBTQIA+

MARJORIE TENCHAVEZ (SHE/HER)

Founder and Director of
Welcome Merchant

In 1997, at the age of 12, Marjorie moved to Australia with her mother & younger brother during the rise of right-wing politician, Pauline Hanson. She never imagined that she’d one day receive a NSW Humanitarian Award, a Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and an Asian Australian Leadership Award for her advocacy work. Welcome Merchant is a social enterprise that provides a free, consolidated platform for entrepreneurs who identify as a refugee, a former refugee and/or as a person seeking asylum. Welcome Merchant challenges the status quo through its refugee-powered Events, digital advocacy, online directory & merchandise partnerships.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, migrant, CALD

JEMI JENG (SHE/HER)

Founder of Penny

Jemi Jeng is the founder of Penny, an
early-stage startup empowering women with financial education, tools and support to make confident decisions about their money. With Penny, Jemi brings together her passion for financial equality and her extensive experience in social policy and digital & customer transformation. She conceptualised Penny in 2018, while working with start-ups to find new ways to address complex public
policy problems. Penny was kickstarted in January 2021, with a survey of 120 women about their money experiences, goals and
challenges. The insights solidified Jemi’s commitment to finding innovative and effective ways to financially empower women.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, CALD

SARAH IBRAHIM (SHE/HER)

Founding Director of the Racial
Justice Centre and Central
Lawyers

Sarah Ibrahim is a passionate lawyer,
mother of two children and a leader. She is an Egyptian-Australian woman with an aspiration for a racially just Australia. She is dedicated to growing a successful business. As the founding Director of a commercial law firm, called Central Lawyers. Further, she founded the first Australian Community Legal Service, named the Racial Justice Centre focussed on racial justice and equality. Previously
Sarah worked as a solicitor at Legal Aid NSW for ten years. Sarah graduated with an LLB Laws and Ba. Economics, representing disadvantaged clients throughout NSW, becoming the A/Solicitor-In-Charge and A/Manager of the In-House Counsel Unit. Sarah has successfully represented many
clients obtaining successful outcomes in disputes, discrimination and employment law. Sarah has advocated for anti-racism within the legal profession as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee of the Law Society of NSW and an external facilitator at the Diversity Council of Australia.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, CALD

MARIAM VEISZADEH (SHE/HER)

CEO Media Diversity Australia

Mariam Veiszadeh is an award-winning human rights advocate, lawyer, diversity and inclusion practitioner, contributing author and media commentator. Her Ted Talk on privilege has been viewed over half a million times. In late 2021, Mariam was appointed the inaugural CEO of Media Diversity Australia, an organisation that seeks to ensure that the Australian media looks and sounds like Australia. She is also the founder and Chair of the Islamophobia Register Australia and has been involved in the anti-racism space for
over a decade. As a former Afghan refugee from Afghanistan, Mariam has been a spokesperson for the Afghan Australian Advocacy Network and was at the forefront of advocating for Australia to increase its humanitarian intake when Kabul fell to the Taliban. She has also worked as radio commentator for the ABC radio and columnist for Fairfax media, and held multiple board positions including formerly as Co-Chair of Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights and Our Watch. Mariam was named Fairfax Daily Life 2016 Woman
of the year, the 2015 Westpac Woman of Influence and Woman of the Year and Role Model of the Year in 2015 in the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, refugee, migrant, Australian Muslim

DR LINNY KIMLY PHUONG
(SHE/HER)

Paediatric Infectious Diseases
Physician, Founder & Chair of
The Water Well Project

Linny is a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physician who works as a clinician across multiple settings. She is an active paediatric infectious diseases researcher with a current
focus on invasive pneumococcal disease. Linny is the Founder & Director (Chair) of The Water Well Project, a not-for-profit health
promotion charity aiming to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities. During her childhood, Linny watched her parents navigate the healthcare
system and would often act as the child interpreter during their medical
appointments. The organisation has delivered over 1000 health education sessions across three states and comprises over 500 healthcare professional volunteers. The
organisation has been recognised with a Melbourne Award (2018) for contribution to multiculturalism by a community organisation, Victoria Day Award Organisation of the Year
(2019) and finalist for HESTA Impact Awards (2021), HESTA Excellence Awards (2021) and the Australian Migration & Settlement Awards
(2019).

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, CALD

SOLAI VALLIAPPAN (SHE/HER)

Tech investor & adviser

Solai is a tech investor with an actuarial background interested in technology. Starting her career as Actuary she has experience working as Chief of Staff at a Global and also as an early employee at a startup. Solai brings a data driven approach to identifying innovative technology companies and early stage investing. She’s actively also involved in community initiatives and serves on the board and subcommittee of not for profit organisations in women’s empowerment and the arts.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, Culturally and linguistically diverse

WINITHA BONNEY OAM
(SHE/THEY)

Thought Leader in Inclusion and
leadership for Women of Colour

Winitha Bonney is the leading expert in helping corporates build inclusive cultures and is Australia’s first and foremost thought leader in leadership for Women and People of Colour. In 2021 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her extensive work in diversity and inclusion. Winitha has over 23 years of experience in executive roles and has successfully founded several businesses. She has an incredible amount of unique insights, experiences and expertise to
help Women & People of Colour advance, and to support executives, Boards, government and businesses to create inclusive, connected and engaged organisations.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, migrant, CALD

TARA CROKER (SHE/HER)

Founder of Yaala Sparkling

Tara, a proud Wiradjuri woman, has
forged a remarkable path as a marketer in the tech, media, and Indigenous affairs sectors, holding prominent positions at Google and News Corp. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to empowering the next
generation of Indigenous leaders,
dedicating her time to mentoring young students. Additionally, Tara actively engages in reconciliation efforts, serving on various advisory boards and RAP committees. Driven by a passion for preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions,
Tara founded Yaala Sparkling, a venture that showcases the exquisite flavors of native Australian plants. Through Yaala Sparkling, she not only promotes sustainable practices but also strives to amplify First Nations representation within the native food industry. Tara’s unwavering belief in honoring her Ancestral heritage manifests in Yaala Sparkling’s commitment to sourcing ingredients from Indigenous wild harvesters and local farmers. With each sip of Yaala Sparkling, consumers embark on a journey of cultural discovery, savoring the authentic flavors that have sustained Indigenous communities for
generations.

Intersecting identities: First Nations

RACHEL YANG (SHE/HER)

Partner, Giant Leap

Rachel is a Partner at Giant Leap. Giant Leap invests in founders solving our most pressing global problems at scale across climate, health and empowerment & education and has invested in over 30 companies to date. Rachel is also on the Advisory Board for the Victorian Government’s Equity Investment Attraction Fund and formerly the Chair of the Startup Network, a non-profit, grassroots
organisation supporting founders through their startup journey. Rachel’s background is in management consulting and corporate finance, and she previously co founded a non-profit organisation to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour

AMY NGUYEN (SHE/HER)

CEO & Co-Founder of Zen Tea
Lounge Foundation

Amy Nguyen – CEO & Co-Founder, Zen Tea Lounge Foundation | 2023 Women NSW Prospect Local Woman of the Year For over two decades, Amy has stood on the front lines of social work, advocating for the voiceless and championing an end to
domestic violence in Australia. Recognizing a critical gap in the system, she co-founded Zen Tea Lounge Foundation, sculpting a holistic approach to empower families and address the issue at its very roots. Guided by compassion and unwavering commitment, Amy and her dedicated team have reached out to and uplifted over 21,000 souls through their outreach services. As a keynote speaker, her voice resonates hope, resilience, and an enduring spirit, inspiring change while remaining grounded in humility.

Intersecting identities: CALD

BRENDA GADDI (SHE/HER/SIYA)

Founder and Executive Director, Women of Colour
Australia

Brenda Gaddi (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Colour Australia. She is a Filipina settler living on the sovereign land of the Wallumattagal clan of the Darug nation. She was born and raised during the Martial Law era in the
Philippines. She has been building women-focused communities and championing women’s voices for over a decade. She is passionate about racial, social, & economic justice, gender equity, and intersectionality. She was part of the inaugural Changemakers Program, a campaign shining a spotlight on individuals using LinkedIn to drive genuine change in the world of work.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, Migrant, Culturally and linguistically diverse

DIV PILLAY (SHE/HER)

CEO MindTribes & Co-Founder
Culturally Diverse Women

Div Pillay is an experienced and respected diversity and inclusion practitioner, leader, researcher and advocate, for over 25 years. Her speciality focus is on race, ethnicity,
gender equity and inclusion with a strong intersectional expertise. This professional experience is backed by her personal experience of living under racially segregated apartheid laws, before migrating to Australia, and her behavioural psychology background. Div wrote the gender intersectional guidance materials
for the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Service, that is publicly available. Div leads, award-winning D&I consultancy and advisory firm, MindTribes and social enterprise, Culturally Diverse Women [CDW] that has advanced over 600+ alumni into
leadership since 2017.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour

ERIN WEN AI CHEW (SHE/HER)

Co-Founder for the Asian
Australian Alliance and CEO of
FlixAsia

Erin Wen Ai Chew is a social entrepreneur, freelance writer and social activist focusing on issues impacting on the Asian diaspora.
Erin founded the Asian Australian Alliance back in 2013 as a way to include the Asian Australian voice in the mainstream and create a platform for change. Currently, her organisation is running an Australian wide COVID-19 Racism Incident survey, which has garnered over 600 responses thus far in Australia. More recently, the Asian Australian Alliance are the architects for the #stopasianhate Australian campaign which is a collaboration with GoFundMe Australia. Erin is also on the advisory board of the Online Racism for Australia (OAR4A) Research Project Advisory Board.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, CALD, Asian Australian

NITI NADARAJAH (SHE/HER)

Executive Coach, DEI Consultant & Freelance GC, Coaching by Niti

Niti is a multi award-winning executive coach, freelance general counsel, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and facilitator,
who advocates for various issues including gender and racial equity. From following the well-trodden path into the world of corporate law, where she spent over 20 years, to becoming a multi-passionate individual seeking to make an impact on the lives of
women, particularly those who face the double bind of intersectional identities, her journey has been anything but linear. Her business, Coaching by Niti, helps to empower women who are feeling stuck in their careers to create more intentionality in their career paths.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour, Culturally and linguistically diverse

KAREN ILES (SHE/HER)

Founder of Violet Co

Karen Iles is the Founder of for-purpose Legal and Consulting Practice Violet Co. Violet Co’s purpose is to make a material difference in the lives of women and Indigenous peoples. Karen has extensive experience in corporate social responsibility, strategy, governance, program design, management and evaluation, advocacy, and inclusion and diversity across multiple industries in both the corporate and not for-profit sectors. Her contributions have impacted
organisations, social institutions,
employees and individuals for significant transformation. Karen is a lawyer admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has held a number of not-for-profit Board Directorships during her career. In addition to her Bachelor of Laws, Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts (Women’s Studies).
Under Karen’s leadership Tata Consultancy Services was recognised by The Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as one of the ‘Top 10 CSR Companies’ (2017) and named the number one company in Australia for CSR from the Australian Human Resources Institute (2016).

Intersecting identities: First Nations

SANDRA COLHANDO (SHE/HER)

Co-Founder of TransforME Learning

Sandra Colhando is a leadership coach with over two decades of experience in helping people attain maximum effectiveness. Sandra has over 10,000 hours of professional coaching and is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), trained in Social Emotional Intelligence, Neuroscience and Gestalt Methods. Sandra’s unique approach lies in her highly experiential sessions – coupling transformational methods of Gestalt with the more scientific methods of Neuroscience for people to uncover their ‘unconscious’ biases and take steps to evolve. Sandra believes being a lifelong learner is the no. 1 skill for the new world. Rooted to
reality, her practical business background as an entrepreneur running a successful global company, living in different geographies is blended with her extensive experience of people development.
When she isn’t busy enabling change for her clients, Sandra can be found looking for a new personal challenge to overcome, or equally rewarding being a mum to her 2 beautiful daughters in Sydney, Australia.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour

JERUSHA MATHER (SHE/HER)

Disability Advocate

Jerusha Mather, currently pursuing her PhD at Victoria University, focuses on strength training and non-invasive brain stimulation in adults with cerebral palsy. Jerusha’s dedication to this research earned her a career development grant from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. She has also been recognized with the Bridge Create Change Award and participation in the prestigious L’Oréal UNESCO Women in Science mentee program. In addition to her academic achievements, Jerusha is an inspirational motivational speaker and poet. She recently published a poetry collection titled ‘Burnt Bones and Beautiful Butterflies.’ A prominent disability
activist, she advocates for medical students with disabilities, inclusive immigration, and accessible packaging and fashion. Her
contributions have not gone unnoticed; the Australian Academy of Sciences has acknowledged her as one of the STEM change
makers. Furthermore, Jerusha’s portrait graces Questacon, the National Science Centre, as one of the most outstanding female
role models in medicine. Her petition on Change.org advocating for increased accessible packaging garnered over 13,000 signatures. In her leisure time, Jerusha enjoys music and traveling.

Intersecting identities: Person with a
disability

TINAI COLAWAI (SHE/HER)

Strategic people & culture leader and Director of knext

Tinai Colawai relocated to Australia from Fiji in 2016. She launched knext in 2021 to work with individuals from CALD backgrounds on designing and shaping a sustainable career and organisations on helping them embed tailored people solutions and build inclusive workplaces. She is now using lessons she’s learnt throughout her career in People & Culture, her lived experience as a migrant to
Australia, design thinking, data and
analytics and strategic People & Culture experience to work with individuals and organisations on capacity building. Tinai has industry and business area experience in the Public Sector, Not-For Profit (NFP), Finance and Banking, Wealth Management, Digital Technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Space Technology and Enviro-technology.
She partners with deep-tech start-up
Founders, CEO’s and executive leaders at a country, divisional and global level. In addition to running her business, Tinai serves as a Board Director at International Womens Development Agency (IWDA).

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, CALD

FRISKA WIRYA (SHE/HER)

CEO Fresh by Friska & Future Fit Ventures, #1 Best-Selling Author of The Future Fit Organisation, TEDx speaker, upcoming
author of The Future Fit Asian Organization

Friska Wirya is the multiple award-winning powerhouse behind Fresh by Friska, a boutique change management consulting, facilitation, coaching and speaking service for leaders, teams and global businesses. She is also a sought after speaker, partnering with Women Leaders Institute, Women in Tech and UN Women to catapult more women around the C-suite table. Friska is a top 50 Global Change Management Thought Leader, TEDx speaker, triple best-selling author of ‘The Future Fit
Organisation: A Leader’s Guide to Transformation’ and has been featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Straits Times, The
Australian Financial Review, The CEO Magazine, The Australian Institute of Company Directors, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, Smart Company and is a regular contributor to Women’s Agenda.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, migrant, culturally and linguistically diverse

YASMIN POOLE

Public speaker, writer and
youth advocate

Yasmin Poole seeks to challenge
policymakers to think differently. Her
vision is for Australia to become a global leader in intersectional policymaking, with a Parliament that truly reflects the diversity of our communities. Yasmin is Plan International’s National Ambassador, advocating for young women to be heard in Australian politics. She regularly provides commentary on
Australian TV and radio, such as Q+A, The Drum, and ABC News. Yasmin is the Non Executive Board Director of OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food waste charity, and previously worked on gender equality campaigns for the World Bank in the Pacific region. In 2021, Yasmin was recognised as the Martin Luther King Jr Center’s Youth
Influencer of the Year. She is currently
studying intersectional public policy
through a MSt in Women’s Gender and
Sexuality Studies at the University of
Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour

CHANTAL MOUSAD (SHE/HER)

Finance executive,
Women and Refugee advocate

Chantal Mousad, with a Bachelor of Economics and Commerce from Damascus University, previously held a Chief Risk Officer at an international bank across the Middle East, Goalf North Africa and Europe. after evacuating Syria during the war. In 2017 after losing her twin, Chantal and her daughter resettled in Brisbane, under a humanitarian visa. She struggled to find work until CareerSeekers helped her secure an internship at Commonwealth Bank, which led to a permanent role in digital operations after moving to Sydney. Currently, Chantal is a Senior Risk Manager at Westpac, serves on the CareerSeekers board, and is pursuing an MBA at the University of Sydney with a United Nations scholarship. She also holds a Regional Director position at the Global Resources Advisory Board and is an ambassador for the Westpac Foundation and SSI’s Billion Dollar Benefit campaign, continuously inspiring her daughter and other refugees.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour, Refugee, Person with a disability, Culturally and linguistically diverse

PRABHA NANDAGOPAL (SHE/HER)

Human Rights Lawyer, Founder, Elevate Consulting Partners

Prabha is a leading human rights lawyer with over 18 years of experience in a range of areas including workplace culture reform,
asylum seeker rights, and more. As founder of Elevate Consulting Partners and SafeSpace@elevate, she advances social change through innovative solutions to systemic issues. Formerly a senior leader at the Australian Human Rights Commission, Prabha directed critical projects including the National Inquiry into Children in Detention and was a senior legal advisor on the Respect@Work National Inquiry. Her recent consultations include the National Music Industry Review and EY Oceania’s cultural review. Recognized by Women’s Agenda as a leader to watch in 2024, Prabha holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Adelaide.

Intersecting identities: Person of colour

BRIAR HARTE (SHE/HER)

Inclusive Design Principal, NAB

Briar is a high energy advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility, leveraging years of experience in promoting the voices of disabled individuals within both corporate and community spaces. As the writer of Mostly Unlearning, a popular weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Briar has cultivated a platform that amplifies disability and accessibility narratives, driving meaningful conversations around inclusion, accessibility, and human-centered design. Briar currently serves as a community member of the Department of Social Services National Disability Data Asset Scoping Panel. In 2024, she was honoured as the Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year for her groundbreaking contributions. In July, 2024, Briar joined NAB to establish their Inclusive Design practice and guide the bank towards making banking more and more accessible and inclusive for all. Previously, Briar led nbn’s Accessibility and Inclusion Strategy and Transformation program, focusing on nbn’s public commitments to becoming more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities—employees, customers, partners, and communities alike.

Intersecting identities: Person with a disability, migrant

LISA SARAGO (SHE/HER)

CEO and Co-Founder of Land on Heart and Land on Heart Foundation; Director of AI Indigenous Innovations; Founder of Tiddas in Tech

Lisa Sarago, a proud Bundaburra Yidinji/Western Yalanji woman and award-winning Indigenous leader, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Land on Heart, a leading organisation dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and education within business organisations. The organisation is also deeply committed to nurturing emerging tech talent within Indigenous communities, creating employment and economic opportunities for mob on country. Lisa’s strategic leadership and commitment to empowering Indigenous individuals have earned her recognition throughout the industry.

Lisa is also Director of AI Indigenous Innovations and Founder of Tiddas in Tech. Lisa’s exceptional contributions to the field were acknowledged when she won the prestigious 2022 Indigenous Leader of the Year powered by Women In Digital award. More recently, Lisa was named a finalist for NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 2025.

Intersection identities: Indigenous

LIDA MANGAL (SHE/HER)

Women’s Advocate

Lida Mangal, a young Afghan fashion designer based in Sydney, Australia, passionately crafts authentic contemporary Afghan attire under her label “Ghan Fashion.” Her mission is twofold: to revive and champion vintage Afghan designs while economically empowering Afghan women in her homeland through her evolving creations. Committed to her heritage, Ghan Fashion blends traditional Afghan influences with modern elegance, catering to both Afghan and diverse communities alike.

Lida envisions fashion as a universal language, transcending age and borders to spread joy and confidence through vibrant, colourful designs. Her work has graced numerous fashion shows, including Lakemae Australia, Western Sydney Fashion Fest, Elite Fashion Show and she actively collaborates with organizations like Accessible Diversity Services Initiative to celebrate Afghan women’s resilience through inclusive fashion. Ghan Fashion’s impact extends beyond the runway, as it has been featured in prominent media outlets such as SBS, the Edge, Junkee and Sydney Morning Herald, sharing Lida’s journey of advocacy and empowerment for women of all backgrounds. Moreover, Ghan Fashion channels its success into philanthropy, donating over 10% of profits and raising significant funds to support disadvantaged women and children in Afghanistan, embodying Lida’s commitment to making a positive difference in her community.

Intersection identities: Refugee, Culturally and linguistically diverse

DR. VARINA MICHAELS (SHE/HER)

Intersectional DEI, Culture and Leadership Consultant

Dr. Varina Michaels is a leading Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Management expert, with a PhD in Intersectional Identities from UNSW Business School. She is Diversity and Inclusion Project Lead for Nosworthy Group, Visiting Professor for IESEG School of Management and Director of Research and Advocacy for Women of Colour Australia. Working with some of the most senior
organisational leaders in business today, Dr. Michaels create forums where individuals find meaning and develop the courage to confront complex issues and enact change. But
meaningful change can not happen without meaningful engagement. As Director of Research and Advocacy at Women of Colour Australia, Dr. Michaels has built an Ethical Co-Creation Framework to ensure that the voices of Women of Colour are centered in the work of herself and her team. Dr. Michaels has presented her work and insights at conferences, speaking events and Universities around the globe.

Intersecting identities: Woman of colour

MELISSA WILLIAMS (SHE/HER)

Founder and Executive Director, Corethics

Melissa Williams is the Founder and Executive Director at Corethics, an all-volunteer run charity that creates thriving and sustainable communities in the developing world through locally-led, ethical, and evidence based projects. Motivated to raise indigenous voices and to redistribute resources to
where it’s needed most, Melissa calls upon her Maori heritage to deepen her practice.

Intersection identities: Woman of colour

YOLO BAKKER (SHE/HER)

Founder, LANAH

Yola Bakker is the Founder of LANAH a profit-for-purpose enterprise in Indonesia and Australia,
driving people solutions to place problems, from the ground up. Based in Western Australia, Yola is an influential leader within the organisations and communities she serves. As the first ever recipient
of the Alumni Scholarship on the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s flagship program, her
natural style and authentic passion is attractive to those around her. As a Makassan Moluccan woman, cultural cultivation shapes the definitive set of values by which she works and plays, underpinning her astute business drive, personal practice framework and character.
As a professional artist at the Jakarta Institute of Arts, her artistic practice uses language (poetry)
and movement (dance) to drive meaningful change in individuals, families and communities.

Intersection identities: Woman of colour