Since 2014, Katrine has represented the electorate of Reynell in Adelaide’s south. As the Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, she is determined to work across government and community to help ensure that everyone is empowered to play their part in improving the lives of children and families. She previously served as Minister for Disabilities, Minister Assisting the Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Assistant Minister to the Premier in the Weatherill Labor Government and established the South Australian Women in Sport Taskforce.

Samantha has 16 years’ experience leading HR functions across Mining, Oil & Gas, Transport, Technology, Defence and Utilities sectors and has brought her knowledge of complex operating environments to the aviation sector, joining Virgin Australia in 2023. Samantha is a Member of the Industry Skills Australia Strategic Workforce Planning Committee for Aviation, addressing the considerable workforce challenges across the Aviation sector. Samantha is passionate about the global, demographic and technological forces that continue to reshape how we work and live, and is particularly invested in fostering inclusive workplaces where diversity is truly celebrated.

Leading Beyond Boundaries

In today’s changing and challenging work environments, effective leadership means thinking beyond previous boundaries to inspire transformative change. Effective leaders must embrace innovative strategies that prioritise adaptability, foster collaboration, and enhance communication to drive team success. In this session, our expert panel will share their personal journeys and lessons they have learned as flexible, adaptive and innovative leaders. Through their experiences, you’ll gain practical insights and actionable tools to navigate the complexities of modern leadership.

	Tricia Spargo Chair, Non-Executive Director – JFA Purple Orange; JFM Fund Trustee; Disability Strategist and Policy Advisor As someone who has lived with lifelong disability and chronic illness, Trish has practised and championed flexible working arrangements to bring workplace equity to people with disability. She has extensive experience working across state and federal government, non-government, and statutory settings including the South Australian Equal Opportunity Commission and Australian Human Rights Commission in service delivery and redevelopment, person-centred planning, public policy, cultural change projects, research, law reform, and human rights. She is currently the Chair of the Board of leading South Australian social profit organisation, JFA Purple Orange, where she leads a diverse team of directors spread across Australia and empowers all to work how and where they want thanks to the use of technology.
	Nicole Clinch (She/Her) Manager, Priority Reforms, South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON) Nicole “Nikki” Clinch is a proud Badimia / Yamatji woman who was born and raised on Kaurna Land. Nikki is a passionate and dedicated professional working to drive positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in South Australia. With extensive experience in health, Aboriginal affairs, and human services, Nikki has held various roles focused on improving outcomes for Indigenous people. Her background includes a Certificate IV in Indigenous Research Capacity Building, an Associate Degree in Indigenous Community Health, and ongoing studies in Public Health at the University of South Australia. In her current role as Manager of Priority Reforms at SAACCON, she ensures Aboriginal community involvement in the National Closing the Gap Agreement. Driven by a vision of equity, Nikki continues to work towards creating stronger, more inclusive systems for Aboriginal communities.
	Nick Reade (He/Him) Chief Executive Officer, RAA; Member, SA Leaders for Gender Equity Nick Reade joined RAA in August 2022 as just the sixth leader in the organisation’s nearly 120-year history. He’s proud to be part of an Executive team that’s currently represented by five women and six men – a gender balance RAA hopes to maintain from a leadership level and throughout the organisation. With a wealth of experience in business, government and financial services, Nick most recently led the State’s public sector as Chief Executive of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Prior to that he was CEO of BankSA. Proudly South Australian, Nick has a fundamental belief in the important role RAA can play in improving the lives of members and the future of our State. In particular, Nick is passionate about leading an organisation with inclusion and diversity at the forefront, ensuring everyone – no matter their differences – belongs.
	Vicky Arachi (She/Her) Manager, Multicultural Community Connection Program, Multicultural Communities Council of SA Vasiliki (Vicky) Arachi exemplifies how diverse skills and unconventional career paths can revolutionise leadership in multicultural Australia. As Manager of the Multicultural Community Connection Program at Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia, she harnesses her expertise in law, policy development and cultural intelligence to forge innovative solutions for community engagement. Her work in senior policy development has provided unique insights into reshaping complex systems through inclusive leadership. As a Cultural Intelligence (CulturalQ) facilitator at MCCSA, she empowers organisations and leaders to develop the cultural competence essential in today’s diverse workplace. Her background in judicial graphology adds a distinctive analytical dimension to her work in cross-cultural communication and dispute resolution, illustrating how specialised skills can be reimagined for broader leadership impact.
	Irene Candelaria Rowe (She/Her) Clinical Quality Manager, Chinese Welfare Services of SA; Educator & Trainer With over 20 years of experience in the Australian Health Industry, Irene has dedicated her career to enhancing health and wellbeing within multicultural communities. She began as a Registered Nurse, gaining valuable clinical experience in various areas of nursing. Irene currently serves as president and board member for several not-for-profit organizations and was recently appointed to the SA Multicultural Commission. Throughout her career, Irene has shown a commitment to improving health care practices and actively contributes to organizations promoting multiculturalism and quality services for all. She is passionate about health literacy, culturally appropriate care for marginalized groups and advocacy for women of culturally diverse background.

Receiving The 2025 SA Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership

Dr. Manasi Murthy Mittinty is a renowned health leader recognised for her pioneering work in pain management and mental health equity, particularly for culturally diverse and First Nations communities in Australia. Inspired by her own experience with chronic pain, Manasi founded the CHERISH project, which develops individualised care programs integrating mental health and social support to improve patient outcomes.

Receiving The 2025 National Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership

Dr. Cathy Foley became Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist in January 2021 after an extensive career at Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, including as the agency’s Chief Scientist. She concluded her term at the end of 2024. Dr. Foley has since been appointed to the CSIRO Board and Trustee of the Australian Museum.

Her scientific excellence and influential leadership have been recognised with numerous awards and fellowships, including election to the Australian Academy of Science in 2020, and an Order of Australia for service to research science and to the advancement of women in physics.

Lydia Williams is the first Aboriginal goalkeeper for Australia’s Matildas and a 2x Olympian. With 138 caps for Australia, she is a renowned Australian athlete. She has played international football at the highest level in the US for the Western New York Flash, with PSG in France, Arsenal in the UK and currently with Brighton & Hove Albion Women in the Women’s Super League. Twice named PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year, she has also been inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame. Lydia is the author of two children’s books, “Saved!” and “Goal!”, which are about friendship, sport and teamwork. Off the field she is a calm, easy-going person, and on the field she is a fierce and focused competitor.

After surviving an abusive childhood and repeated trauma in the deadly Christchurch Earthquake in 2011, Billie Jordan used these experiences as a catalyst for igniting the potential of the senior citizens in her community on Waiheke Island – a small island off the East Coast of New Zealand. Billie established The Hip Op-eration Crew; a hip-hop dance group consisting of 27 members aged 65 to 98 years old. She gave her dance group the audacious goal of being good enough, in just eight months’ time, to perform at the World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas. With no background in dance, hip hop or working with the elderly; and with a team of dancers whose average age was 80, she had her work cut out for her. Billie was awarded a Queens Honour in 2016, was New Zealand Woman of the Year in 2016/2017 and won the New Zealander of the Year award in the Local Hero category in 2015. She is the star of an award-winning feature documentary film Hip Hop-eration, which has screened in cinemas all over the world, and now Hollywood plan on making her story into a movie!