🔐Unlocking Potential: A Roadmap to Accelerating Women’s Impact in Security

Join us for the inaugural AWSN Summit as we celebrate 10 years of the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) and our ongoing mission to foster diversity, inclusion, and empowerment across Australia’s security industry.

📅 Date: Friday, 1 August 2025
🕤 Time (AEST): 8:30am - 5pm
🕤 Networking (AEST): 5pm - 7pm

This event will bring together professionals and women in leadership from across the security spectrum to explore the Summit theme: “Unlocking Potential: A Roadmap to Accelerating Women’s Impact in Security.”

Through a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and extended networking sessions, the Summit aims to equip attendees with the tools, insights, and inspiration needed to take charge of their career journeys and drive meaningful change within their organisations.

The day is divided into two distinct sections:

Morning: Own Your Path - Empowering Women in Security
A focus on personal and professional development, including confidence-building, leadership, and career growth.

Afternoon: Pave the Way - Shaping Inclusive Workplaces
A look at how individuals and organisations can promote diversity and inclusion and support other women in security.

The AWSN Summit will provide a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, learn from industry leaders, and engage in thought-provoking dialogue that advances the role of women in security.

🎟️ Tickets

Member Ticket (In-Person): $132 incl. GST
Non-Member Ticket (In-Person): $198 incl. GST

Please register using the email linked to your AWSN membership so we can verify your status.

👉If you're not yet an AWSN member, join here: https://www.awsn.org.au/members/join/

🔜 Keynote Speakers, Panel -Line Up and Workshops so far...

MORNING SESSION *

Keynotes:

Opening Keynote: Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC, Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator | Home Affairs
Opening Address: Jacqui Loustau, Executive Director | Australian Women in Security Network
Behind the numbers: Understanding dimensions of gender equality in the workplace: Leonora Risse, Associate Professor in Economics School of Politics, Economics and Society | University of Canberra

Panel Speakers 'Cracking the Code: How Women Rise in Security'

Moderator: Yvette Lejins, Senior Director, Security GRC, PMO and Strategy | Coupang

Deborah Dalgliesh, Head of Cybersecurity Portfolio, Technology Transformation | Westpac
Tara Dharnikota, Chief Information Security Officer | Victoria University
Ann Paul, Principal Communications Designer | Mott Macdonald
Jason Qoriniyasi, Director of Member and Community Empowerment | CISO Lens

Morning Workshops:

Option 1. The Confidence Equation: Mastering the Skills That Drive Success
Liane Kemp | Leadership Coach | Kemp Street Partners
Option 2. Risk, Response, and Resilience: Core Leadership Skills for the Security Sector
Claire Pales, Leadership Coach | The Security Collective
Option 3. Persuasive Communication
Emily Edgeley | Public Speaking Coach
Option 4. Essential Incident Response Preparation for IT Managers & Directors (V)
Lesley Carhart, SANS Certified Instructor, Technical Director of Incident Response for North America | Dragos

AFTERNOON SESSION *

Keynotes:

Own your Path: Empowering Women in Security: Jennifer Lawrence, Assistant Director-General Organisational Development in the People & Skills Division | Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
Closing Keynote: Narelle Devine, Global Chief Information Security Officer | Telstra

Panel Speakers 'Lifting as We Climb: Championing Women in Leadership'

Laura O'Neill, Head of Advisory & Assurance, Fujitsu Cyber
Daisy Wong, Head of Security Awareness | Medibank
Lukasz Gogolkiewicz, Head of Security, Accent Group
Dr Morley Muse, Co-Founder of iSTEM Co and DEIR.AI

Afternoon Workshops:

Option 1. Breaking barriers for women in cyber | Cyber5050 and Future Women
Option 2. Tangible Change: What’s Working for Equity in Cybersecurity | RMIT
Option 3. Australia’s Cyber Workforce – Growth & Inclusivity | Home Affairs
Option 4. Building Inclusive Teams | Proscience (V)

*Subject to change

(V) - Workshop available to Virtual participants

Stay tuned for further updates when more join our speaker line-up and interactive sessions.

🔹Sponsorship

Packages are now available for organisations looking to support the AWSN Summit and champion diversity in security. To request a prospectus or explore partnership opportunities, please contact summit@awsn.org.au.

🤝 Refund Information

We understand that plans can change. AWSN offers the following refund and ticket transfer policy for the AWSN Summit 2025:

Full Refunds: You can request a full refund for any reason up until COB Friday, 18 July 2025 (two weeks prior to the event). Please email summit@awsn.org.au with your request.
No Refunds After 18 July: After this date, refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances (e.g. medical emergencies) and must be supported by documentation.
Event Cancellation or Postponement: If the event is cancelled or rescheduled and you can’t attend the new date, you’ll receive a full refund.

Be a part of shaping the future of security - Save the date and secure your place at the AWSN Summit 2025.

Thank you to event host Telstra, and our Founding Sponsor CISO Lens.