About

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. International Women’s Day is powered by the collective effort of all. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes IWD impactful. The CBCC is committed to advancing the interests of women and seeing a more inclusive world.

This year the theme for IWD is #InspireInclusion. Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of stereotypes and discrimination where women sometimes are excluded. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can #InspireInclusion

Our Speakers:

· Professor Josephine Chow, Churchill Fellow Chair, SWS Nursing & Midwifery Research Alliance | SWSLHD, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research

· Joseph Rizk AM Managing Director and CEO Arab Bank Australia Limited.

· Kristie Okely Lieutenant Commander, Royal Australian Navy Regional Senior Military Recruiting Officer Eastern Region – NSW/ACT -@ADF Careers

· Suanne Russell Lead Ombudsmen, Small Business and Transactions, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

· Tracy Alexakis CEO | Minett Group of Companies, Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce - CBCC Board Member, and Panel Moderator.

Also will be talking to students from Bankstown Girls High School who have represented Australia at the 2023 Universal Robotics Challenge (URC) - World Final - Secondary Schools Advanced Division in Osaka City, Japan.

And more!

CBCC Women In Leadership Event 2024

Each year we hold an event to celebrate the contributions of women in our local economy and community. Our annual Women in Leadership Event brings hundreds of women across South West Sydney and beyond. We have speakers and panelled guests that will share their experiences and stories and encourage women to #getinvolved.

What can we do?

Celebrate women's achievements. Raise awareness and encourage more women's involvement.

This event never disappoints, so get your tickets early and mark your calendar!

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Our Amazing Event Moderator

Tracy Minett
CEO of Minett Group of Companies

Minett Group is led by Tracy Minett, a motivated and hands-on CEO and a patient-fronting pharmacist. We're a family owned business with solid family values embedded in our decision making process.

Meet our Event Speakers

Kristie Okely
Lieutenant Commander Royal Australian Navy

Lieutenant Commander Okely enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in 2009 as a Navy Intelligence Officer at the Maritime Intelligence Support Centre at Fleet Headquarters. In this role she provided intelligence products/briefings to senior leadership within the headquarters and staff at sea.

From 2015 – 2018 she was employed within the Naval Attaché office at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC. As the Staff Officer Exchange and Training, she supported 140 Royal Australian Navy staff posted across Canada, USA and Japan.

From 2018 – 2019 she was employed as the Staff Officer (Executive Assistant) to the Deputy Fleet Commander within Fleet Headquarters. Here she worked directly with a headquarters team of staff across the specialities of Engineering, Sea Worthiness, Logistics, Maritime Safety, Health, Legal, Maritime Warfare, and Chaplaincy. In 2019, she was promoted to Lieutenant Commander as Navy Parliamentary Liaison Officer responsible for compiling Ministerial Briefs and responding to Senate Estimates requests.

In 2021 she retrained and moved in the Human Resources branch of the Navy. Her next posting was as the Human Resources Manager for the Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving, Patrol and Hydrographic Vessels Group, which also includes the Young Endeavour tall ship. In 2022 she deployed on HMAS Adelaide, leading over 1500 staff to Tonga, Fiji, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

In 2023 she joined her current as role as the NSW/ACT Manager for ADF Careers, the Defence Forces recruiting team. She is responsible for the management of all candidates and a large team of staff who assist people to find fulfilling careers across the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Lieutenant Commander Okely has been conferred a Bachelor of Asian Studies and a Masters in Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. She is also the mother of a 16-year-old daughter who is in year 11. She is keenly interested in Surfing/Beach/Swimming, Art History, Woodworking, and Watercolour Painting.

Mariam Mourad
CEO for the Bankstown Women’s Health Centre and the New Fairfield Women’s Health Service

As an advocate for Women’s rights, equity, and equality I have worked in many roles in the community Service Industry for more than 30 years. Currently I am the Chief Executive Officer for the Bankstown Women’s Health Centre and the New Fairfield Women’s Health Service I am deeply passionate and committed to the advancement of gender equality and am passionate supporter of positive Health and Wellbeing outcomes for Women, especially Women from Immigrant and Refugee backgrounds.

I regularly speak on the issues of women that addresses gender inequality to the different channels of the media, including ABC, SBS TV’s, local newspapers such as Canterbury Bankstown Torch and Fairfield Champion, and Arabic SBS Radio I have a vision to work towards achieving reduction of domestic and family violence and to shift the cultural parameters that define the norms of gender stereotypes. I recognise that power and control is still prevalent today, and I believe that there is still so much more work to be done to address and provide positive health outcomes for all Women.

I have the voice and the passion to advocate for Women’s Rights, equity, and equality, and I will continue to advocate and strive towards bringing about substantial positive change in Women’s Health and wellbeing, especially those who are disadvantaged in our community.

Part of the Establishment of 2 Women’s Refuge in Sydney, one in Bondi Junction and one in Revesby

Police Yellow cards for domestic family violence -Police NSW

Safety action meetings for women who experience domestic and family violence – Police NSW

Community Kitchens in the Canterbury Bankstown: Social interaction, and access to nutritional food for Isolated Women who have a disability and aged Women in the community.

Committees:

1- Women’s Health NSW Executive board member
2- Southwest Domestic and Family Violence Alliance Network
3- Chair of Canterbury Bankstown Domestic Violence Liaison Committee
4- Southwest Sydney D&A Partnership Steering Committee
5- And finally, November 2023 I was appointed on the newly established NSW Women’s Advisory Council

Joseph Rizk
Director CEO & Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia

Joseph Rizk AM is the CEO & Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia has been Managing Director since 22 December 2010. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, Joseph held the position of Chief Banking Officer for over five years, overseeing the retail, commercial and trade banking operations as well as its branch network, and being responsible for all revenue generating arms of the Bank. Joseph has 45 years of corporate, commercial and international banking and finance experience along with extensive experience across the banking spectrum with the ability to generate positive results in the face of tough market conditions and in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Prior to joining Arab Bank Australia, Joseph worked predominantly for the National Australia Bank in a senior executive capacity, leading and managing a series of large business units in Sydney and NSW and headed up the NAB’s NSW & ACT Property Finance Groups.

Joseph is a member of (MAICD) The Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He is also a fellow of (AIM) The Australian Institute of Management. Joseph has been a Director of the Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce since 2007.

In 2007 to 2014 was President of the (WMRF) Westmead Medical Research Foundation.In May 2015 Joseph was nominated the Chairman of the (IOFA) Italian Opera Foundation Association. Joseph was also nominated in 2015 the Director for the (WMI) Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research. On Monday 8th June 2015 (Queens’ Birthday) – Joseph was awarded the ‘Order of Australia’ the Award has been given to Joseph in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the banking sector and community. In January 2016 Joseph became Board member of (AACCI) Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In October 2020 Joseph became Board Director of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy Corporation. In July 2021 Joseph became a member of the Powerhouse Capital Campaign Committee. On Wednesday 26 January 2022 – Australia Day. Member of the Order of Australia Honours, AM announcement. Joseph was recognised for his significant service to the not- for- profit sector, and to banking and commerce. In October 2022 Joseph became Director of the James Martin Institute (JMI) for Public Policy. On the 14th of December 2022 Joe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Western Sydney University.

Josephine Chow
Chair of South Western Sydney Nursing & Midwifery Research Alliance (SWS NMRA)

Professor Josephine Chow is the Foundation Chair, South Western Sydney Nursing and Midwifery Research Alliance (SWS NMRA) at SWSLHD and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research (IIMR), and the Deputy Director of Research, SWSLHD. From a background as a renal nurse, Professor Chow’s passion has always been innovation and research.

Professor Chow has been crucial to the global impact of the renal program's knowledge generation in nursing leadership and practices. She is the Winston Churchill Fellow and the Chair of a number of local and international professional and influential Committees. Her leadership sets a positive example, promotes positive cultural change and inspires others. She is the founder and foundational Chair of The HOME Network, since 2009, an Australasian initiative that brings healthcare professionals and consumers together to promote home dialysis as a choice. She has considerable success in securing funding for significant national and international projects.

In recognition of her innovative response and leadership to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was the Finalist of the 2022 Federal Health Minister's Award for Nursing Trailblazers. Professor Chow had received over 30 prestigious awards in research, leadership and innovation, such as NSW Health Innovation Award, the Premier Awards. In 2023, she was recognised as the Winner of the 2023 Staff Member of the Year for NSW Health. Professor Chow advocates consumer engagements. She has affiliations with three Universities in Australia and Stanford University in the United States.

In addition to her current positions, Professor Chow also held several foundational positions within NSW Health including the Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Co-Director for the Renal Clinical Trial Centre, Lead of the Operational Team for the Emergency Operation Centre. She was also the inaugural Executive Director, Operations for the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education & Enterprise (SPHERE).

Suanne Russell
Is the Lead Ombudsmen, Small Business, and Transactions, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

Suanne Russell is the Lead Ombudsmen, Small Business and Transactions, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). In this role she oversees the handling of small business complaints about financial services and products. In addition, she has oversight of complaints and stakeholder engagements involving banking transactions, payment services, merchant disputes including scams. Suanne, an experienced banking and finance lawyer, joined AFCA from Westpac in 2021, bringing her expertise in the small business and consumer banking sectors.

Suanne’s past roles have included Head of Institutional and Business Banking Legal for St George Bank, Head of Consumer Bank Legal and Head of Business Bank and Private Wealth Legal for Westpac. At Westpac, she was responsible for legal issues relating to business deposits and merchant and payment services, Business lending including Equipment Finance and disputes, business bank remediation projects, regulatory projects, and worked with industry bodies and regulators. Suanne was part of the Westpac team that worked on the development of business relief packages and special facilities for small business and consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also looked after the bank’s Auto finance business from a legal perspective and has experience in National Credit Code regulated lending. She has spent time in large law firms in Sydney and London where she gained expertise as a litigator specialising in building, construction, insurance and insolvency.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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