Courage & Conviction: How to navigate tough decisions, trust your judgement and support other women in your career  

Join us for an inspiring evening of real stories and powerful connection. This Spence Club event will feature three trailblazing South Australian women who are leaders in their respective fields, sharing their career journeys of resilience, growth, bold moves and leadership.

Hear how they backed themselves through challenge and change—and how they’re lifting other women up along the way.

This event is about ambition and community. About stepping up and showing up. Because, often, the further up the career ladder you go, the more lonely it can be. It’s your chance to connect with other driven women, ask questions, and leave energised to back your decisions and instincts, and extend this support to others.

Our inspiring speakers will focus on sharing how they have learned to back themselves in, carry on in the face of doubt and uncertainty, and trust their decisions when there is no clear path.

We’re also asking our members to give back to women in need by supporting Dress for Success. Please bring a piece of gently-used, professional clothing to donate to a South Australian woman in need.

🎤 Our Speakers 

Melanie Rudloff: an accomplished senior HR leader with over 25 years of experience, including 15 years in the oil and gas sector, currently serving as the Executive Vice President - People & Culture at Beach Energy. Melanie's HR journey spans various industries, but she found her niche in oil and gas in 2007, in what was meant to be a short-term assignment and turned into a rewarding 15-year career, working across most HR disciplines and on significant projects. Melanie is a proud South Australian and has built a remarkable career locally, working for notable brands like Faulding Pharmaceuticals, Santos, and RAA before joining Beach Energy in October 2024.

Bodelle Francis: a dynamic leader with a diverse career spanning hospitality, sport, and governance. She has overseen multi-site hotel operations, led major racing organisations, and made history as the first female Chair of the South Australian Jockey Club. Known for her ability to lead through complexity and change, she built a hotel into the side of Adelaide Oval during a pandemic, steered Greyhound Racing SA through a period of significant reform, and now leads the iconic Oakbank Racing Club—returning to the thoroughbred code she’s passionate about. A proud mum to two energetic boys, she’s driven by curiosity, community, and a genuine love for creating meaningful experiences. 

Michelle Holland: Founder and Co-Owner of SynergyIQ and a nationally recognised expert in organisational transformation, leadership, and business culture. With deep experience as a leader, trainer, and advisor across government and private sectors, Michelle works with executives and teams to create high-performing, values-driven workplaces that are adaptable to change. She is also a published author and is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Business Leadership, exploring the intersection of leadership and neurodiversity. Known for her straight-talking, human-centred approach, Michelle believes in making change make sense — and making leadership personal. 

🎟️ Ticket Info

• Members: $45 (plus booking fee)
• Non-members: $65 (plus booking fee)
• Concession: $20 (please contact Spence Club to obtain Concession code)

🌟 Membership

Not yet a member? Purchase your annual membership for $60 here and receive fantastic benefits.

🤍 Charity Partner 

As with all of our events, profits from this evening will be sent directly to our charity partner (to be announced for 2025) and support important outreach initiatives for South Australians. 

💡 Event Sponsors & Supporters

A huge thank you to our event sponsors and supporters: Bremerton Wine, Karrawatta Wines and Mezzanine 55.

Your attendance at this event implies your consent to the use, reproduction, editing and/or broadcast by Spence Club Incorporated of any and all photographs, video recordings and audio recordings of you taken by or on behalf of Spence Club Incorporated without compensation to you. All prints (digital or otherwise), video recordings and audio recordings shall remain the property of Spence Club Incorporated.