Perth, Business Women Australia Roundtable: When Business Is Personal - Decision-Making in Family Systems

Perth, Business Women Australia Roundtable: When Business Is Personal - Decision-Making in Family Systems

Family and founder-led enterprises bring a unique set of governance challenges — where strategy, capital, relationships, and legacy are deeply intertwined.

This Business Women Australia boardroom roundtable invites women into a confidential, facilitated conversation exploring how decisions are made when business is personal, and the stakes extend beyond financial outcomes alone.

Led by Maree Gooch, an experienced director and advisor with more than 35 years’ experience working with family enterprises, regional businesses and boards, the session will explore how women navigate complexity, responsibility and influence within family systems, with clarity, courage and care.

This is not a panel or presentation. It is a thoughtful, peer-based discussion designed for women who hold leadership, advisory, or board responsibilities and are seeking practical insight, shared wisdom, and stronger decision-making frameworks.

Participants will leave with a fresh perspective, a deeper connection, and renewed confidence to lead complex conversations in the boardroom and beyond.

What You’ll Take Away:

• A healthy working lunch (dietary requirements catered for).

• Great connections

• Excellent sharing and insights

• Greater understanding of family and private business dynamics

• A clearer view of how to protect your family business legacy and future generations

• Real insights from professional advisers, business women, and directors in a trusted, private setting

• Your opportunity to contribute experiences, knowledge, and expertise to our phenomenal peer group

With thanks to our partners at Servcorp, who will be happy to provide an update on their services and offer a tour after our roundtable is finished, so stay on for this opportunity.

About Maree Gooch

Maree Gooch is an engaging and highly respected entrepreneur, mentor, and educator, with more than 35 years’ experience in people development, business transformation, and advisory leadership across government and industry. As Director of Value Creators, Maree is widely recognised for her ability to inspire confidence, unlock potential, and guide individuals and organisations to achieve ambitious, sustainable outcomes.

Her expertise spans people development, business strategy, financial management, and transformational change. Maree works closely with change makers and leaders, helping organisations to navigate growth, complexity, and regulatory compliance, bringing clarity, structure, and momentum to strategic planning, capability building, and change management. Her approach is practical, values-led, and grounded in real-world application.

Maree’s passion for tourism, agriculture, and regional development runs throughout her career. She has owned and operated a farming business for more than 25 years, a catering business and restaurant for 10 years, and a farm-based bed and breakfast and tourism business. She is the Chair and a founder of CRISP Wireless, a Western Australian internet service provider delivering regional and NBN connectivity across more than 80,000 square kilometres, reflecting her long-standing commitment to improving opportunities for regional communities and business productivity, coupled with enhanced digital connectivity. This experience has given her deep insight into the challenges facing small and regional enterprises.

For almost a decade, Maree has been a trusted accredited advisor of the Family Business Association, supporting family enterprises with governance, succession planning, and strategic decision-making.

A Graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Mareeholds an Executive MBA from the University of Western Australia, a Diploma of WHS, a Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Maree is a board member of several private and NFP organisations.

Deeply committed to ‘giving back’, she has also given generously through community organisations for more than four decades, offering pro-bono support related to governance and financial education and mentoring, regional business networks, and government advisory board contributions.

About Lyn Hawkins

Lyn Hawkins is the National Director of Business Women Australia and Principal of Hawkins Marketing. With decades of experience advising organisations from startups to enterprises, Lyn is a highly sought-after strategist, facilitator, and executive coach. Her expertise spans business growth strategy, leadership development, cultural change, marketing, and business development. 

Passionate about creating opportunities for women, Lyn leads Business Women Australia’s national community, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and peer-to-peer support. She is dedicated to helping women elevate their careers, businesses, and influence.

About Business Women Australia

Business Women Australia (BWA) is a vibrant national collective of women from all sectors, industries, and professions. 

With a fast-growing group of more than 20,000 followers, BWA provides access to:

1. A supportive network of professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

2. Professional development programs, leadership masterminds, and retreats.

3. Inspiring podcasts, webinars, and thought-leadership events.

4. Opportunities to collaborate, connect, and grow.

BWA’s vision is to elevate women with knowledge, influence, and connection, helping members achieve their full potential both professionally and personally. 

👉 Join today and be part of a national movement of women making an impact.

🔗 businesswomenaustralia.com.au/membership