The Power of Her Story

The Power of Her Story: Graduation Celebration & Founder Conversation

Join us for an evening celebrating the achievements of the Accelerating NQ Female Founders Program Cohort 2 and recognising the remarkable women who have spent the past nine months building their businesses, growing their capabilities and pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Bringing together founders, supporters, mentors, partners and the broader innovation community, this event is an opportunity to celebrate entrepreneurial journeys, hear inspiring stories, and recognise the impact these founders are creating across North Queensland.

The evening will also feature a special founder conversation with two accomplished Australian entrepreneurs:

Susan Toft, Founder & CEO of The Laundry Lady and creator of the AI-powered operations platform TimeBoss, has grown her business from the Sunshine Coast into an international operation spanning Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Nicole Nixon, CEO and Co-Founder of Five Faces, leads an award-winning digital health company delivering technology solutions to hospitals and health services across Australia, New Zealand and Dubai, helping improve patient experience through innovation.

Together, they will join Shelley Grainger for an engaging conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, resilience, leadership, and the realities of building and scaling successful businesses. Attendees will gain practical insights from two founders who have successfully grown businesses, embraced innovation, and navigated the challenges of growth in competitive markets.

The evening will include live founder pitches from:
• Melanie Clair - Brain Injury Online
• Tara Rossow - Quick Cue
• Sky Hunt - Green Sky Optimal
• Lisa Newland - Step Out Academy

Who should attend:

Founders, entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, professionals, investors, mentors, students, and anyone interested in business growth, leadership, technology and entrepreneurship.

The Power of Her Story showcases the journeys and experiences of remarkable female founders, with conversations designed to inspire and inform the broader business and innovation community.

What to expect:

• Recognition and celebration of the graduating Accelerating NQ Female Founders Cohort 2 participants
• Founder reflections on their journey through the program and what's next for their businesses
• 4 founder pitches showcasing the businesses being built and the progress achieved during the program
• A founder conversation and audience Q&A featuring Susan Toft and Nicole Nixon
• Networking with founders, supporters, mentors, partners and the broader SPNQ community
• Food and drinks

The Accelerating NQ Female Founders Program is funded by the Queensland Government and proudly supported by Flinders Lane and Townsville City Council.