Women in Small Business Summit & Dinner
Description
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ACCI’s) Women in Small Business Summit is a cornerstone event of the Future Makers program.
The Summit is part of ACCI’s Future Makers initiative to empower women entrepreneurs.
The Summit is dedicated to empowering women in small business. Its objective is to explore strategies that increase women’s participation in business ownership, provide practical pathways for establishing and growing successful enterprises, and tackle the unique barriers women entrepreneurs face.
It will also showcase the economic and social benefits of women’s entrepreneurship, reinforcing its alignment with ACCI’s vision to make Australia the best place in the world to do business, ultimately driving higher living standards for all.
Future Makers is proudly supported by the Commonwealth Government under the Advancing Gender Equality in Gender-Segregated Industries grant.
Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Location: Shangri-La, Sydney
Summit: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Summit Dinner: 6:30pm -10:00pm
Proudly sponsored by
Agenda
- 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Registrations
- 9:00 am - 9:25 am
Summit Opening
- 9:25 am - 9:45 am
Session 1 | Opening Keynote – Ministerial Welcome
Amanda Rishworth - Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
- 9:45 am - 9:50 am
Future Makers Overview & Impact
Jodie Trembath – ACCI Director of Skills, Employment and Small Business
- 9:50 am - 10:20 am
Session 2 | Keynote - From Kitchen Table to Global Brand
Abigail Forsyth OAM - Founder of KeepCup
- 10:20 am - 11:00 am
Session 3 | Panel Discussion - Setting Up for Success: How to Build It Right (or Fix It Later!)
This session dives into the practical and personal side of building strong business foundations. Whether you’re starting from scratch, restructuring for growth, or stepping into a formal role as a family member, we’ll explore how to set your business up for success, and fix it if you need to.
- 11:00 am - 11:20 am
Morning Tea Break & Networking
- 11:25 am - 11:55 am
Session 4 | Keynote – The Next Generation: Empowering the Transition from Work to Business Owner
Anaita Sarkar - Founder and CEO of Hero Packaging
- 11:25 am - 11:55 am
Intuit QuickBooks Breakout
Booking Required - Reserve you spot when you register for the summit. Places are limited.
- 12:00 pm - 12:40 pm
Session 5 | Panel Discussion – The Money Conversation: Funding, Growth & Financial Power
This session will examine structural challenges in lending, cash flow management, and superannuation participation. Featuring insights from financial leaders, the panel will offer solutions to improve financial literacy, business credibility, and long-term viability.
- 12:40 pm - 1:20 pm
Lunch Break & Networking
- 1:20 pm - 2:00 pm
Session 6 | Panel Discussion – Growth Reimagined: Affordable Strategies and Digital Power Moves for Small Business Success
This session explores growth as a brand first strategy, showing how women led small businesses - especially those in regional areas, where distance and visibility challenges are greater - can stand out, attract loyal customers, and unlock new opportunities by building a clear, authentic and consistent brand.
- 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Session 7 | Fireside Chat – She Means Business: Where Policy Meets Practice
Lynda McAlary-Smith - The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Sally Curtain - Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- 2:20 pm - 2:40 pm
Afternoon Tea & Networking
- 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Session 8 | Keynote - Connected for Growth: Turning Support into Success
Kristina Karlsson - Founder of kikki.K
- 3:15 pm - 3:25 pm
Summit Closing
Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- 3:30 am - 4:00 pm
Speed Mentoring Breakout
Booking Required - Reserve you spot when you register for the summit. Places are limited.
- 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Intuit MailChimp Breakout Session
Booking Required - Reserve you spot when you register for the summit. Places are limited.
Summit Speakers
Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Abigail Forsyth OAM
Co-Founder Managing Director of KeepCup Known worldwide for its bright, bold and instantly recognisable reusable cups, KeepCup is a global campaign for reuse. Since launching the world’s first barista-standard reusable cup in 2009, KeepCup is now embraced by reusers the world over, diverting millions of single-use cups daily. KeepCup is in business for better - a certified B Corporation, living wage employer and member of 1% for the Planet, donating at least 1% of global revenue to environmental causes. Following a successful career as a solicitor, Abigail and her brother Jamie set up their own chain of cafes across the city. Alarmed by the amount of disposable packaging being wasted, Abigail started her search for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious way to serve food, and the concept of KeepCup soon became a reality. Abigail has been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal in the General Division, for her years of outstanding service to sustainable design on the Queen’s Birthday list for 2021. Abigail has opened offices and warehouses in Australia and the UK, and set up hub operations in the USA to service growing consumer demand in over 76 countries around the world, but the business has stayed loyal to its roots. KeepCup’s HQ is located in the Melbourne suburb of Clifton Hill, where Abigail lives with her family
Anaita Sarkar
CEO and Founder Hero Packaging Anaita Sarkar is the Founder and CEO of Hero Packaging, a sustainable packaging company that has replaced over 37 million plastic mailers and now services more than 77,000 businesses globally. Founded seven years ago, Hero Packaging now manufactures its products locally in Sydney, redefining how e-commerce brands approach sustainability at scale. Beyond manufacturing, Anaita is the creator of Sell Anything Online, a marketing education platform followed by hundreds of thousands of business owners, and the author of How to Sell Anything Online, an Amazon bestseller. She is also the cohost of the Marketing ATM podcast and a business journalist for News Corp, writing on entrepreneurship, marketing, and modern business realities. A sought-after speaker, mentor, and guest lecturer at Macquarie University, Anaita is known for delivering practical, no-fluff insights on growth, branding, and building resilient businesses in a rapidly changing economy
Kristina Karlsson
Founder kikki.K Much loved the world over, Swedish born Kristina was the Founder of kikki.K, and more recently founded Dream Life (an inspiring & empowering brand turned global movement). After growing up on a small farm in Sweden, aged 22 she found herself in Australia, half a world away from family & friends, with little money and no idea what to do with her life. Kristina sold all she owned to create & build globally loved Swedish design & stationery business, kikki.K - from the ground up, to have: 120 award winning retail stores in 5 countries; a passionate team of ~1,500; a reputation for innovation & service excellence; an online store serving stationery & design lovers in over 150 countries …and total revenue of around $650m. For over 20 yrs from start-up to mid 2021, Kristina won the hearts & minds of millions the world over, as the creative force and personality behind what was an authentic, founder & purpose led brand. After a tumultuous experience thru the Covid pandemic - with forced closures of her stores - Kristina lost control of kikki.K and parted ways in heart-breaking circumstances. A riveting story with many learnings. She has since bounced back - on a mission to inspire & empower 101 million people the world over to discover and chase their dreams - and is passionate about sharing her learnings to help others. Kristina has spoken at hundreds of events across Australia, the UK, Europe, the US, the Middle East & Asia with audiences leaving inspired, motivated and ready to put ideas into action.”
Lynda McAlary-Smith
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Lynda McAlary-Smith commences/d her role as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman in March 2026. As a qualified lawyer and experienced senior executive, Lynda brings a wealth of experience from over two decades of working with businesses across various sectors throughout the country. As an independent statutory appointment, Lynda is a strong advocate for small businesses and family enterprises across Australia. Lynda works to ensure that small businesses have access to the support and resources they need to thrive including dispute resolution and assistance services. With an extensive background as a regulator, Lynda has worked across multiple jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth and Victoria, focusing on workplace relations, building and construction, and broader business regulation. Lynda’s leadership experience includes serving as Victorian Small Business Commissioner, where she managed statutory powers across multiple legislative areas, as well as holding senior executive roles at the Victorian Building Authority and the Fair Work Ombudsman. Before her regulatory career, Lynda was a commercial litigator in private practice. Beyond her professional commitments, she is a Director on the Board of The Australian Ballet School and serves as an Ambassador for the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation.
Kirsty Evans
Director Cheney Suthers Lawyers Kirsty Evans is Director and Co-Owner of Cheney Suthers Lawyers and brings more than a decade of experience in commercial law, property transactions, and strategic legal advisory. She provides high level guidance to businesses on formation and restructuring, asset protection, and succession planning, acting for prominent rural enterprises, motor vehicle dealerships, and high net worth family businesses navigating complex commercial and intergenerational transitions. Kirsty began her legal career in 2009 as a commercial litigator in Sydney, where she developed deep expertise in business disputes, shareholder agreements, and litigation strategy. She holds a Master of Laws (Applied Law), majoring in Commercial Litigation, and has acted in matters involving large scale contract negotiations, complex disputes, and cross border transactions. Her move to regional practice marked a deliberate shift toward combining technical excellence with meaningful community impact. In 2019, Kirsty became a director solicitor at Cheney Suthers, playing a pivotal role in revitalising the firm through an innovative, relationship driven approach to legal practice. Today, Cheney Suthers operates as a progressive regional law firm under the leadership of Kirsty, Alice Byrnes, and Dannielle Ford. Together, they have honoured the firm’s 40 year legacy while modernising its service delivery, culture, and community engagement, building a reputation for being both highly capable and deeply connected to the regions they serve. Kirsty is widely recognised for her advocacy and public interest work. In May 2024, she gave evidence at the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into insurers’ responses to the 2022 flood crisis. Her advocacy contributed to the adoption of several key recommendations, and her extensive pro bono work helped return more than $1 million in insurance settlements and grants to flood affected businesses across regional New South Wales. Her leadership and service have been recognised through numerous awards, including the Law Society of New South Wales President’s Medal in 2024, Women NSW Regional Woman of the Year for 2025, NSW Outstanding Business Leader in 2025, and the Law Council of Australia’s President’s Award in 2025. Kirsty is a firm believer that regional law firms play a critical role in shaping resilient communities. She actively leads by example, embedding pro bono work into the firm’s core practice and demonstrating that commercial success and community leadership are not mutually exclusive, but deeply interconnected.
Clare McCartin
Managing Partner Search and Advisory, Davidson With over 20 years of experience, she is the Managing Partner of Davidson’s Search and Advisory practice, leading a team of 35 Search and Business Advisory Partners across Australia. Together, they focus on securing the best executive talent, partnering as trusted advisors across strategic, operational and people challenges, and setting executives up for success. Clare is well recognised for her strong contribution to supporting diversity outcomes. Under her supervision, Davidson established the ‘Top 50 Women in the Public Sector’ initiative in 2017 to heighten profiles and acknowledge the achievements of Australian women in the public sector. She has received key industry awards including Recruitment Leader of the Year. Clare is actively involved with various peak bodies, she is the Deputy President of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is the Chair of the Committee for Melbourne. Clare holds a Master of Commerce, a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a Post Graduate-Diploma in Human Resources.
Natalie Bell
Co-Managing Director AA&P Events and PR With nearly two decades of experience across private, government and not-for-profit sectors Natalie is an accomplished business leader, governance professional and proud Territorian who was recently recognised among Australia’s Top 250 Young Entrepreneurs. Natalie is the Co-Managing Director of AA&P Events and PR, northern Australia’s largest public relations and business events agency. She leads strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and major events across the NT, WA and QLD. Natalie is also the President of the Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory, playing a pivotal role in shaping policy, strengthening business confidence and advocating for a resilient, future-focused Territory economy.
Jo Taylor
Board Member Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jo Taylor was appointed Managing Director of Compass Group Australia in 2022. Compass Group is a global food and support services company, employing over 15,000 people in Australia. Our operations are extensive, across a diverse client base encompassing schools and universities, sporting arenas and events, Government, the energy and resources sector, hospitals and aged care facilities, airline lounges as well as corporate offices and boardrooms. Jo has over 20 years’ experience across hospitality, QSR, retail and manufacturing and brings significant experience in operations, supply chain, people and communications. Prior to joining Compass, she spent six years with Ampol focused on transforming Ampol’s national network of stores with the revitalisation of the Ampol brand and evolving its retail offer to make life easier every day for millions of Australian consumers. Jo also spent over a decade working for McDonald’s Australia across operations, supply chain, human resources and corporate affairs.
Andrea Gardiner
Founder and CEO Jelix Ventures
Tish Bhagwandeen
Founder InFinance Solutions Tish Bhagwandeen is the Founder of InFinance Solutions, an Australia-based accounting and advisory firm that supports startups and small businesses with everything from day-to-day bookkeeping and tax to CFO-level guidance. With more than a decade of global finance experience across Australia, the United States, and South Africa, Tish began her career in external audit before moving into financial leadership roles, including Group Financial Controller in the financial services sector. She’s known for helping business owners build lean finance systems, improve reporting, and make confident decisions using clear, practical numbers.
Esme Bowen
Board Member Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Barbara Ketley
CEO & Creative Director Milestone-Belanova
Sharon Winsor
Founder Indigiearth Sharon Winsor is a proud Weilwan woman from North West New South Wales, born in Gunnedah and raised in Rocky Glen and Gunnedah. From a young age, she developed a deep connection to Country — catching yabbies from creeks, collecting bush fruits and medicines, cooking, baking, and exploring the land on long walks. Her love of horses led her to become a competitive rider and lifelong horse enthusiast. With a background in Commercial Cookery, Sharon has become one of Australia’s leading voices in the native food industry. She is an entrepreneur, culinary storyteller, chef, and cultural leader, dedicated to sharing the richness of Aboriginal culture through food, education, and storytelling. Since entering the industry in 1996, Sharon has grown Indigiearth into one of Australia’s most successful Aboriginal-owned businesses. Indigiearth brings 60,000 years of culture to homes nationwide, with products available in more than 500 locations and featured globally. Drawing on her culinary expertise, Sharon has developed a diverse range of native food and botanical products that celebrate the unique flavours of Australia. Under the Indigiearth umbrella, Sharon also leads Warakirri, a remarkable four-hour dining experience that immerses guests in Aboriginal culture through a five-course menu, storytelling, and cultural rituals — a true celebration of food, land, and community. Throughout her journey, Sharon has faced and overcome significant challenges with strength and resilience. Surviving domestic violence, personal loss, and business hurdles, she has continued to lead with passion and purpose. Today, as a mother of two adult children and Australia’s most awarded Indigenous chef, Sharon remains deeply connected to her culture, community, and Country. Sharon continues to inspire others through her dedication to preserving and sharing the beauty of Indigenous culture and native Australian foods with the world.
Nola Watson
Board Member Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Nola Watson is a recognised leader in strategy, governance and risk who has operated at the highest levels across business, government and not-for-profit sectors. Nola is a Director of CareSuper, and Chair of Marine Rescue NSW. She is the former President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as Business NSW. For 15 years, she held executive roles in Insurance Australia Group (IAG) including leading the risk and governance function for the global group. Prior to her career in financial services, Nola spent many years in Senior Executive Service positions within government at both State and Federal level. Nola’s been awarded the Telstra Australian Businesswoman of the Year and the Commonwealth of Australia Centenary Medal for services to Australian society in business leadership. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Heidi Cooper
Chief Executive Officer Business Chamber Queensland Heidi Cooper is a leading business executive and Chief Executive Officer of Business Chamber Queensland, where she advocates for the strategic growth and sustainable transformation of Queensland’s business environment. In this role, she leads with purpose, driving business success while shaping the state’s economic future through policy influence, stakeholder collaboration and strategic reform. With a career spanning business, law, corporate affairs and strategy, Heidi has led major initiatives for Top 20 ASX-listed companies, top-tier law firms and industry bodies across infrastructure, energy, financial services, education and sport. She is a recognised leader in aligning business outcomes with social and environmental impact and advancing sustainable business practices. She brings a global perspective to local leadership, strengthened by participation in the Chambers of Commerce international network and executive programs at Harvard and Princeton Universities. A qualified solicitor, experienced board director and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Heidi has significant expertise in governance, risk and corporate leadership. She is currently a member of the Jobs Queensland Board, Super Member Council Employer Forum, and several government advisory boards. Deeply committed to education, arts and community, Heidi is an active philanthropist and is a member of the Brisbane Festival Giving Committee, St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace School Advisory Council, and is Deputy Chair of the St Margaret’s Foundation Board. Heidi holds multiple qualifications in law, public policy and management and was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.
Suzy Nicoletti
Regional Vice President Intuit APAC A seasoned tech executive and investor, Suzy Nicoletti has spent over two decades scaling the digital infrastructure that APAC’s SMB and Mid-Market sectors need to thrive. As Regional Vice President for Intuit APAC, Suzy leads the mission to power prosperity through AI-driven financial tools and automation. By leveraging Intuit’s AI-driven platform, she is focused on redefining financial tools and workflows, ensuring that businesses have the data and automation necessary to build durable, successful companies. Prior to Intuit, she built a formidable track record in regional leadership as a founding member of Google Australia’s Leadership Team, Managing Director of Twitter, and VP & MD at Klaviyo and Yotpo. A Silicon Valley native turned APAC leader, Suzy is a founding member of the XA Network and has advised the Business Council of Australia on digital economy strategy. An Executive Member of Pavilion, she remains a dedicated advocate for inclusive leadership and women in technology.
Dinner Speakers
Astrid Jorgensen OAM
Founder and director Pub Choir Astrid Jorgensen OAM is a choral conductor, composer, entertainer – and now author – who believes that everybody can sing: not well, but literally. Founder and director of Pub Choir ® and its online adaptation Couch Choir, Astrid is a global leader in communal, accessible music-making. Armed with a razor-sharp wit and an unmatched enthusiasm for collaboration, Astrid has delivered her live, improvised comedy music lessons to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Her work has been praised by the likes of Mariah Carey, Kate Bush, KISS, Radiohead and Sir Barry Gibb. Astrid’s ability to enchant audiences and guide untrained singers to musical greatness has featured in international news outlets including BBC World News, The New York Times, Vogue Magazine and NPR as well as on TV shows including Australian Story, Australia’s Biggest Singalong, Spicks and Specks, and The Project. In June 2025 she wowed judge Simon Cowell when she appeared on America’s Got Talent. Under Astrid’s leadership, Pub Choir has raised more than $1,000,000 for local grassroots charities – a number that continues to climb. In 2020, she was a finalist for Queensland Young Australian of the Year, and in 2024 received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the community as a musical director. Beyond Pub Choir, Astrid is a valued contributor to Australian television, radio and print media. She previously worked as a high-school music teacher, and her original choral works are frequently performed around the world. Astrid lives in Brisbane with her partner Evyn, and a furious chihuahua called Penny.
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