2026 Agenda
Event Schedule
- 14 October - Conference Day One
- 15 October - Conference Day Two
- 13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
Day/Stream
- Day/Stream
- 14 October - Conference Day One
- 15 October - Conference Day Two
- 13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
Session Type
- Session Type
- Break
- Panel Discussion
- Masterclass
- Partner Presentation
- Networking
Time
- Time
- Morning
- Midday
- Afternoon
- Night
Super Early Bird Pricing ends 24 July
09:00
Masterclass
13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
Masterclass A: Negotiation Skills - the cornerstone of business success
Speaker
Speakers
Bronwyn Williams
Keynote Speaker, Mentor
PhD Researcher
PhD Researcher
13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
Masterclass
Masterclass A: Negotiation Skills - the cornerstone of business success
09:00
Speaker
Speakers
Bronwyn Williams
Keynote Speaker, Mentor
PhD Researcher
PhD Researcher
09:00
Masterclass
13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
Masterclass B: Understanding how economic thinking shapes Australia’s energy system
Speaker
Speakers
Jennifer Eason
Keynote Speaker, Mentor
PhD Researcher
PhD Researcher
13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
Masterclass
Masterclass B: Understanding how economic thinking shapes Australia’s energy system
09:00
Speaker
Speakers
Jennifer Eason
Keynote Speaker, Mentor
PhD Researcher
PhD Researcher
08:30
Networking
14 October - Conference Day One
Registration & Welcome Coffee
08:55
14 October - Conference Day One
Opening Remarks from the Chair
Strengthening the pipeline: creating accessible career progression pathways for women
09:00
14 October - Conference Day One
Reflecting on progress for women and charting the path forward for the energy sector
Speaker
Speakers
Anna Collyer
Chair
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
14 October - Conference Day One
Reflecting on progress for women and charting the path forward for the energy sector
09:00
- Sharing lessons from a trailblazing journey in the energy sector and advice for career growth and leadership
- Highlighting dramatic shifts and progress within the industry
- Identifying ongoing challenges and opportunities, especially for women
Speaker
Speakers
Anna Collyer
Chair
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
09:25
14 October - Conference Day One
Creating intentional career pathways for women, enhancing job retention, and improving career elevation
Speaker
Speakers
Laura Caspari
Chief Renewables Officer and Managing Director
Engie
Engie
14 October - Conference Day One
Creating intentional career pathways for women, enhancing job retention, and improving career elevation
09:25
- Improving on-site conditions and field accessibility to increase women’s participation
- Enabling career progression from field roles into senior management positions
- Strengthening practical, technical, and applied skills to enhance candidacy beyond “character building”
Speaker
Speakers
Laura Caspari
Chief Renewables Officer and Managing Director
Engie
Engie
09:50
14 October - Conference Day One
The energy transition needs women: why success is dependent on female leadership
Speaker
Speakers
Lyn Bowring
Executive Director Consumer, Community and First Peoples' Energy Transition
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
14 October - Conference Day One
The energy transition needs women: why success is dependent on female leadership
09:50
- Rethinking leadership strengths and challenging traditional norms and biases to recognise the diverse capabilities needed to lead the energy transition
- Embedding inclusion and equity as foundations for a fair, sustainable and community-centred energy system
- Addressing structural barriers and focusing on system-wide reforms and programs to build stronger career opportunities for women across the energy sector
- Leveraging the energy transition as a catalyst for systemic change, transforming workplace cultures and accelerating women’s representation in leadership
- Featuring insights from the Victorian Government’s Sparking Change – Women in Energy Strategy and its vision for advancing gender equity across the industry
Speaker
Speakers
Lyn Bowring
Executive Director Consumer, Community and First Peoples' Energy Transition
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
10:15
Networking
14 October - Conference Day One
Facilitated Networking
10:45
Break
14 October - Conference Day One
Morning Tea
Bridging the gap between project viability and execution through skills and capability development
11:15
14 October - Conference Day One
The economics of the energy transition: costs, benefits, opportunities and challenges
Speaker
Speakers
Nevenka Codevelle
Chief Executive Officer
ASL
ASL
14 October - Conference Day One
The economics of the energy transition: costs, benefits, opportunities and challenges
11:15
- Investigating the legal and financial requirements to enable successful project approval and initiation
- Asking why some projects are approved to understand key approval drivers
- Examining factors that influence project attractiveness to improve perceived viability
Speaker
Speakers
Nevenka Codevelle
Chief Executive Officer
ASL
ASL
11:45
Partner Presentation
14 October - Conference Day One
Partner Presentation
12:05
Panel Discussion
14 October - Conference Day One
Panel discussion: Developing the skills to lead successful energy projects from development through to delivery
Moderator
Amy Kean
Partner
Stride Renewables
Stride Renewables
Speaker
Speakers
Priya Guha
Project Engineer
Flow Power
Flow Power
14 October - Conference Day One
Panel Discussion
Panel discussion: Developing the skills to lead successful energy projects from development through to delivery
12:05
- What technical and practical skills are most critical for women working in project development, management, and delivery?
- How can professionals build a broader mix of applied, leadership, and commercial capabilities to stand out and progress?
- How can skill development be better aligned with real project outcomes across planning, execution, and delivery?
Moderator
Amy Kean
Partner
Stride Renewables
Stride Renewables
Speaker
Speakers
Priya Guha
Project Engineer
Flow Power
Flow Power
12:45
Break
14 October - Conference Day One
Lunch
Mapping diverse career pathways through sectoral and industry shifts
13:45
14 October - Conference Day One
The role of waste in circular energy systems in building a more resilient, commercially viable transition
Speaker
Speakers
Bronwyn See
Director
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
14 October - Conference Day One
The role of waste in circular energy systems in building a more resilient, commercially viable transition
13:45
- Exploring how waste-to-energy and biomethane pathways can unlock new value streams from existing resources
- Developing existing frameworks and approaches to the role of system integration in improving resilience and enabling more efficient energy use
- Examining the commercial drivers and challenges shaping circular energy solutions
- Challenging traditional linear models to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, closed-loop systems
Speaker
Speakers
Bronwyn See
Director
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
14:10
14 October - Conference Day One
Leading the next chapter of the National Electricity Market
Speaker
Speakers
Nicola Falcon
Executive General Manager
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
14 October - Conference Day One
Leading the next chapter of the National Electricity Market
14:10
- Reflecting on the achievements of women whose leadership has helped transform Australia's energy system and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable National Electricity Market
- Examining the leadership qualities needed to drive the next phase of the transition, including strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and change management
- Identifying opportunities for emerging leaders to influence major energy reforms, infrastructure delivery, and market transformation across the sector
Speaker
Speakers
Nicola Falcon
Executive General Manager
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
14:35
Partner Presentation
14 October - Conference Day One
Partner Presentation
14 October - Conference Day One
Partner Presentation
Partner Presentation
14:35
14:55
Panel Discussion
14 October - Conference Day One
Panel Discussion: If the sector is serious about Equal by 30, what has to change now?
Moderator
Jess Hunt
NEM Regulatory Specialist
Jess Hunt Consulting
Jess Hunt Consulting
Speaker
Speakers
Sabiene Heindl
Chief Executive Officer
The Energy Charter
The Energy Charter
Anna Collyer
Chair
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Nicola Falcon
Executive General Manager
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
14 October - Conference Day One
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion: If the sector is serious about Equal by 30, what has to change now?
14:55
- Where is the sector still talking more than it is changing?
- What would real accountability on pay, promotion and opportunity look like?
- Which barriers are still protecting the status quo, and who needs to own them?
- What bold moves could shift outcomes faster over the next five years?
Moderator
Jess Hunt
NEM Regulatory Specialist
Jess Hunt Consulting
Jess Hunt Consulting
Speaker
Speakers
Sabiene Heindl
Chief Executive Officer
The Energy Charter
The Energy Charter
Anna Collyer
Chair
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Nicola Falcon
Executive General Manager
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
15:35
Break
14 October - Conference Day One
Afternoon Tea
Navigating the growing impact of AI
16:05
14 October - Conference Day One
AI in action: applied skills for the modern workplace
Speaker
Speakers
Kara Bombell
Founder and Director
EthicAI
EthicAI
14 October - Conference Day One
AI in action: applied skills for the modern workplace
16:05
- Understanding different AI tools to improve awareness and understanding of their potential applications in the workplace
- Developing AI skills to enhance workplace capability and career advantage
- Examining opportunities for AI integration to support practical, day-to-day use
Speaker
Speakers
Kara Bombell
Founder and Director
EthicAI
EthicAI
16:25
Panel Discussion
14 October - Conference Day One
Panel discussion: Exploring both sides of the AI surge: energy-smarter step-change or ecological trap?
Moderator
Johanna Bowyer
Lead Analyst for Australian Electricity
Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Speaker
Speakers
Andrea Bernard
Chief Operating Officer
ENGIE
ENGIE
Melissa Irwin
Chief Data, People and Sustainability Officer
Endeavour Energy
Endeavour Energy
Sabooh Whitelaw
Associate Vice President
AirTrunk
AirTrunk
14 October - Conference Day One
Panel Discussion
Panel discussion: Exploring both sides of the AI surge: energy-smarter step-change or ecological trap?
16:25
- What are the practical, next-level opportunities for integrating AI into day-to-day workflows to transform workplaces and expand pathways for women in the energy and renewables sector?
- What are some successful use cases that demonstrate effective AI integration in workplaces and what can we learn from them?
- How might, or how has, the rise of AI impacted the environment, employment rates, and overall energy efficiency?
- What are the traps of widespread use of AI for the energy sector and how can we safeguard against unintended catastrophic consequences?
Moderator
Johanna Bowyer
Lead Analyst for Australian Electricity
Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Speaker
Speakers
Andrea Bernard
Chief Operating Officer
ENGIE
ENGIE
Melissa Irwin
Chief Data, People and Sustainability Officer
Endeavour Energy
Endeavour Energy
Sabooh Whitelaw
Associate Vice President
AirTrunk
AirTrunk
17:05
Networking
14 October - Conference Day One
Closing remarks from the Chair
17:10
14 October - Conference Day One
Close of day one and Networking Drinks
18:30
Networking
14 October - Conference Day One
Conference Dinner
Super Early Bird Pricing ends 24 July
08:30
Networking
15 October - Conference Day Two
Welcome Coffee
08:50
15 October - Conference Day Two
Opening Remarks from the Chair
Powering through people: social license, community engagement, and inclusive energy development projects
09:00
15 October - Conference Day Two
Elevating the value of soft skills in the energy transition: social license as a test case
Speaker
Speakers
Renée Anderson
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
TasNetworks
TasNetworks
15 October - Conference Day Two
Elevating the value of soft skills in the energy transition: social license as a test case
09:00
- Leveraging social license’s female-dominated base to strengthen its influence while ensuring that women are not confined to this sectoral area
- Understanding interpersonal and communication skills as foundational management competencies across the sector, and core leadership capabilities
- Expanding social license pathways to grow the field without reinforcing gendered divisions of labour, recognising these skills as transferable to senior roles
- Reframing relational and coordination skills to embed their value across all areas of the sector, not just social license work
Speaker
Speakers
Renée Anderson
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
TasNetworks
TasNetworks
09:30
15 October - Conference Day Two
Accelerating renewable energy development: turning opposition into engagement
Speaker
Speakers
Sabiene Heindl
Chief Executive Officer
The Energy Charter
The Energy Charter
15 October - Conference Day Two
Accelerating renewable energy development: turning opposition into engagement
09:30
- Examining community opposition to scaling projects to understand underlying concerns and drivers
- Leveraging interpersonal and relationship skills to improve project approval outcomes
- Involving communities and stakeholders to enable more inclusive and successful scaling projects
Speaker
Speakers
Sabiene Heindl
Chief Executive Officer
The Energy Charter
The Energy Charter
10:00
Panel Discussion
15 October - Conference Day Two
Panel discussion: Empowering Indigenous stewardship: involving remote and regional communities in the energy and renewables sector
Moderator
Bronwyn See
Director
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
Speaker
Speakers
Bianca Graham
Senior Manager
Windlab
Windlab
Vonda Malone
Chief Executive Officer
Indigenous Energy Australia
Indigenous Energy Australia
Courtney Paulsen
First Nations Engagement Manager
AGL
AGL
15 October - Conference Day Two
Panel Discussion
Panel discussion: Empowering Indigenous stewardship: involving remote and regional communities in the energy and renewables sector
10:00
- Focussing on Indigenous participation and engagement to strengthen outcomes in the energy transition and renewables sector
- Examining approaches to involving Indigenous communities and enabling inclusive local development in remote and regional areas
- Highlighting the broader benefits of Indigenous involvement to expand employment pathways
Moderator
Bronwyn See
Director
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT)
Speaker
Speakers
Bianca Graham
Senior Manager
Windlab
Windlab
Vonda Malone
Chief Executive Officer
Indigenous Energy Australia
Indigenous Energy Australia
Courtney Paulsen
First Nations Engagement Manager
AGL
AGL
10:40
Break
15 October - Conference Day Two
Morning Tea
Advancing workplace equity through leadership and cultural change
11:10
15 October - Conference Day Two
Creating healthier workplace cultures: addressing internalised misogyny and shared responsibility
Speaker
Speakers
Fiona Schutt
Chief Operations Officer
Clean Energy Council
Clean Energy Council
15 October - Conference Day Two
Creating healthier workplace cultures: addressing internalised misogyny and shared responsibility
11:10
- Examining internalised misogyny and its influence on self-perception, behaviour, and workplace interactions
- Exploring how workplace dynamics, including peer-to-peer behaviours, can unintentionally reinforce harmful patterns and outcomes
- Reflecting on accountability and shared responsibility in shaping healthier, more supportive workplace cultures
Speaker
Speakers
Fiona Schutt
Chief Operations Officer
Clean Energy Council
Clean Energy Council
11:40
Partner Presentation
15 October - Conference Day Two
Partner Presentation
15 October - Conference Day Two
Partner Presentation
Partner Presentation
11:40
12:00
Panel Discussion
15 October - Conference Day Two
Panel discussion: Examining the role male leaders can play in advancing gender equity in the workplace
Moderator
Heather Logie
Head of Centre for Energy Systems
Australia National University (ANU)
Australia National University (ANU)
Speaker
Speakers
Jordan McCollum
Chief Executive Officer
Gas Energy Australia
Gas Energy Australia
Craig Memery
Senior Advisor Energy
Justice and Equity Centre
Justice and Equity Centre
Daniel Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
Endeavour Energy
Endeavour Energy
15 October - Conference Day Two
Panel Discussion
Panel discussion: Examining the role male leaders can play in advancing gender equity in the workplace
12:00
- What are some major workplace barriers and common challenges that male leaders may lack awareness on?
- What can male leaders do to meaningfully address workplace misogyny and discrimination?
- How can male leaders challenge gender imbalances and improve female representation in the industry?
Moderator
Heather Logie
Head of Centre for Energy Systems
Australia National University (ANU)
Australia National University (ANU)
Speaker
Speakers
Jordan McCollum
Chief Executive Officer
Gas Energy Australia
Gas Energy Australia
Craig Memery
Senior Advisor Energy
Justice and Equity Centre
Justice and Equity Centre
Daniel Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
Endeavour Energy
Endeavour Energy
12:40
Break
15 October - Conference Day Two
Lunch
Advancing inclusive workplaces through leadership engagement, awareness, and accountability for change
13:40
15 October - Conference Day Two
The frontier of small-scale renewable energy: what’s next for the domestic distribution sector?
Speaker
Speakers
Jess Padman
Director of Energy Products
National Renewable Network
National Renewable Network
15 October - Conference Day Two
The frontier of small-scale renewable energy: what’s next for the domestic distribution sector?
13:40
- Aggregating systems and reducing grid requirements to save households money
- Shifting focus away from grid networks to support resilience, community-focussed, small-scale energy solutions
- Capitalising on government initiatives to expand opportunities, including Cheaper Home Batteries, PEVs and EVs
Speaker
Speakers
Jess Padman
Director of Energy Products
National Renewable Network
National Renewable Network
14:10
Partner Presentation
15 October - Conference Day Two
Partner Presentation
15 October - Conference Day Two
Partner Presentation
Partner Presentation
14:10
14:30
15 October - Conference Day Two
Navigating the energy transition: how policy and market changes are reshaping the sector
Speaker
Speakers
Deidre Wilmott
Strategic Advisor, Global Sustainability and External Affairs
Fortescue
Fortescue
15 October - Conference Day Two
Navigating the energy transition: how policy and market changes are reshaping the sector
14:30
- Reviewing regulatory, policy, and market updates to stay informed and keep your finger on the pulse in a rapidly changing sector
- Examining gas and its derivatives to understand cross-sector governmental, regulatory and financial perspectives
- Challenging existing frameworks to evaluate their purpose, implementation and effectiveness
Speaker
Speakers
Deidre Wilmott
Strategic Advisor, Global Sustainability and External Affairs
Fortescue
Fortescue
15:00
Break
15 October - Conference Day Two
Afternoon Tea
Creating career opportunities through mentorship and sponsorship
15:30
15 October - Conference Day Two
Navigating non-linear careers, transferable skills, and opportunities for growth
15 October - Conference Day Two
Navigating non-linear careers, transferable skills, and opportunities for growth
15:30
- Exploring how professionals build careers across different roles, sectors, and disciplines
- Examining the transferable skills and experiences that enable career mobility and progression
- Investigating barriers that can limit access to diverse career opportunities and advancement
- Challenging traditional career frameworks to identify more inclusive and flexible pathways for success
16:00
15 October - Conference Day Two
How addressing gender barriers can generate measurable business success
Speaker
Speakers
Craig Ypinazar
Executive General Manager of People, Safety, and Governance
Jemena
Jemena
15 October - Conference Day Two
How addressing gender barriers can generate measurable business success
16:00
- Exploring ways to improve DEI outcomes to drive measurable, positive business impact
- Creating safe workplaces to support interpersonal and career success for women in the industry
- Recognising and addressing structural and cultural barriers to improve decision-making and team culture
Speaker
Speakers
Craig Ypinazar
Executive General Manager of People, Safety, and Governance
Jemena
Jemena
16:30
15 October - Conference Day Two
Panel Discussion: Building visibility, credibility, and opportunity through mentorship and sponsorship
Moderator
Jo De Silva
General Manager – Retail Policy
Australian Energy Council
Australian Energy Council
Speaker
Speakers
Ying Luo
Chief Advisor and General Manager Strategy
Amplitude Energy
Amplitude Energy
Meghan Senior
Head of Public Affairs & Policy
Ausgrid
Ausgrid
Ruchika Deora
General Manager – Product
State Electricity Commission (SEC)
State Electricity Commission (SEC)
15 October - Conference Day Two
Panel Discussion: Building visibility, credibility, and opportunity through mentorship and sponsorship
16:30
- How can you make the most out of a mentorship relationship?
- When and how should you step away from a mentorship that isn’t the right fit?
- What can we learn from successful examples of men mentoring women in the sector?
Moderator
Jo De Silva
General Manager – Retail Policy
Australian Energy Council
Australian Energy Council
Speaker
Speakers
Ying Luo
Chief Advisor and General Manager Strategy
Amplitude Energy
Amplitude Energy
Meghan Senior
Head of Public Affairs & Policy
Ausgrid
Ausgrid
Ruchika Deora
General Manager – Product
State Electricity Commission (SEC)
State Electricity Commission (SEC)
17:00
Networking
15 October - Conference Day Two
Closing remarks from the Chair
17:05
15 October - Conference Day Two
End of conference
Day/Stream
- Day/Stream
- 14 October - Conference Day One
- 15 October - Conference Day Two
- 13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
- 14 October - Conference Day One
- 15 October - Conference Day Two
- 13 October - Pre-conference Masterclass
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