Empowering Women: A Summit for Growth, Power, and Purpose

Join us for a day of inspiring conversations, meaningful connection and fresh perspectives at the Empowering Women Summit 2026.

Hosted by Melbourne Centre for Women's Mental Health, this unique one-day event brings together leading women from psychology, health, leadership, business, sport, advocacy, finance and the creative arts to explore the themes of Personal Growth, Professional Power and Shared Purpose.

Held at the iconic Queen Victoria Women's Centre in Melbourne, the Summit features keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive conversations exploring leadership, wellbeing, resilience, creativity, financial empowerment, social change, women's health and living a purposeful life.

Hear from an outstanding line-up of speakers, including:

Dr Sonja Skocic – Psychologist, Founder and Director of Melbourne Centre for Women’s Mental Health, exploring how women have challenged institutional power and its manufactured “truths” to create meaningful change.

Lynne Cazaly – International keynote speaker and author exploring cognitive load, modern work and the hidden cost of holding it all together.

Dr Olivia Ong – TEDx speaker, physician and author sharing her powerful story of resilience, self-compassion and recovery following life-changing adversity.

Jane Monica-Jones – Global leader in trauma-informed financial wellbeing exploring the relationship between money, safety, agency and women’s financial lives.

Malavika Kadwadkar – Systems change leader and advocate discussing lived experience, collective leadership and creating meaningful social change.

Tamara Protassow Adams – Creativity mentor and writing coach exploring permission, self-expression and finding your authentic voice.

You’ll also hear from Kabinga Mazaba, Karyn Fitts, Esther McConnell, Maria Dietrich, Abby Wake, Caryn Griffin and Katherine Gokavi-Whaley, who will contribute to conversations across the day.

Whether you're seeking professional development, personal inspiration, practical ideas or connection with a community of women committed to creating positive change, the Empowering Women Summit offers a day to learn, reflect and be inspired.

Date: Friday 23 October 2026
Venue: Wayi Djerring – Us Together, Queen Victoria Women's Centre, 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Ticket Prices:
Early Bird: $165 (available until 31 July)
Standard: $195 (1 August – 30 September)
Final Release: $220 (from 1 October)