Leadership Summit Evolve

This year, Witchery proudly supported the 2026 Future Women Leadership Summit, held on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March. FW is an organisation dedicated to advancing gender equity in Australian workplaces through professional development, advocacy and community.

Centred on this year’s theme, Evolve, the summit brought together a dynamic program of voices and perspective and as part of this, Witchery sponsored a panel of First Nations women, who led a powerful conversation on ‘Leading Through Change’.

Comprising four inspiring First Nations women, the panel shared reflections on how their lives have evolved, both personally and professionally. Together, they spoke to the importance of leadership, representation and creating space for First Nations women to grow, thrive and be seen.

In partnership with Future Women

The Inspiring Speakers

Here are the women who shared their voices on stage, and whose powerful stories and continued advocacy are helping shape meaningful change for First Nations women.

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Emily Hill

Dunghutti and Yuin Woman
Assistant Secretary at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Emily is a proud Dunghutti and Yuin woman from the coastal regions of NSW. She is currently Assistant Secretary, AUKUS and Partnerships Branch at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

She has been an AIEF Director since 2019 and has held various roles in Government including at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and in the Office of the Foreign Minister.

Emily set the tone of the panel and shared her perspective on the importance of humility in leadership.

Rachelle Towart OAM

Wonnarua Woman
Founder and Managing Director of Pipeline Talent

Rachelle Towart OAM is a proud Wonnarura woman, who elevated awareness of the importance of Indigenous leadership and governance capacity to the national stage.

As CEO of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC), she transformed the organisation into a national leader in Indigenous education, by expanding course offerings, tripling revenue and securing significant funding. Rachelle has served on many national projects and boards, and been recognised with numerous awards, including Australia’s Top Community CEO and 100 Most Influential Women. She continues to build support for Indigenous people to reach and thrive in senior management roles.

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Dr Casey Sullivan

Wiradjuri and Gamilakoi Woman
General Practitioner and Founder of GiggleDocs

Dr Casey Sullivan is a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman and a General Practitioner based in Tamworth, NSW. Casey was the first graduate of the University of New South Wales Indigenous Pre-Medicine Program in 2004. In 2024, she was named the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year. She is the founder of the GiggleDocs program, a community-focused initiative delivering accessible healthcare and is also developing the Mumma Bear Program, supporting women and families affected by domestic violence. It is the first of its kind in her community.

Casey helped us see that the set backs in life are often what shape the work you do today.

Sharon Winsor

Ngembla Weilwan Woman
Founder, CEO and Executive Chef at Indigiearth

Sharon Winsor is a proud Weilwan woman from North West NSW, whose deep connection to Country began in childhood, gathering bush foods and medicines. She is an entrepreneur, culinary storyteller, chef and cultural leader, dedicated to sharing the richness of Aboriginal culture through food, education and storytelling. As Founder of Indigiearth, one of Australia’s most successful Aboriginal-owned businesses, Sharon has developed a range of native food and botanical products available in more than 500 locations and featured globally.

Winsor took us on her journey and taught us the importance of First Nations women always being in the room.

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Witchery acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land which this event took place, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.