In this post, we plan to introduce you to some of the talented speakers who will be inspiring and teaching us at the State Leaders’ Conference April 18, 2015.

Leading Women – Speakers

Maree Ansey

At the young age of 24, Maree Ansey already has an important role within Leighton Contractors – one of Australia’s most recognised, diverse and established industry leaders.

As the Indigenous Employment Advisor to Leighton Contractors’ Mining Division based in Perth, Western Australia, Maree’s role is focused on the recruitment of Indigenous candidates, as well as the provision of ongoing mentoring and support to assist with the retention of Indigenous people within the company. Maree was crowned Miss NAIDOC in 2013 and is the first woman from the Kimberley to achieve this title. She has spoken at Parliament House in Canberra, been interviewed by Ray Martin and other media, but she is still very down to earth and closely connected to her family, especially her mother who has been an inspirational figure for her and her siblings.

Captain Angela Bond

Angela Bond grew up in Echuca in Victoria and she along with her mother and sisters were Girl Guides. Angela joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1980. She progressed through the ranks undertaking a variety of roles in Australia and overseas. In 2012 Captain Angela Bond became the first female Commanding Officer of HMAS Stirling and is the senior ranking RAN representative in Western Australia. In a year which also sees the Centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, Captain Bond can speak about the role that women have played in the Australian Defence Force in the past, and what the future holds.

Michelle Sanford

Michelle Sandford is an evangelist for the Technology industry.  She works for Microsoft in Perth, but has global reach. Prior to that she performed a similar role as a Global Service Delivery Manager for IBM in Europe.  Michelle currently holds executive board positions for the Australian Computer Society in WA, as the WA Women’s Director, and the Branch Vice Chair. She also sits on the Executive for WAiTTA (IT Awards in WA). Last year she a judge for the CIO of the year, as well as at GovHack and JustStartIT.  She is a member of Soroptimist South Perth. She was a TedxPerth Speaker on the topic of “Where have all the girls gone?” (click for video) in 2014. And she was a Girl Guide from the age of 11.

Ryoka Elton

At the age of 16, Ryoka was involved in a serious car accident, sustaining critical injuries to her spine and internal organs.  This event and her journey back to full wellness impressed upon her the true value of health and inspired her passion to assist others to live healthy, luminous lives.

Ryoka draws on her diverse background (Bachelor Degree in Public Health/Psychology (UWA, 2005), Sivananda Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist, Life Coach and Certified Universal Healing Tao Instructor) to assist people in embracing greater levels of wellbeing and vitality and to empower them to create a Ripple Effect in their own life by sharing their learning with people they love.

Other highlights include a performance by the Girl Guide WA choir, a panel discussion, fun activities and prizes. The conference fee includes lunch and light refreshments throughout the day.

For information on how to book into the conference, visit the dedicated Leading Women page. Early bird price of just $40 is available until end February 2015.