

Future Women Leadership Series
FW
Leadership takes courage and resilience. Host and founder of Future Women, Helen McCabe shares insights from some of the most influential women on the sometimes complex challenges faced by women on the path to senior leadership. Leadership thought-leaders will inform and at times challenge your thinking on what it means to be leader and advise you on how to build respect and loyalty from your team members. Future Women is a club for women to connect, learn and lead. To find out more go to futurewomen.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 7, 2025 • 29min
Rowena Westphalen on leading half-human, half-digital teams
Could this be the last generation of CEOs? As the Senior Vice President of Innovation, AI and Customer Advisory ANZ at Salesforce, Rowena Westphalen is on the cutting edge of the AI revolution. In this interview, she talks with FW Founder Helen McCabe about what the future of leadership will look like as we start to manage half-human, half-digital teams. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 2025 • 29min
Leading future generations
How can leaders tap into Gen Z talent? In this intergenerational panel recorded live at the FW Leadership Summit, join Helen McCabe as she questions the best ways to support and learn from a generation that's grown up with the rise of digital technologies. With digital-audio executive Jennifer Goggin, head paralegal Gabi Stricker-Phelps, Adore Beauty chair Marina Go and project engineer Brittney Monk. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 23, 2025 • 36min
Dr Katie Spearritt on the future of D&I
What does the widespread backlash to D&I signify? And how should leaders navigate it? Dr Katie Spearritt is a diversity and leadership expert in Australia. She's the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Partners, a specialist D&I consultancy firm. In this interview, she talks with Helen McCabe about how leaders could be framing D&I initiatives, why the business case is not the best argument and how she uses emotional regulation to manage difficult conversations. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 16, 2025 • 30min
Deanne Stewart on the pivotal moment that shaped her career
How can leaders best support talent? Deanne Stewart is one of the most in-demand executives in the country. As CEO of AwareSuper, she's in charge of one of Australia's largest superannuation funds. She was also the CEO of MetLife, and has held senior roles at BT, Westpac and McKinsey & Co. In this episode she shares why she does not schedule any meetings before 8:30am, how she became a leader at just 29 and why views the role of CEO as also being a 'Chief Talent Officer'. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 9, 2025 • 30min
Georgie Dent on navigating a breakdown and becoming CEO
"On paper things looked great … [but] I was a mess. And after 18 months, I sort of fell apart pretty catastrophically." Georgie Dent is the CEO of The Parenthood, a not-for-profit that advocates to make Australia the best place in the world to raise a child. She's also a writer, journalist and, in her words, "reformed lawyer". Her company recently partnered with FW to produce the podcast series At What Cost, a three-episode deep dive into Australia’s childcare crisis. In this episode, Georgie opens about the breakdown she had early in her career, public advocacy and why, as CEO, she only works a four day week. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 4, 2025 • 40min
Bonus: Georgie Dent on nothing less than a revolution
Join Georgie Dent in our third and final bonus episode as we unpack the costs of the childcare crisis to gender equality and the economy Plus: experts share five key solutions that could help make childcare truly accessible and affordable for all – which would be transformative for our country, and especially women. Liked this episode? Follow At What Cost Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 2, 2025 • 29min
Peggy O'Neal on how to navigate being 'the first'
Peggy O'Neal is best known for being the first woman in AFL history to serve as a club’s President. As President at Richmond, she helped steer the club through a period of outstanding success. But this didn’t come without its share of challenges and it wasn't the only time in her leadership career where she has had to navigate being 'the first'. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 28, 2025 • 30min
Bonus: Georgie Dent on the childcare deserts
When is a choice not a choice? Almost a quarter of Australia’s population is now living in a ‘childcare desert’ - and this scarcity means that many families’ financial and work schedules hinge on being offered a childcare spot in the first place. Liked this episode? Follow At What Cost Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 26, 2025 • 33min
Jayne Hrdlicka on stepping down as CEO of Virgin Australia
As a leader, how should you best step away from a role you've loved? Jayne Hrdlicka has had a high-profile and high-powered career as CEO of Virgin Australia. She was also CEO of Jetstar, held senior roles at Qantas and was CEO of The a2 Milk Company. In her first interview since stepping down from Virgin, she opened up about what leadership looks like from the top and what she wishes she knew before she started. Join the movement to fast-track your professional development. Become an FW Diamond member today. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 2025 • 24min
Bonus: Georgie Dent on the guilt-filled juggle
How did struggling to access affordable childcare become the norm? The sky-high costs directly impact women’s economic security, career progression and happiness – and fuel the gender pay gap and gender super gap, as well as homelessness later in life. Georgie Dent speaks with parents and experts to examine the true cost of childcare in this country … and learns why – when Australia could be world-leading in setting children and families up to thrive – it’s instead lagging behind comparable countries. Liked this episode? Follow At What Cost Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


