2023 Woman of Influence Tickets Now on Sale

Women in Business Wagga Wagga have today announced that tickets for the 2023 Woman of Influence – Keynote Address by Kate Jenkins OM are now on sale.

Women in Business Wagga Wagga will be hosting Ms Jenkins at The Range event centre on Thursday 7 September for both the keynote and a leader’s roundtable.

Women in Business President, Ms Fiona Piltz said Ms Jenkins had been selected for the 2023 keynote due to her success in enacting change in the halls of parliament, boardrooms, sporting fields and everyday workplaces across the country as part of her role as Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

“Ms Jenkins is a highly accomplished leader with a compelling story to share with the women and men of Wagga about how to set ambitious goals, but more importantly for our members, how to create the right environment in the workplace for women to succeed,” Ms Piltz said.

Ms Jenkins’ name is synonymous with the landmark “Respect at Work” legislation that passed the Australian parliament this year.  She is also well known for authoring game changing reports into the culture of some of Australia’s largest sectors including sporting, legal, universities, mining and defence. She will now be turning her attention to the arts sector. 

Off the back of the #Metoo movement, Ms Jenkins has also provided advice to two Prime Ministers as well as prominent boards and CEOs on the need to address safety and inequality in the workplace.  

Ms Jenkins also recently completed her role as Ambassador for the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup, a role that allowed her a front seat to witness and champion Australia’s now legendary Matildas during their record breaking campaign.

“There is not a sector or workplace in our region where Ms Jenkins' work would not have the opportunity to have an impact, everyone is invited to attend, we encourage the broader community to join us for this thought provoking conversation,” Ms Piltz said. 

“Ms Jenkins is well known for saying ‘change takes action not time’  and that is a message I think we can all get behind,” Ms Piltz concluded.

Media Contact:

Denise Preston - 0425 832 285

Rachael Sweeney - 0422 067 858

Available for Comment: 

  • Fiona Piltz: President – Women in Business Wagga Wagga; and 

  • Gioia Gianniotis – Vice President - Women in Business Wagga Wagga.


Background Information

Ticket Information: Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite until 5 September or until sold out https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wib-wagga-presents-kate-jenkins-former-sex-discrimination-commissioner-tickets-684200631507?aff=oddtdtcreator 


Kate Jenkins OA Biography 

Kate Jenkins was born and raised on an orchard in Victoria and is mother and stepmother to 5 young people. She was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia this year (2023) for distinguished services to human rights government, advancing gender equity, the promotion of inclusivity and to the law.
Kate recently completed her 7 year term as the Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner this year and has been appointed to as Chair of the newly established Creative Workplaces Council.
During her time as the Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner she lead the landmark Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces Report (2020), with the Federal Government committing to implementing all 55 recommendations of the report in full. 

She also conducted Time for Respect: the fifth national sexual harassment survey and chaired the Respect@Work Council leading regulators, employers, worker representatives and civil society to implement changes in sexual harassment laws and practices.

Kate is an Ambassador for the FIFA2023 Women’s World Cup. Kate has worked with a range of sporting codes to improve inclusion, including golf, cricket, Australian Rules football, and netball, and conducted the Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia in 2021 (Change the Routine). Kate led the development of the world-first Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.

Kate also led the Commission’s collaborative projects on cultural reform with the Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force. Other significant projects include: Change the Course: national survey sexual harassment and sexual assault at Australian universities (2017), and Set the Standard: Independent Review of Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (2021).

Prior to joining the Commission, Kate spent:

  • 3 years as the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner,;

  • 20 years as employment lawyer and lead equal opportunity partner with Herbert Smith Freehills; and

  • Many years serving on the boards of Berry Street Victoria, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Play by the Rules and Carlton Football Club.



Wagga WIB