There’s something special about the moment a room fills with possibility, and that’s exactly what we felt as we kicked off the 2026 Future Female Leaders Signature Program.
Setting the Scene.
From the moment everyone arrived, there was an energy in the room – curiosity, connection, and a sense that this was the beginning of something meaningful.
We’re incredibly lucky to have such a strong team and community behind this program:
- Ali O’Connor, our General Manager, who somehow keeps everything running seamlessly
- Louise Byrne, our Signature Program Manager, who ensures our program stakeholders are engaged, informed, and energised
- Aimee Robinson, bringing our FFL Community together online and in-person
- And our co-founders, Claire Seeber, Emma Burdett and Karen Dennett, who have spent years building this program into what it is today.
What we’ve created at Future Female Leaders is more than a Program, it’s a space where young women can step into who they are and who they want to become.
Building Self-Awareness & Mindset.
We started the day with Claire Seeber, exploring self-awareness as a superpower.
Through tools like the Johari Window and Ikigai, our participants began reflecting on their strengths, their purpose, and the impact they want to have in the world. You could see the shift happening- those little moments of realisation that spark something bigger.
Some of our favourite mic drop moments from this year’s cohort were:
- To lead is to love. And the world needs more love.
- The worst thing that can happen is that I get a ‘no’. And that’s not that bad!
- The only way to learn is to fail first.
In the afternoon, Karen Dennett introduced participants to their Entrepreneurial Mindset Profiles.
Each person walked away with a clearer understanding of how they think, what they naturally bring, and where they want to grow, choosing one mindset and one skill to focus on throughout the program.
Because insight is great… but it’s what you do with it that matters.
Learning from others – Mentorship moments that leave a mark.
One of the most special parts of the day was the first meeting between our FFL Signature Program mentors and mentees, led by Emma Burdett.
You could feel the shift in the room – conversations starting, connections forming, trust beginning to build.
Together, they set expectations and committed to the journey ahead.
Advice to my 16 year-old self.
And then mentors shared the advice they’d give their 16-year-old selves which was meaningful, jovial and inspiring all at the same time.
Here are some nuggets of advice that came from our amazing mentors:
- “You are unique, there’s no one else like you in this world and never underestimate your own capability.” Monika Jodihardja – IGO
- “Don’t be afraid to change your mind, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you. Don’t feel like you need to conform. As long as you stay true to who you are, your values, your inner ethos and follow what your heart tells you to do, you can’t go wrong.” Nadine Schultz – Payroll Edge
- “You don’t need to have it all figured out right now, try and enjoy the journey.” Sarah O’Flanaghan – Community Mentor
- “It’s great to have a goal and an aim in mind but don’t let it rattle you if you need to shift direction.” Nicole Mola – IGO
And one of our personal favourites – “Believe in yourself and be nice to your mum.” 😊 – Kate Thacker RSM
Simple, honest, and exactly what needed to be heard.
The future looks bright.
What stood out most is that this isn’t just about building leadership skills. It’s about confidence. Belonging. Backing yourself.
It’s about creating space for young women to step forward and realise they’re more capable than they think.
And if day one is anything to go by… we’re in for something pretty special.
A huge thank you to our Visionary Investors for making the 2026 Signature Program possible:
CEOs for Gender Equity, City of Canning, City of Joondalup, City of Stirling, Huddle Up Creative, IGO, Iluka Resources Limited, Mineral Mining Services, NQNF Group, PARTNER, Payroll Edge, RAC, Regis Resources, RSM, Water Corporation, WeBuild and Western Power.
