Next Generation Innovators Podcast

Hello listeners! We're sharing another FW podcast we think you'll love called Too Much. In it, FW founder and managing director Helen McCabe speaks to high-achieving women who overcame suffocating stereotypes, bucked trends, disrupted systems and refused to quit. Women who built careers by forging their own paths. Does cockiness make you better at your job? That's what former Matildas star Lydia Williams was told when she rose to the sport's top flight. Williams joins McCabe to reflect on her journey as a Matilda and how she pushed past being labelled “too humble” at key points in her career. Liked this episode? Follow Too Much to hear more 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.

Ask any woman and she'll tell you about a time when she was too something. At work, women are suffocated by stereotypes about who we should be and how we should behave. In FW's new podcast, Too Much, join Helen McCabe as she speaks with high-achieving women who bucked trends, disrupted systems and refused to quit. Women who built careers by forging their own paths. Episodes drop weekly. Listen now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts by searching 'Too Much by Future Women'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to domestic and family violence, it's easy to feel helpless. But did you know that more than half of family violence victim-survivors open up to family and friends for help first?* Whether you're worried about your own relationship, or you're a friend, family member or a colleague - knowing subtle signs and red flags can make a big difference. Episode 1 of There's No Place Like Home season two is now live. Episodes drop weekly. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or Google Play Visit the official website Keep up with @Futurewomen on Instagram and Twitter and stay in touch with hashtag #TNPLH More information on Commbank Next Chapter Join Future Women If you have experienced or at risk of domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault, you can call the national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you are not feeling safe, always call the police on 000.   There's No Place Like Home is a Future Women podcast in collaboration with our proud partner, Commonwealth Bank, who are committed to helping end financial abuse through CommBank Next Chapter. No matter who you bank with, if you're worried about your finances because of domestic and family violence, you can contact CommBank's Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387 within Australia or visit commbank.com.au/nextchapter. *Source: ANROWS. (2022). Transforming responses to intimate partner and sexual violence: Listening to the voices of victims, perpetrators, and services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through ten captivating episodes, There's No Place Like Home pulls back the curtain to reveal the nature and impact of domestic and family violence in Australia. Told in survivors' own words, each episode tells the story of ten extraordinary people who generously share their most intimate thoughts, feelings, and experiences with you. There's No Place Like Home is hosted by Tarang Chawla, whose sister Nikita was killed by her partner in 2015. Tarang brings his lived experience, empathy and understanding to the fore as he presents an unflinching assessment of the current situation and explores the possible solutions. This is a podcast by Future Women, made in collaboration with CommBank, which is supporting long-term financial independence for victim-survivors through CommBank Next Chapter. There's No Place Like Home drops 22 February 2022. Subscribe now. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or Google Play Visit the official website Follow @Futurewomen on Instagram and Twitter and stay in touch with hashtag #TNPLH More information on Commbank's Next Chapter Join Future Women Content note: This podcast includes descriptions of family violence and may be upsetting to some listeners. If you have experienced or are at risk of domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault, you can call the national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you are not feeling safe, always call the police on 000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anonymous Was A Woman with Jamila Rizvi and Astrid Edwards is a conversation on books by, and about, women. Season 4 is out now. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rowena Leslie’s great-grandfather was a gold prospector. Mining, she says, is in her blood. It makes sense, then, that she and her sister founded successful mining business, Kai Rho Contracting. This week Rowena speaks to Next Generation Innovators @aliciasteviestephenson about its advent, and how they keep it “local, Aboriginal and experienced”. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest Rowena Leslie at kairhocontracting.com.au/  Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, Alicia Stephenson brings Yume Food Australia CEO Katy Barfield back for a rapid fire round to answer ten of our burning questions. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest Katy Barfield, @yumefoodaustralia founder and CEO Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of Next Generation Innovators, @aliciasteviestephenson speaks to @yumefoodaustralia founder Katy Barfield about her latest frontier in the war on waste: selling surplus food to put it on plates instead of in the bin. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest @yumefoodaustralia Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, Kehoe's Kitchen founder Katrina Kehoe goes even deeper on how she got her products on supermarket shelves. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest @kehoeskitchen Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Alicia speaks to Kehoe's Kitchen founder Katrina Kehoe about how she got her organic food business from market stalls to major supermarket shelves – and how you can too. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest Katrina Kehoe @kehoeskitchen Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Future Women's Drive podcast is back for a second season and this time, there's a brand new host.   Join journalist and presenter, Leila McKinnon, as she chats to inspirational women who are living their lives, their way. Find out what drives them; the lessons they've learned; and the ones they wish they'd known earlier. New episodes will be in your feed on Wednesdays - subscribe now so you never miss one.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smileyscope CEO, Dr Evelyn Chan, talks about the anguish she experienced injecting needles in patients as a junior doctor and how this sparked the idea for an innovative virtual reality solution.  New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Find out more about Smileyscope Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We first sat down with Adore Beauty founder, Kate Morris, in 2019 and much has happened with her company since then. In this episode, Alicia speaks to Kate about listing on the ASX, putting everything on the line, and why we all need to be thinking bigger.  New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest @kateadorebeauty - listen to our original episode with Kate Morris here.  Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Alicia speaks to Ettitude Founder and CEO, Phoebe Yu, about managing rapid growth, the benefits of a direct to consumer model, and knowing your numbers. Ettitude is an organic bamboo bedding, bath and sleepwear company.  New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest @ettitudestore Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, Alicia speaks to Yetta Rawadi, Co-founder and Director of Slyletica - a full-service fashion agency helping influencers turn a personal brand into a profitable business, and empowering entrepreneurs to start up and scale up. Alicia and Yetta chat about how Slyletica became the name behind some of the world’s best-known online fashion brands, the pain points experienced along the way, and why athleisure is the fashion of the future.  New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Guest Yetta Rawadi from @slyletica Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Alicia speaks to artist Rachael Sarra about using art to educate, successful collaborations, and managing the request to work for free in return for exposure. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe now so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at https://business.gov.au/ep Host @aliciasteviestephenson Follow Rachael Sarra at @sar.ra__ and rachaelsarra.com  Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com Join the movement at futurewomen.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing another Future Women podcast we know you'll love. Anonymous Was A Woman with Jamila Rizvi and Astrid Edwards is a conversation on books by, and about, women.  Join Jamila and Astrid as they chat each week about books, in a way that helps them make sense of the world. You'll also hear interviews with well-known authors such as Brit Bennett, Louise Milligan and Sarah Krasnostein, as well as Jamila and Astrid's recommendations to add to your must-read list.  It's in partnership with Hachette Australia and you can listen and subscribe at Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Generation Innovators is back! In the first episode of our fifth season, Alicia speaks with State of Escape's Co-Founder, Desley Maidment, about not following trends, the power of word of mouth, and operating with integrity. New episodes will be in your feed on Thursdays - subscribe so you never miss one. Enormous thanks to our partner AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au  Host @aliciasteviestephenson Our guest @stateofescape Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find us  Get in touch at hello@futurewomen.com  Join the movement at www.futurewomen.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Generation Innovators is back for a fifth season and will be in your feed this Thursday.  Join Future Women's Chief Commercial Officer, Alicia Stephenson, as she taps into the stories behind some of Australia’s most impressive entrepreneurs and how they’ve scaled their ideas into successful businesses.  Whether you’re in business, own one or dream of doing it yourself, these conversations will guide you through the ups and downs of start-ups – from ideation and development to investment and scale. This season is proudly brought to you by AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs' Programme.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, Brooke and Alicia speak to CEO & Founder of MedCorp Technologies and Mioplay, Jacqui Savage about pitching in Silicon Valley, understanding end users vs customers, and having the right people around you. We'll be back in your feed soon with a brand new season. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss it. Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Boney and Alicia Stephenson chat with Founder & CEO of FluroSat, Anastasia Volkova, about the venture funding process, hiring people you disagree with and humbleness in leadership.  That was our last episode of this season and we’ll be back early 2021 with another stellar lineup of entrepreneurs. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alicia chats to Melissa Anderson, a Director at AusIndustry’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, about what real leadership looks like, building teams in SMEs, and Australia's export future. New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alicia chats to Francesca founder Hannah Vasicek about going from selling jewellery at markets to building a thriving global company, capital raising through crowdfunding, and faking it until you make it. New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Brooke and Alicia chat to Anna Ross from Kester Black. Anna discusses who she bounces business ideas off and the rigorous process companies have to go through to become B Corp certified.  New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs' Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke and Alicia speak to Kester Black founder, Anna Ross, about how to get the most from your PR and social media activity, logistics challenges, and three questions everyone with a business idea needs to answer. New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  Head to futurewomen.com for membership options, newsletters and more podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Future Women podcast all about investing but not in a scary way - in a way that will make you feel smart and confident to boot.  In this three-part series hosted by Nine News Reporter Alice Monfries, you’ll learn investment basics from the experts who explain things in a simple and jargon-free way, without putting you to sleep. You'll also hear from a woman who went from not being very good with money (in her own words) to a confident investor, and we’ll have some fun busting a few myths along the way. Just search for 'Power Move Future Women' in your favourite podcast app and make sure you share it with a friend who needs motivation to get their finances in order. It's brought to you by Future Women in partnership with Vanguard and is produced by Fancy Films.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke and Alicia chat to Co-founder and COO of Eloments Natural Vitamin Tea, Julie Hirsch, about the two years of R&D that went into making a world-first product range, lessons in securing funding, why mistakes don’t diminish progress, and more. New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Entrepreneurs’ Programme at business.gov.au and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming up on Thursday's episode, Brooke and Alicia speak to Eloments Natural Vitamin Tea Co-founder and COO, Julie Hirsch.  Julie has an incredible amount of wisdom to share - make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss the full episode.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Entrepreneurs’ Programme and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this very special NAIDOC Week episode, Brooke and Alicia chat to Clothing the Gap Chief Creative Officer Sianna Catullo about using the power of fashion to create social change, the highs and lows of the Free the Flag campaign, and why throwing yourself in the deep end pays off.  Since this episode was recorded, the Select Committee on the Aboriginal Flag published their report, view it at https://clothingthegap.com.au/pages/aboriginal-flag-senate-committee. New episodes are out every Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Entrepreneurs’ Programme and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Brooke and Alicia chat to Michelle Gallaher, CEO of Opyl - an ASX listed company that's working at the intersection of AI, health and social media about some of the lesser known benefits of AI collection in the healthcare sector and Opyl's involvement in the race for a Covid-19 vaccine.  New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Entrepreneurs’ Programme and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of Next Generation Innovators Brooke Boney and co-host Alicia Stephenson chat to Michelle Gallaher, CEO of Opyl - an ASX listed company that's working at the intersection of AI, health and social media. Michelle talks about not shying away from risk, the freedom of not giving a damn that comes with age, and the realities of getting more women in STEM roles. New episodes are out each Thursday. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss one.  Enormous thanks to our partner the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Entrepreneurs’ Programme and to Fancy Films for producing it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Boney and co-host Alicia Stephenson chat with Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald from the Shameless podcast about backing yourself, cultivating a loyal community, and why done is better than perfect. Subscribe now in your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode and if you like what you hear, we'd love it you could leave us a rating, review and share with a friend.  Massive thanks to our partner the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Entrepreneurs’ Programme and to Fancy Films for producing it.  Keep up to date with Future Women news and events with our newsletter.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Generation Innovators is returning for a fourth season. Today entertainment reporter Brooke Boney will be tapping into the stories behind some of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs and how they’ve scaled their ideas into global businesses. This season, Brooke is joined by Future Women's Chief Commercial Officer, Alicia Stephenson, and together they'll guide you through the ups and downs of start ups, from ideation and development, to investment and scale.  This podcast is made in partnership with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and is produced by Fancy Films.  Subscribe now in your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode.  Follow Future Women, Brooke and Alicia on Instagram and stay in the loop about new Future Women podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To call Mina Radhakrishnan a ‘disruptor’ would be an understatement. She cut her teeth working for some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names including Google and Uber. Mina had the world at her feet as Uber’s 20th hire and Head of Product. Now she has her sights firmly set on the Australian property management industry. Mina is the co-founder of :Different, a Sydney-based start-up that is using technology to change how properties are managed in Australia. Here, Mina shares how :Different is managing rapid growth, raising capital, and challenging the status quo.

Ava Matthews is a former sunscreen delinquent who is now permanently coated in SPF50+. What started as a weekend side-hustle with co-founder, Rebecca Jefferd, became Ultra Violette, a cult Aussie sunscreen brand dedicated to future-proofing our faces. After a rapid rise, all within 12 months of launch, Ultra Violette was selected as Sephora’s first dedicated sunscreen brand and is now available in all stores across Australia and New Zealand. Here, Ava shares the inception of Ultra Violette, how the brand is responding to the ever-evolving economic climate, and what she’s learned along the way.

A decade ago the term gut health was greeted by confused faces. Today, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry. But back when there were few people making the gut-skin connection, Carla Oates was making a business out of it. Carla is now a pioneer of the inner beauty industry, and founder of The Beauty Chef which is on the shelves of some of the world’s biggest retailers including Net-A-Porter, Sephora, and Selfridges. It has even made its way to the belly of Meghan Markle. The company has recently received a $10 million investment from Point King Capital. Here, Carla shares her business journey, the inception of The Beauty Chef and her belief that “beauty begins in the belly”.

If Amy Parfett, the Co-Founder of wedding start-up, WedShed, has her way, the 'bridezilla' archetype will be no longer. The spark for WedShed was ignited when a close friend’s wedding venue shut down just weeks before her big day. Amy and her Co-Founder, Melany McBride, jumped online assuming there would be no shortage of resources to help solve the problem, but instead what they found was a perfect gap in the market they could fill. Five years on, WedShed has been described as the ‘AirBnB for weddings’ and has cemented its place in the wedding industry. Here, Amy shares how WedShed built a thriving community of like-minded wedding businesses, is supporting drought-affected farmers, and has helped hundreds of thousands of people create their dream weddings. 

Jodie Fox was the co-founder and creative director of Shoes of Prey, a company that allowed people to design their dream shoes online, have them expertly manufactured, and then shipped to anywhere in the world within two weeks. The startup broke even at two months, raised over US$27 million in funding, and was considered a global leader and innovator in mass-customisation and on-demand manufacturing before ceasing trade in August 2018. While runaway success stories are inspiring, it is failure that we can learn from the most. Jodie has written a book about her experience that is a must-read for all entrepreneurs. In Reboot, Jodie shares an honest and raw account of her Shoes of Prey journey and a multitude of learnings, tips and insights she picked up along the way. Here, she opens up to Brooke Boney about it all.

Lara Vandenberg is the CEO & Founder of Publicist. While working in PR in New York, Lara saw an industry that was in need of a shake up and thought she was the woman to do it. Enter, Publicist, an online marketplace connecting premium PR and marketing talent with brands. Publicist is transforming the traditional PR model and delivering increased flexibility and efficiency to the industry. Lara shares her journey building Publicist from ideation through to development, investment and scale. To date Publicist has raised more than US$750,000 in funding. Lara has been named in both Forbes and B&T’s 30 Under 30 lists, and she’s just getting started.

Alyce Tran is a serial entrepreneur. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Daily Edited, she is responsible for transforming a small side hustle into an internationally recognised brand. The Daily Edited is known for its personalised lifestyle accessories, monogramming, customisable line, and beautiful flagship stores around Australia and in New York City. Alyce has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top as The Daily Edited has become one of Australia’s most well-known and sought after luxury brands. Here, Alyce opens up about the creation of The Daily Edited, her transition from law to startup life, and how to successfully scale a business.

Kellie Hush surprised the industry when she resigned from what some have described as the best job in Australian media, Harper’s BAZAAR's Editor-in-Chief. Under Kellie’s six-year leadership, the magazine went from strength to strength, entering a new era of iconic covers and innovative features. Yet Kellie decided to back herself, depart the magazine, and went all in to launch new retail brand, The Way, alongside her own fashion consulting company. As Creative Director of The Way, Kellie created the brand from the ground up before surprising the industry again when she decided to exit the business. Here, Kellie shares her valuable advice on conquering the fashion industry, making hard choices and knowing when to take the leap.

Season 3 of Next Generation Innovators will begin on Monday, February 17. Hosted by Brooke Boney and presented by Future Women and THE OUTNET, Next Generation Innovators taps into the stories behind some of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs and how they’ve scaled their ideas into global businesses. While we gear up for season 3, let's revisit our favourite insights and learnings from season 2 with leading entrepreneurs Kit Willow (KITX), Sarah Davidson (Matcha Maiden), Claire Kimball (The Squiz) and Katherine McConnell (Brighte).

At only 26-years-old Manuri Gunawardena is set to revolutionise the way lifesaving treatments are tested. She’s featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, won the Australian version on Tech Crunch Startup Battlefield and she has backers from What’s App and Google. Gunawardena wants her startup HealthMatch to be the go-to platform to connect the sickest patients with potentially life saving trials, and she’s already raised millions of dollars with some of the industry’s heavyweights from Australia to the US.

According to Dr Catriona Wallace in five to ten years’ time AI could play a much bigger role in our lives. Wallace is the founder and executive director at Flamingo AI. The ASX listed company is a provider of Machine Learning based technologies. Dr Catriona Wallace has been recognised by the Australian Financial Review as the Most Influential Woman in Business & Entrepreneurship. Catriona has also achieved Advance Australia’s highest award in Technology & Innovation for Australians working abroad and recently won the FinTech Leader and Overall Excellence in Finance award by Women in Finance

When Sarah Holloway returned from a trip to Africa, she came back with more than memories of an Instagramable adventure. Within days of being home in Melbourne from the trip with her fiancé Nick Davidson, the 30-year-old then lawyer began drastically dropping weight. A few months later she crashed with adrenal fatigue.  Doctors to discover she had been suffering with a parasite for months. During her recovery Sarah took a work trip to Hong Kong where she discovered matcha green tea powder. Sarah and her partner Nick became hooked and decided to launch a social media-driven side hustle selling matcha powder, investing just $5000. Just six months after Matcha Maiden launched in 2015, US retailer Urban Outfitters placed a monthly, 3000-package order for six months (selling across their US stores) after discovering the brand on Instagram. Sarah took a leap of faith, and quit her job to focus on the booming business full-time. In 2016 the pair opened a vegan cafe Matcha Mylkbar in Melbourne, Matcha Mylkbar. Sarah has gone on to launch a podcast, Seize The Yay. 

Three years ago Claire Kimball quit her lucrative job in corporate affairs with Woolworths to start a business from her lounge room. Today, The Squiz employs three people…. is on its way to reaching 50 thousand subscribers...and was recently award newsletter of the year by Mumbrella  In addition The Squiz Today podcast, an eight minute news update released at 6 am each weekday, is consistently in the top 10 of Australian news podcasts.  With the tag line - your short-cut to being informed  The Squiz has become an important part of the day for tens of thousands of busy women and men. Before Woolworths Claire worked as an advisor to National Party MP Larry Anthony and she is also partially responsible for helping Tony Abbott become Prime Minister. Head to www.thesquiz.com.au to sign up. 

If life was a poker game, you could say Katherine McConnell went ‘all in’ on her idea for Brighte in 2016, redrawing on her mortgage and leaving her 14-year career as an asset manager at the “Millionaire’s Factory” aka Macquarie Bank.The risk paid off. Today Katherine is one of Australia’s most exciting entrepreneurs. In 2019, Brighte, a digital payment platform, offering zero-interest payment plans for installation of solar panels, batteries and insulation, has secured $15.5 million in Series C funding, as it prepares to make a move into Australia’s home improvement sector. In October 2019, the start-up had over 40,000 applications and 34,000 loan approvals. Brighte is an incredible product market fit with impressive growth, but for Katherine the mission is to build a company that lasts and makes a difference.

Imagine starting the job of your dreams at one of the biggest tech disruptors is history, then three weeks later the biggest scandal to rock Silicon Valley hits. That’s what Jodie Auster faced when she joined Uber. While others would run, she stayed and she listened, and she was part of changing the global culture from the ground-up. But let’s go back to the beginning. In 2007, Jodie was at a professional crossroads. Wanting to transition from medicine to business, she enrolled in an MBA at Melbourne Business School. After graduating, Jodie consulted for Bain & Co, before a new startup called Scoopon came knocking, launching Jodie into the world of tech. Jodie moved to Silicon Valley in 2013, leading startup Thumbtack through a period of enormous growth. She relocated back to Australia when an opportunity to head up the local arm of UberEats in Jodie's home town on Melbourne presented itself. In 2018 took on the role of General Manage ANZ at UberEats. Jodie is raw, honest and an eternal optimist.

Kit Willow is one of Australia's leading sustainable fashion designers. At just 23, Kit launched her first label, Willow. Willow quickly became one of Australia’s leading labels, and a go-to brand for celebrities and models like Cara Delevingne. In 2013, Kit left the company she founded in a shock. While most people would be crushed by the experience, not Kit Willow. She picked herself up, dusted herself off and launched KITX in 2015. Much like Willow before it, KITX went off with a bang. Kit is a truly inspirational and genuine sustainability warrior who believes in planet over profit.  

Cyan Ta'eed is a serial entrepreneur. She's the co-founder of Envato, a digital assets marketplace, founder of Hey Tiger, an ethical chocolate company and recently founded Milkshake, an influencer marketing tool. Cyan worked as a freelance graphic designer before starting Envato, in a Bondi garage in 2006. In 2016, she debuted on the AFR Young Rich List when Envato, was worth $186million dollars. In 2019, Envato,is valued at more than a billion dollars, landing Cyan and her husband Collis  on the AFR Rich List with a net worth of $974million. She recently stepped back from the day-to-day running of Envato, to focus on other enterprises, one of those being Hey Tiger, an ethical chocolate company that donates a percentage of all sales to supporting cocoa farmers in Ghana. As the CEO of the company she doesn’t take a salary. This year, Cyan launched Milkshake, an Instagram plug-in that allows influencers to create beautiful websites. Cyan is an entrepreneur who believes in businesses doing good. She loves the early stages of a start-up, an inspiration quote or too, and thinks entrepreneurship is like a muscle.

Health and fitness powerhouse Laura Henshaw is one half of the dynamic duo Keep It Cleaner. Keep It Cleaner (KIC) is a lifestyle brand that aims to takes the guess work out of exercise, healthy eating and general wellbeing. Together with model Steph Claire Smith, Laura has beauty a huge global community, an app, a range of food products and thousands of loyal followers. In her spare time, she’s also chipping away at a law degree and through her alignment with AIA Vitality, she also shares her passion for health and wellness with Australian women.