Macquarie marked International Women’s Day by amplifying the achievements of inspiring alumna, changemakers and community leaders. The event was emceed by Keisha Kustandi and Sanaaya Butala, Chairwomen of the Women Entering Business Society at Macquarie University, with an Acknowledgement of Country presented by Annalise Hanger, proud Yorta Yorta woman and law student at Macquarie University.

The event centered around the theme Give to Gain, and Hanger acknowledged and thanked the matriarchal ancestors “who have allowed our footprints to mark this soil, and who continue to protect it” for generations.

Safe spaces for women

Annabelle Daniel, Macquarie alumna and CEO of Women’s Community Shelters, spoke passionately about her mission to create safe spaces for women. Over the last decade, Daniel’s leadership has facilitated the opening of 11 shelters across New South Wales, providing critical support to women in crisis. She shared her vision of structural generosity:

“Women are often not held back by the absence of personal generosity - they’re held back by systems. True progress comes when we design systems that share power, reduce friction, and remove barriers from the start.” Daniel’s call to action urged attendees to rethink what it means to give, advocating for systemic change to ensure equitable outcomes for all.

Mentorship for female athletes

Victoria Momsen, Executive Director of the Minerva Network, highlighted the barriers women face in sports, including the gender pay gap and social media abuse.

She also shared poignant insights about the importance of visibility and mentorship for female athletes. This is something she herself is elevating through the impact of the Minerva Network, an organisation that pairs female athletes with mentors to help them flourish as role models for the next generation.

“When a girl watches a woman competing at the top level, she doesn’t just see an athlete. She sees a possible version of herself,” Momsen said.

Values-based leadership

Georgina Antoun, CEO of Francom, and another proud Macquarie alumna, broke barriers as the first female CEO in the male-dominated debt recovery industry. Drawing on her personal and professional experiences, she inspired the audience with her philosophy of values-based leadership.

“Leadership is a lighthouse, not a spotlight. The job isn’t to shine myself, it’s to help others grow and lead,” she said. Antoun also reflected on the strong women who shaped her leadership style.

“I want my leadership to be thought about with fondness, like my grandmother; remembered for its strength in the face of adversity, like my sister. I want it to be shrewd and surrounded by family, just like my godmother. I want it to be respectful and values-based, like my mother-in-law. I wanted to be supportive, like my husband.”

“Importantly, I want my leadership to have the power to make people feel they can achieve their dreams and more, like my mother has made me feel my whole life,” she said.

Concluding her speech, Antoun encouraged everyone in the audience to choose one action that widens someone else's path. “It doesn't need to be grand. It simply needs to be genuine and intentional,” she said.

Inspiring young girls in sport

The event concluded with Sydney Roosters NRLW star Jayme Fressard, in dialogue with Macquarie’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), Sam Ricketts. Fressard shared her transformative story of her journey from being a troubled high school student to becoming a celebrated Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

“Getting expelled was actually the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said, noting her move to a new school with teachers like Sam who saw her true potential. “If someone didn’t give me that chance, to believe in me, to give me their time, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” she said.

Now, she uses her platform to coach and inspire young girls in sport, creating safe spaces and fostering a sense of belonging. “I try and be that person I needed when I was in school, or the person they might need now.”

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