Every leader has a moment that marks the beginning of something new. The one that changes everything – a pivot, a realisation, an achievement that makes the next chapter clearer or reveals truth in the paths taken. An evolution. At the FW Leadership Summit’s ‘Leading Through Change’ session, supported by Witchery, four First Nations women took to the stage to share theirs.

Emily is wearing Vanilla tuck Shoulder top, Plum bias cut pants, Bitter Chocolate Fleur textured heels, Gold Talia cuff and Gold Kai Molten Drop earrings.

Emily Hill, Dunghutti and Yuin woman, Assistant Secretary at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

“Thinking about the Summit’s theme this year – evolve – made me think about pivotal moments in my life that have helped me to be the leader I am today. Pivotal moments, for me, start with receiving an Indigenous scholarship in high school that gave me the capability and confidence to believe that I could actually achieve more, and go on to further study. 

“In my career in foreign affairs – evolving and growing, gaining that confidence to then be representing Australia at the United Nations and in Washington DC as a diplomat. But also not just Australia, I think more importantly, representing my family, representing my mob, representing my community. I never would have thought that those types of opportunities were available to me. So when I think about my own evolution, it’s quite a heartening reflection.”  

Rachelle is wearing Plum polka dot dress, Vanilla collarless blazer, Bitter Chocolate Fleur heels, Silver Stella ring and Silver Stella earrings set.

Rachelle Towart OAM, Wonnarua woman, Founder and Managing Director of Pipeline Talent

“I was sitting on a plane ride over to Western Australia, reading the in-flight magazine. Qantas had very generously done a story on me in that magazine. So I’m sitting in row 30, next to the loo, reading the article about myself. And I turn the page and there’s a story about women in the pipeline, and how women’s numbers were increasing across the corporate community and government. It got me thinking, if I replaced the word ‘woman’ with ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’, where would the numbers be? 

“After spending 15 years at the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre where I helped train thousands of Aboriginal leaders, I knew that we had leaders. And so I literally jumped off the plane, called the minister who just offered me a senior role in government and said, ‘Thanks Minister, I can’t take the job. I’m going to start an executive recruitment agency’. And this year we celebrate our 10th birthday.” 

Casey is wearing Espresso asymmetric strapless top, Vanilla Slim pants, Black Fleur satin heels, Gold Josie bangle and Gold Talia cuff.

Dr Casey Sullivan, Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman, General Practitioner and Founder of GiggleDocs

“Every single one of us will take steps that we never planned. The steps backwards. These are the moments where the ground shifts under your feet. For me, some of those steps came from living through domestic violence, coercive control and years of navigating systems that sometimes felt more like a battleground than places of support. Moments where I questioned everything. My strength, my direction, my future. And in those moments, it’s easy to believe that a step backwards means you’re losing. That somehow your life is moving in the wrong direction. 

“But something interesting happens when you survive those moments. You start to see the world differently. You see the cracks in systems that were supposed to protect people. You see the barriers that vulnerable families face just trying to access basic healthcare. You see children falling through gaps that should never ever exist in a country like ours. And suddenly, the steps backwards become steps forwards. Because those experiences didn’t just break parts of my life. They built something new. They shaped the work I do today.” 

Sharon is wearing Vanilla collarless blazer, Seam Detail rib tank, Vanilla polka dot lace skirt, Black Daisy flats, Gold Eloise necklace and Alice hoop earrings.

Sharon Winsor, Ngemba Weilwan woman, Founder, CEO and Executive Chef at Indigiearth

“The things that I get to do today – the awards that I’ve won, the things that I have achieved – I never imagined that I ever would have been doing…  Last year I brought the first ever Australian native food festival to Sydney in Carriageworks. And I’ve done that on my own back. And I brought 22 Aboriginal businesses together from across the country to showcase. 

“The native food space is worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Aboriginal ownership is less than 2 percent. Aboriginal women-owned, in that space, is less than half a percent. And so in a space that is traditionally women’s business – that still is women’s business – Aboriginal women, we are still so far behind. So when we’re out there, and I’m doing things, it’s not just about me. It’s about the rise of all of our people.”

Image credit: Vienna Marie Creative
Hair and make up: Jaque Di Condio and Gemma Woods