Celebrating the trailblazing women shaping Australia’s small business future

Their stories are real, raw, and will deeply resonate with anyone working to improve the small business environment in Australia. From ideas sparked by lived experience, to the long road of resilience and growth, these founders are breaking down barriers and paving the way for others to follow. This session will challenge assumptions, highlight structural gaps, and offer a unique perspective on the support systems Australia’s entrepreneurs need to thrive.

The session is only one example of how the 2025 Summit is showcasing the strength, innovation and influence of women in small business.

Across the two-day program, female leaders like Lynda McAlary-Smith, Victorian Small Business Commissioner; Dominique Lamb, Queensland Small Business Commissioner; Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, National Cyber Security Coordinator, Home Affairs; Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman; Georgie Harman, CEO, Beyond Blue; Sarah Carney, Chief Technologist, Microsoft; Natalie Piucco, Chief Technologist - Google Cloud; and Amanda Hutton, Group Executive, Telstra; will also share their insights on policy, regulation, digital opportunity and workforce inclusion.

For association leaders, policymakers and business advocates, the conversation is clear: the future of small business in Australia must include systems that uplift and support women-led enterprises. Women’s contribution to small business continues to grow, supported by evidence provided by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) who shared earlier this year that approximately 35% of small businesses in Australia are owned or led by women, a figure that has doubled since the 1970s[i].

As the sector prepares for new economic challenges and the next federal election cycle, the 2025 COSBOA National Small Business Summit is the forum to hear directly from the changemakers who are shaping what’s next.

Join us 19–20 August at the Park Hyatt Melbourne to be part of the discussion and the solutions driving small business success across the country.

Register and learn more: www.cosboansbs.com.au

[i] https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/women-owned-small-business