Women in Business Discussion Group Tuesday 24 September 2019| 5.30pm – 8pm

For our September session we are excited to welcome fellow discussion group member and Divisional Councillor, Erica Blythe.

Erica is Director of Finance & Administration at ICC Sydney. She will be giving us her insights on:

·         Leadership

·         team culture

·         achieving results

·         having a life/work balance

A qualified FCPA and GAICD, Erica has consistently delivered strong financial results throughout her career with some of Sydney’s most prominent hotels, including Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and Novotel Darling Harbour.

Passionate about innovation and financial education, Erica is a highly accomplished leader who brings with her more than 15 years of finance and administration experience to her role as Director of Finance & Administration at ICC Sydney. Now almost 3 years of operating the ICC Sydney and achieving the annual KPI’s consistently as well as helping to contribute over $850m in economic benefit to NSW.

Erica joined ICC Sydney following her position as Regional Financial Controller for Accor NSW/ACT where she led the finance function for more than 40 hotels.

Her impressive background and skillset has seen her rise to a celebrated spokesperson within the accounting industry. In 2018 also contributing to a Business Chicks, research piece on Women in Leadership.

Proud mother of two boys who keep her centred and also help her keep it real. Erica champions the Parents & Carers and Generation Success Diversity streams at ICC Sydney.

More recently, Erica was appointed as the Deputy President of the NSW Divisional Council for CPA Australia in January 2019 and is involved in regular speaking engagements, panels and presentations on behalf of CPA. 

RSVP by email to Reis at cpawibfb@gmail.com or via Facebook by 5pm Friday 21 September 2019.

Workplace bullying - Women in Business Discussion Group

Tuesday 27 August 2019| 5.30pm – 8pm | CPA Centre Level 3, 111 Harrington St Sydney

For our August session we are excited to welcome Elizabeth Devine, Founder of Devine Law at Work, to discuss workplace bullying. 

Elizabeth will explain what is bullying (and what is not) and will outline what happens after a compliant is made.  You will hear from the perspectives of employment law and conflict management.

Elizabeth is the Founder of Devine Law at Work, a law firm and consultancy which specialises in employment law, workplace relations and conflict management.  In this role she provides a range of services to private and public sector employers.

Elizabeth’s qualifications include a Masters of Dispute Resolution, a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts.  She has been practicing law for 28 years and has specialised in all aspects of Australian employment law, workplace relations and conflict management for 23 years. 

In addition to her legal skills and qualifications, Elizabeth is a Conflict Coach, Facilitator, Mediator, Educator, Neutral Evaluator and Workplace Investigator. 

Prior to founding her own firm, Elizabeth worked for the Australian Government Solicitor, in a peak employer body and in private practice. 

Elizabeth is passionate about enhancing the knowledge of others about workplace law and conflict management and regularly presents to a broad range of corporations and business, professional and industry groups. 

RSVP by email to Reis at cpawibfb@gmail.com or via Facebook by 5pm Friday 23 August 2019.

From Best Kept Secret to Industry Leader: How to Stay Relevant & Be Confident About Your Career… Every Step of the Way.

Women in Business Discussion Group Tuesday 23 July 2019| 5.30pm – 8pm | CPA Centre Level 3, 111 Harrington St Sydney

For our July session we are delighted to welcome Rick Gilmore, Founder of Good Company Coaching, to present From Best Kept Secret to Industry Leader: How to Stay Relevant & Be Confident About Your Career… Every Step of the Way.

With complexity, disruption, and uncertainty around us, some professionals are thriving, some are confused and frustrated, while others are feeling diminished and devalued.

In the face of all this flux, how do you remain relevant today so you can be confident about your career tomorrow, is the core career question of our time.

What you will learn from this event:

·                  How to earn your seat at the table and be a relevant authority, regardless of your role, organisation, or the sector you operate in.

·                  How to position your progression and promotion prospects without any hype, wince or cringe factor.

·                  How to remove career ‘blind spots’ that are holding you back.

·                  How to be confident about your career, communicate with impact and be yourself at all times.

·                  And much more...

Rick Gilmore is the founder of Good Company Coaching, an Australian based authority on how to remain relevant and amplify influence. A relevance maker©, who for over 25 years has helped numerous executives, professionals and business leaders from across all industries and sectors.

Rick’s clients include Unisys, CSR, ANZ, Orica, Jemena, CSC, Fairfax Media, American Express & Evolution Mining to name a few.

A CPA Congress and CPA Best of Congress Speaker. He is known as a witty, fun, and edgy presenter, who creates an experience and profound changes in the perspectives of audience members.

RSVP by email to Reis at cpawibfb@gmail.com or via Facebook by 5pm Friday 20 July 2019.

The Thali of Influence - Women in Business Discussion Group

Tuesday 25 June 2019| 5.30pm – 8pm | CPA Centre Level 3, 111 Harrington St Sydney

For our June session we are delighted to welcome back Mark D’Silva, author of ‘Zing! Speak like a Leader’ to present The Thali of Influence.

Each day we are influenced by, or influence, other people.  People may influence you to think, act or behave in a certain way. Have you ever considered what their motivation might be?

Similarly, each day we may be motivated to influence others. How can I get my children to eat their vegetables to be healthier? How can I help my partner make a better financial decision for our future? How can a work colleague help me with month-end to reduce my stress?

In this fun presentation you will gain valuable insights on how to influence others as Mark provides you with influencing concepts as a Thali (which is an Indian word for ‘plate’ serving different types of food).  You will be served strategies on how to best sway others through the notion of reciprocation, use the power of social proof and discover exactly how you can leverage your likeability factor! Bring your appetite with you!

Mark D’Silva is author of ‘Zing! Speak like a Leader’ – a practical and entertaining book dedicated to help people improve their confidence and speaking abilities.
Mark has significant leadership experience including serving on the boards of entrepreneurial organisations. These leadership positions require strong people and influencing skills. Through years of successes and failures, Mark is able to share what influencing techniques work in today’s world.

Mark has won multiple State public speaking titles, contested at the World Championship of Public Speaking in Canada and co-presented at the 2008 Toastmasters International Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.  Mark also appears as a guest speaker, delivering keynote speeches on influencing and confidence building.

Mark’s book ‘Zing! Speak like a Leader’ will be available for sale.

Women in Business Discussion Group Tuesday 28 May 2019| 5.30pm – 8pm | CPA Centre Level 3, 111 Harrington St Sydney

For our May session, we are excited to welcome Rachel Grimes CFO, Technology, Finance Strategy, Transformation and Programs at Westpac.  Rachel will be providing insights into her role as CFO and also her experience as President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

Rachel is an experienced and dynamic financial services professional with over 25 years' experience at Westpac, BT Financial Group and PwC. Rachel is known for her astute accounting knowledge, her dynamic and inclusive leadership style and her ability to achieve outcomes for the organisation, as well as for the team.

Rachel is the immediate past President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and a passionate ambassador for the accounting profession. She has been involved with Chartered Accountants in Australia (now known as Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) since 1991, and served as the State Chair of NSW in 2004 and as the President in 2011.

Rachel is known as a strong and inclusive leader, and as a key driver of Diversity and Inclusion within the workplace. She has been a finalist in the internal Westpac Women of Influence Awards in the Inclusion & Diversity category each year from 2013 to 2015. She is passionate about developing and mentoring talent, building strong and cohesive teams and empowering the people she meets.

RSVP to Reis at cpawibfb@gmail.com or via Facebook by 5pm Friday 24 May 2019.

Due to the Easter  and the ANZAC Day holidays, there will be NO CPA Women in Business Discussion Group in April.

Please join us for our next session on 29 May 2019.

Happy Easter!

Women in Business Discussion Group Tuesday 26 March 2019| 5.30pm – 8pm | CPA Centre Level 3, 111 Harrington St Sydney

For our March session we are delighted to welcome back Dr. Rosina McAlpine, CEO and co-founder of Win Win Parenting to explain how to more confidently manage the work-family interface.

Are you struggling to manage the many challenges of work and family effectively?

It’s not easy to meet all of the demands of work and family. If you're like most people, when things are not going well at home, it affects your concentration at work.

Dr. Rosina McAlpine will help you to reflect on your work-life areas that are going well and ones that may need improving. With her practical activity you'll learn how to evaluate your current circumstances and the steps you’d like to take to improve your work and family wellbeing. We’ll also take a look at that tricky guilt that comes from taking time out for self-care.

In this session you'll explore:

• Where you are right now in terms of achieving the work-family life you'd like to have
• Models for understanding and improving life success and satisfaction
• How you can take small steps towards a happier, healthier more rewarding life.
• Ways to eliminate the guilt that comes with self-care
• The ongoing support to help you achieve your goals from the session

There’ll be a worksheet to take away with additional resources, opportunities to share with your peers and question time as well.  This is a great opportunity to get practical support on managing the work- family interface more effectively so you can succeed at home and at work.

Here's what working parents have to say about Dr Rosina's Win Win Parenting programs:

• "Fantastic! Words can’t express how good Dr Rosina McAlpine is. So true in every situation... Truly remarkable!" (Toyota Financial Services)

• Nice to have a program that is aimed at home life not just work skills to enable a better life balance. (DLA Piper)  

• Fantastic! Life skills not only for raising our children, but skills we can use with dealing with co-workers/stake-holders/clients. (Lendlease)

• Specific examples and a simple process. I can implement the ideas now. (UBS)

• Great program, really beneficial as it enhances and grows work-life balance. I wish all parents had the opportunity to learn this. (Deakin University)

Reis at cpawibfb@gmail.com or via Facebook by 5pm Friday 22 March 2019.