ReportsInspiring female decision makers, their pathways to the top and their advice for those on the way up.12 stories or Subscribe to save articleEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookHow Anna Croft is bringing that Mecca magic to ColesThe retail high-flier has brought a get-stuck-in attitude to two retail giants, navigating crises and delivering results.24 mins agoCarrie LaFrenz‘Shrug it off’: What being underestimated taught this young leaderWhen Kristen Pelc became Fortescue’s youngest head of corporate development, she had to execute its first acquisition. That wouldn’t be her only challenge.24 mins agoJesinta BurtonGreat leaders take many shapes, but effort and persistence always winThe winner of last year’s overall Women in Leadership award reflects on the people she has worked for and what made them leaders – or not.24 mins agoPhilippa WatsonAdvertisementMeet the winners of the Women in Leadership awardsMore than 1200 applicants entered the Financial Review’s Women in Leadership awards in 2026. Here’s why these nine winners stood out to the judges.24 mins agoIsabella Freeland‘Fear kills more dreams than failure’: Advice from the finalistsThe awards recognise the women who are becoming Australia’s major corporate decision makers. We asked the finalists for their advice for aspiring female leaders.24 mins agoSarah PettyBHP exec tackled mining’s women problem and helped drive changeMaria Joyce led the group’s response to the inquiry into sexual harassment in mining, and is proud the industry has become more welcoming towards women.24 mins agoMark WembridgeEmpathy key in mission to take addiction treatment to the massesMonash University researcher Suzanne Nielsen’s work has influenced Australia’s drug policy. She says the country is learning from the US opioid crisis.24 mins agoMichael SmithBuilding a secretive AI squad to weather the SaaSpocalypseCulture Amp chief executive Caroline Rawlinson has established a unit to fend off threats from expanding technology while embracing the potential of AI.24 mins agoTess BennettRest CEO Vicki Doyle had many passions and one goal: being a bossThe woman in charge of $105 billion in life savings has charted an unusual path to the top.24 mins agoAngira BharadwajAdvertisementAdvocacy takes courage and persistence – evidence is not enoughLeadership isn’t about having all the answers, says OzChild’s CEO, and women do not need to mimic traditional archetypes to be effective.24 mins agoSarah PettyCareer pirouette from theology and auditing to running the balletClaire Spencer has worked in the creative industries for more than 20 years, but her path to the top has been anything but straightforward.24 mins agoSam IrvineGrit and eternal optimism help win equality at a top law firmMaureen Migliazzo, COO at Dentons Australasia, has no time for gender quotas. ‘You have to make it a commercial priority,’ she says.24 mins agoJanek Drevikovsky