Women's Events

Alums of the Faculty are encouraged to invest in themselves through our women's program.

All Faculty of Business and Economics events are updated regularly on our calendar.

See Events Calendar

Women's Lunch

Since 2013, the Business and Economics Alumni Women's Lunch has brought together alumnae for a social afternoon of reconnecting with fellow graduates and discussing life and workplace challenges most pertinent to women.

We invite subject matter experts, graduates and Alumni of Distinction Award recipients to share their reflections and insights on a chosen topic at the lunch event. As women who have built incredible career paths for themselves and hold some of the most senior positions in an organisation, our panellists will discuss their career journeys, overcoming challenges, balancing family and work life, and what they've learnt about themselves along the way.

This event provides a casual forum for working and non-working women to reflect on their experience and exchange ideas with each other. Through the presentation of thought-provoking subject matter, the lunch encourages an open and meaningful discourse over a delicious meal.

If you have a topic or a speaker in mind, let us know today!

Past Events

  • 2020

    Women, Work and COVID-19 from the Faculty of Business and Economics was the theme for the first virtual Business and Economics Alumni Women's Lunch on 3 June 2020.

    This event was co-hosted by the Business and Economics Alumni Relations team and the University of Melbourne podcast, Women are the Business, that explores the nuances of women’s working lives with expert academics and impressive alumni. Hear from our expert panel; Madeleine Grummet, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of GirledWorld and Co-Founder of Future Amp; Jen Overbeck, Associate Professor of Management at Melbourne Business School and expert in women's leadership; and Libby Lyons, Director of the Australian Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Moderated by Sophie Thomas, the panel discussed the challenges and opportunities that stem from living through a global pandemic.

    Watch the recording

  • 2019

    Financial literacy is the new black was the topic for the Business and Economics Alumni Women's Lunch on 11 June 2019.

    Moderated by non-executive director and public policy specialist Dr Lynne Williams AM (MA 1976, BA (Hons) 1973, PhD (Monash) 1980), the event featured a  panel discussion with experts Corinne Proske (BCom 1993), General Manager, Digital and Retail at Good Shepherd Microfinance, economist and principal investigator in the Brain, Mind and Markets Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, Professor Carsten Murawski and non-executive director and finance and audit specialist Jan West AM (BCom 1974).

    See photos

  • 2018

    Faculty of Business and Economics alumnae came together on 22 May for the 2018 Business and Economics Alumni Women's Lunch: Succeeding in the Workplace of the Future.

    Moderated by alumna and Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Sally Capp (BCom 1991, LLB (Hons) 1991), the event featured a fantastic panel discussion with experts Amanda Flouch (BCom 1999, BA 199), Partner Human Capital, Deloitte, Dr Victor Sojo (PhD 2012), Research Fellow, Centre for Workplace Leadership, University of Melbourne and Barbara Hyman (MBA 1996, CEO, Predictive Hire.

    See photos

  • 2016

    Business and Economics alumna and Founder of RedBalloon, Naomi Simson (BCom 1984), shared her insights and experience as guest speaker at the Women's Lunch on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at the RACV City Club, Melbourne.

    Before an audience of 70 alumnae, guests, staff and students of the Faculty, Naomi spoke about Passion, Purpose and People at Work.

    Read about the 2016 Women's Lunch See photos

  • 2017

    The 2017 Business and Economics Women's Lunch was held on Thursday 23rd March at Zinc, Federation Square.

    Moderated by Sally Capp (BCom/LLB (Hons) 1991) Victorian Executive Director, The Property Council of Australia and Faculty Advisory Board member, four Faculty Alumni of Distinction Award recipients shared their insights and experiences in a panel discussion around the theme of Resilience: Forging Ahead in Life and Work.

    Read about the 2017 Women's Lunch See photos

  • 2015

    The Faculty of Business and Economics held an exclusive alumni Women's Lunch on Tuesday 25th August at the RACV City Club. A panel discussion around the topic Be Bold: The Future of Work and You was moderated by Professor Leisa Sargent, Head of Department, Management and Marketing.

    The panel comprised three guests: Monique Bayer, Owner of Walk Melbourne Tours; Fleur Studd, Director of Market Lane Coffee & Melbourne Coffee Merchants; and Kerri Turner, CEO & Co-Founder of Tinitrader.

    See photos

  • 2014

    The second annual Women's Lunch was on the 21st October 2014 at the Lyceum Club. A presentation was delivered by Amy Mullins, Director, Communications and Strategy at the Women's Leadership Institute Australia. The discussion theme for the day was The Impact of Social Media on Our Daily Lives.

  • 2013

    The first Business and Economic's Women's Lunch was held in November 2013 at the Lyceum Club, with a discussion around the theme of: Pressures at Work Unique to Women.

News and Further Information

The Faculty's Newsroom posts the latest updates on recent events and research, including many articles about our alumni.

We love to hear your stories so please get in touch to share your success and achievements

Women are the Business:

We celebrate the University of Melbourne leaders changing the professional landscape for women – from researchers to alumni in this series of videos, articles and podcasts.

Interesting articles:

Five-in-five interviews:

If you know an inspirational alum, share their details with us and we will get in touch to interview them!

Women working in Banking and Finance may be interested in contributing to the student-run Banking on Women initiative; which occasionally holds events with alumni.