I do think that we have a reason for optimism. But it is hinging on futher intentional action.
Catherine Fox AM is a leading commentator on women and the workforce, an award-winning journalist, author and presenter.
During a long career with the Financial Review, she wrote the weekly Corporate Woman column and for Boss magazine, and has published several books. "Stop Fixing Women” was awarded the 2017 Walkley Award for Women’s Leadership in Media, and her latest book "Breaking the boss bias: how to get more women into leadership" was launched in 2024.
Catherine helped establish the annual Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Awards in 2012 and was named a Woman of Influence in 2018. She has been a gender equality advisor to the Australian Defence Force, sits on the Australians Investing in Women board, and the Sydney Women’s Fund advisory council.
In 2022, she was awarded an AM for her significant service to journalism, gender equality, and diversity.
Talking Points
Reimaging Leadership: How to get more women at the table
For all the talk about gender equity there's been very little change in the way leadership is framed, and traditional ideas about authority, hierarchy and who is best at the top. But there are lots of different ways to share decision making, collaborate and include diverse voices. It needs new thinking and imagination but evidence shows when women are in charge the bottom line and outcomes for all women improve. Reimaging Leadership: How to get more women at the table
Key Takeaways:
- How gender barriers to leadership are real and can be overcome
- Case studies of successful organisations tackling gender equity - what works and what doesn't
- How women decision makers built their careers
Radical Flexibility & Redefining Success
The COVID era changed the parameters on flexible work although now there's growing pressure to get back to the workplace. Meanwhile the 'glass hours ceiling' is still acting as a barrier to women - and parents - with expectations that senior jobs need 60 hours a week at the cliff face and women do the bulk of unpaid care. It's time to look at a different way of working and caring which can still deliver results and retain talent - and a younger generation in particular is demanding a new deal.Radical Flexibility & Redefining Success
Key Takeaways:
- The pitfalls of the 'up or out' mentality to careers and how to take the long view
- Why working from home has helped women and the need to look at outcomes not where or when you work
- The models that deliver - job redesign and job sharing
Respect at Work: Tackling sexism and harassment in the workplace
The last few years have been a watershed for addressing toxic and sexist workplace behaviour. Now the Respect@Work legislation is putting the onus on employers to provide safe environments and find what works at a systemic level and in shifting everyday sexism. Respect at Work: Tackling sexism and harassment in the workplace
Key Takeaways:
- The strategies and interventions that are needed
- Circuit breakers for poor behaviour that don't penalise women and tackle backlash
- Men as allies and amplifiers of women
Panel Host & Facilitator
Catherine Fox AM brings authority, clarity and insight to panel discussions. With a background in award-winning journalism and deep expertise in leadership, gender equity and workplace culture, she facilitates with purpose and precision. Catherine keeps conversations focused, draws out meaningful contributions, and ensures takeaways are practical and relevant for business audiences.
Panel Host & Facilitator
MC & Event Host
As an MC, Catherine delivers professionalism, polish and relevance. She frames sessions with intelligence, maintains strong flow across the program, and connects content to the broader event themes. Her background ensures confidence on stage and genuine engagement with executive audiences.
MC & Event Host
Video
The Gender Pay Gap is Real - Catherine Fox Interview
Equal pay can deliver huge benefits for our society and economy. Employment Law Principal Alex Grayson interviews Catherine Fox, author and journalist.Catherine Fox on Breaking the Boss Bias
Despite the surge of women into university, jobs and sitting in federal parliament, why are men still overwhelmingly running the show? This is the question longtime Women on Boards member and leading commentator on women and the workforce - award-winning journalist, author Catherine Fox - asks in her new book Breaking the Boss Bias which aims to bust the ‘dangerous myth’ that gender equity in Australia has been ‘fixed’. In the book - in which Catherine talked to more than 40 men and women and examined a wealth of recent data and reports - she argues that headline figures showing the number of women directors on listed company boards does a lot of heavy lifting in the gender equity debate - and is often used to “prop up the delusion of progress” - but that much less attention is paid to the low numbers of women chairing boards or in senior executive ranks. “The book is unashamedly about changing the composition of decision-making tables,” Catherine told Women on Boards.Libby Lyons and Catherine Fox Facebook Live
With three decades as a journalist and advocate, Catherine is one of Australia's leading experts on leadership, the future of workplaces and the status of women.
