The COSBOA National Small Business Summit features female founders and policy leaders discussing the support systems needed for Australia’s growing number of women-led enterprises.
At this year’s COSBOA National Small Business Summit, taking place August 19-20 in Melbourne, the spotlight shines brightly on some of Australia’s most courageous and visionary female business leaders. The economic landscape may be challenging, but these women are not just surviving, they are thriving and reshaping the entire small business ecosystem.
Founder stories
The ‘Trailblazers & Game-Changers: The Female Founders’ session brings together three dynamic entrepreneurs who have turned personal experiences into profitable ventures. Alex Cannizzaro from Platform Zero, Hailey Brown from Vacayit, and Rosie Dumbrell from Everform Therapywear will share their unfiltered experiences of building and scaling businesses in today’s demanding economic environment.
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.
Policy leaders
The session represents just one example of how the 2025 Summit showcases the strength, innovation and influence of women in small business. Across the two-day program, female leaders are taking center stage to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.
Lynda McAlary-Smith, Victorian Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb, Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, National Cyber Security Coordinator at Home Affairs, Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman, Georgie Harman, CEO of Beyond Blue, Sarah Carney, Chief Technologist at Microsoft, Natalie Piucco, Chief Technologist for Google Cloud, and Amanda Hutton, Group Executive at Telstra, will share their insights on policy, regulation, digital opportunity and workforce inclusion.
Industry transformation
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. The numbers tell a compelling story of growth and potential that cannot be ignored.
Women’s contribution to small business continues to expand, supported by evidence from 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.
As the sector prepares for new economic challenges and the next federal election cycle, the 2025 COSBOA National Small Business Summit serves as the essential forum to hear directly from the changemakers who are shaping what’s next. These women are not just participating in the conversation, they are leading it.
Join us August 19-20 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
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