27 March, 2026
Empowering the next generation of changemakers to step into their leadership potential.
She Leads College Conference
YWCA Canberra is a feminist not-for profit organisation dedicated to empowering young women and non-binary individuals through education, leadership opportunities, and advocacy.
Our She Leads College Conference is an annual one-day leadership event that brings together young leaders across diverse fields to educate and inspire women and non-binary students in Years 11 and 12. Through discussions and interactive workshops, the Conference aims to foster leadership skills and promote gender equity.
Our Sponsors
She Leads Advocate Sponsor
She Leads Ally Sponsor
She Leads Merchandise Sponsors
She Leads Merchandise Sponsors
She Leads Venue Sponsor
She Leads Printing Sponsor
The opportunity your
students deserve.
For the past eight years, She Leads College has sparked ideas, built confidence and provided a safe space for girls to connect. It is one of Canberra’s most anticipated events for college students.
Held annually, YWCA Canberra’s She Leads College Conference is a unique and enriching experience that educates and activates the leadership potential of young women and non-binary students in year 11 and 12.
Whether your students are eager to learn, grow and lead, this conference is designed to equip the with knowledge and friends that last well beyond the day.
She Leads College Conference at a Glance
Meet your MC!
As a young woman from regional NSW, Eva brings a genuine passion for advancing women’s leadership in international affairs and gender security.
After receiving the Ruby Riach OAM Scholarship and the Greenleaf and Croke Prize for Humanities, Eva earned her Bachelor of International Security Studies from the Australian National University.
Eva was previously the Communications Officer at YWCA Canberra before she was promoted as Policy Officer.
After receiving the Ruby Riach OAM Scholarship and the Greenleaf and Croke Prize for Humanities, Eva earned her Bachelor of International Security Studies from the Australian National University.
Eva was previously the Communications Officer at YWCA Canberra before she was promoted as Policy Officer.
Eva Barnes
Soaliha Iqbal
Keynote speech
Soaliha Iqbal (she/her) is a freelance writer, journalist, podcast host and content creator who has established her presence in Australian media through six years of experience. Soaliha has a background in youth journalism and was nominated
for the Young Writer of the Year award at the 2023 Mumbrella Publish Awards.
She has appeared on BBC Radio, ABC Sydney Radio, FBi Radio, Triple J and Blueprint for Living to unpack race politics and current affairs in Australia. Soaliha has also facilitated various panels and made appearance at events like the Muslim Agenda and SBS Insight. She currently works as a social media editor for Ette Media.
for the Young Writer of the Year award at the 2023 Mumbrella Publish Awards.
She has appeared on BBC Radio, ABC Sydney Radio, FBi Radio, Triple J and Blueprint for Living to unpack race politics and current affairs in Australia. Soaliha has also facilitated various panels and made appearance at events like the Muslim Agenda and SBS Insight. She currently works as a social media editor for Ette Media.
Keynote speech
Katie is the founder of Scrunchiko, a female-first sports accessories brand built at the intersection of performance, beauty, and culture. Designed for female athletes and active women, Scrunchiko creates functional, high-performance accessories, from scrunchies to game-day and training essentials that support movement, confidence, and self-expression.
Katie is building Scrunchiko publicly as both a business and a mission: to help women show up as their strongest, most confident selves in sport and life. Her vision is to redefine what women wear while being active, and to build a global brand that puts women at the centre of sport.
Katie is building Scrunchiko publicly as both a business and a mission: to help women show up as their strongest, most confident selves in sport and life. Her vision is to redefine what women wear while being active, and to build a global brand that puts women at the centre of sport.
Katie McCarthy
Panel Discussion: Architects of Change
What does it take to design systems that serve everyone? How do we open the doors of innovation to young people, ensuring they have the power, tools and confidence to forge their way and lead boldly? And when innovation first ignites, how do we keep the flame alive? This conversation brings together the thinkers, builders and boundary‑pushers redefining what it means to lead. Join us as we explore the diverse paths young people are choosing to reshape the world with intention, courage, and imagination.
Meet our diverse group of panellists who are leading from the front in their respective industries:
Jakida Smith
Maja Blasch
Sophie Morey
Isha Singhal
she/her
Isha Singhal is an economist, sports presenter, journalist and digital creator paving the way in women’s sports media. She is the founder of IshaOnTheField, – a women’s football platform that reaches more than 50 million people globally each year -and the curator of Australia’s first dedicated women’s football newsletter.
Alongside her media work with the likes of the ABC, Missing Perspectives and The Roar, Isha works in economic policy and brings a strong governance and advocacy lens to gender equity in sports media. Passionate about social impact, Isha has previously worked with the Australian Government and UN Women, serving as serving as the President of the Youth Coalition of the ACT.
Jakida Smith
she/her
Jakida Smith grew up dancing with her family. She works alongside her father, Duncan, sharing Aboriginal culture through art, story, and dance. She is dedicated to teaching the next generation to be strong and proud of their culture. Jakida is passionate about making a positive impact within Wiradjuri culture and ensuring that everyone plays a part in carrying on long‑lived traditions.
Through her cultural work, Jakida has met and performed for several distinguished officials, including the King and Queen of Sweden, William and Kate, various Prime Ministers, and Governor‑Generals. Jakida, along with her siblings, has won the Canberra Youth Awards and has also been featured in The Canberra Times for 2020 International Women’s Day.
Maja Blasch
she/her
Maja is an arborist, environmentalist, and the founding Director of Treasure Trees – a Canberra‑based tree care company dedicated to protecting and managing the urban forest. What began as an unexpected entry into the trade has evolved into a 15‑year, purpose‑driven career focused on tree preservation and advocacy.
Through mentoring, education, workshops, Maja has helped increase representation for women and gender‑diverse people in the industry. Maja continues to create pathways for women in a traditionally male‑dominated field, strengthening both the profession and the communities it serves.
Sophie Morey
she/her
Sophie is a policy officer for the Working with Women Alliance with a strong interest in advocacy and social policy. She brings experience across policy research, advocacy planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. Her work includes monitoring federal government developments and contributing to submissions and briefs.
Sophie holds a Bachelor of Political Science and an MBA,
having completed her studies in the United States.
During university, she was actively involved in campus
leadership, serving as President of the Political Science
Club and receiving the Scarlett Foster Women &
Leadership Award in recognition of her excellence in
leadership. Sophie was also a varsity basketball
player for five years and served as team captain
for one season.
Interactive Workshops
At She Leads College Conference, two engaging workshops will be held to provide students with hands-on experiences that foster growth.
These workshops will focus on key skills such as effective contemporary communication, resilience, and teamwork, offering students practical tools to apply in their personal and upcoming professional lives. Through interactive activities and group discussions, students will have the opportunity to engage with their peers, learn from experienced youth facilitators, and walk away with valuable insights that will help shape their future. These workshops are designed to inspire, challenge, and empower them.
These workshops will focus on key skills such as effective contemporary communication, resilience, and teamwork, offering students practical tools to apply in their personal and upcoming professional lives. Through interactive activities and group discussions, students will have the opportunity to engage with their peers, learn from experienced youth facilitators, and walk away with valuable insights that will help shape their future. These workshops are designed to inspire, challenge, and empower them.
Forged, not Finished
Han Worsley (they/them) is a passionate educator, advocate, and proud non-binary person who grew up on a tiny farm near Nullamanna, NSW, population 40. Their love for rural communities has shaped everything they do. Han previously worked as the Education Coordinator at the Country Universities Centre in Cooma and now works across the national CUC network to help more students in regional areas access uni and training. They are also doing a PhD to understand how primary school kids in country towns dream about their futures, building on their original career as a primary school teacher. Han has been CEO of Country to Canberra, done a TEDx Talk, been named an ABC Community Champion and one of Out For Australia’s 30 under 30, but they’re proudest when helping country kids believe they belong in education.
Han Worsley
YWCA Canberra Youth Engagement Team
ALL THAT WE SHARE:
Youth Leadership in the Digital Age
This interactive workshop explores digital safety in relationships, grounding the learning in real experiences and recognising the leadership young women and non‑binary people already show in this space. Through shared activities, participants are educated on how healthy and respectful relationships are built, online and offline. The session also delves into the pervasive impact of coercive control and tech‑facilitated abuse, how to spot the signs, and how setting boundaries and speaking up can make everyday spaces safer.
The Youth Engagement Team works alongside young people to build skills, confidence, and leadership. They create safe, inclusive spaces for open conversations about identity, self‑expression, and social issues. Their work centres young people’s voices and supports them to feel heard, valued, and ready to make change in their communities.
The Youth Engagement Team works alongside young people to build skills, confidence, and leadership. They create safe, inclusive spaces for open conversations about identity, self‑expression, and social issues. Their work centres young people’s voices and supports them to feel heard, valued, and ready to make change in their communities.