Global Victoria Women (GVw)
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Watch the GVw Virtual Seminar Showreel:
Last December, under the GVw initiative, Global Victoria delivered its first virtual seminar: The Female Business Leader in 2020.
Bringing together a star line up of speakers, the seminar offered a unique opportunity to hear highly successful Victorian and global female leaders share their stories about how they’ve managed to navigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with their business, as well as beyond the screen.
“The Global Victoria Women (GVw) initiative is about empowering all women in business. We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to help women connect and expand their global networks, provide opportunities to upskill their export capabilities, grow their organisation and celebrate the outstanding achievements of local and international women. Join us this December as we continue the GVw journey to inspire global possibilities. Together, I am confident we can take on the world!” Gönül Serbest, Chief Executive Officer, Global Victoria
Designed to inspire and support women and their export journey, The Female Business Leader in 2020 provided insights into how leading women representing multiple sectors, diverse perspectives and businesses of all sizes remained agile during this period of uncertainty.
The seminar builds on the success of the first all-female inbound trade mission, the GVw Summit held in Melbourne March 2020 and was a true celebration of women’s leadership, culture and creativity in developing new and innovative ways of doing business.
VIDEO: Introducing Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Dr. Mazumdar-Shaw is a global thought leader, appearing on Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list, Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list and was named EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year 2020.
Reserve your participation today
Program Overview
Day 1
Date: Wednesday 2 December 2020
Time: 2.30 - 5 pm (AEDT)
Cost: free
Welcome remarks by Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria
Panel session 1: Leading and thriving through uncertainty: the Victorian Perspective
Hear from leading Victorian female exporters on how they have navigated the challenges and opportunities presented by coronavirus (COVID-19). Receive insights on how they’ve adapted their business and their plans for recovery.
Speakers
Moderator: Michelle Wade, Commissioner for Victoria to South Asia
- Elizabeth Lewis-Gray, Co-Founder and Chair, Gekko Systems
- Jo Horgan Founder and Co-CEO, MECCA Brands
- Julie Hirsch, Co-Founder and COO, Eloments Natural Vitamin Tea
Panel session 2: Navigating 2020 as a business leader: the Asia perspective
Develop your knowledge of how businesses in Asia have responded to coronarvirus (COVID-19) and how they are embedding success into their recovery plans. Learn how they’ve motivated their workforce during this time and how the region has adapted to flexible work.
Moderator: Rebecca Hall, Commissioner for Victoria to Southeast Asia
- Lin Lin Jacobs, CEO and Co-Chair, China International Beauty Expo
- Amy Zheng, CEO and Co-Founder, Amazin’ Graze
- Thủy Nguyễn, Deputy CEO – Commercial - Vincommerce JSC (Masan Group)
Program overview
Day 2
Date: Thursday 3 December 2020
Time: 9 - 11.30 am (AEDT)
Cost: free
Welcome remarks by the Hon. Jaala Pulford MLC, Victoria’s Minister for Employment; Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy; Small Business
Panel session 3: Global perspectives on creativity and agility for SME success
Hear from SME’s discussing the challenges their businesses have faced during the pandemic and how being global citizens, creative and agile has helped them meet the challenges of 2020 and stay committed to future success.
Moderator: Natalia Gorroño, Victoria’s Acting Head of Post for Latin America
- Tanya Moss, Founder and Creative Director, TANYA MOSS Jewelry
- Denni Fransciso, Founder, Ngali Australia
- Jeanette Cheah, Founder and CEO, Hacker Exchange
Panel session 4: The Woman Beyond the Screen
Learn how to bring your best self to the virtual workplace and how to be an adaptive leader in an everchanging world.
Moderator: Gönül Serbest, CEO, Global Victoria
- Del Irani, Journalist and TV Anchor
- Andrea Clarke, Author – Future Fit
GVw 2020
About GVw 2020
Staged over four full days in March, GVw 2020 is our inaugural all-women business summit and marks the pinnacle of a 90-day festival in Melbourne celebrating women in global business who continue to champion for a gender-inclusive business world.
GVw 2020 will: | |
| Connect You | bringing together C-suite game changers from across the globe to connect, collaborate, exchange ideas and celebrate their achievements |
| Inspire You | featuring high-level industry events with some of the world’s most prominent change agents and pioneering women in business |
| Amaze You | showcasing Melbourne’s world-class industry events, sophistication and rich cultural tapestry |
GVw 2020 Highlights
Here's a sneak peek of what to expect for GVw 2020...
Women in STEM: Tour of Monash Technology Precinct (MTP)
Meet Victoria’s key decision makers within the globally-recognised MTP.
The combination and depth of world-class research infrastructure is unrivalled nationally with Monash University, the Australian Synchrotron, CSIRO and the Monash Health clinical trial hub – all of which form the core of MTP. Leading global businesses at MTP include Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, ABB, Bosch and Lockheed Martin.
Women in Medtech and Pharma: BioMelbourne Network’s Devices + Diagnostics (D+D) Lab
The D+D Lab is a celebration of STEM innovation and entrepreneurship.
Guests will learn about the successful partnerships and capabilities in Victoria’s thriving MedTech sector, engage with high-profile speakers and experts to access knowledge and global trends, while having opportunities to connect and promote their business to industry professionals they haven’t met.
Women in International Business: International Chamber House (ICH) International Women’s Day Event
Celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women at one of Melbourne’s largest International Women’s Day events. Hear keynotes from CSIRO Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley, and CEO of Australian Centre for the Moving Image Ms Katrina Sedgwick, and panel discussions from influential women and how they’ve reached senior roles in vastly different organisations.
Women in Sport: Tour of Melbourne’s World-class Sporting Hub
There’s no place on earth for sport like Melbourne.
Every year millions of people travel here to experience a live sporting event at one of our world-class facilities that form part of the city’s vibrant beating heart. This tour will show you why Melbourne is Australia’s home of sport, and what our leaders are working on in tourism excellence, sustainability practices and integration of universal design and accessibility principles.
Women in Transport and Infrastructure: Victoria’s Big Build & Metro Tunnel Project
Discover how international businesses can get involved in Victoria’s $70 billion program of infrastructure projects. A tour of Victoria’s biggest investment in public transport, the Metro Tunnel Project will demonstrate the challenges of building in an urban environment whilst enhancing the liveability of our city.
The Change our Game Symposium
The Victorian Government's Change Our Game Symposium will see leading thinkers share their insight, knowledge and experiences, and discussing the important role community sport plays in levelling the playing field for women and girls. Headlining the event is sports icon and long-time advocate for gender equality and justice, Billie Jean King and globally-recognised business leader and International Cricket Council Director, Indra Nooyi.
Melbourne – one of the world's best cities for women in business
Victoria is one of the world’s most open and progressive societies for women in international business, women in government, women in industry and women in sport. Our city, Melbourne, is a melting pot of great talent and human capital and is also regarded as one of the world’s best cities for women entrepreneurs1.
The Victorian Government has been the most active state government in championing opportunities for women in international business. GVw marks our ongoing commitment and passion to promote opportunities for Victorian women to make new connections and develop global partnerships.
More highlights to be announced soon!
We'll be organising business networking events, visits to Victoria's thriving economic hubs to meet the women who are shaping their future, and a host of other high-level activities to help you establish global partnerships and new connections with game changers in your industry.
Be a part of GVw 2020
We're currently seeking expression of interest from Victorian and international high-level businesswomen who are keen to connect, grow and establish new global partnerships with other female leaders.
Expressions of Interest have now closed
Like to know more?
If you have any questions that need answering about GVw 2020, get in contact with Daniela Masci by sending her an email
1Source: Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities index 2019
2018 Professional Skills Development Program
Please note applications have now closed for this program.
Applications have now closed to participate in the inaugural Victorian Women in International Business Professional Skills Development Program. This unique pilot program is tailored for women who have been exporting for over three years and want to strengthen their skills and take their business to the next level on the global stage.
Today’s dynamic business environment demands that leaders be adaptive with their skills and possess a high level of self-awareness to be most effective in a competitive global economy. The Program will focus strongly on professional development by providing participants with real tools to help them deal effectively with the challenges and pitfalls of conducting business internationally.
Participants will collaborate to gain an understanding of the skills and capabilities required to engage in global business, and outline the key areas they would like to focus on during the Program.
Global Victoria will deliver the Program in partnership with Melbourne-based training organisation, Women into Leadership. Taking place over four half-days, once a week for four weeks, the Program will commence on 4 October and conclude on 25 October 2018.
About Women into Leadership
The Program has been created, and will be facilitated by Women into Leadership – a market leading social enterprise helping to increase gender diversity within Australia. Women into Leadership works with progressive organisations to drive systemic change so that more females can achieve leadership roles, and stay in them.
Eligibility, terms and conditions
Before applying, please read the eligibility, terms and conditions for participation in the Program. Please note that places are strictly limited to eight (8) participants for the Program.
Attendance is compulsory for the entire program. Applicants who can’t attend the entire duration of the Program will not be accepted.
Program details
Who should attend?
Victorian women who have been exporting for over three years and want to strengthen their professional development skills to be more effective in the global arena are encouraged to apply.
To qualify for the Program, you must meet the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions.
Why should you attend?
The Program aims to:
- improve your professional skills to increase or sustain export sales
- increase your awareness of business capabilities in the overseas market
- improve your business networks or establish new contacts
- improve your knowledge and leadership skills
- provide opportunities for participants to collaborate and build connections with other high-level likeminded business leaders.
What’s Included
Global Victoria will cover the costs associated with delivering the Program. Morning tea and lunch will be provided for each session.
Program dates
- Thursday 4 October: 9 am to 2.30 pm
- Thursday 11 October: 9 am to 1.30 pm
- Thursday 18 October: 9 am to 1.30 pm
- Thursday 25 October: 9 am to 1.30 pm
Please note that applications have now closed
Want to know more?
For further information about the Program, contact Adrian Persi by phoning him on (03) 9651 9572, or sending him an email
2018 Pan Asia Export Workshop
Delivered in partnership with Asialink Business, the 2018 Pan Asia Export Workshop kicked off the year's first Victorian Women in International Business event. Featuring an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, the highly acclaimed workshop attracted close to 100 attendees.
Discover more about exporting to Pan Asia by downloading and viewing some of the guest speakers presentations below:
Catherine Cervasio: Founder and owner of Aromababy
Catherine Cervasio exports and distributes her products in national Chinese pharmacies, duty-free stores in international and domestic airport terminals, and online through Kaolo.com and Tmall.
Download and read Catherine's workshop presentation (PDF, 4.3 MB)
Sharon Thurin: Founder and owner of Slim Secrets
Sharon Thurin leveraged on China's increasing demand for healthy snack alternatives by utilising eCommerce to break into the Asia market.
Download and read Sharon's workshop presentation (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Megan Mulia: Asialink Business – Director, Research and Information
Based in Asia for 14 years managing commercial content and knowledge for a range of top firms, Megan presented a unique perspective on women and business leadership in Asia.
Download and read Megan's workshop presentation (PDF, 2.6 MB)
