Thanks to our sponsors
Don't miss the 8th annual International Women’s Day event created exclusively for women in business.
Join the conversations shaping the future of gender equality, leadership, and women’s empowerment.
Expect inspiring stories, meaningful connection, and a luxe setting worthy of the impact you’re here to make.
Tickets now open — this event has sold out every year.
Perth’s most anticipated International Women’s Day celebration for women in business.
This is not just a room full of women. It’s a room full of belief.
Belief in yourself.
Belief in your vision.
Belief in what becomes possible when women stop doing it alone... and start rising together.
Each year, Perth’s most ambitious, values-led businesswomen gather for one powerful day to connect, reflect, and expand. Not through hustle or hierarchy - but through shared wisdom, honest conversation, and collective momentum.
If you’ve been before, you already know.
If you haven’t… this is your year
Ash + Brooke xx
Friday 6th March 2026
10am - 2pm (VIP access from 9am)
Crown Towers Perth
EVENT IS 80% SOLD OUT
Celebrate in Style
VIP Welcome Experience
VIP guests are invited to arrive early for an exclusive welcome experience before the ballroom doors open.
Ease into the day with a mimosa on arrival, enjoy a more intimate setting, and connect with other women who are leading, building, and expanding at a similar level. This is your moment to ground, connect, and step into the energy of the day - together.
STRICTLY LIMITED VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE
The Main Event
Step into the Crown Towers Grand Ballroom, take your seat, and join a room filled with collective ambition.
Enjoy a hot plated breakfast with tea and coffee as our speakers share powerful stories exploring self-belief, leadership, and what becomes possible when women (and men!) work together as one. Expect insight, inspiration, and conversations that remind you you’re not meant to rise alone.
SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED JAN 2026
The Celebration
In the intermission and as the formal program concludes, the celebration continues.
Gather in the Crown Towers alfresco terrace to keep the conversations flowing, connect with Perth’s business community, and toast to the wins - personal and collective. With sparkling wine, laughter, and lingering moments, this is where new connections form and the spirit of Together We Rise comes fully to life.
Why Women Return Year After Year
From The Dirt Floor To The Global Stage
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
Why where you begin never limits where you can rise: How to transform adversity and setbacks into success
Marcia Colosi is a globally recognised businesswoman, keynote speaker, best-selling author, top-rated podcast host and emotional intelligence coach with over a decade of experience coaching executives and entrepreneurs. Her life and work embody the true meaning of resilience, leadership, and rising beyond circumstance. Born in Peru and spending her earliest years sleeping on a dirt floor, Marcia’s life began in survival mode. She experienced early childhood trauma that could have easily defined her future. Instead, it became the foundation for her life’s work.
Marcia’s journey and impact have been featured in the international documentary The Gift in Adversity, alongside world-renowned thought leaders including Dr John Demartini, Michael B. Beckwith, and Jack Canfield. Her story stands as powerful proof that adversity does not limit potential, it can unlock it.
Academically, Marcia’s credibility is equally compelling. She was awarded a PhD scholarship in Emotional Intelligence and went on to lecture at one of Australia’s leading universities, University of Western Australia. With nearly a decade of university study behind her, Marcia brings a rare depth of evidence-based insight into human behaviour, identity, leadership, and emotional resilience.
Today, Marcia is a sought-after speaker and the founder of a thriving coaching and consulting business supporting women globally to lead with confidence, clarity, and emotional intelligence in business and life. Her work bridges the gap between inner healing and outer success, helping women build lives and careers that are both powerful and aligned.
Marcia’s speaking style is raw, intelligent, and deeply human. She weaves lived experience with psychological insight and practical wisdom, leaving audiences not just inspired, but fundamentally changed. Her message resonates with women who know they are capable of more and are ready to release the internal barriers holding them back.
At International Women’s Day 2026, Marcia will share her journey from survival to self-leadership and explore why self-belief is the most powerful strategy a woman can develop. Her keynote brings the theme of Together We Rise to life, reminding us that while resilience begins within, women rise higher, stronger, and faster when they rise together.
Marcia Colosi is living proof that where you begin does not define where you can rise, and that when one woman rises, she makes it easier for every woman who follows.
Meet Our Panelists
Sara Sutton
"Get on my level"
Sara Sutton is the visionary founder of Perth Style Company and a true pioneer of Australia’s property styling industry. She didn’t just step into an emerging category — she built it, setting the benchmark for how homes are prepared, presented, and valued nationwide.
Through bold leadership, relentless momentum, and a refusal to play small, Sara scaled Perth Style Company into one of Australia’s most trusted styling brands. From investor backing secured via a Shark Tank–style pitch to consistent media presence and industry influence, she helped position property styling as a non-negotiable strategy for premium sales outcomes.
Never one to stay in a single lane, Sara expanded the business into furniture design, manufacturing, international procurement, and full-service interiors. Today, Perth Style Company is a vertically integrated powerhouse delivering elevated spaces that don’t just sell well — they raise the standard of how people live.
At International Women’s Day 2026, Sara’s message is clear: “Get on my level.”
Not as a flex — but as an invitation. To raise your standards, back your vision, and lead in ways that elevate everyone around you.
Because when women choose excellence, clarity, and self-responsibility — together, we rise.
Sammy Kennedy
"Opportunities don’t come to people who wait. They come to people who make moves."
Sammy Kennedy is a multi-industry entrepreneur, business strategist, co-founder of Wild West Bowling, and host of the Beauty Industry Leaders Podcast, which has surpassed 20,000 downloads across 902 cities globally in under two years.
Her path into business wasn’t linear or safe. Sammy was studying to become a Doctor of Chinese Medicine when her degree was cancelled halfway through COVID, forcing a complete pivot. Instead of starting over quietly, she backed herself, experimented relentlessly, and built the skills that now underpin her success, spanning marketing, communication, financial strategy, and scalable systems.
Raised in the world of family business, Sammy grew up seeing both sides of entrepreneurship. The wins, the pressure, and the years where not everything worked out. Financial uncertainty was a constant, and stability was never guaranteed. Those early experiences shaped her determination to understand why some businesses barely survive while others thrive.
Across 18 years and eight family-run ventures, including 2 bowling alleys, a go-kart centre, drive-in cinemas, rodeos, a music festival, racing simulators, and arcade game hire, Sammy learned business the hard way, on the floor, behind the scenes, and surviving through financial hardship. That exposure gave her a rare ability to see business holistically, from customer experience and growing a brand through to cash flow, margins, and long-term growth.
By 23, Sammy had scaled multiple businesses to multi-six and seven figures. She later built the business strategy that took Wild West Bowling from launch to $500,000 in revenue within 14 weeks, led a turnaround from $1.7 million in debt to $2.1 million generated, and won Themed Venue of the Year at the Australian Hospitality Awards of Excellence within the first 12 months of operating.
In the last 3.5 years, Sammy has worked with over 400 business owners, helping them build profitable, sustainable businesses through clear strategy, smarter systems, and industry leadership. Her work blends real-world operator experience with strategic thinking, making her a trusted advisor for founders who want more than surface-level advice.
Jessica Lowe
"You were made for more. Share your gifts, raise your standards, and surround yourself with people who help you rise."
Jessica Lowe is a Sports Nutritionist, NLP Coach and the Founder & Director of Happy Healthy Nutrition — and one of the few women in health who has successfully re-engineered a service-based business using AI without losing integrity, outcomes, or soul.
After nearly a decade of selling her time one-on-one in clinic, Jessica hit a crossroads. Burnt out, capped by hours, and fed up with the traditional nutrition model, she made a bold call: evolve or burn it down. In 2024, she went all in on innovation — creating the world’s first virtual nutrition coaching platform that combines artificial intelligence with her own proprietary nutrition IP and clinical intelligence.
The result? A scalable, personalised nutrition model that delivers fully customised reports and data-matched meal plans from a library of 1,000+ recipes Jessica personally developed — all with the depth of clinical care, delivered at scale. She then flipped her business model entirely, shifting from direct-to-consumer to B2B, partnering with gyms and corporates across Australia to support thousands of people at once.
Jessica launched the platform in beta in November 2024 with three gyms. Since then, the business has experienced consistent double-digit growth — proving that AI, when led by lived expertise, can amplify impact rather than replace it.
But this story wasn’t linear. Just months before the pivot, Jessica had hit rock bottom. The journey included firing developers, navigating legal disputes, and rebuilding with the right people around her. What kept her moving? Grit, self-belief, and backing her own intelligence — plus the power of surrounding herself with high-calibre, like-minded women.
Today, Jessica leads the expansion of her AI-powered coaching model alongside the Happy Healthy Nutrition Club, an online ecosystem supporting both individuals and professionals with education, tools, and practical nutrition made simple.
At International Women’s Day 2026, Jessica brings a powerful message:
When women trust their expertise, embrace innovation, and stop playing small — entirely new models become possible.
Together, we rise. And sometimes… we rebuild smarter.
Meet your hosts
Brooke Vulinovich
Brooke Vulinovich is an Instagram Sales Coach, business mentor, and the founder of Followers to Fortunes Academy. For almost 11 years she has helped business owners turn their online presence into sustainable income through clear strategy, genuine connection and systems that work in real life.
Brooke built her first business on Instagram in 2015 from her living room in Perth, long before online courses and content strategies were everywhere. Since then she has worked with major global brands including L’Oréal, Maserati, American Express, and Dermalogica and has supported thousands of business owners through coaching, programs, and sold-out live events.
Now living permanently on the Croatian coast, Brooke runs her business globally while raising her family and showing what is possible when success is built around life, not the other way around. She is known for her honest approach, strategic clarity, and ability to make marketing feel human, achievable and even fun again.
Brooke is the co-creator and host of the International Women’s Day event series, bringing together ambitious women, founders, leaders, and change-makers for powerful storytelling, meaningful connection and conversations that extend far beyond the stage.
Her mission is simple. To help women build businesses that create both financial freedom and a life they genuinely love.
https://www.instagram.com/brookevulinovich/
Ashley Matkovic
Ashley Matković is the founder of Fusion Australia, a nationally recognised premium business networking community, known for creating high-calibre spaces where meaningful connection, leadership, and collaboration thrive.
Established in 2016, Fusion has hosted 250+ curated events and is now entering its 8th year of International Women’s Day celebrations, cementing its place as one of Perth’s most anticipated annual events for women in business. Ashley is widely respected for her ability to bring together ambitious founders, executives, and industry leaders into rooms where conversations go deeper, confidence grows, and real opportunities are created.
With a background spanning business, marketing, and community-led growth, Ashley has worked alongside premium brands, trusted partners, and thousands of women across Australia. Her events are recognised for their elevated experience, thoughtful curation, and lasting impact - long after the day itself ends.
As a mother of two daughters, Ashley’s commitment to women’s empowerment is deeply personal. She is passionate about building a future where women feel supported to back themselves, lead boldly, and rise together — in business and in life.
Ashley is the co-creator and host of the International Women’s Day event series, where her vision of collaboration over competition and collective success comes to life through powerful storytelling, meaningful connection, and community-driven change.
https://www.instagram.com/ashmatkovic/
Our 2026 Charity Partner: Worthy Australia
We are proud to support Worthy Australia, a Perth-based not-for-profit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness caused by domestic violence.
Founded by nurse Jennifer, and recognised as Volunteering WA’s 2024 Community Organisation of the Year, Worthy Australia provides life-changing crisis support to women and children escaping domestic violence.
Through their Safe Haven Program, volunteers transform empty houses into fully furnished homes — giving families the safety, dignity, and stability needed to leave refuge and begin again. Beyond the tangible, each Safe Haven offers something just as powerful: kindness, compassion, and hope.
No woman or child should ever have to choose between poverty and violence. Together, we can help create safer futures for women and families across Western Australia.
Choose Your Experience
VIP Ticket - SOLD OUT
$327 + GST
For women who want nothing but the best.
VIP guests enjoy priority access, premium seating, exclusive experiences, and elevated touches throughout the day.
An exclusive VIP welcome experience before the main event begins (1 hour, from 9am)
A perfectly chilled mimosa waiting for you on arrival
Prime seating in the ballroom, so you’re perfectly positioned for the experience
Insightful speakers and storytellers exploring the theme Together We Rise — from the power of self-belief to the impact of collaboration, leadership, and collective growth
A curated VIP gift, created just for our VIP guests
A beautifully presented hot plated breakfast, with tea and coffee served to your table
Access to the official after-party on the alfresco terrace, featuring free-flowing sparkling wine and elevated networking opportunities
The chance to contribute to our charity raffle, contributing to meaningful impact beyond the room
General Admission Ticket - 80% sold out
$247 + GST
Perfect if you want to soak up the energy, stories, and inspiration — and be part of the collective rise.
Four immersive hours designed to expand, energise, and inspire (10am–2pm)
Insightful speakers and storytellers exploring the theme Together We Rise — from the power of self-belief to the impact of collaboration, leadership, and collective growth
A beautifully presented hot plated breakfast, with tea and coffee served to your table
An elevated after-party experience, complete with sparkling wine and lingering conversations
The chance to support our charity partner through our raffle, contributing to meaningful impact beyond the room
Tables / Half Tables
VIP Table of 10: $2,770 + GST - SOLD OUT
VIP Half Table: $1,485 + GST - SOLD OUT
GA Table of 10: $1,970 + GST
GA Half Table: $1,085 + GST
Bring your team, clients, or inner circle and experience the day together — because rising together starts with who you bring with you.
Save $50pp (Table of 10) or $30pp (Half table)
A dedicated table reserved exclusively for your group
All event inclusions tailored to your chosen table experience
Designed for teams, business partners, and women who choose to rise together
Visit @internationalwomensdayevent on Instagram to see highlights from previous years.
Together, we rise - and the future is built in rooms like this.
