The South Australia Business Chamber has partnered with the Australia Day Council of South Australia to bring you this year’s United Nation’s theme ‘March Forward’ to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025.
Get tickets here.
MEET OUR AUSTRALIA DAY COUNCIL PANEL SPEAKERS
Professor Leah Bromfield – 2025 South Australian of the Year
Professor Leah Bromfield has devoted her life to establishing practical, evidence-based solutions to child abuse and neglect – important but challenging work.
Currently the director and chair of child protection at the Australian Centre for Child Protection, Leah developed the first evidence-based analysis of child protection practice frameworks. She informed improvements including the development of a new framework in South Australia and was on the team which advocated for – and got – the first National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children in 2007.
Over two decades, 46-year-old Leah has risen to become one of the most trusted researchers in the field. Her calls for transformation and radical redesign have led to world-first insights and contributed to significant changes in our understanding of, and responses to, child abuse and neglect.
She’s leading the development of a new child protection vision for South Australia, exploring unconventional approaches and interrogating assumptions to break the cycle of abuse.
Amber Brock-Fabel – 2025 Young South Australian of the Year
In a world where young people often have laws made for and about them, 20-year-old Amber Brock-Fabel is ensuring youth voices are heard.
Amber founded the South Australian Youth Forum in 2021 at just 17 years old. It empowers those aged 14 to 18 to discuss critical issues such as climate change, period poverty, gender equality and youth loneliness. The insights gathered – including surveys and models of engagement – are then presented to lawmakers and relevant organisations.
Under Amber’s leadership, the Forum has secured partnerships and collaborations with various organisations, gaining both national and international recognition, and was recently represented at the United Nations Summit of the Future, the National Inquiry into Civics Education and the Australian Conference on Youth Health.
The youth-led initiative won the Connecting Communities Award at the Young Achiever of the Year Gala in 2024, while Amber herself received the Governor of South Australia’s Commendation for Excellence.
Sobia Hashmi – 2025 South Australian Local Hero
Over 20 years, Sobia Hashmi and husband Irfan have transformed healthcare in remote and rural communities in South Australia. They’ve established six pharmacies in areas where there were previously none – which forced people to travel long distances for basic medications and care.
Sobia (48) and Irfan (51) are committed to serving their diverse communities, and to this end employ staff who collectively speak 21 languages, allowing them to reach vulnerable populations and provide culturally sensitive healthcare.
They have mentored countless intern pharmacists from overseas, coordinating multilingual education and outreach initiatives to help pharmacists enter the much-needed workforce in regional Australia. Their free weekly webinar series has assisted 4,000 overseas pharmacists in passing their exams in the last 12 months alone.
Their pharmacy group has won various awards and recognition for its commitment to improving health literacy and access to healthcare services, including an SA Multicultural Governor’s Award in in 2022.
MEET OUR BUSINESS PANEL SPEAKERS
Carla Kruger – Director People & Culture, Mitsubishi
With over two decades in Human Resources across Financial Services and Management Consulting, Carla’s had the privilege of shaping cultures, championing change, and helping people unlock their full potential. Her career has taken her across Africa, Europe, and now Australia, working with global consulting firms and leading financial institutions. Today, she’s bringing that experience to the dynamic world of the automotive industry, where she’s driving transformation, innovation, and a people-first culture.
Beyond the boardrooms and business strategies, what truly drives her is people — their stories, their resilience, and the magic that happens when we create workplaces where everyone can thrive. She believes that meaningful conversations and human connection are the foundation of success, reminding us of the power we each hold in shaping the future.
Laura Schonfeldt – Chief People Officer, RAA
Laura joined RAA as Chief People Officer in October 2023.
Prior to RAA, Laura was the Executive Director, People and Culture, with the Department of Education, where she was on the Senior Executive Group accountable for the people strategy and the P&C function which enabled a workforce of more than 30,000 people.
Previously, Laura worked in senior people roles in national agribusiness and financial services including Elders, and QBE in both Sydney and Adelaide.
As a values driven leader, Laura has been involved in significant organisational transformation in diverse sectors and has led uplift in P&C functions to align with strategic objectives.
Laura holds an MBA from the University of South Australia, where she is now part of their Executive Partners mentoring program.
Verity Gobbett – CEO, Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation
Verity commenced her role of CEO of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation in January 2025, bringing with her leadership that is focused on building a legacy of care that continues to make a tangible difference.
With an honours degree in Education and a Master of Business Administration, she blends strategic insight with a hands-on style to drive meaningful outcomes.
Her career spans the health, child development, education, and not-for-profit sectors, where she’s built a reputation as a transformational leader who champions innovation, strengthen teams, and fosters partnerships that amplify social impact. Passionate about creating healthier futures for women, children and families, Verity leads with empathy, determination, and a deep sense of purpose.
Verity has faced the challenges of being a woman in leadership, navigating biases and obstacles with resilience and grace. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for gender equality, championing initiatives that promote inclusion and create opportunities for women to rise at every level and uses her platform to empower and drive progress. Verity’s leadership is a testament to the power of authenticity and vision, inspiring other women to break barriers and move forward together.
Want to hear from the speakers?
Expect to smile, laugh, and be inspired by an amazing line-up of influential businesswomen discussing their careers and the unique set of challenges they have faced to get where they are today.
This is the most in-demand event on the South Australia Business Chamber calendar and will sell out fast.
Secure your tickets here.
