We are thrilled to offer a glimpse into the themes Dr Susan Neuhaus AM FAICD will explore in greater depth at the 2026 International Women’s Day Business Luncheon, to be held on Friday, 6 March at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
In my career — as a surgeon, soldier, and now in the boardroom — I’ve seen how structural barriers persist, often invisibly, across vastly different environments. To me, Balance the Scales, is about recognising what progress has been made, value, gratitude for those opportunities, and ensuring it is talent and capability, not historical privilege, that determines who gets opportunities now, and in the future.
Two values stand out for me: service and integrity. Service — whether in uniform or the broader community — is about showing up and doing your best with the responsibility you’ve been given, particularly when decisions are difficult and outcomes imperfect. To me, integrity is about consistency between values and actions. It means leading with humility and accountability, understanding that the same approach doesn’t work everywhere, and being willing to adapt how you communicate and create change without compromising what you stand for.
I’d invite you to come with curiosity about what barriers look like across different contexts — not just in your own industry or role, but more broadly. Whose stories are heard most often in your organisation? Who created the opportunities you’ve walked through? And critically, are you actively holding doors open for others? That, to me, is how we truly Balance the Scales — not just by celebrating how far we’ve come, but by ensuring we build on those opportunities for the next generations.
*SA Business Chamber Members can use their unique member code at checkout to access discounted pricing.
