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When you bring together a room full of driven, powerful and supportive women, real‑life magic is made
Four months, seven cities, twenty-two powerhouse panellists and hundreds of female founders ready to talk all things business.
That would be my elevator pitch for the 2025 Female Founder Festivals.
I’m Sophie, the MC for this year’s season, and it was my privilege to sit front row to some of the most honest, thought‑provoking and inspiring discussions. Taking those thoughts we all have in our mind when it comes to business, entrepreneurship, success, money (all those ‘is it just me moments’), and really learning that the phrase ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ has actual truth to it.
Over the past decade, the number of women‑led companies filing for an IPO (initial public offering) has surged by 600% acting as a powerful reminder that when women are given opportunities and support, they both rise and redefine. Each city we visited this season reinforced just how vital it is to keep creating spaces where women in business can thrive.
Brisbane
Sally Branson, Tionne Young and Dr. Anna Harrison opened the festival season with insights that truly resonated. They reminded us that crisis planning starts well before a crisis ever hits and that sometimes, it’s the uncertainty of not knowing what to expect that gives us the courage to leap. Dr. Anna, famously known as the “love doctor,” is living proof that success often comes from boldly finding and owning your niche.
Sydney
We welcomed the wonderful Catherine Mary Said, a finalist from last year’s Kickstarter Challenge, alongside Caitlin Judd, who opened up about ‘the good girl theory’ (look it up – I’m confident you’ll relate!). Vinisha Rathod shared how she turned adversity into power, while Dr Nici Sweaney spoke about the sheer magic of AI when it’s designed for women.
Newcastle
Adrienne Donnelly, Louise Burr and Karen Iles had one of the rawest conversations of the season. They discussed the constant need to prove ourselves as women, the responsibility that comes with having a platform and the power of leaning into personal strengths to build a business that’s truly your own.
Hobart
Emma Petterwood, Connie Buckingham and Ella Mackay reminded us that there’s never a perfect moment to move into entrepreneurship. Emma spoke candidly about the logistical realities that shape a business, Ella, a relatively new business owner, shared the importance of carving your own path even when it looks different from the norm, and Connie explored an angle we don’t often hear about: planning for your business exit.
Perth
Dr Genevieve Hohnen delivered a masterclass on paving the way for blending tech and fashion, Dr Nipanjana Patra spoke about balancing motherhood with boundaries, and Kate Harris shared what it truly means to be the living, breathing embodiment of your brand.
Adelaide
Megan Hayward, Amy Springhall and Catherine McDougall brought a wealth of expertise – from menopause to personal branding and how to stand out in a crowded market. Personally, this conversation reminded me (and hopefully others in the room) that visibility and authenticity go hand in hand. Honestly, this was one of those conversations that could have gone on all night.
Melbourne
Jane Marx, Kathy Lam and Rosie Dumbrell closed out the Festival season with a powerful discussion on creating businesses that are impactful, female‑focused and community‑driven. They proved that doing good for ourselves and for others can absolutely go hand in hand.
Looking back on the season, it’s clear to me that there’s no single definition of a female founder. Every panellist shared a completely different story, every audience member had a different ‘why’ for turning up, yet across all of the events, the themes of courage, authenticity and similarity shone through.
As predictable as the laugh I got each time I threatened to holler in my Scottish accent when bringing everyone back together after networking, I always ended the evening with the same parting message. It felt true every single time.
“When you bring together a room full of driven, powerful and supportive women, real‑life magic is made.”
And each chat and connection at the end of the evening made me even more certain of it.
Thank you to each person who arrived ready to contribute and collaborate. Here’s to more rooms like these, more conversations that matter, and more moments of magic.
Sophie Coyle
Sophie Coyle is a dynamic event host and communicator, passionate about empowering women and young entrepreneurs. With a background in marketing, community engagement and storytelling, Sophie thrives on connecting with audiences and creating moments that matter.
