Canberra Women You Should Know
Leaders & Mentors
These are some of the Canberra women who help shape rooms and build ecosystems where other women can rise.
They run radio shows, convene networks, host events, chair boards and committees, and mentor emerging leaders. They remind us that leadership isn’t about hierarchy, but about contribution and the willingness to share opportunity.
This International Women’s Day, their work deserves recognition not because they seek the spotlight, but because they are using it to widen the circle.
Patricia Falcetta
Patricia is the founder of Social Living Solutions. She is deeply passionate about advocating for neurodivergent individuals and promoting inclusive leadership in workplaces, schools, and communities. Over the past decade, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that neurodivergent people - children, teens, and adults - are respected, valued, and supported in every aspect of life.
Patricia says:
“I am a neurodivergent woman of colour. This work is deeply personal to me, driven by my own experiences as a mother and as someone with ADHD and complex PTSD.”
“I believe that true inclusion goes beyond raising awareness - it’s about equipping teams with practical strategies that create psychologically safe and supportive environments for everyone.”
“If only one in four neurodivergent employees feel truly included at work, this is not an employee problem. It is a leadership problem.”
Kath Hall
Dr Kath Hall is a governance expert and advocate for young women’s leadership. She combines her expertise in law, psychology and systems change to reimagine how power is shared in organisations and society.
Kath is currently the ACT lead for Women on Boards and also serves as a non-Executive Director of the Women’s Justice Network.
She recently finished running a pilot program called “Just Governance” for 18 young and gender diverse people to help them set up their own organisations, apply for boards, or increase their impact in the boards they are on.
On International Women’s Day, Kath says:
“I wish it was "Every Women's Day". It's not about international organisations, grand statements or symbolic gestures - it is about solidarity - women helping and supporting other women. That's where our resilience, impact and humility lies.”
Jane Brownbill
Jane Brownbill is the President of the 2026 Committee for Canberra Women in Business.
She also runs ‘See Yourself’, an NDIS-friendly social enterprise where she shares her 30+ years of expertise to help young adults and smaller organisers find their success.
Jane proudly aligns her work to the needs of neurdiverse entrepreneurs and businesses, and also runs ‘Next Gen Leaders’, which provides coaching and support for young leaders in Canberra, and hosts regular events. She is about to launch a NextGen neuro network – a peer-support network for neurodiverse youth to find their tribe.
Jane says:
“You belong in the room!”
Lisa LaMaitre
Lisa LaMaitre hosts her own radio show – “Capital Women” – where she interviews successful and emerging businesswomen from across the Canberra region. The conversations highlight the ‘behind the scenes’ challenges, insights, wisdom, and determination needed to remain relevant in today’s business world.
To date, Lisa has interviewed 36 local business women. The show airs weekly on 2XX.
It is part of an initiative she launched back in 2015 called “Canberra Wise Women”.
Lisa says:
“Community, collaboration and connection are the keys to being a changemaker.”
Trish Gorman
Trish Gorman is the co-founder of ‘The Female Leader’ which creates spaces where women can learn, connect and be visible. She runs events, programs and initiatives that encourage women to back themselves — whether that’s stepping into leadership, improving their health, or simply being brave enough to try something new.
‘The Female Leader’ also partners to host ‘Revel the Runway’, which showcases size-inclusive fashion and challenges the way we view fashion, beauty and representation.
Trish says:
“I do this work because I didn’t always see women like me represented growing up. I want the next generation to grow up surrounded by strong, visible, diverse role models so they never question whether they belong.”
“Progress isn’t always loud or visible. Sometimes the most meaningful impact happens quietly, in conversations, in small shifts in confidence, or in one woman deciding to back herself.”
“If there’s one message I’d like people to take away this International Women’s Day, it’s that giving is one of the most powerful ways we create change. When we give our time, our knowledge, our support or our voice, we don’t lose anything we multiply opportunity for others.”
Mariana Marcano Franco
Mariana Marcano Franco is passionate about helping women find their voice in rooms where decisions are made. In her work, she focuses on the human side of transformation when it comes to leadership and organisational change.
Mariana says:
“What I’d love people to know is this: leadership is not about hierarchy, it’s about courage, character, intention and contribution.”
“The room changes when you do. When one woman steps forward, she changes her life. When many women step forward, we change systems.”
Danielle Cleary
Danielle Cleary runs her own events company and also manages events for the Canberra Women in Business (CWB) Committee. This includes planning for the CWB Gala, which celebrates the achievements and leadership of women across Canberra.
Danielle is currently working alongside Council on the Ageing (COTA ACT) on Upstageing - a March Festival of Creative Ageing that celebrates the talent, creativity and stories of older Canberrans.
She is also leading the second year of Women Building Change, a Vinnies CEO Sleepout fundraising campaign she co-founded.
Danielle says:
“Your contribution matters, even when it isn’t applauded, posted or publicly recognised. Keep showing up, keep backing yourself, and keep lifting others as you go.”
“Events can be so much more than moments, they can be platforms for inclusion, visibility, mentorship and real change.”
Adele Haussman
Adele Haussman is the founder of Her Smile, where she helps move women from feeling invisible to being unforgettable. Adele supports women in high-pressure corporate jobs to those living in intensive caregiving roles.
Adele says:
“When a woman stops shrinking and starts leading her life with grounded assurance, she doesn’t just enter a room, she changes the energy within it.”