A Brunch to Break the Bias

International Women’s Day is about celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against gender bias, and taking action towards gender equality.

Leadership is key to creating a workplace culture that is inclusive, and enables equal opportunity for both men and women.

Kate Adkins is very excited to be a part of the SBWN IWD event to facilitate the panel session. Hear from some local and inspiring leaders, including Kerryn Ellis, Chris Trotman and Kylie Holmes in a couch panel discussion, while enjoying a tasty brunch, and enjoying some spoils and giveaways!

We invite both men and women to attend.

More about our speakers:

Kerryn Ellis 

Kerryn Ellis is a passionate public sector leader with twenty five years’ experience, who is energised by working with communities in a context of rapid change. Kerryn’s main professional love is building high performing, ethical and agile organisations with positive, values based leadership that can work in partnership to deliver great outcomes with the community.

Kerryn’s current role is Chief Executive Officer of South Gippsland Shire Council. Prior to this position, Kerryn held the positions of Director Corporate Services at Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, Director Corporate Performance with the City of Greater Bendigo, and Manager Governance and Innovation at Knox City Council. She has also previously worked for the City of Melbourne and Bayside City Council. Kerryn holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Public Policy and Management, and completed the LGPro Emerging Leaders Program in 2005, and the Executive Leadership Program in 2016. Kerryn is a current board member of LGPro.

Chris Trotman

Mrs Chris Trotman is a professional Board Director, after a career as CEO of hospitals, aged care services and disability services.  Chris is currently Chairperson of the Board of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Deputy Chair of Mine Lands Rehabilitation Authority and Board Director of TAFE Gippsland and Parks Victoria.

Chris lives on a beef farm in South Gippsland with her husband and is a proud grandmother and community volunteer.

Kylie Holmes

Kylie is the Executive Officer of RFCS Gippsland and has held that position since September 2016. RFCS Gippsland is a not for profit government funded organisation assisting primary producers and small rural businesses with planning and support services to improve their financial future.  Kylie’s background is in the banking and finance industry as well as various Government Business Enterprises (GBEs). Kylie has held senior management roles in finance, IT, regulation, compliance and business support services.

Kylie was recently appointed as the Treasurer of Food & Fibre Gippsland, and is a member of Financial Counselling Victoria. Kylie’s passion is assisting businesses to become more resilient and prepared to tackle the multiple challenges faced by business owners. “Connecting with and strengthening the communities that I live and work in using my skills and background is what drives me. While the last 2 years have been difficult for all businesses and individuals alike, the organisations that I work closely with have been able to deliver key projects to improve the broader Gippsland communities and provided growth and development opportunities for these communities.”

Kate Adkins - facilitator

For over 10 years Kate owned and operated Events by Kate a leading events management company specialising in the Creative Direction and Management of Corporate Events, Weddings and bespoke event solutions. EBK ran hundreds of successful events across metropolitan and regional Victoria including Inverloch Sounds of Summer. Kate also initiated and successfully executed local event, Business Boobs and Bubbles.

This event encapsulated her personal ethos and passion for bolstering women in our common pursuit for a sustainable and nurturing lifestyle. In 2020, Kate decided to bring her 5-year plan forward (thanks to COVID) and successfully completed her Certificate in Celebrancy. Kate is thoroughly enjoying her new full-time role as a celebrant and the diversity and fulfilment it brings.

Alex Scott & Staff and South Gippsland Shire Council