Frontline healthcare leaders, researchers, industry partners and senior women from across the health and business sectors have come together to explore how investment in women's leadership can help build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system.
Hosted by Southern Cross University Chancellor Sandra McPhee AM and Bonnie Boezeman AO, the Women in Healthcare Leadership Luncheon in Sydney brought together past and present recipients of the Bonnie Boezeman AO Leadership in Nursing Scholarship , representatives from Chief Executive Women, and senior leaders working across clinical practice, aged care, mental health, health governance, research, policy and community care.
At the heart of the discussion was a shared belief: a stronger health system starts with investing in the people who lead it.
The luncheon recognised the sustained impact of the Bonnie Boezeman AO Leadership in Nursing Scholarship, delivered in partnership with Southern Cross University and Chief Executive Women.
Southern Cross University Chancellor Sandra McPhee AM said the gathering reflected both the strength of Bonnie Boezeman's immense contribution and the importance of continuing to support women to step into leadership with confidence.
"Bonnie's generosity and vision have created opportunities that continue to reach far beyond any single scholarship recipient," she said.
"When a leader is supported, that impact does not stop with one person. It extends into teams, workplaces, patients, families and communities.
"Healthcare is shaped by incredible people at the frontline who see what needs to change and have the courage and support to step forward."
The event highlighted the achievements of scholarship recipients, including Amanda Christie, Danielle Coates, Sophie Daniel, Kylie Hasse, Lisa Vile, Le Truong, Nikki Harrison and 2026 recipient Amanda Butt , founder of NPathy Nursing .
Ms Butt, an endorsed Nurse Practitioner, Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and Certified Health Informatician, founded NPathy Nursing to provide a virtual, nurse-led mental health model focused on improving access to care.
Bonnie Boezeman AO said Amanda's work was a strong example of the leadership healthcare needs for the future, and seeing scholarship recipients progress into leadership roles across healthcare was a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when women are backed at the right moment.
"Amanda brings together clinical expertise, digital innovation and a deep understanding of patient need," she said.
"Her work is practical, contemporary and focused on improving access to care. It is exactly the kind of leadership the future of healthcare needs – leaders who understand the system, but are also prepared to imagine new and better ways of serving communities.
"But the need is far greater than awarding 1 nurse a year. With the projection of Australia having a national shortage of nurses of 124,000 by 2030, it is imperative we escalate the support for more scholarships."
The luncheon, held at J.P. Morgan in Sydney commenced with a welcome address from Nadia Schiavon, Managing Director, Head of Securities Services, Australia & NZ and member of Chief Executive Women.
Chief Executive Women have supported the Leadership in Nursing Scholarship alongside Bonnie Boezeman for the past eight years, providing opportunities for mentorship and networking to help build leadership capability.
Southern Cross University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Julie Jomeen said it was a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration between universities, healthcare leaders, philanthropy and industry partners.
"At Southern Cross, we are deeply connected to the communities we serve, and in healthcare that connection is especially important," she said.
"It means preparing graduates and supporting leaders who understand not only the technical demands of care, but the people, families and communities at the centre of it."
The event also introduced the Women in Healthcare Leadership Fund which aims to create more opportunities in supporting women pursuing diverse leadership pathways across healthcare, including clinical care, research, policy and community engagement.
Ms Jomeen said the Fund was an opportunity to expand a proven model of leadership development.
"The Women in Healthcare Leadership Fund gives us an opportunity to build on Bonnie's legacy and extend this support to more women pursuing leadership across healthcare," she said.
"The intent is simple: to create more opportunities for women with the capability, commitment and courage to lead."
