Women Leaders by the Circle

Ledership Reimagined

Women Leaders by the Circle

Women Leaders by the Circle (WLbtC) is a movement. A living, breathing community built on connection, courage, and purpose. We bring together women from across industries, generations, and geographies to grow, to lead, and to reimagine what’s possible as intentional, engaged leaders. At the heart of everything we do is proximity — to real issues, to changemakers, and most importantly, to each other. Through immersive study tours and intimate leadership circles, women come face-to-face with the world as it truly is — raw, complex, inspiring — and are invited to lead with empathy, insight, and action.

Immersive. Insightful. Transformational.

Our Study Tours

The Women Leaders Study Tours are our signature experiences. They are deep, unfiltered journeys into places of profound relevance — from remote First Nations communities to global innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, India, Israel, and Japan. In Australia, we connect with Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs, community builders, and policy shapers. Internationally, we open doors to social enterprise networks, cybersecurity corridors, and bold experiments in leadership. No two tours are ever the same — each one shaped by context, curiosity, and the energy of the women who travel together.

Where the Magic Happens

The Cohort Experience

What makes WLbtC truly unique is the calibre and connection of our cohorts. Each group is a rich mix of experience, ambition, and heart. Women arrive as strangers and leave as a sisterhood bonded by shared discovery, bold conversations, and the courage to show up fully. These connections often evolve into professional collaborations, life-long friendships, and an enduring circle of support. We welcome women at every stage of their journey, from established executives to those in career transition — creating a safe, ego-free space for growth and reinvention.

Inspiring Leadership

Led by Trailblazers

Our Study Tours are guided by extraordinary women who lead with authenticity and generosity who walk beside the cohort, sharing insights, listening deeply, and holding space for others to rise. We are proud to have been led by some of the most respected and inspiring women across AU & NZ, including Christine Holgate, Debra Hazelton, Elizabeth Broderick AO, Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, Ann Sherry AO, Sam Mostyn AC, Naomi Simpson, Antonia Watson, and Pip Marlow — each of whom has brought their whole selves to the journey and left a lasting legacy of presence, courage, and transformational leadership.

The AU/NZ India Rising:
Women Leaders Executive Leadership Study Tour to India

Exploring AI, innovation, and leadership in a Global Powerhouse

23 October – 3 November 2025 (inclusive)
(arrival to Delhi on 22 October – departing Delhi 3 November)

Jointly led by Sangeeta Venkatesan, Chair of RSL LifeCare, and Non-Executive Director at Mercer Investments Australia, and held under the patronage of Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu AM, former Australian High Commissioner to India and New Zealand, this landmark study tour brings together senior women leaders from New Zealand and Australia for a high-impact leadership journey through one of the world’s most compelling markets.

India is undergoing a remarkable transformation. On track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, it is a global hub for AI, technology, sustainability, and social innovation. For New Zealand and Australia, India represents not just a trade partner, but a long-term strategic ally in shaping the region’s future.

Over 12 days, delegates will visit Delhi, Amritsar, Bangalore, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Agra—meeting with influential leaders, exploring India’s top AI and innovation hubs, and engaging with global organisations. The programme also includes visits to leading academic institutions, fintech pioneers, social enterprises, and grassroots impact organisations.

Cultural immersion will be a powerful dimension of the experience—from spiritual connection at the Golden Temple, to a private sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, and deep engagement with India’s artistic, culinary, and social fabric. The tour includes space for leadership reflection, peer-to-peer learning, and curated dialogue on AI, inclusion, global collaboration, and purposeful leadership.