UN Women Australia’s International Women’s Day theme for 2026 is “Balance the Scales”, and aims to highlight the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
OurMac Robertson Girls' High School's special guest speaker for 2026 is Jenn ten Seldam, an inspirational and transformational leader who has built an executive career in both APAC and global executive roles. Mac.Rob graduates know how to work hard. But in the real world, success is not determined by output alone. Jenn challenged the myth of meritocracy and explored how applying marketing thinking to your professional interactions can vastly enhance your influence and catapult careers. Jenn is a former Mac.Robbian (1992-1995), and a 2024 inductee to the Mac.Rob Portrait Gallery.
Our Q&A guest panellists include:
- Jenn ten Seldam | IWD Guest Speaker
- Lauren Solly | Human Resources Manager / Palladians President
- Michelle Vuong | Finance Director / Mac.Rob Foundation Treasurer
- Outcomes, achievements and values need to align
- Confidence
- Participation
- Advocate for self and others both behind closed doors and openly
- Don’t differentiate
- Imposter syndrome driven by your own perception about what others know. They know different as you know different.
- Stop focussing on the negative
- When you consciously know that you have to work on then do it
- Research then apply
- Reframe your thinking It’s okay to ask questions Sometimes answering a question with a question leads to context
- Always tell a compelling story from the interview to the boardroom
- Support other women
- Coach others rather than use for a springboard
- Constructive challenge and generous feedback.
- It’s not just about cheerleading or giving a free pass
- Remember the power of assertive words
- Always maintain the sense of being a learner
