Kamala Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States, is set to make an exclusive in-person appearance in Australia next month at the upcoming Women UNLIMITED summit.
Harris, the first woman, Black American and South Asian American to be elected Vice President of the US, will appear in a fireside chat with Australian journalist Leigh Sales AM in Canberra and Sydney, streamed across all other locations.
The Women UNLIMITED Summit, produced by The Hatchery, will take place across Australia from 18th to 20th February, 2026. It is Australia’s biggest women’s leadership summit, running across six cities in partnership with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.
It’s an incredible opportunity for leaders across sectors like government, NFP, education and corporate to hear from several high-calibre women leaders, alongside Vice President Harris.
Head of Production at The Hatchery, Ellen Foxall says participants will hear “real stories” from women leaders, can join practical sessions and walk away with strategies they can actually use.
“We’re tackling the taboo stuff too: mental health, burnout, menopause, shared leadership at home and work, and intersectional inclusion, because leadership isn’t just about success, it’s about being seen, supported, and empowered,” Foxall tells Women’s Agenda.
“And it’s such a great space to connect and network. Women and male allies often say that just being in the room with others facing similar challenges is energising and eye-opening.”
Redefining possibilities with Former Vice President Kamala Harris
The theme of this year’s summit is “redefining possibilities”, calling on us to ask: What if leadership didn’t have to look like what it always has?
As Foxall explains, it’s about breaking barriers and redefining limits, just as Vice President Kamala Harris (and many other women leaders) have done.
“Vice President Kamala Harris really embodies what we mean by redefining possibilities,” Foxall says.
“Her journey, from District Attorney to Vice President of the United States, shows what it looks like to lead with courage, vision, and purpose while breaking barriers. As a woman of colour, her story also reflects the challenges of navigating bias, expectations, and the pressure to succeed. It’s a real example to follow.”
Vice President Harris’ conversation with Leigh Sales is a rare chance to hear from someone who’s reached the top and stayed true to her values.
“Beyond the achievements, she shares practical stories and insights about what it really takes to lead boldly, fight for what matters, and bring people together to make change happen” Foxall says.
“Being in the room will be energising – it’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about titles or positions, it’s about lifting others as you go and challenging limits.”
A women’s leadership summit for the times
Women leaders today face a mix of enduring and evolving challenges, including structural and cultural barriers that make it harder to access leadership opportunities. This is especially true for women of colour and those from underrepresented groups.
“Juggling work, care, and wellbeing continues to be a real challenge,’ Foxall says.
“Women also tell us that gender equity isn’t something they can achieve alone: male allies in the workplace and shared responsibility at home are essential.”
More than anything, women want more than inspiration. And that’s why Women UNLIMITED is so critical. The summit provides women with the chance to learn practical strategies, confidence and clarity to lead.
“The summit invites participants to rethink what leadership can look like: to lead on their own terms, challenge assumptions, make space for others, and drive a more inclusive kind of leadership that actually moves progress forward,” Foxall says.
“It’s about giving yourself permission to break old patterns, try new approaches, and set new standards, not just for themselves, but for the teams and organisations they influence.”
Find all the details of the Women UNLIMITED Leadership Summit here.