Shirley Chowdhary is a compelling voice on leadership, belonging and change in a fractured world. Her career has traversed continents and sectors—from boardrooms in Tokyo and a Wall Street law firm to Indigenous communities in Australia—giving her a unique vantage point on power, trust and transformation. A gifted communicator and thoughtful provocateur, she helps audiences understand how to lead through disruption, amplify marginalised voices and build organisations where integrity and performance co-exist. Shirley brings gravitas without jargon, and an unwavering commitment to helping individuals and institutions create lasting impact.
Current Work
Shirley is Chair of Women for Election and serves as an external member of the People & Culture Committee of the Senate of the University of Sydney. She sits on the Advisory Boards of Mentor Walks, a global initiative supporting women’s leadership through mentoring, and Propel Group, a strategic firm helping boards and executives ‘get social media right’ in moments that matter.
Her current board focus lies at the intersection of governance and innovation. She is conducting research into the use of generative AI in boardrooms and decision-making environments, exploring how boards can integrate human and artificial intelligence to enhance strategy, productivity and accountability.
Shirley’s expertise includes:
Shirley speaks from lived experience in senior leadership roles across legal, financial, government and not-for-profit sectors. Her expertise includes:
• Leading through disruption across global and cross-cultural environments (US, Japan, Australia, Asia and working across the US, Canada, Africa and Europe)
• Reframing diversity, equity and inclusion to focus on trust, accountability and institutional relevance
• Driving Indigenous engagement and community-led social impact alongside shareholder value
• Embedding contemporary governance in listed, private and for-purpose organisations
• Ethics, AI and the future of decision-making on boards
• Navigating identity, career breaks and the hidden cost of professional reinvention
Previous Experience
Shirley began her career in New York with one of the big Wall Street firms, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, advising global institutions on M&A, project finance and capital markets. She later served as Regional Counsel for JP Morgan Investment Management out of Tokyo and as Counsel at Westpac in Sydney.
In 2016, Shirley became the inaugural CEO of the GO Foundation, an Indigenous education organisation founded by AFL greats Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. Under her leadership, the organisation scaled rapidly, building a collaborative funding and service model that aligned government, philanthropy, corporates and community.
She has served as Chair of the Australian Institute of Architects, Deputy Chair of YMCA NSW, and as a non-executive director of Northrop Consulting Engineers and Australian Associated Press. She has hosted two seasons of The Leadership Lessons podcast for Women’s Agenda and authored a biography of a WWII prisoner of war.
Recognition
• Honorary Doctor of Letters, University of Sydney (2024)
• AFR 100 Women of Influence (2019)
Talking Points
AI for Boards: Smarter Decisions, Stronger Oversight
AI is reshaping boardroom dynamics. Shirley explores how boards can use AI as a cognitive partner to strengthen decision-making, rethink business models, and improve governance processes. Drawing on her current research and board experience, she shares practical applications including bias detection, ESG impact analysis, and director performance evaluation. This keynote is ideal for boards navigating digital transformation and regulatory complexity.AI for Boards: Smarter Decisions, Stronger Oversight
Key Takeaways:
· Build AI literacy to meet evolving governance and compliance standards
· Use AI to support strategic oversight, risk analysis, and board performance
· Understand ESG implications including compute, energy, and data sovereignty
· Balance human judgement with algorithmic insight in boardroom decisions
Gender Equity in Flux: Leading Through Resistance
Progress on gender equity is facing new challenges. Shirley presents a pragmatic approach to leading through backlash, discomfort, and fatigue. She reframes equity as a strategic lever for innovation, resilience, and reputation. With experience in gender lens investing and cultural transformation, she equips leaders to stay engaged and drive meaningful change.Gender Equity in Flux: Leading Through Resistance
Key Takeaways:
· Recognise and respond constructively to equity resistance
· Link gender equity to innovation, performance, and risk management
· Apply intersectional thinking to leadership and governance
· Avoid stagnation and reputational risk by maintaining momentum
Inclusive Culture as Strategy: Rebuilding Trust and Performance
Trust is a strategic asset. Shirley offers a governance-led approach to inclusion that rebuilds trust across teams, stakeholders, and communities. She shows how inclusive thinking improves product design, customer engagement, and organisational resilience. This keynote is designed for boards, executives, and HR leaders aligning culture with commercial outcomes.Inclusive Culture as Strategy: Rebuilding Trust and Performance
Key Takeaways:
· Position inclusion as a strategic advantage, not a compliance issue
· Embed inclusive practices into governance, operations, and leadership
· Address resistance thoughtfully to strengthen engagement and trust
· Align DEI with innovation, brand reputation, and stakeholder expectations
Leadership in Uncertainty: Governing Through Disruption
Boards and executives are under pressure to lead through complexity. Shirley equips leaders with tools to govern in volatile environments, drawing on her experience in law, finance, Indigenous leadership, and regulatory response. She shares insights from ransomware incidents, Royal Commissions, and cultural transformation to help leaders make values-based decisions under pressure.Leadership in Uncertainty: Governing Through Disruption
Key Takeaways:
· Strengthen governance frameworks for resilience and agility
· Lead with integrity in uncertain and high-pressure contexts
· Make strategic decisions amid competing priorities and risks
· Adapt governance to meet stakeholder and regulatory expectations
Women in Politics: Strengthening Democracy Through Representation
Representation drives better outcomes. Shirley draws on her role as Chair of Women for Election to show how women in political leadership improve policy, strengthen institutions, and build civic trust. She connects representation to democratic resilience and explores how corporate and government sectors can support leadership pipelines.Women in Politics: Strengthening Democracy Through Representation
Key Takeaways:
· Understand the strategic value of diverse political leadership
· Link representation to institutional trust and policy quality
· Explore pathways to leadership pipeline development
· Reframe identity politics as democratic legitimacy and ESG alignment
Not a Straight Line: Leadership and the Career You Didn't Plan
Shirley’s career has taken her across continents, sectors and stages of life—from a Wall Street law firm in Tokyo to Indigenous leadership and executive roles in Australia. There was no grand plan—just a series of decisions, transitions and opportunities shaped by changing priorities, values and life circumstances. Along the way came deep learning: about identity, resilience, purpose, and the unexpected strength found in uncertainty.Not a Straight Line: Leadership and the Career You Didn't Plan
In this keynote, Shirley shares the leadership lessons gathered across a career that has evolved in ways she never anticipated. She explores how to lead with clarity when the path isn’t linear, how reinvention can become a source of strength, and how moments of change—whether chosen or imposed—can lead to greater meaning and impact. Her reflections—on everything from experiencing sexual harassment to balancing a global career with raising a family—will resonate with anyone navigating the complex, often unspoken reality of professional life.
Key Talking Points
• Why careers that don’t follow a straight line can lead to deep growth
• How to make values-based decisions in moments of uncertainty or transition
• Navigating career transitions with confidence: knowing when to stay, pivot or step away
• The unseen lessons from stepping away: reflection, perspective and re-entry
Who is this for?
• Professionals navigating change, career transitions or leadership development
• Parents and those with care responsibilities in the workforce
• Leadership forums, alumni groups and cross-sector conferences
• Organisations supporting talent retention, reinvention or long-term career planning
• Audiences seeking an honest and empowering conversation about ambition, adaptability and meaning
MC’ing and Facilitation
Shirley brings a unique blend of gravitas, warmth and attentiveness to every event she hosts. As a seasoned facilitator and storyteller, she creates space for meaningful conversation, engages audiences with authenticity, and ensures that each speaker or panellist feels supported and heard. Whether leading a panel, hosting a major awards ceremony, or moderating difficult conversations, Shirley prepares meticulously, immersing herself in the subject matter, understanding the needs of the audience, and remaining agile in the moment.MC’ing and Facilitation
Her style is inclusive, energising and calm under pressure. Audiences appreciate her ability to keep the room grounded, focused and inspired—while weaving insights and connection throughout the program.
Key Capabilities
• Hosting awards, conferences, summits and launches
• Moderating panels across corporate, government, NFP and academic sectors
• In-depth subject matter engagement to ensure relevance and depth
• Holding space for challenging or nuanced discussions
• Poised delivery and strong time management across formats
Who is this for?
• Event organisers seeking a trusted host to anchor high-profile or sensitive gatherings
• Conferences or leadership forums needing moderation that balances intellect and empathy
• Corporate, government or philanthropic events where preparation, integrity and audience engagement matter
• Panels requiring a thoughtful facilitator who can bridge sectors, generations or disciplines
Video
Shirley Chowdhary on Imposter Syndrome | Saxton Speakers
Imposter syndrome can be a major barrier to personal and professional success, but as Shirley Chowdhary shares in this compelling talk, it doesn’t have to hold you back. Drawing from her own experiences, Shirley highlights the importance of recognising imposter syndrome on a spectrum—from manageable self-doubt to debilitating fear that prevents career progression and personal growth. She challenges audiences to shift their mindset by celebrating successes rather than downplaying them, and she introduces the Gallup Strengths Assessment as a powerful tool for focusing on what we do best. Instead of fixating on weaknesses, she encourages professionals to leverage their natural strengths, boosting confidence and leadership potential.Shirley Chowdhary | MC Host to Women's Agenda Awards | Saxton Speakers
Shirley Chowdhary delivers a powerful opening to the Women’s Agenda Awards, celebrating a decade of championing female voices in media and leadership. She highlights the importance of diverse representation in leadership and the barriers women often face on their journey to success. With a compelling presence, Shirley sets the stage for an inspiring event, recognising the achievements of women who redefine leadership in all its forms.Shirley Chowdhary | Diversity and Inclusion in an Australian Context | Saxton Speakers
Shirley Chowdhary delivers powerful insights on the real challenges facing First Nations people and how organisations can take practical steps toward meaningful inclusion. In this thought-provoking talk, Shirley highlights the critical role of Reconciliation Action Plans, the stark inequalities faced by Indigenous Australians, and the need to embed First Nations perspectives into corporate diversity and inclusion strategies. With a deep understanding of equity, leadership, and social responsibility, Shirley engages audiences with compelling data and real-world solutions to foster change.Audio
Shirley was a wonderfully engaging speaker. Her insights into how to be a positive ally for indigenous advancement were invaluable. Her engaging, authentic style was very accessible to our d ... keep reading Jemena
Shirley was outstanding. Her relatable style and perfectly chosen anecdotes deeply engaged the audience. Many attendees shared afterwards how strongly her messages resonated with them, leaving a lasting impact.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Shirley who delivered an incredibly authentic, raw and engaging keynote. We have received nothing but the highest praise with some of the audience noting that it was one of the best keynote speeches they had ever heard - totally frank, honest and very relatable.
There has been a lot of anecdotal feedback about Shirley and every single person has said how amazing she was and that they really enjoyed her at this event. On a personal note, I would like to thank Shirley for being a fantastic keynote speaker who really made a difference to our event. Shirley’s individual speech was fantastic and real, her knowledge and expertise was invaluable and really made a difference. During the panel Q&A Shirley created a comfortable, friendly atmosphere that slowed for fluid and engaging discussion. Someone said to me they felt like they were listening in at a dinner party. It was truly a comfortable and engaging discussion. However, that did not make the conversation any less insightful or meaningful. Before and during the event Shirley has been truly a pleasure to work with.
Shirley has an exceptional ability to completely engage her audience from start to finish. She is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects on Inclusion and diversity, and she is one of the most authentic speakers I have had the privilege of moderating. I would highly recommend Shirley for any discussion on Inclusion and diversity.
Shirley was AMAZING. She was so calm and considered in her delivery, and definitely got the room talking about treatment of our First Nations people afterwards. And to top it off she was just delightful to deal with.