Sophie Galaise, Managing Director, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Sophie Galaise joined the MSO as its first female Managing Director in April 2016.

Sophie sits on the board of Symphony Services International and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Harvard Business Review, the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the CEO Institute in Australia. She is also a member of the International Advisory Committee of the only Master in International Arts Management, a program offered by Southern Methodist University (Dallas), SDA Bocconi (Milan) and HEC (Montreal). This unique program trains the next generation of managers and prepares them to work abroad or with foreign organisations.

Two-time winner, in 2019 and 2015 of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Awards, she is renowned for her extensive experience working with orchestras, not only at the executive level, but also as a professional musician and musicologist.

In 2019, she was invited to participate in the 2019 Perpetual Stanford CEO Study Tour in San Francisco. Along with other leaders from Australia, North America and Europe, she took part in a week of activities and learning with Stanford’s Centre on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) exploring the theme, Transforming Anxiety into Active Leadership.

Prior to her appointment to the MSO, Sophie was Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Previous roles include Executive Director of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Executive and Artistic Director of the Orford Arts Centre and Music Coordinator for the Quebec Arts Council.

Starting her career as a flautist in Germany, she also worked in Switzerland and France with Pierre Boulez.

Native from Quebec, Canada, Sophie has a PhD in Musicology from the University of Montreal and an Executive MBA from McGill University/HEC Montreal.


Gladys Liu MP, Member for Chisholm

Gladys Liu is the Federal member for Chisholm and is a strong local representative in the Australian Parliament.

Gladys Liu is an energetic member of her local community, with a passion for public service and a small business background. Born in Hong Kong, she moved to Melbourne in 1985 to study at La Trobe University. The opportunity to come to Australia to study has given her a strong belief in the importance of education and hard work.

After completing her studies, Gladys worked as a speech pathologist in the Victorian Department of Education, ran her own speech pathology practice, and ran her own restaurants. Gladys later served as an adviser on multicultural matters to two Premiers of Victoria, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine.

Gladys has experience in the business sector, including as Head of Business Development and Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor for Canaan Lawyers.

She has served as President of Box Hill Chess Club, where she played a role in building it into the largest chess club in Australia.

Div Pillay, CEO, MindTribes

Div Pillay is the CEO of MindTribes and co-founder of CDWomen. She is an expert in race and cultural inclusion, backed by behavioural economics, psychology, and qualitative data research methods. She co-designs with clients, systemic and sustainable change that advances their business.

Prior to founding MindTribes in 2012, Div spent 14 years in People & Culture roles working across Australia, Asia and South Africa.

Div is named as one of the 100 Women of Influence, 2018 (AFR & Qantas), is a Board Member at VicHealth, and is the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, American Chamber of Commerce, Australia. Div is listed in 2021, as one of the 25 Global Influencers by the AACSB International, the world’s largest global business education alliance.

Fay Calderone, Partner, Hall & Wilcox 

Fay has acted for employers for the last 20 years across a range of industries including professional services, manufacturing, sport, health, aged care, community services and local councils focused always on the purpose and imperatives of the organisations she is servicing.

As a specialist on all matters touching the workplace, Fay provides practical advice and guidance on proactive compliance, change management and restructuring, discrimination, bullying, harassment, misconduct investigations, performance management, enterprise agreements, and industrial disputes. In circumstances where disputes cannot be resolved, Fay represents employers in proceedings before industrial tribunals, including unfair dismissals, adverse action claims, and restraint matters in State and Federal Courts.

Fay is a recognised expert and go-to person on employment issues regularly speaking at high profile events and industry conference. Fay is sought for quotes on workplace issues by the AFR and other media publications; writes and comments on current employment trends and issues, frequently featuring on industry blogs including for the Australian Human Resource Institute, HR Daily, Women's Agenda and the Mandarin and has appeared on the Seven Network’s Weekend Sunrise to discuss mental health in the workplace.

Fay is committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces as a member of Hall & Wilcox’s D&I Committee, Flexible Work Day Ambassador and mentor to young lawyers and emerging leaders.

Fay received a high commendation in the NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards as Private Practice Lawyer of the Year 2019 and was recognised for Labour & Employment Law – Sydney in The Best Lawyers in Australia 2019 and 2020 edition. She has also been a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year in Workplace Relations for 2017 and 2019.