Presenters

Kirsten Mander, Chair, Legalsuper; Non-Executive Director, Peninsula Health
Kirsten Mander is an experienced director, executive and lawyer. She has over 30 years' experience in the financial services, health and minerals sectors within Australia and internationally. She is currently chair of legalsuper, the superannuation fund for Australia’s legal community, and a director of Peninsula Health and chair of its Audit and Risk and MePACS Committees. She was formerly chair of the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority, the International Women’s Development Agency and a director on various boards including the Law Institute of Victoria and chair of its Ethics Committee. Prior to this she had over 20 years’ experience as a senior executive, general counsel & company secretary for a number of Australia's top companies in various sectors, namely Australian Unity, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, TRUenergy, Smorgon Steel Group and Western Mining, working throughout Australasia, Asia and the former Soviet Union. She holds a Master of Laws from Melbourne University and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Governance Institute of Australia.


Catherine Leach, CEO, LeachLegal
Catherine Leach is a Lawyer and the CEO of Leach Legal, a national Family Law firm. She commenced her Articled Clerkship in 1989 and was admitted to practice in 1996. Under the mentorship of the Honourable Peter Dowding S.C., she developed her skills in complex Family Law cases and in 1998, she became a partner of DCH Legal Group, later co-founding Maughan & Leach and eventually commencing Leach Legal in March 2004. Catherine completed her Masters in Family Law in 2012 and later lectured for the College of Law. She has trained as a collaborative lawyer, mediator and arbitrator and has been a long standing advocate of ADR. She has been a leader in technology and law, including being the first lawyer in WA to undertake a witness video link during a Family Court trial. Catherine is a member of the global Entrepreneur’s Organization, currently serving as the Regional Governance Director for the Asia Pacific Region and as a member of the EO Global Governance Committee which oversees governance for its 18,000 members in 76 countries. She is also a member of LawAustralasia and Business women Australia and is the Deputy Chair for the Family Law Section National Conference in Perth in 2024. Catherine is a regular commentator on national television, radio, and in print media, providing perspective on matrimonial and Family Law matters and leadership and business and is passionate about implementing innovation and technology in law.


Steven Cole, Managing Director, Cole Corporate
Steven Cole has over 40 years of professional, corporate and business experience through senior legal consultancy, as well as a range of executive management and non executive appointments. His extensive boardroom and board sub-committee experience includes ASX listed, statutory, proprietary and NFP organisations covering the industrial, financial, educational, professional services, agribusiness, health, local government and resources sectors. Steven's professional qualifications include Llb (hons)- University of Western Australia; AICD Company Directors Diploma and Fellow and Wharton School - University of Pennsylvania - Corporate Governance Program 2010. Steven is a sought after speaker and presenter at industry and professional conferences and seminars in Australasia and Asia as well as having authored publications and journal articles on emerging governance related issues. Steven's continuing board appointments include Deputy Chairman of Neometals Limited (ASX listed); Non-Executive Director of Matrix Composites and Engineering Limited; Chair of Commissioners for the City of Canning Western Australia; Chairman of 2 investment trust companies with around $20m under management; Chairman of Brightwater Care Group Inc, a major charitable NGO in aged and disability care services; Chairman of Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Trust, a WA statutory authority concerning health related property planning and development and Chairman of Government and Fiscal Reform Policy Forum - CCI of Western Australia.