Meet Our IWD Panellists for 2026
Women continue to be underrepresented across STEM fields, despite playing a critical role in shaping our future. The United Nations Women Australia theme for International Women’s Day 2026, Balance the Scales, calls for action to accelerate equality and address systemic barriers.
As part of our third annual International Women’s Day event, MLC is proud to host a panel of four accomplished MLC Collegians working across STEM disciplines, led by our highly experienced moderator Lanna Hill (Class of 2000). Through shared experiences and insight, they will explore the realities of STEM careers, the challenges women face, and how we can create lasting change for the generations to come.
Lanna Hill, Class of 2000, Moderator
Lanna is a strategy, leadership and communications specialist, speaker and board member, and the Founder of Rally Group and Leverage Media. An MLC Collegian, Lanna began her career in the corporate sector, spending a decade with a global FMCG organisation where she progressed from an entry‑level role into national account leadership by the age of 29.
Following this, Lanna established multiple consultancies and has since worked with leaders and organisations across Australia, guiding growth, change and communication in complex environments. Her work spans strategy, leadership development, media engagement and facilitation, supported by a career that has seen her become a regular media commentator and trusted advisor.
In 2025, Lanna was appointed to the Board of the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, recognising her commercial acumen, strategic insight and commitment to values‑driven leadership. She also serves on the board of the Piddington Society, a non‑profit association for lawyers focused on access to justice and professional collegiality, which provides PLT programs, mentorship for law graduates and funds legal aid initiatives.
Passionate about women’s leadership and representation, Lanna brings a strong belief in clear communication, inclusive leadership and empowering others to back themselves.
Founder, Rally Group | Founder, Leverage Media | Speaker & Media Commentator | Board Member, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation | Board Member, Piddington Society | MLC Collegian
Sally Bell, Class of 1997, Panellist
Sally is a senior technology sales leader with a global career spanning start‑ups, multinationals and high‑growth organisations across APAC, EMEA and the United States. She currently leads Media & Entertainment Global Accounts for APAC at Amazon Web Services (AWS), partnering with C‑suite leaders to drive large‑scale digital transformation, cloud adoption and AI‑enabled growth.
At AWS, Sally works at the forefront of innovation, helping some of the region’s largest organisations modernise legacy environments, unlock new revenue streams and navigate the rapid evolution of Generative and Agentic AI. Her leadership has included developing new operating models for AI experimentation, upskilling hundreds of engineers, and shaping data strategies that power successful cloud transformation.
An MLC Collegian, Sally credits her time at MLC with broadening her global perspective and shaping a career driven by curiosity, ambition and exposure to diverse experiences. A strong advocate for women in STEM, she is passionate about ensuring emerging technologies are built by inclusive teams and champions the progression of women into visible leadership roles within the technology sector.
Senior Leader, Amazon Web Services | APAC Media & Entertainment Global Accounts | Technology & AI Transformation | Women in STEM Advocate | MLC Collegian
Penny Hanrahan, Class of 1984, Panellist
Penny is a senior aviation professional with an extraordinary career spanning commercial aviation and air traffic control. An MLC Collegian, Penny’s passion for flying was sparked at age 11 and became reality 12 years later when she qualified as an airline pilot.
After training in Western Australia, Penny built her early flying career across some of Australia’s most remote regions, including the Kimberley, Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, undertaking diverse roles from community and charter flying to mustering, prawn spotting and regional transport. At just 23, she was accepted into Ansett Airlines, going on to fly jet aircraft domestically and internationally for 12 years. A career highlight was gaining her Boeing 747 endorsement, flying the same Hong Kong approach that first inspired her dream of aviation.
Following the collapse of Ansett, Penny pivoted within the aviation industry, working in aviation consulting before successfully retraining as an air traffic controller. Today, she thrives in a high‑pressure, dynamic environment requiring precision, calm decision‑making and big‑picture thinking—skills developed through decades in aviation.
Penny never set out to be seen as a “female pilot”, but simply as a competent and respected professional. She remains a strong advocate for merit‑based leadership, supporting all those who aspire to aviation careers, and credits her time at MLC and her family’s encouragement with instilling the belief that no path was ever off‑limits.
Commercial Airline Pilot (Former) | Air Traffic Controller | Aviation Professional | MLC Collegian
Sue Murphy AO, Class of 1975, Panellist
Sue is a civil engineer and company director, best known for her decade‑long tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Water Corporation of Western Australia, where she led one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse water utilities.
Beginning her career as a project engineer with Clough Engineering, Sue spent 25 years with the organisation, progressing through senior operational and leadership roles before joining Water Corporation to lead its major capital program, including Western Australia’s first desalination plant. In 2008, she was appointed CEO, guiding the organisation through a period of significant transformation and global recognition, including the successful introduction of large‑scale water recycling into Perth’s drinking water supply.
Now serving as a Non‑Executive Director, Sue brings deep expertise in infrastructure, governance and large‑scale operations. A strong advocate for women in STEM, she is passionate about mentoring women into engineering and leadership roles, believing that society cannot afford to lose half of its potential problem‑solvers. An MLC Collegian, with three daughters who also attended the College, she credits her time at the College with fostering the belief that women can pursue and succeed in any field.
Civil Engineer | Former CEO, Water Corporation | Non‑Executive Director | Infrastructure & Water Sustainability Leader | Advocate for Women in Engineering | MLC Collegian
Dr Sarah Ong, Class of 2000, Panellist
Developmental Paediatrician | Supervisor and Medical Educator of Paediatric Registrars, Royal Australasian College of Physicians | Master of Public Health Candidate | MLC Collegian
Join Us on Friday 6 March
Celebrate International Women’s Day with MLC at our and Panel Discussion and Networking Breakfast.
As an all-girls’ school, we are passionate about supporting and equipping our students with the tools needed for success. At this event, you will have the chance to meet with members of our community and discuss the importance of this year’s theme.
