The Alliance Advisory Committee (AAC) provides a consultative and representative forum which highlights the challenges and concerns of women business owners and female entrepreneurs in Australia.

AAC members advise the AWCCI on strategies, policy, programs and issues needing advocacy in order to provide women business owners and female entrepreneurs with a voice at the tables where the decisions are being made.

AAC members include:

Peter Strong is the Executive Director at Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA). He has spent much of the last 20 years in change management at the business, community and national level.  He has worked for the Australian government and with Non-Government Organisations, the World Bank and the United Nations. He has worked on national business and employment policy and internationally on projects aimed at assisting countries and regions experiencing substantial economic and social change.  Peter is also an SME owner.



Kim McGuinness is Managing Director of Network Central, founder of the Businesswomen’s Breakfast Series and one of Australia’s leading commentators on business, marketing and networking. A huge believer in the value of mentoring, Kim also co-runs a renowned yearly mentor program where she aligns senior experienced leaders with up and coming managers. Kim is a leading speaker at many conferences and events, is a regular MC, and has developed a number of training programs for blue chip companies. Kim is co-author of Network or Perish – Learn the Secrets of Master Networkers and is featured in Secrets of Inspiring Women Exposed, released in 2007.


Suzy Jacobs is founder, host and keynote speaker at She Business. With 10 years experience in creating communities that motivate and empower women, Suzy is an expert in delivering the qualities of community that lead to extraordinary results and is highly respected for her commitment, openness and integrity; Suzy explores the diverse approach taken by businesswomen and is keen that others do the same, so that true success can be defined and reached by an empowered and connected world of women. Suzy shares this with businesswomen across Sydney while also delivering results in business profitability, performance and partnerships for her She Business membership.

Louise Greenup is an Executive Director of BNI (Business Networking International) Sydney CBD/South, apowerhouse networker and one of Australia's leading forces of change in the way people and business network with each other. Louise has a strong passion for women in business and motivating women to excel and reach their goals.






Janine Garner is the founder and a director of the Little Black Dress Group (LBD) a global network of results focused business women and entrepreneurs. The international brand marketing specialist is also a passionate advocate for female leaders. She has worked across multiple fashion and retail brands including Morrissey and Citizen Watches; as the former Group Marketing Director at OrotonGroup, Janine was instrumental in the rejuvenation of the Oroton brand and the elevation of Ralph Lauren across Australia & New Zealand. Janine sits on the Board of the Australian Women Donors Network, mentors on the National Fashion Future MENTOR Program and is an active speaker and presenter.

Julie Ankers, is the national president of WCEI (Women Chiefs of Enterprise International). She has a background in the media, advertising, publishing and executive staff recruitment.
Recognised as an authority in the fields of Learning & Development and Human Resources (Julie has a Masters in Organisational Development), she is regularly called on for her opinions in emerging trends and innovative processes. She is also aregular keynote speaker on topics including business networking, as this is how she has built her highly successful company with a multi-million dollar turnover. She is also highly successful in the area of cross referrals and has built many networks which continue to develop as separate income streams.