This International Women’s Day, Mai-Wel invites you to a powerful panel conversation exploring how generosity, opportunity, and support shape women’s leadership journeys.

This session will unpack what it truly means to give knowledge, time, trust, mentorship, and opportunity – and how those acts of generosity multiply impact, confidence, and change.

Our panellists will share honest reflections on non-linear careers, the moments where someone gave them a chance, and how they now give back to create pathways for others. Expect real stories, practical insights, and a conversation grounded in leadership, inclusion, and reciprocity.

Felicity Laczina

Felicity has over 20 years’ experience in senior management and executive level roles across Health, Government, Manufacturing, with significant portion of her executive career working in Financial Services.

Felicity is currently the Chief Operations Officer for The Mutual Bank, who are known for providing modern banking solutions with personalised member service throughout the Hunter region. Her remit includes overseeing Credit and Lending Operations, People and Culture, Property, Projects and she coordinates strategic planning for the Board and Executive Team.

Felicity graduated from the Company Directors course in 2017 and was appointed Non-Executive Director of the Mai-Wel Group in 2021, a Hunter region organisation with over 60 years success in creating and delivering vibrant, innovative services for people with disability and job seekers across the Hunter Valley to achieve their dreams and goals for life.

In November 2023, Felicity was appointed Chair of the Mai Wel Group.

Deb Mirisch

Deb Mirisch is a Hunter-based accounting professional with a strong passion for helping business owners streamline and manage their financial operations. Deb with her fellow business partners owns and operates local bookkeeping business Beam Bookkeeping which provides trusted financial support to small and medium businesses from its 4 offices across the Hunter Region, Port Stephens and Sydney.

She is a registered BAS Agent, Certified Xero Advisor, and a member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, bringing deep expertise and a practical, approachable style to her work.

Deb holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of the Maitland Business Chamber. She joined the Board of The Mutual Bank in 2020 and is Chair of the Audit Committee, as well as a member of the People and Culture and Digital and Information Technology Committees. Deb has also served as a Director and Honorary Secretary of local not-for-profit NDIS provider The Mai-Wel Group and held the position of Treasurer of the Maitland Black & White Committee, having raised substantial funds in support of the vision-impaired community of the Hunter Region.

Jennifer Leslie BCom, FCA(Aust), FAICD, FGIA

Jennifer is a non-executive director with over seventeen years of board-level experience, and a diverse career forged in the Hunter Region. Jennifer is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, who has held senior positions with national consulting firms, Pitcher Partners and PwC. She has held board and committee positions with some of the region’s most significant organisations including Newcastle Permanent, where she chaired its Audit Committee and Charitable Foundation and University of Newcastle.

She is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Regional Australia Bank, the national not for profit organisation, CoAct and, community housing provider, Home in Place. As well Jennifer is an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committees for NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, Hunter New England Local Health District and Maitland City Council as well as a volunteer Treasurer for local charity Hunter Homeless Connect. She is currently a local leader for Mentor Walks in Newcastle.