Co‑Designing the Future of Ballarat Business Women
Thank you to the board members, Empower Her recipients and members who joined our recent Co‑Design Session to help shape the future direction of Ballarat Business Women (BBW).
The session brought together a diverse group of women to reflect on what’s working well, explore aspirations for the future, and identify the areas that matter most to our community. Your insights are helping us understand what members value and where BBW can continue to grow its impact.
What We Heard
Participants shared a strong vision for a BBW that is:
- Visible and confident in championing women in business
- Inclusive and welcoming across ages, industries and backgrounds
- Supportive and connected, offering genuine value and opportunities
- Sustainable, with effective systems and partnerships
Emerging Priority Areas
Five themes consistently stood out during the session:
- Enhancing member experience and value
- Increasing visibility and advocacy for women in business
- Building leadership and capability pathways
- Strengthening regional partnerships and reach
- Supporting long‑term sustainability through strong systems and processes
These themes reflect what our members care about most and will help guide BBW’s planning for 2026.
Early Opportunities Identified
Participants also highlighted several practical ideas that could help build momentum, including:
- Improved onboarding and welcome processes
- More consistent communication and visibility
- Celebrating member achievements
- Broader promotion of events and opportunities
- Exploring mentoring and capability‑building options
What Happens Next
The insights gathered through this co‑design process will now be used by the Board as input into BBW’s 2026 planning. While no decisions have been made yet, your contributions have provided a strong foundation for the next phase of work.
We’re grateful to everyone who participated and shared their experiences, ideas and aspirations. Your voices are shaping the future of BBW.
