International Day of Rural Women: Driving Change, Innovation, and Connection

In celebration of International Day of Rural Women on 15 October, this webinar recognises and honours the resilience, strength, and vital contributions of women in remote and rural communities.

This important day is not only a celebration of achievement—highlighting the crucial roles rural women play in community leadership, regional development, and our own banking and finance sector, where they are driving change, improving financial access, and supporting economic resilience in their communities—but also a call to action. It reminds us of the unique challenges many women still face in isolated areas, from lack of access to basic services to deep-rooted gender stereotypes that can limit opportunity.

In this session, we’ll explore how rural organisations are leveraging technology and AI to boost connection, productivity, and opportunity. We’ll highlight innovative tools enabling women to thrive, share insights into the evolving rural landscape, and spotlight small but impactful actions corporations and individuals can take to offer meaningful support.

Join us as we shine a light on rural women’s stories and discuss how we can collectively foster inclusive growth and opportunity for all—no matter their postcode.

Panelists
Olivia McFarlane:

Olivia McFarlane is the Head of Customer Delivery for Bendigo Bank Agribusiness. With over 25 years of experience in the finance industry, her career highlights include roles across Agribusiness, Corporate and Business banking. She is also involved in capability coaching and development. Olivia’s strengths lie in operational efficiency, developing people and building culture, and effective communication. Olivia was also a finalist in the Women in Banking and Finance Awards (Technology or Customer Support category) in 2022. Outside of work, Olivia is involved in her local Albury Wodonga Community, through board memberships and sporting groups, as she is passionate about seeing regional communities and the people in them thrive.

Ella Kearsley:

Ella Kearsley, (BComm- International Trade) is a passionate young professional working as an Agribusiness Relationship Manager in ANZ’s Specialised Agribusiness division. Raised on a broadacre cereal farm on South Australia’s Lower Eyre Peninsula, Ella brings firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities. She is committed to advancing gender equity and economic resilience in agriculture, with a particular interest in environmental sustainability and financial literacy. As a panellist, she brings a fresh perspective on youth engagement and pathways into agriculture, digital inclusion, and sustainable rural communities.

Megan Papadopoulos – (WiBF Director) MODERATOR:

Megan Papadopoulos is the General Manager Customer Contact at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. Her financial services career has seen her work across all spectrums of the customer journey from strategy, product development, distribution, loan processing, arrears management, and complaints management, although most people will know Megan as a Contact Centre evangelist. Megan is a believer in the power of organisations to be for profit and to deliver social good concurrently, making Women in Banking and Finance and Bendigo Bank great fits for her values. Megan currently manages Bendigo Bank’s Contact Centre and Customer Resolution teams with a focus on customers and customer experience, people, productivity, and risk uplift.