The highly regarded Charles Sturt University (CSU) Leadership Development for Women (LDW) conference is being held over two days on Monday 21 and Tuesday November 22 2016 in Wagga Wagga.More than 80 women are expected to attend with this year's theme being 'Leading with Integrity'.CSU LDW Steering Committee Chair Associate Professor Rosemary Black said the conference couldn't come at a more appropriate time."Issues of equity in universities cannot be seen in isolation from the changes in governance and operation of universities in the past three decades with all staff experiencing changes," Associate Professor Black said."The rapid changes towards an entrepreneurial climate and market orientation of universities that focuses on measurable and marketable consumer satisfaction, performance outcomes of students and staff and international rankings have brought changes in the nature of employment and employment conditions."If the UK experience is any indication it's likely that these new labour regimes will be highly gendered, seriously disadvantaging women in areas such as contracts, conditions, promotions and pay."Associate Professor Black added that these changes and the changes to come in universities, mean that an ongoing focus on gender equity is needed as each new change brings fresh equity challenges."While there's no one policy change or magic bullet that can be nominated to 'fix' gender inequity, the work and initiatives of the Leadership Development for Women Committee such as the conference and the Leadership Development for Women Program are important and effective ways of supporting and developing leadership among all women within Charles Sturt University, as well encouraging a cultural change within the organisation."Keynote speaker at the conference is Dr Leslie Cannold who is an educator and trainer in inspirational leadership, gender equity and respectful relationships.Dr Cannold is an award-winning columnist and is often described as one of Australia's leading public thinkers.She's been named alongside Professor Peter Singer, Professor Gustav Nossal and Inga Clendinnen as one of Australia's top 20 public intellectuals and was named by the Power Index as among the Top Ten most influential thinkers.Other speakers include economist and Chair of Regional Development Australia - Riverina, Ms Diana Gibbs along with media commentator and comedian Ms George McEncroe who is the guest speaker at the conference dinner on Monday night.Described by friends as "Geraldine Doogue meets Roseanne Barr", Ms McEncroe has had an interesting life journey from which she draws her viewpoints, including working for a War Crimes Tribunal, caring for teenage boys with muscular dystrophy, being a mother of four, and teaching English in Istanbul.Over two days, conference delegates will examine how to build a network; establish stories in supporting and developing female staff; consider leading strategically in an ethical way and influencing with integrity.