27 February 2026: International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise leadership that does more than break glass ceilings – it changes the architecture altogether. Across Queensland’s tourism and aviation sectors, five women are not only leading; they are influencing policy, investment, sustainability and cultural change in industries that shape how the world experiences Australia.
Natassia Wheeler – An Under-40 CEO Leading Queensland’s Visitor Economy Through a Defining Decade
At the helm of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council is Natassia Wheeler, appointed CEO before the age of 40 and now steering the state’s peak tourism body through one of its most consequential eras. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, aviation recovery still recalibrating global access, and systemic challenges such as workforce shortages and insurance reform intensifying, Wheeler’s leadership sits at the intersection of policy, economics and industry survival.
As one of the youngest CEOs in a peak industry role, she is a regular voice at state and federal decision-making tables. Her remit is complex: translating the operational pressures facing thousands of operators into clear, commercially grounded reform priorities. In an industry powered by connectivity yet often led quietly, Wheeler’s approach is visible, strategic and outcomes-focused – advocating for a visitor economy that underpins regional jobs, export earnings and long-term state prosperity.
“Regional Queensland shaped the way I lead. In places like the Whitsundays and Moreton Bay, tourism is deeply personal – it is built on family businesses, community pride and people who care profoundly about place. I learnt early that relationships are everything and that collaboration is not optional in regional communities; it is essential. That perspective has stayed with me. As CEO of QTIC, I carry those lessons into every policy discussion and every negotiation – remembering that behind every decision are operators, families and communities whose livelihoods depend on a strong, sustainable visitor economy.”
“On International Women’s Day, I reflect less on titles and more on responsibility. Leadership is service – it is resilience, accountability and sometimes making decisions that are not universally popular. I have built my career while raising three children, and that experience has grounded me. It has taught me perspective, discipline and the importance of backing yourself, even in moments of doubt. We have made progress for women in senior roles, but we still need to normalise confident, values-led female leadership and ensure opportunity is defined by capability, not perception. For me, the goal has never been to lead differently as a woman – it has been to lead with clarity, conviction and purpose.”
Abbie McDermott – Redefining Aviation Leadership from the Ground Up
In aviation, Abbie McDermott is helping shape the next chapter of a sector critical to Australia’s connectivity. As General Manager of Machjet International, she has overseen the evolution of the business from a single King Air aircraft to one of the country’s most respected fixed-wing charter providers. The company’s continued private investment, including the opening of a new multi-million-dollar hangar late last year, signals confidence in the future of Australian aviation.
Operating across the Sunshine Coast and Cairns, Machjet services VIP charter, aeromedical retrieval, cargo and government operations – roles that demand precision, safety and operational discipline. In an industry long dominated by men, McDermott’s leadership is commercially astute and strategically grounded. She is not only expanding fleet capability; she is broadening the perception of who belongs in aviation leadership.
“I’ve come to deeply respect aviation for the discipline, teamwork and trust it demands. It’s an industry where there’s no room for ego – outcomes matter, safety matters, and people matter. My focus has always been on supporting our team, strengthening our operations and ensuring we deliver consistently for the clients and communities who rely on us.
“At Machjet, we’re committed to thoughtful growth – investing in our fleet, our facilities and, most importantly, our people. Leadership, to me, is about listening carefully, making considered decisions and creating an environment where others can do their best work. I’m proud to play a part in building a business that reflects those values every day.”
Fiona Hatchett – Nourishing Wellness Through Purpose-Driven Hospitality
At Eden Retreat, Fiona Hatchett leads from the kitchen – quietly, deliberately and with conviction. With more than three decades of culinary experience, she has shaped a food philosophy anchored in nourishment, integrity and connection to place. Produce is harvested directly from Eden’s gardens; every dish is gluten-free, nutritionally dense and intentionally designed to restore.
For Hatchett, wellness is not a trend to be packaged. It is a practice. Her menus fuel guests with macro and micronutrients while educating them on how to carry a deeper appreciation for whole foods into daily life.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that leadership doesn’t have to follow a single path. I joined Eden Retreat five years ago and have progressively worked my way up to Head Chef, and that journey has shown me that growth comes from backing yourself, staying curious and being willing to evolve. As the retreat has evolved, so too has our approach to food – and I’ve been proud to inject my own passion for deeply nourishing, seasonal cuisine into that story.
“I’m a proud Wiradjuri woman from New South Wales, and a key part of my culture is respect for the land. We believe the land is borrowed and that Mother Nature is our home – it should be treated as such. Being able to work in an environment like Eden, where those values are shared, has allowed me to curate menus that honour seasonality and celebrate what we’re growing in our garden in Currumbin Valley.
“Food has become one of the most integral parts of the guest experience, as more people seek out organic, nutrient-dense meals that genuinely support their wellbeing. For me, it’s incredibly rewarding not only to nourish our guests while they’re with us, but to educate and inspire them so they can continue eating well long after they return home. To young women entering this industry, I’d say your perspective, your culture and your values are strengths – they shape the kind of leader you become and the impact you have.”
Seleena Blackley – Elevating First Nations Voices in Tourism Leadership
Seleena Blackley represents a generational shift in how tourism engages with culture and Country. A proud Kalkutungu, Waanyi, Gunggari, Ngaro and Mualgal woman, she works as First Nations Project Officer at QTIC, strengthening genuine partnerships between industry and Traditional Custodians while expanding employment and training pathways for First Nations communities.
Her influence extends beyond tourism. Appointed in 2022 to the Interim Truth and Treaty Body and in 2024 to the First Nations Treaty Institute Council, at the time the youngest person involved, Blackley brings cultural authority and lived experience into state-wide policy conversations. A practitioner of Kalkutungu culture, traditional dancer and artist, she bridges governance and grassroots, ensuring First Nations storytelling is not an add-on to the visitor economy, but a central pillar of its future.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that leadership can look different, and that difference is strength. As a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, growing up in my family’s cultural business in Mount Isa, Malkarri Aboriginal Corporation, my journey in tourism has always been grounded in culture, community and responsibility to Country. I see my role not simply as supporting industry growth, but as ensuring First Nations voices are shaping how tourism evolves. Genuine partnership with Traditional Custodians, culturally safe employment pathways and truth-telling in our shared history are not optional extras – they are foundational to a sustainable visitor economy.
“I have had the privilege of contributing to state-wide conversations through the Interim Truth and Treaty Body and the First Nations Treaty Institute Council, and I carry those experiences back into my work every day. For young First Nations women looking at leadership, I would say your cultural knowledge is an asset, not a barrier. Tourism has the power to elevate story, language and identity when it is done with integrity and mob led. Our stories are not a feature of the visitor economy – they are its heart.”
Captain Kerry Lopez – Charting a Course for Women in Marine Tourism
On the waters of Moreton Bay, Captain Kerry Lopez has built both a business and a benchmark. As founder and skipper of Brisbane Whale Watching, operating from Redcliffe Jetty, she is one of the few female whale watching captains in the country – a distinction earned through decades of expertise and persistence in a traditionally male-dominated marine sector.
Under her leadership, the family-owned operation has become a defining experience for the region, welcoming thousands of visitors each season to witness the annual humpback migration. Yet her impact extends beyond ticket sales and tourism growth. Environmental stewardship and marine education are embedded into every voyage, reinforcing Moreton Bay’s position as an accessible, high-quality wildlife encounter just north of Brisbane. It is a model of sustainable tourism that proves commercial success and conservation can, and must, coexist.
“Growing up, I didn’t see many women at the helm of commercial vessels, so I had to back myself early and learn to navigate both the ocean and the expectations around me. The marine industry can be tough, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Over the years, I’ve made it a priority to mentor women within our business – some of whom have been with us for decades. Watching them build long careers on the water, step into leadership roles, and back themselves in a traditionally male-dominated industry is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“Bringing more women into marine tourism isn’t just about representation – it strengthens the industry. Different perspectives matter, especially when it comes to safety, guest experience and caring for the marine environment. When you’re responsible for people and wildlife out on the bay, thoughtful leadership and diverse voices make a real difference. If my journey helps more women see that there’s a place for them at the helm, then that’s a legacy worth charting.”
These five women operate in different corners of the visitor economy – policy, marine tourism, cultural leadership, aviation and wellness hospitality – yet they share a common trajectory. Each is leading in spaces historically dominated by others. Each is influencing not only business outcomes, but the structural direction of their sector.
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For more information, images and interviews please contact Heather or Jen at The Comms. People:
Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au