Behind Closed Doors

Her Seat Event Recap - 4th of March 2026

Our Behind Closed Doors gathering brought together a room of women founders, operators and leaders for an honest daytime conversation about the realities of ambition and leadership.
Hosted in Sydney, the event created space for conversations that often happen quietly, but rarely in rooms like this.

We were honoured to have Melissa Yu and Lauren Dry join us for the discussion, sharing their perspectives on leadership, personal evolution and what it means to carry multiple roles as ambitious women.

Throughout the conversation, we explored topics many women experience but do not often speak about openly. We spoke about the challenge of switching off, especially when leadership, business and personal life begin to overlap.
We explored boundaries, and the complex emotions that can arise when protecting our time, energy and focus. For many women in the room, this also meant unpacking the guilt that can come with saying no, even when it is necessary.

Lauren shared an important perspective on nervous system regulation, reminding us that regulation is not about always feeling calm. Instead, it is about being able to experience the full spectrum of emotions while remaining grounded. Melissa reflected on the idea that life is a constant evolution, sharing a line that resonated deeply throughout the room: “Life is a constant dying of self.”
It was a reminder that growth often requires us to let go of previous versions of ourselves in order to step into the next.

Another theme that surfaced strongly was the pressure many women feel to hold everything together. Whether in business, relationships or family life, ambitious women often carry multiple responsibilities at once.

One of the most powerful reflections shared across the room was that we do not need to hold everything alone.

The atmosphere throughout the event was thoughtful, open and deeply supportive. Many women shared how meaningful it was to be in a space where they felt seen and understood by others navigating similar experiences.

Amy Guo and Serena Tran, founders of Her Seat, created this gathering as part of their broader mission to redefine what networking looks like for women in business. Her Seat exists to bring balance to ambition. It creates spaces where women founders and business owners can grow, connect and evolve without losing themselves along the way.

The experience was made even more special thanks to FORCAST and HUGH & HYDE who generously sponsored the event and helped elevate the experience for the day.

What stood out most was the feeling in the room.Women connecting openly. Conversations continuing long after the discussion ended. A shared sense of understanding between people navigating leadership, ambition and life at the same time.

Moments like these are exactly why Her Seat exists.

Because when women come together with intention, it creates something truly special.

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