THE leadership qualities of women and the gender gap in high profile roles will be the focus of discussion at a forum at the Rockhampton Grammar School tomorrow.

Panelist Kylie Becker, who owns CQ Day and Night Chemmart Pharmacy, will share her experience of becomming a business owner in an industry where males in leadership roles outnumber women dramatically, despite female pharmacists making up roughly 60% of the workforce.

But Ms Becker said it wasn't just an issue facing the pharmacy industry, but women across the workforce as a whole.

"Women tend to think they have to make a choice between their personal life and raising a family or pursuing a career,” she said.

"I think that holds women back from thinking they can advance through the ranks and take leadership positions.”

In the pharmacy industry, Ms Becker said she believed more women needed to be mentored through to senior roles in clinical, community and hospital settings.

Although Ms Becker has owned her pharmacy for almost a decade, it came after she chose to start a family and worked across different sectors of the industry.

It's something she can't see changing any time soon, saying running a community pharmacy was a rewarding experience.

"I believe so strongly that pharmacists make such a difference to their community,” she said.

"We're the most accessible primary health care professional.

"That's something that can make such a difference to people.

"Every single day I come home and I know I helped someone.”

RGS Suncorp Breakfast

• Tuesday, 7am at the Rockhampton Grammar School Rowing Club
• Tickets, $30 from the school