LV News

Bounce Back Leadership

Last month, 7 young leaders courageously took to the front of the room, making a promise to apply their new learnings and skills to their lives and to the broader community. These promises marked the end of the Bounce Back Leadership Program for 2021.

The significance of the graduation was strengthened by those in the room. Alongside the 7 young leaders we’re key supporters of the program, including:

Viv Nguyen and Bwe Thay,Chair and Deputy
Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission
Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the
Scanlon Foundation
Archangelo Nyuol Madut – Centre for Multicultural Youth
Stephen Sibanda – City of Melbourne
Charmaine Hunzwi – Incubate Foundation
Monica Forson – Human Rights Commission
Monica Deng and Deng Yong; the founders of South Sudanese Australian Youth United

The program was founded by the South Sudanese Australian Youth United in partnership with Leadership Victoria to improve the leadership capacity of young South Sudanese Australians and better position them to give back to their communities. For these young folk, the promises marked the beginning of their leadership journey.

A theme throughout the promises was the realisation within the young folk about their ability and capacity to lead both themselves, and their respective communities. That they can be the agents and influencers of the positive social change they want to see. This speaks strongly to one of our central principles of leadership at Leadership Victoria: Anyone can lead, anywhere, at any time. And that leadership is not a position but an activity.

This leadership runs all the way through to the creation of the Bounce Back Leadership Program. Before Co-founding South Sudanese Australian Youth United, Deng Yong would dedicate his time after work to mentoring and playing basketball with young people in the South Sudanese community.

Deng, alongside Co-founder of South Sudanese Australian Youth United, Monica Deng, were later selected to participate in the African Community Leadership Program, a program run by Leadership Victoria which helped empower them to develop the Bounce Back Leadership Program.

So as we come full circle, we look forward to being a part of the impact these young leaders are creating in their community. If you would like to find out what these newly minted Leadership Victoria alumni are up to, or you’d like to reach and support SSAYU in some way, please get in touch at info@leadershipvictoria.org.

Williamson Leadership Program Participants for 2022

We are excited to announce the 64 leaders who have been selected for the 2022 Williamson Leadership Program. Over the next year, the group will dive deep into themselves, the nature of leadership and explore vital issues facing our society.

Participant	Employer*
Adam McSwain	Bayside City Council
Alecia Rathbone	Summer Foundation
Alma Raheem	Stryker
Andrea Rindt	Monash Health
Andreia Marques	The University of Melbourne
Andrew Costa	Acutus
Andrew Thorp	Beyond Blue
Anton Leschen	The Smith Family
Belinda Bennett	ANZ
Belinda Gabbe	Monash University
Ben Gullquist	Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Ben Rodgers	Inner North Community Foundation
Brontë Spiteri	Department of Premier and Cabinet
Caley Geary	Ambulance Victoria
Carol Kmon	Department of Justice and Community Safety
Carolyn Finis	Summer Foundation
Chandi Piefke	Able Australia
Chrissie Maus	Chapel Street Precinct Association
Cilla Haywood	Austin Health & Northern Health
Daniela Mazzone	City of Stonnington
Emma Jansons	7 Eleven
Fiona Ward	City of Melbourne
Geraldine Christou	Greater Shepparton City Council
Hayley Conway	CARE Australia
Hemant Kokularupan	Bendigo Kangan Institute
Jaklin Trajkovski	Department of Justice and Community Safety
Jason Plant	Western Health
Jessica McGowan	Ambulance Victoria
Jo Davies	NEC
Joel Dare	Fire Rescue Victoria
Jonathan Beavers	Eastern Health
Kasper Maat	Essential Services Commission
Kate Maheras	Victorian Workcover Authority
Kate Noble	Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Kristine Gatt	Victorian Workcover Authority
Lachlan Crisp	Arup
Lara Freidin	Federation of Community Legal Centres
Latarnie McDonald	ABC
Lauren Bialkower	City of Port Phillip
Lucy Duncan	Johnson & Johnson
Maree Bennett	Barwon Health
Marlon Giuliani	City FM
Melanie Oke	Sustainability Victoria
Meredith Prain	Able Australia
Michael Faneco	Baptcare
Michael Smith	Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Michelle McCorkell	Energy Safe Victoria
Michelle Pinheiro	ANZ
Noosheen Mogadam	ASRC
Olivia Rofe	Eastern Health
Pamela Warwick	Melton City Council
Phillip Doorgachurn	Y Safeguarding
Rachael Parker	Ocean Mind
Sally Green	Monash University
Samuel Webb	Fire Rescue Victoria
Sarah Barker	Our Community
Scott Gordon	Alannah & Madeline Foundation
Sharon Brindley	Jala Jala Treats
Sharon Redmond	Homes Victoria
Simone Steel	Department of Justice and Community Safety
Stephane Shepherd	Swinburne University and Afri-Auscare
Tess McCarthy	Office of the Public Advocate
Tiffany Quick	Transport Accident Commision
Tim Esmonde	Court Services Victoria
Wendy Roberts	Department of Education and Training

Diverse perspective has always been an integral part of the Williamson experience. As well as their personal experience and knowledge, the 2022 cohort represents a range of different sectors, including:

Health and healthcare
Not-for-profit and charity
Emergency services
State and local government
Education
Infrastructure, engineering and construction
Banking, finance and consultancy
Technology
Self-employed
Social services
Law and justice
Sustainability and environment
Retail/social enterprise

*Employer as at time of Williamson 2022 recruitment (November, 2021) Please note that employments may change over time and will not be reflected here.

3 Tips For Leading In An Ongoing Crisis

We recently caught up with Chris Kotur, Leader in Residence for Leadership Victoria, who shares some great tips for leading in this ongoing crisis and how we might reframe the way we engage with these challenging times.

1. Looking after you

It may sound simple but it’s incredibly important. Vicarious trauma is a very real thing, even if you are not directly affected by these challenging times, it’s the long build-up of negative experiences which can take its toll on your resilience.

2. Adapting to the never-ending uncertainty

We are dealing with the raw and honest reality of never returning to ‘normal’. Adapting to that uncertainty is going to be challenging but incredibly important.

3. Make small, easy and observable steps

Due to the scale of change that we are facing, we need to make small, easy, and observable steps. One theme is to continue investing in strategic planning. Hold those plans loosely and increase the frequency of checking in, so that you have the infrastructure in place to adapt rather than enduring and waiting for that return to normality.

Chris is a well known and trusted adviser to chief executives, directors, board members and senior leaders. She is a specialist facilitator for board induction and strategic planning and has many years experience in strengthening community leadership.

The gift that keeps on giving

An LV leadership scholarship is a powerful thing.

It takes a person with potential and purpose and opens the doors to a whole new level of understanding and capability, as well as a life-long network of others to share it with.

Through them, it can impact their organisations and communities.

It also makes the program experience richer for everyone by contributing to the diversity of voices, experiences and points of view in the conversations that are at the heart of LV’s programs.

“I was aware of myself as a leader, but I was a leader for people who were the same as myself – the same outlook, the same motivation levels. Williamson gives you the skills to lead all people, not just the handpicked people,” says occupational therapist, business owner and Paralympian Dr Lisa Chaffey.

Engineer turned community development leader Rushda Halith is also ‘doing’ her leadership differently.

“Williamson gave me the skills to have open discussions, even when it’s not easy. I seek out people with views that challenge me and listen to understand where they are coming from.”

For professional speaker, resilience coach and competitive golfer Mike Rolls, it was the opportunity to connect with others.

“When you go through this intense experience, you create a leadership community. People bring this back to any organisation they work for and build capacity for everyone. It’s a multipronged and long-lasting impact.”

Read more about our inspiring scholarship awardees in our first LV Leadership Scholarships Report 2020/21.

You can help us to support more lifelong leaders by donating to the LV Scholarship Fund or talk to us about establishing a new scholarship through your company, foundation, alumni group or giving circle.

Moving Beyond Imposter Syndrome

In the workplace, in our economy and across society … women’s voices, experiences and energy contribute to real change. Yet progress on equity seems frustratingly elusive.

One of the many barriers to women’s leadership is self-limiting beliefs, or the concept of Imposter Syndrome which is this feeling of not ‘deserving’ your accomplishments, that you’re not good enough at your job, or you don’t belong.

In this video, we are joined by three LV alumni from our Women’s Leadership programs who share their firsthand experience of Imposter Syndrome and their tips for moving beyond it.

If you are looking to gain a deeper understanding and to enhance your own leadership skills, please have a look into our Women’s Leadership Program.

Our upcoming three-day Women’s Leadership Program retreat (in July) is for mid-to-senior leaders looking to enhance their skills, confidence and build on their network to be a change-maker in their organisation or community.

A year of learning, a lifetime of contribution

The Williamson group of 2020 have now graduated, marking the end of their program experience. But really, it is just the start… of being lifelong leaders and LV alumni.

And what an achievement this year has been.

Everyone who contemplates the Williamson Leadership Program knows it is going to be challenging. But no one could have predicted that it would be challenging in quite the way it was.  

And that is a true challenge, isn’t it?  The one that comes from a place we weren’t expecting and had never imagined. 

Uncertainty, disruption and adaptation marked the year.

The mixed feelings of the Williamson year reflect the mixed feelings of us all about this strange and difficult year. Powerlessness, unfairness and frustration, but also, sometimes, glimpses of possibility – new ways to see and be, and new connections forged in unfamiliar ways.

The fact that this once-in-a-generation event coincided with a deep dive into leadership makes this past year’s Williamson experience truly unique.  

COVID and its reach into our society was the setting for a real-time, deeply felt, exploration of the challenges the Williamson program addresses.

The true achievement is in how the 2020 Williamson cohort adapted and grew – and how they will continue to do so. 

So all of us in the LV community eagerly look on in support to see how this Williamson group will apply their year of unique insights and experiences; how they will use them to make sense of the world and contribute to creating a stronger society.

Brewing Change For Female Leaders

Meet Gabrielle Moore, Gippsland’s first official Female Agribusiness Leader of the Year.

Gab and partner Chris founded Sailors Grave Brewing, an iconic brand with a glowing reputation for their collaboration and genuine connection to the community.

Leadership Victoria are proud partners of Food and Fibre Gippsland’s Excellence in Agribusiness Awards, sponsoring the Female Agribusiness of the Year Award. As the 2020 winner, Gab will be taking up her spot in our Women’s Leadership Program.

The three-day retreat, held in May at the beautiful Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley, is an opportunity for mid-to-senior women leaders to explore the systematic barriers to women’s leadership, build confidence and strategies to lead change and gain a supportive network of female peers.

So before Gab makes the four-hour commute from Orbost to the Yarra Valley to further her leadership journey, we caught up with her (virtually, of course) to look at what leadership means to her.

What does leadership mean to you?

“Leadership to me is leading by example, working hard, and taking everyone with you on the journey. Within our business, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, if you’re not collaborating then you’re probably a dictatorship, and we all know how that ends don’t we? Especially in our region of East Gippsland, where we’re quite remote, we lean on our peers and we’re stronger together. I’m happy to be vulnerable and honest about my shortfalls as a leader. I don’t think having faults is a bad thing but being ignorant of them and not trying to address them, especially if it negatively affects your team or others, is not being a good leader.”

What are you hoping to come away with from the Women’s Leadership Program?

“Overcoming imposter syndrome, which I see is one of the outcomes of the leadership program. I think all women probably suffer from this one! I have a huge fear of public speaking, which I find holds me back, so it would be great to address this in a nurturing environment. Hacks to manage the work/life balance conundrum.”

What are the main leadership challenges and rewards as a woman in a male-dominated industry?

“One of the biggest challenges is the assumption of my role in our business, I’m often delegated to the bookkeeper role, or that I don’t even like beer and I’m tagging along with my hubby! Traditionally beer was brewed by women, but over the period of the industrial revolution, it has become largely dominated by men. I do feel that the influence of myself and other women is changing our industry for the better by bringing back more interest and diversity to beer. It might not be obvious from the outside looking in, but I can see the change and I know where it’s coming from.”

What gives you the most joy or pride in your leadership journey so far?

“I love to foster talent and unlock opportunities, it’s a great joy to me when I see people reach their potential.”

Highlights of 2020

We want to take a moment to reflect and celebrate some of the highlights of this otherwise lowlight of a year. In particular, we want to celebrate the leadership, courage, determination and resilience of the LV, and Victorian, community.

We are celebrating more than 340 participants who developed their leadership skills and mindsets with us this year.

Group of people smiling from Emerging Young Muslims Leadership Program 2020 Graduation

Most of us had no choice but to keep going this year – there was no opting out of 2020. But well done to LV’s newest alumni – the people and organisations who actively saw this as a real-time leadership challenge and – and a leadership workshop – and sought to build on their skills for themselves, their teams, their organisations and their purpose.

“The Victorian LGBTIQ Leadership Program has made me more confident in my existing leadership abilities and helped me to further understand my personal strengths. The program also provided a wonderful opportunity to build a peer network and I now feel far more connected to the Victorian LGBTIQ community.” – Ellie Watts, Victorian LGBTIQ Leadership Program participant

We are celebrating the spirit of inclusion, adaptation and access

Many of us felt like our lives were “on mute” this year, but let’s celebrate everyone who stepped up to adapt the ways they learnt and engaged this year, and some of the benefits arising from our virtual interaction. It probably wasn’t what we had in mind or hoped for, but our shift to virtual meant ongoing connection and the continued opportunity to learn and grow.

For some of the LV community, participants in our programs this year, virtual delivery actually meant the difference between them being able to access leadership development at all – in particular some of our regional and rural participants and parents of young children.

“The online format was challenging but actually had real benefits because it meant that we could include many women from country and rural Victoria who would not have been able to participate in face-to-face delivery” – Elycia Wallis, Women Leading Now Participant (CSIRO).

We are celebrating the gift of giving (back)

In this difficult year so many people in the LV community, alumni and supporters, gave their time, their knowledge and donated to the Leadership Victoria Foundation scholarships crowd funding. They gave as speakers, mentors, interview panel members and referred the next generation of leaders to Williamson and other programs.

Some even initiated a new alumni-funded scholarship for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leader into Williamson and worked with their organisations to support more scholarships and funded places. As a result we have more scholarships for Williamson in 2021 than every before.

Thanks to:

Introducing Leadership Victoria CEO, Sally Hines

We are thrilled that Sally Hines is starting as Leadership Victoria’s new CEO this week. Of course with COVID restrictions still in place in Melbourne, we aren’t able to meet in person just yet, so we asked Sally to say a few words and do a quick Q&A so you can get to know her.

Q: You are a Williamson alumna. What has stuck with you the most from your Williamson experience?

A: During my lockdown 1.0 Marie Kondo moment, I found the letter we had to write to ourselves at the start of Williamson. Amongst the many hopes and aspirations I had for myself included the desire to “think bigger, and without limits” and that is definitely what I hope to bring to LV.

Q: What do you see as your biggest leadership challenge?

A: I think my current challenge is about reimagining how I lead when I can’t rely on my standard toolkit. COVID has meant, that the way we do business, connect with others and achieve outcomes will be forever changed. Part of the challenge is getting beyond the disruption and seeing the opportunities that we can create together. For me as a leader, it means standing still is not an option- I need to be adaptable, flexible and continually innovating in order create meaningful impact and achieve my goals. This isn’t just in relation to COVID. Leadership always involves being able to see the bigger picture, the system, and finding ways to listen to others and bring them with you.

Q: Who – or what – inspires you?

A: Leaders who are brave and authentic- who are lead naturally and without pretence. It is not really the big names that I tend to gain inspiration from, but rather the quiet achievers, the people leading from within.

I’m reading Julia Gillard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Women and Leadership at the moment and there is a chapter that talks about the power of role-modelling and working with mentors and coaches- for me, an inspirational leader is someone that is willing to continue to learn, to accept when they are wrong, to be open to alternate points of view and committed to devoting time to developing others.

Q: What are three things you are personally looking forward to post-lockdown?

A: Spending time with friends and family in places more than 5km from my house

Eating fancy food in a restaurant!

Take my daughter to school 😉 Homeschooling has been quite the experience…..

How might we face society’s biggest challenges in a global pandemic?

In 6 different Clan* groups, current Williamson participants are delving into some of the biggest challenges facing our society in 2020:

Clan Group 1: Equity

How might we be active allies to Aboriginal communities to achieve greater equity?

Clan Group 2: Mental Health

How might we create space for mental health and wellbeing?

Clan Group 3: Climate Change

How might we influence LV and the 2020 WLCP cohort (then past and future cohorts) to take on a Climate Change challenge (big or small)?

Clan Group 4: Family Violence

“To stop duck shooting, you don’t go to the ducks” – How might we include the perspective of the male perpetrator of family violence to instigate change?

Clan Group 5: Opportunity

How might we gather people’s stories of the unusual events of 2020 to capture hope and resilience?

Clan Group 6: Gender Equality

How might we intervene and impact on critical moments, through empowerment, and make them count?

And these Clan groups need your help!

Join our free virtual #togetherweclan session which kicks off 6:30 pm Wednesday, 2 September.

It’s going to be fun, colorful and a great opportunity to connect with others in the Leadership Victoria community. You don’t need expertise in the topic areas. You do need enthusiasm, curiosity & an open mind.

FREE RSVP

*CLANs (Collaborative Leadership in Action Network) are an opportunity to engage the different mindsets, skills, talents, and resources of the group on a societal challenge that requires exceptional leadership. The CLAN method puts into practice the adaptive leadership principles and competencies explored throughout the Williamson experience, to a broader lens of leadership challenges in our society.