Emerging Leaders in Governance Program – Women only cohort (August – November 2021)

In 2021, we are hosting a second Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP) cohort with support from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women and our Community Partners. 

We are opening applications specifically for young women (40 years and under) from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women to participate.  Young women from CaLD and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds with disabilities are also strongly encouraged to apply.  

Click to read the program prospectus here.

The Program runs from August to November. It is delivered by experienced leadership development trainer, Alicia Curtis, with Dr. Nicky Howe CEO of Southcare Inc. Read about them here. Places on the program are sponsored by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women and our Community Partners. 

Commitment to attending all components of the program is vital. The time commitment is approximately 100 hours including workshops, site visits, a weekend retreat, pre-reading and leadership challenges including a group project.  Read here about what previous graduates had to say about the ELGP.

Applications open on the 16 June 2021 and an information evening (DATE – 15 June 2021) is held to provide those interested with an opportunity to find out more about the program and the responsibilities and opportunities for participants.  If you can’t make the information evening, please read the program prospectus carefully and direct any questions to Alicia Curtis at alicia@alyceum.com.au.

Applications are available here and close on 4 July.

Networking and Connectivity

A distinguishing feature of the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP) is to connect emerging leaders with each other and with senior community leaders so that you can establish continuing support, connectivity and opportunities to succeed in your leadership and governance journey.

As a participant of the ELGP you will have the opportunity to connect with peers in your graduate group and the Alumni Network.

You will also be able to expand your networks in the aged care sector and community sector at learning sessions, Board observations, Unconventions and other such events with networking opportunities.

Over 41 Community Partner organisations provide speakers, leadership mentors and Board observations for the ELGP in areas such as aged care, health, drug and alcohol, LGBTI rights, advocacy, community services, community housing and disability. You will have opportunities to engage with senior leaders from some of these organisations to exchange ideas, gain insights and establish contacts. Many participants, especially those who are not from the aged care or community sector find these networking opportunities invaluable.

Board Opportunities

The Emerging Leaders Governance Program gives you individual training, current insights and access to aged care and community contacts to enhance your leadership and governance aspirations. The Program does not offer Board positions.

Periodically some of our Community Partners offer Board Traineeships at graduation time. In 2015, Southcare Inc, Starick Inc, Swancare, Melville Cares and CommunityWest made Board traineeships available to ELP graduates. After completing traineeships, many graduates have gone on to accept full board positions.

After graduation, some participants have also been “headhunted” by aged care and community Boards for full or temporary Board positions.

Board Positions

Board Traineeships

“Since completing the inaugural Emerging Leaders Governance Program in 2013, I have completed a Board Director Traineeship with SwanCare Group, been appointed to the Board of MercyCare and graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in 2014.

MercyCare’s Board had a number of important projects, including a major strategic planning process, ceasing delivery of acute care services and reviewing their constitution. I also used my internal auditing skills as a member of the Board’s Risk and Audit Committee.

In 2015, I was appointed to the Palmerston Association Board. All of these incredible experiences have enabled me to develop and continue my governance journey to benefit the community sector in WA.”

Louise Forster, Experienced Business Leader,
2016 BHP Billiton Scholar and Palmerston Board Director

Board Success

In Januray 2021, 116 Board positions have been attained by ELGP graduates; and 39 Board Traineeships in aged care, health, mental health, disability, drug and alcohol, education, training and peak body groups.

Read about Ashley and Matthew’s governance journey below.

 

“Graduating from the inaugural Emerging Leaders in Governance Program has opened more doors for me than I thought possible. Since the completion of the program I have been fortunate enough to be appointed to two NFP boards, including my appointment to the Southcare Board as Board Secretary. The knowledge, skills and connections I made through the Program have presented opportunities that would ordinarily not be available to a young person wanting to gain Board experience, and the mentorship shown by the entire Southcare Board and leadership team has been truly invaluable”

Ashley Dawson
CPA Senior Manager and Southcare Board Director

“Following the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program, I was fortunate to gain a year-long traineeship as a director on the Board of the SwanCare Group. At this time. I have had two board meetings and one sub-committee meeting so far and am loving every minute of it. I would strongly recommend the Program to any young professional looking to gain/learn more about directorship positions in the community sector as well as those with an interest in leadership and connecting with other like-minded, young professionals”

Matthew Horgan, Engineer

Alumni Network

The Alumni Network is a growing group of graduates of the Emerging Leaders Governance Program. The Network is a facility for graduates to stay in touch with each other and maintain links with Community Partners, events and other developments of the Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards Program.

The Alumni Network has been supported by an Alumni Committee in the past, who have arranged a number of events with leaders such as George Jones, Retired Sundance Chairman and former State Attorney General, Cheryl Edwardes. More social, networking and leadership development events are planned for the future.

Most Alumni Network events are also open to other young leaders in the community who are interested in leadership and Board governance. If you would like to know more about these events, please register as a member on this website to get our news direct to your inbox.

Alumni and Participants

Our Alumni and current ELGP participants are a vibrant group of young professionals who are currently contributing on Boards of Governance and/or in the communities in which they work and live.

As well as their diverse business, professional and entrepreneurial interests, the graduates of our Program have all demonstrated a remarkable commitment and drive to make a positive impact in the aged care and community sector at a leadership level. We invite you to read the professional profiles in the following pages of the 2025, 2024, 2023 Spring, 2023, 2022 Spring, 2022, 2021 Spring, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 participants and alumni.

The Alumni Open Reference meetings and events are an avenue for graduates to stay in touch with each other and maintain links with Community Partners, events and other developments of the Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards Program.

Alumni events have included leaders such as George Jones, Retired Sundance Chairman and former State Attorney General, Cheryl Edwardes. More social, networking and leadership development events are planned for the future.

Most Alumni Network events are also open to other young leaders in the community who are interested in leadership and Board governance. If you would like to know more about these events, please register as a member on this website to get our news direct to your inbox.