Emerging Leaders in Governance Program – Women with Disability only cohort (August – November 2023)

In 2023, 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) living with disability to participate (We welcome all women including transgender women, feminine identifying people and non binary people. We also highly encourage Aboriginal women and women from culturally diverse backgrounds with a disability 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.

The online information evening (DATE – 16 May 2023) 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 31 May 2023

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.

Emerging Leaders in Governance Program – LGBTIQ+ Women only cohort (August – November 2022)

In 2022, 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) who identify as LGBTIQ+* to participate (*This means LGBTIQ+ women who identify or may be perceived as women in the workplace. This includes cisgender women, transgender women, and non-binary people who may be perceived as female or feminine regardless of their gender identities).

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.

The information evening (DATE – 1 June 2022) 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 2022.

Want to understand why it’s important to include LGBTIQ+ in the boardroom?  Read the business case here by Emily Scott who has provided immense support and guidance to the Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards program in the lead up to this exciting program. Emily Scott (she/her) is current Board Director and former CEO of Out for Australia, a national volunteer not-for-profit founded in 2013 to provide support and mentoring to aspiring LGBTIQ+ professionals. She has five years experience as a management consultant with Nous Group, working in the health, ageing and human services sector, and is currently completing her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM). She is passionate about equity and inclusion and is delighted to be assisting the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program to deliver an inclusive and transformational experience for LGBTIQ+ women.

Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP)

The Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP) develops young professionals (under 40 years of age) for Board leadership in the aged care and community sector. The Program uses action and experiential learning methods and a range of tools and media aimed at developing your leadership and governance skills for a Board position within the aged care and community sector. The Program focuses on the following:

• You as a Leader – On a dedicated (weekend) Leadership Retreat and through learning activities throughout the Program, you will be assisted to identify and evaluate your personal leadership style and strengths, your leadership goals and aspirations and opportunities to develop these.
• Board Governance – During the Program you will learn about the role of Boards, the roles and responsibilities of Directors; as well as Board dynamics, etiquette and processes, including Board papers; – at learning sessions, a Board Observation opportunity for each participant and other events.
• Aged Care and Community Sector Knowledge – The Program includes site visits to aged care and community organisations and formal and informal presentations and conversations , one-to-one mentoring sessions (one for each participant) and networking opportunities, for you to gain exposure to Community leaders and current themes within the sector
• You in a Team – You will be required to complete a group project with 3 other participants. The project solidifies your knowledge of an area of governance and will be added to the online Resource Toolkit on the website here. See resources entitled “ELGP Project” for previous projects produced by our Alumni.
• ommunity Support for Your Leadership Journey – Throughout the Program you are supported by the aged care and community sector. Community Leaders (from Community Partner and other organisations), share their insights and are mentors and speakers at events and learning sessions. They may offer Board traineeships or Board positions near graduation time. You also have free access to Unconventions as an ELGP participant and alumni.
  

  You can read the 2025 Program Prospectus here!

  Program Dates

  The Launch breakfast is on Wednesday, 5 February in the morning.  Then Wednesday evening workshops until the 21 May.  The residential leadership retreat is on the 28 February to the 2 March and the site visits are on the 12 April. All sessions are compulsory to attend. 

  Program Fees

  The program fee is $5500 which includes a $5000 organisation fee and a $500 personal fee.  We invite applicants to discuss their application with their employee to determine the financial support available to you to contribute to the organisation fee.  There are a small number of scholarships available too.   

  The Program is delivered by experienced facilitation team, you can read about them here.  

  For more information about the 2025 ELGP Program, please see the Information session below.

   

   

  ** Applications for the 2025 program have now closed, to be notified when registrations open for our next intake, please fill in the form below

   

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Who Should Apply

Each year up to 20 talented individuals of diverse age, professions, industries, occupations and experience are accepted into the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP) Entry to the Program is competitive. The following qualities will enhance your application:

• A desire to be a Board member of an Aged Care or Community Organisation. The ELGP is sponsored by aged care and community organisations who are committed to developing young leaders to succeed on Boards. Whilst this Program does not offer you a Board position, it is anticipated that you are similarly keen to give back to the aged care and community sector at a Board level.
• A Business, Professional, Community and/or Entrepreneurial Skill, Interest or Value that you could contribute in a voluntary capacity on a Board of Governance.
• Leadership and Community Experience – You may already be a thought or action leader in a specified community (eg youth, rights, ethnic) and/or you may volunteer or participate in community events, for a community organisation, for a particular cause or on a committee.

Read the profiles here of some of candidates who have been selected for the Program in previous years.

Commitment to the entire 4 month Program is vital, therefore if you apply and are chosen, you are agreeing to attend the whole Program (Dates will be provided at application time). The commitment of this Program is not to be taken lightly. There are Wednesday sessions (either breakfast or evening sessions) every week, 2 Saturday sessions, team project work and a weekend retreat (Friday night to Sunday afternoon). All sessions are held outside of normal working hours. All sessions are compulsory as part of the Program.

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 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.