From Rural Beginnings to the Boardroom: Alanna’s Journey to Purpose-Driven Governance

Alanna Lofthouse is a senior lawyer with significant experience across the social services and healthcare sectors. She graduated from UWA with degrees in Law and Political Science before beginning her career at an international law firm in Perth and Sydney, where she specialised in social services and infrastructure. Drawn to purpose-driven work, Alanna went on to hold in-house legal and advisory roles in healthcare organisations, while also volunteering as a tutor for adult migrants through Navitas. 

Influenced by her upbringing in a rural community where volunteering was part of everyday life, Alanna developed a strong desire to give back. She recognised that her legal, governance and risk management expertise could make a real difference in the for-purpose sector, and applied for the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP) to develop her board skills and expand her sector knowledge. 

“At the start of the program, I thought of leadership as effective decision-making and communication,” she reflects. “I’ve since learnt that leadership is far more dynamic, rooted in values, self-awareness and emotional intelligence.” The ELGP also helped Alanna sharpen her understanding of her own values, particularly equality of access and opportunity, and the essential role community plays from individual to societal levels. 

Since graduating, Alanna has been appointed to her first board role with Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services Inc., helped launch a pro bono program within her legal practice, and began building strong networks in the not-for-profit sector. “The program gave me the confidence, insight and connections to step into governance with purpose,” she says. 

For Alanna, being part of the ELGP alumni community is about giving back to the program that helped shape her own journey. She regularly connects with fellow alumni to share experiences, support their governance and professional pathways, and champions the program to the next generation of emerging leaders.