Our 2026 ELGP has officially launched!

The Emerging Leaders in Governance Program (ELGP) officially welcomed its 2026 cohort with an energising Breakfast Launch on 4 February 2026, proudly hosted by community partner Uniting WA. The morning marked the beginning of a powerful year ahead, bringing together emerging leaders, alumni, community partners and sector champions to connect, share insights, and celebrate the next generation of governance talent. 

The event set the tone for what ELGP is all about: meaningful connection, purposeful leadership, and building the skills and confidence needed to step into Boardrooms with impact. From the moment guests arrived, there was a strong sense of momentum, curiosity and shared commitment to strengthening governance across the not-for-profit and community sectors. 

Program Founder and Facilitator Alicia Curtis officially opened the morning, welcoming the 2026 cohort and outlining what participants can expect throughout the program. Alicia spoke to the purpose of building diverse and values-driven Boards at the heart of ELGP, and encouraged participants to lean into challenges, reflect deeply on their leadership identity, and make the most of the opportunities ahead.  

We were delighted to hear from Michael Chester, Co-CEO of Uniting WA and a long-standing ELGP community partner. Drawing on his extensive involvement with the program as a mentor and panel member, Michael shared thoughtful insights on leadership and governance in practice. He reminded participants that strong governance is not simply technical, but deeply connected to people and purpose, noting that “governance isn’t dry or distant – it’s dynamic, purposeful and deeply human.” 

Michael spoke to the importance of staying curious, embracing discomfort as a sign of growth, and grounding governance decisions in real-world community experience. Reflecting on the role ELGP plays in the sector, he shared that “ELGP expands what people believe is possible for themselves, and that ripple effect strengthens the whole sector.” His reflections were a powerful reminder of the responsibility and opportunity that comes with governance leadership.  

One of the most memorable moments of the morning came from the cohort themselves. Each participant delivered a short introduction, sharing their background, what led them to the not-for-profit sector, and what they hope to gain from ELGP. The diversity of experience, perspectives and passion in the room was unmistakable – from healthcare and aged care to technology, law and community development. It was clear that this is a cohort ready to learn, challenge themselves, and contribute meaningfully. 

If you’d like to learn more about the 2026 cohort, we invite you to explore our cohort announcement blog. And if you missed meeting them at the launch, there’s another opportunity – join us at the ELGP Networking Night on Wednesday 8 April 2026 to connect with these emerging leaders as their governance journey continues. 

This is only the beginning, and we cannot wait to see what the 2026 cohort will achieve.