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DIVERSITY
Leadership program develops
Aboriginal autonomy CURRENT and emerging Aboriginal leaders from across Western Australia will come together to inspire and instigate meaningful change as part of a new initiative. Chevron Australia has partnered with inaugural WA Aboriginal Leadership Institute (WAALI), expanding on the company’s already successful Yorga Djenna Bidi pilot program – an Aboriginal Women’s Leadership program designed by Aboriginal women, for Aboriginal women. Yorga Djenna Bidi (meaning women’s movement or women’s journey), was developed in 2015 to fill a gap in leadership mentoring and resulted in 42 women successfully completing the fivemonth program. Building leadership and governance
capacities to overcome Aboriginal disadvantage will be the focus of the newly-expanded initiative, inspiring participants to affect meaningful change within their families and communities. The leadership-focused scheme will help bring together current and emerging Aboriginal leaders, promoting autonomy in the state's indigenous communities. One of the Institute’s core focus areas is the expansion of the WA Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Initiative, supported by Chevron Australia (featured page 64). “Supporting the WAALI Women’s Leadership program is just one of the ways we are committed to help create and strengthen long-lasting economic, social and cultural outcomes for the communities
in which we operate,” Chevron Australia Managing Director Nigel Hearne said. WAALI will offer a range of programs focusing on key areas of development such as financial literacy, personal development, reconciliation and performance management. WAALI Co-Chairperson and 2016 Aboriginal Western Australian of the Year, Rishelle Hume, emphasised the significance of instilling autonomy amongst Aboriginal communities. “We need to nurture a new generation of Aboriginal leaders and invest in their leadership development, to create a robust future for my people where there is no longer a need to talk about ‘closing the gap’,” she said. RP
Business leaders inspire next-gen Australian talent AUSTRALIA’S aspiring leaders have been set on a path to success following the launch of AMMA’s Future Leaders Network. Designed to assist in developing the next wave of leadership, the inaugural event gave a select group of ambitious professionals the unique opportunity to learn from two of Australia’s most entrepreneurial and professional business leaders. The network of budding leaders heard valuable insights and leadership success stories from special guests Sky News political commentator, television anchor and former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Australia, Peta Credlin, and successful fashion designer, entrepreneur and international businesswoman Karen Gee. AMMA Director Workplace Relations Amanda Mansini was proud to launch the network in Melbourne.
“We were incredibly fortunate to have two high calibre leaders of business, politics and media, not to mention role models, supporting the launch of the inaugural Future Leaders Network event and sharing their experiences,” Ms Mansini said. “It was great to hear their personal leadership journeys and learn from their insights and advice.” The new industry initiative was launched by AMMA to advance the next wave of leadership, not only in the resources and energy sector, but all industries across Australia. Bringing together the next generation of Australian leaders, the Network exposes them to role models who provide invaluable insights on leadership and development. “While there are existing support groups and networking style events in the industry, AMMA noticed a gap in those catering
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AMMA Director Workplace precisely Relations Amanda Mansini for the with Karen Gee and Peta Credlin at the launch of the calibre and Future Leaders Network. ambitions of the exclusive group of people invited to take part in the Network,” Ms Mansini said. “These are individuals who are already successful in their careers. They join us from a range of disciplines across the industry, with commonality in terms of their paths to leadership and passion for achieving greater levels of success. “We are committed to ensuring our country’s future is in the very best hands, which is why we have specifically handpicked a network of budding future managers, leaders and executives.” The Network will host a range of events throughout the year, providing the tools, experience and insights required to set aspiring leaders on a clear path to leadership. RP