Premier’s legacy lives on in women’s leadership program

Applications are now open for places in the Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program, which honours the legacy of Victoria’s first female Premier and aims to equip a new generation with the confidence and capabilities to follow in her footsteps.

Funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA), the free six-week training program includes face-to-face and online learning, peer mentoring, and group work. Participants aged 22 to 40 are being sought to extend their leadership potential in their workplaces and communities.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins launched the program, which is tied to a broader effort.

Through the "Our equal state: Victoria’s gender equality strategy and action plan" the Victorian government says it is supporting women and gender diverse Victorians to reach their leadership potential in workplaces and the community.

“Supporting more women into leadership isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s smart business. It leads to better decisions, stronger teams and more inclusive communities,” Hutchins said.

“When women lead, we all benefit. I encourage eligible Victorians to put their hand up – your perspective and experience can make a real difference.”

Community Directors executive director Adele Stowe-Lindner said the program was designed to break down barriers and forge Victoria’s future leaders.

“We know there are many talented, capable women and gender-diverse people who just haven’t had the opportunity to build their leadership skills in a formal way,” Stowe-Lindner said.

“This program is about changing that. It’s about making sure leadership programs are reaching people who reflect the full diversity of our communities.”

Priority will be given to applicants without previous leadership training and those from regional and rural Victoria, of culturally diverse backgrounds, and from First Nations groups, as well as to people with disability, and people identifying as LGBTQIA+.

Participants will explore adaptive leadership techniques, build strategic thinking skills and strengthen their abilities to connect with important stakeholders. The program will also challenge structural barriers that continue to limit women’s representation in leadership.

“We want graduates to walk away not just with new tools, but with a new sense of what’s possible, both for themselves and for others,” Stowe-Lindner said.

Despite making up more than half the workforce, women remain under-represented in leadership roles across every Australian industry. According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, women hold only one in five of CEO roles, and even fewer in male-dominated fields.

“This imbalance contributes to systemic inequality and stifles the potential for inclusive progress. This program is a powerful investment in addressing that issue head on,” Stowe-Lindner said.

The Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to gender equality and is aligned with efforts to lift the representation of women in leadership across workplaces, sport, media, the arts and community settings.

Applications are open from August 4 until September 1, with the first cohort commencing in October, before another intake early next year.

More information

Apply for the Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program

Joan Kirner in action at the Communities in Control conference

The Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration