Leaders for Geelong
Program Overview
The Leaders for Geelong Program, celebrating its 19th year in 2025, runs from January to December and is designed for leaders with some experience who are eager to expand their networks and learn from diverse perspectives beyond their own organisation.
Over the year, you will build meaningful connections, enhance your self-awareness, and refine your leadership skills to make a lasting impact both locally and beyond. The program provides valuable insights into the broader factors influencing the Geelong region, offers opportunities to learn from respected local leaders, and includes a hands-on community project that drives real change.
Through a combination of in-person events, online webinars, and a six-month community project, you'll have the chance to explore, reflect, and apply new ideas in real time, while fostering enduring relationships and community connections that extend well beyond the program.
Program Objectives
In the Leaders for Geelong Program, you will:
Build meaningful connections: Cultivate and strengthen relationships with a diverse network of peers while deepening your connections within the Geelong region.
Enhance self-awareness: Explore and articulate your leadership aspirations, style, and strengths, and actively apply them throughout the year to unlock your full potential.
Elevate your leadership skills: Gain confidence and build the skills needed to effectively lead yourself, others, organisations, and communities.
Expand your perspective: Engage in learning experiences that provide insights into the broader external factors—such as political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, and legal influences—that impact the Geelong region.
Learn from local leaders: Acquire valuable knowledge and insights from respected leaders across the public, private, not-for-profit, and education sectors in Geelong.
Deliver a community project: Partner with a local organisation on a community-based project to achieve meaningful outcomes and positively contribute to Geelong’s best future.
Achieve academic recognition: Earn credentials towards relevant MBA and Graduate Certificate of Management programs from Deakin University.
Create a lasting impact: Be inspired to continue making a difference beyond the program, joining an enduring network of over 500 Leaders for Geelong graduates dedicated to improving Geelong.
Who Should Apply?
You have some experience as a leader within your organisation or community, ready to connect with and learn from others outside of your usual network.
You’re eager to develop your knowledge and network while making a positive impact in the Geelong region.
You’re prepared to embrace challenges and dedicate the time and energy required to fully benefit from the program.
The program supported my skills and knowledge to be transferable to more than just my aged care career history and proved I can make a difference to the local community and help foster meaningful change. This was reiterated by the community project, that improves the lives of youth within our region, which was an honour to be a part of.
‘Participating in this program has supported my leadership growth and network, increased my awareness and appreciation of our amazing Geelong region, and provided me with the opportunity to support the work of a wonderful community organisation.’
Visiting amazing locations, businesses and learning about the broad range of research, developments and opportunities that are available to our region has been inspiring. It has also been important to learn the areas where our community has a key role to play in supporting our region to thrive.
Benefits to Employers
By investing in the Leaders for Geelong Program in 2025, employees who participate in the Program will:
Build meaningful connections and develop relationships outside of the organisation, which could lead to collaborations, partnerships and other opportunities for your organisation.
Gain insights into the external factors impacting the region, which can enhance their strategic thinking and decision making. Exposure to diverse perspectives may also stimulate new ideas and approaches, driving improved problem solving and innovation within the organisation.
Develop their leadership skills, improving their effectiveness in managing people, teams, projects, and organisational change.
Be more prepared for future senior leadership roles, improving your internal leadership pipeline.
Community Projects
Each year, Leaders for Geelong participants work on a community-based project of regional significance. Project teams are comprised of 4-6 local leaders with various backgrounds and experiences, who provide strategic, planning and project development support to the project champion.
2024
Pricing
$9,900 incl GST for Corporate and Government participants
$7,040 incl GST for small not-for-profits and self-funded participants
Each year, we offer 1-2 scholarships for eligible participants. The eligibility criteria is determined by the scholarship provider and may include either full or partial funding.
Program fees are all inclusive other than flights to / from Canberra and airport transfers, which are to be booked at the expense of the participant / sponsoring organisation.
Program fees must be paid upon acceptance into the program to secure the enrolment. Invoices will be issued directly to the participant or their sponsoring organisation upon acceptance into the Program.
How to Apply
To begin the application process for the 2025 Leaders for Geelong Program, please complete the application form, which will be available from Monday 7th October until 5:00pm on Friday 8th November 2024.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview in late November / early December. Final selections will be made, and offers extended, by mid-December 2024.
Date | Action |
|---|---|
Monday 7 October 2024 | Applications Open |
Friday 8 November 2024 | Applications Close |
Late November - Early December 2024 | Applicant Interviews |
Mid December 2024 | Places offered and invoices sent to secure places |
January - December 2025 | 2025 Leaders for Geelong Program |
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Community Leadership Coordinator, Karen MacAdie at lfg-admin@committeeforgeelong.com.au
The Leadership Team
Lauren Carnegie
Community Leadership Facilitator
Karen MacAdie
Community Leadership Coordinator
Partners
.jpg)
