By Melissa Burton | Communications and Grant Writer
Leadership Update
We would like to acknowledge Rachel Walker, who was ABCN Foundation Manager for four years leading our Accelerate program as it has grown from 31 three-year scholarships in 2018 to 45 in 2022. Rachel leaves behind a talented team that is committed to continuing the ABCN Foundation’s impact. We welcome the new Head of Foundation, Catherine Stace, who began the role in January 2023. Most recently, Catherine was Executive Officer for the Australian Association of Gerontology Research Trust and was previously CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
Year 1 Scholars
During February and March our Accelerate program manager Louise Manka travelled across Australia to onboard our 45 new scholarship recipients. At these meetings Louise supported the new scholars as they were introducted to their dedicated corporate volunteer mentor from the ABCN Member Company Network at their school and embark upon their three-year scholarship program to gain the skills, knowledge and experiences to ‘be what they can see’.
Louise travelled through the capital cities and through regional areas to reach our new cohort of Accelerate scholars. This year 73% of our scholars are female and the breakdown of Accelerate scholars from each state is:
The Year 1 cohort are now eagerly awaiting the 2 day Accelerate Leadership Summit which is will take place in Sydney in mid-May. The Accelerate scholars will be travelling from all around Australia to meet each other and their mentors as well as participate in workshops and a formal dinner.
Some feedback from an inspired scholar who attended last year's Summit: 'The most important thing they learned was that we should find a career we enjoy which means we will perform much better than others in that area. That we should strive for the best and take as many opportunities as possible and to keep pathways open. Leave room for error and change.'
Year 2 and 3 Scholars
Our Year 2 and 3 scholars have been busy attending Goals and Planning sessions across the country. The focus of the first session hosted by Member Company Macquarie Group for our Victorian scholars was about not being defined by titles or attributes but leading by example, building relationships, finding non traditional and unstructured leadership roles and most importantly, leading yourself. A session in New South Wales hosted by Member Company Accenture followed where scholars and their mentors reflected on their stories of direct and indirect leadership and how they can lead in the many roles that they play.
The third session took place in Queensland hosted by Member Company Stockland and invovled a range of interactive and informative activities including a careers interview presentation, panel, tour and Q&A session. Wonderful wisdom was shared about saying yes to opportunities, multiple pathways and careers in different disciplines, graduate programs and doors not closing forever if you change your mind. The final session was also hosted by Member Company Stockland and took place in Western Australia. During this session the focus was on Leadership vs Management, career pathways and culture. Scholars and Mentors discussed what to consider when making a decision about working for an organisation.
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