This month we spoke with Steph Paprzycki-Baker, Team Leader, Community Safety at City of Adelaide, about her role and being awarded Emerging Leader of the Year at the 22nd Leadership Excellence Awards.

What is your role at City of Adelaide, and what does it involve?

My role at the City of Adelaide is Team Leader, Community Safety. My main gig? Creating a vibrant and secure city environment! As part of the Regulatory Services Program, my awesome team and I make sure Council's rules are followed in public spaces. We're all about maintaining a safe and accessible city for everyone, while also being there to support and mentor our talented crew.

What are you most looking forward to in your role in the next 12 months or so? Any exciting projects or initiatives you can share?
In the coming year, we're super excited about expanding our teams and embracing new on-street technology to work smarter. We're also planning a review of our by-laws to stay up to date with our amazing community and deliver top-notch outcomes for our customers. Big things are on the horizon at the City of Adelaide!
        

Congratulations! You were announced as the 2023 Emerging Leader of the Year at our 22nd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards recently – what does this win represent, and what does it mean to you? 

Winning the 2023 Emerging Leader of the Year Award at the 22nd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards is a tremendous honour for me. It represents the journey of personal and professional growth I've undertaken, showcasing resilience, perseverance and overcoming numerous obstacles. This recognition at the sector level is a testament to never giving up and I hope is an inspiration for others.

You impressed the judging panel with your authentic and passionate leadership style – what do you enjoy about being a leader?

Being a leader brings me immense joy as I witness the growth of my team, both personally and professionally. Seeing them develop, achieve their goals and gain confidence is incredibly rewarding. Even during challenging times, observing team members overcome obstacles fills me with immense pride. For me, true leadership is about serving and helping others succeed.

Finally, who is Steph? What do you like to do in your leisure time? 

In my free time, you can find me playing footy and DJing. I'm a coffee enthusiast and cherish moments with my goddaughter, niece, godson, and my two adorable staffys, Quinton and Lulu. Life is all about enjoying the things we love!