We caught up with Danielle Crisci, Riverland Preventive Health Project Officer, Berri Barmera Council, 

about what led her to join the Emerging Leaders Program, her biggest takeaway from the Opening Retreat, and what she's most looking forward to as part of the Program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

As someone early in my career, I saw the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) as a valuable opportunity to build my local government knowledge and leadership capabilities. The passion I have for my role drives me to continuously seek opportunities for growth and development, so I can deliver better outcomes for the community and council. With aspirations to create meaningful impact throughout my career, the program felt like the perfect opportunity to invest in myself and my future as a leader.

What was your biggest takeaway from the opening retreat?

Leadership has a different meaning for different people. The retreat reinforced the importance of perspective and highlighted that there is no single definition of a leader. It encouraged me to reflect on the type of leader I want to be, and I discovered my passion lies in being a leader of change. Someone who can inspire new ways of thinking and create positive outcomes for communities.

What are you most looking forward to as the program progresses?

I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections with the ELP 2026 cohort as the program progresses, and into the future. Meeting the ELP cohort during the opening retreat was both enjoyable and energising. The networking opportunities and conversations with people from across the sector have been so fascinating and one of many highlights so far. I am grateful to share and experience this opportunity with such a diverse and supportive group of emerging leaders.