Join us for the upcoming LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Forum: Leading with Connection. We’ll be joined by an inspiring line-up of speakers who will share their diverse stories, spanning leadership, lived experience, community engagement, and career transformation. From overcoming personal challenges to leading inclusive projects, each speaker offers heartfelt insights and practical strategies relevant to every role and stage of career.
We’ll hear from:
- Nat Franklin, Grants and Events Officer at the City of Mitcham, whose session By Community, For Community explores how internal collaboration and community events can foster connection and amplify impact.
- Alyce McKay, Horticulturalist at the City of Adelaide, whose path from retail to horticulture is a testament to following passion, mentoring others, and creating inclusive, sustainable spaces for all.
- Dani Scuteri, Coordinator of Community Safety at the City of Charles Sturt, who will share her Story - a powerful personal journey from refugee to recognised local government leader, shaped by resilience, purpose, and people-focused leadership.
We’ll also feature a special Mentor Mentee Connections Q&A, where Michyla Lewis from the District Council of Yankalilla and Ania Karzek from the City of Holdfast Bay will share their experiences from the Women’s Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot - highlighting the importance of mutual support, growth, and career development through mentorship.
This Forum will be held in person at Tiwu Kumangka (Blackwood Library and Community Centre) and via Zoom on Thursday 4 September from 9:30AM - 12:15PM.
Read more about each session below:
By Community, For Community
Nat Franklin
Grants and Events Officer, City of Mitcham
With a diverse background spanning youth work in remote Aboriginal communities, program delivery in the not-for-profit sector, and years of experience in local government, Nat Franklin brings a unique and heartfelt perspective to community engagement. Currently serving as the Grants and Events Officer at the City of Mitcham, she coordinates civic and community events that foster inclusion, connection, and celebration. Her presentation, By Community, For Community, will explore how internal collaboration and cross-team support can amplify community outcomes, and how events and ceremonies can be powerful tools for building meaningful connections. Drawing on real-world experience and a deep passion for empowering communities, this session will highlight why connectedness matters - and how we can all play a role in supporting it.
Mentor Mentee Connections
Join Ania and Michyla for an engaging Q&A session as a mentor/mentee paring from our Women's Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot. We’ll delve deeper into their personal experiences, and they’ll share insights into how the Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot fosters growth, connection and support.
Michyla Lewis
Governance and Policy Officer, District Council of Yankalilla
Michyla is a seasoned public sector professional with over 15 years of experience spanning State and local government across Australia. Since 2021, she has been a key contributor at the District Council of Yankalilla, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the Chamber and shaping policy that reflects the needs of diverse communities.
Her career has taken her from semi-urban centres to some of the most remote parts of the country, providing her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within public service. Michyla is recognised for her collaborative approach, strategic insight, and deep commitment to community-focused outcomes.
When she’s not driving policy or supporting council operations, you’ll find her chasing after her energetic toddler or indulging her passion for cooking.
Ania Karzek
Program Director – Target Operating Model (TOM),
City of Holdfast Bay
With more years in public policy than she’d care to count, Ania has worked across a number of disciplines, including water, environment, government reform, social services and local government. She has also seen how the other half live, and worked in private, university and not for profit sectors in consulting and operational management roles.
A disruptive policy wonk by trade, Ania has a passion for connecting the art of the possible with the care we need to take in making it happen. Endlessly fascinated by ‘why?’, she believes in moonshots and doing cool stuff with technology - as long as we do it with eyes wide open.
My Story
Alyce Mckay
Horticulturalist, City of Adelaide
Alyce McKay’s journey into local government didn’t follow a straight path - but it’s one grounded in passion, persistence, and purpose. Once a nature-loving kid chasing frogs and climbing trees, she spent 15 years in retail before deciding to return to what truly lit her up: the outdoors. Volunteering on a biodiversity project with the City of Playford reconnected her with the natural environment and opened the door to hands-on roles in horticulture and land care. That experience led her to the City of Adelaide, where she now plays a key role in maintaining the city’s parks and open spaces, while also leading teams and mentoring trainees.
Alyce’s passion for supporting others to build confidence and practical skills has become a defining part of her leadership. Her commitment to growth was recognised through her participation in the LG Professionals SA Ignite program, where she continues to expand her impact. For Alyce, it's about more than green spaces - it’s about creating inclusive, sustainable places for community to thrive, and inspiring more women to see themselves as leaders, no matter where their journey begins.
My Story
Dani Scuteri
Coordinator Community Safety, City of Charles Sturt
Born in Dubrovnik, once part of the former Yugoslavia, Dani’s early life was upended by civil war, forcing her family to flee their home when she was just six. After surviving wartime displacement and exile in Serbia, she arrived in Australia at age ten under a refugee visa, settling in Adelaide’s western suburbs. Despite cultural and language barriers, Dani was inspired by her new community and determined to honour her parents' sacrifice. She became the first in her family to graduate university, earning a Bachelor of Education, and purchased her first home at 19.
Dani’s career in local government began with a customer service role at the City of Charles Sturt, the same Council that first made her feel safe on her arrival to Australia. Over 18 years, she has progressed through roles from Project Officer to Acting Manager of Community Health and Safety. Her work has shaped public health plans, regulatory programs, and much-loved community events. Dani’s leadership has earned state and national recognition, including Australian Officer of the Year and a finalist in the 2024 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards. Passionate about purpose and people leadership, she is especially committed to empowering women and culturally diverse leaders. Her journey reflects resilience, integrity, and a deep-rooted commitment to community.
This Forum is a chance to connect with peers, hear diverse stories, and take away ideas that can support your own work and wellbeing.
Distance shouldn’t be a barrier to being involved, registrations are available for you to join us at one of our regional hubs. Please select this option in your registration for us to accommodate. If you require assistance or would like to host a regional hub please contact Elyse Hearne, Manager - Marketing and Communications via email elyse@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.
Registrations for this forum are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests.
By registering for this forum, you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au
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