We caught up with Josh Forshaw, Coordinator, Maintenance Worker, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, about what led him to participate in the program, how he found the Opening Retreat, and what he's most looking forward to as part of the development opportunity. 

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

Signing up for the Emerging Leaders Program presented a chance to build on my leadership skills and to understand what it takes to be a successful leader in local government. 

What was your biggest takeaway from the opening retreat?

The biggest takeaway from the Retreat was acknowledging that it's okay to be vulnerable in a leadership position. As long as you can identify your weaknesses, it gives you an understanding of what you can improve on in the future to make you a stronger leader. Being taken out of your comfort zone really sets you up for challenges you may face in your leadership journey.

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

Certainly, the progression of my leadership capabilities within my workplace. I think this program will build the framework for me to transition into my day-to-day work environment. I also believe this will give me a greater understanding of how different leaders lead and what it takes to be a successful leader. 

We caught up with John Straccia, Coordinator, Project Delivery at the City of Tea Tree Gully, about what led him to participate in the program, how he's enjoyed it so far, and how he is already seeing positive results within his work environment because of the development opportunity.

Why did you decide to participate in this program?

I joined the Ignite Program because I’m driven to do more than just go through the motions. I want to lead with purpose, challenge how things are done, and help shape a better path forward. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture, so I saw this program as a chance to step back, reflect, and grow as a leader.

What have you enjoyed most so far about the program?

What I’ve enjoyed most so far is being exposed to new concepts, ideas, and conversations that challenge the way I think. Hearing different perspectives from other participants has been valuable and has helped shift how I approach certain situations. I’ve also taken away practical tools and techniques that I can apply straight away, which has made the experience engaging and useful, both in theory and practice. 

What is something interesting that you have learnt so far during the program?

I’ve learnt that leadership isn’t always about having the answers, it’s often about asking better questions, listening better, and creating space for others to step up. This shift in mindset has helped me reflect on how I show up in my role and the kind of leader I want to be.

How has/will this program improve your experience in your current role?

The program has given me new ways to approach challenges in my role, particularly around leading through complexity and influencing without authority. It’s helped me step back from task-focused project delivery and think more strategically about how I lead, communicate, and support others. The tools and perspectives I’ve gained are directly applicable to the real pressures of the job and will help me lead with more clarity and impact.

We caught up with one of last year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, Halyna Bai, Payroll Officer, District Council of Grant, to find out how she enjoyed the program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
I signed up for the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) to improve key leadership skills such as decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses and how to best support my team. The program also offered insights into emotional regulation and effective interactions, which contribute to higher team productivity and satisfaction. Additionally, I was eager to learn how organisational culture impacts outcomes and how I can influence it to achieve the best results for my council and community.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
My biggest takeaway from ELP was the importance of empathy in leadership. The program emphasised the need for understanding and connecting with team members on a deeper level, recognising their perspectives, and being mindful of emotions during change processes. By fostering empathy, I’ve become more attuned to the needs of others, which has helped me build stronger relationships and create more supportive, collaborative environments within my team. This emotional intelligence is crucial for driving effective leadership and long-term success.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program?
If you're considering ELP, my advice would be to embrace the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone.

This program pushes you to challenge your assumptions and engage in experiences that will expand both your leadership skills and your perspective. You'll develop lasting skills that will serve you well in your career, from self-awareness to effective leadership strategies. Beyond just learning, ELP offers the chance to build a strong, supportive network of emerging leaders across South Australian local government. You'll engage with individuals from various councils, broadening your understanding of the sector's diverse cultures and challenges. And don’t forget the fun! The program includes moments where you can bond with your peers, relax, and enjoy the process of learning in a dynamic, supportive environment. It's a great mix of professional growth, personal development, and meaningful connections - all while pushing you to step beyond your usual limits.

We caught up with one of last year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, Josephine Baker, Executive Assistant & Project Officer, City of Mitcham, to find out how she enjoyed the program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
I was interested in meeting new people from other councils and gaining an understanding of how things worked in and across their local government organisations. Through the program, I made some great friends who are fabulous contacts should I need to ask questions of other councils to problem-solve and make improvements to my own processes and projects.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
Communication and leadership skills. There are many different forms of leaders, with the most well-known being technical leaders and people leaders. Understanding these leadership types has allowed me to have discussions with fellow staff members about any issues they are experiencing, as well as problems they might be having within their personal leadership sphere. Understanding the Team Management Profile and from that, the differences between people's different working and communication styles has given me further insight into how some people work differently. 

As an Executive Assistant, this is a great asset to hold, as I've been able to apply this to how my Managers and General Managers work, and how I can change some of my work styles to accommodate them.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program?
Don’t consider it - just do it! What is the worst that can happen? You may not get in this year, but try again next year. Even if you just mention it to your leader so they are aware you are interested can go a long way. The LG Professionals SA Management Challenge is also a great step toward learning alternative ways on how to approach work, and that there are such a wide variety of people across your organisation with different and valuable skills.

We caught up with one of last year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, Alisha Peeters, Marketing Executive, Adelaide Central Market Authority, to find out how she enjoyed the program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
I was motivated to sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program after my wonderful mentor at the time highly recommended the program, herself being a past graduate. I wanted to develop my leadership skills in a practical way, and I felt that this program would challenge me, push me to think differently but also provide me with the tools to use in my everyday work.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
One of my biggest takeaways was gaining a deeper understanding of personal leadership and how to apply leadership skills. The program also broadened my understanding of local government, and I learned how to work more effectively with a range of different work styles and preferences.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program?
I’d say go for it! It’s a fantastic opportunity for your personal and professional growth; to learn from experienced leaders, take on challenges that will help you grow, and step out of your comfort zone. It’s also a great opportunity to meet some wonderful people from other councils.

We caught up with one of last year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, Lyndal Obst, Corporate Governance and Risk Officer, Mount Barker District Council, to find out how she enjoyed the program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
Initially, I had wanted to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone whilst taking on new responsibilities and gaining a broader perspective of other councils. I also wanted to gain exposure to different leadership styles and perspectives to become a more versatile and effective leader. A while ago, I attended a presentation given by a leader whom I admire, and one of my takeaways from what she talked about was to ‘choose who leads you’ – this resonated with me, and I wanted to take that and progress my learnings on becoming a leader embodying my values of integrity, honesty and inclusion.

Your final module focused on the integration of your learnings – what were some of your takeaways from this module?

This module was a time for reflection on what we had learned from the Emerging Leaders Program. We worked through some of the personal and professional challenges we had faced throughout the year and how we integrated some of the concepts and frameworks we’d learnt from the ELP into both our work and personal lives. Reflecting and sharing our journey of leadership development throughout this program also helped us set our own specific goals for the future. It was a true celebration of our time together and a culmination of what we had achieved during the year.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program?

Honestly, just do it! ELP was a transformative experience for me that helped to push me outside of my comfort zone, both personally and professionally. It inspired me to pursue a new role and saw me transition between councils during the program. I'm grateful to The Rural City of Murray Bridge for offering me the initial opportunity to join the program, and to the Mount Barker District Council for their ongoing support in helping me to complete the program. The program also provides a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, and expand and build on a strong professional network, which I have found incredibly rewarding. And finally – be prepared to have fun! The lifelong connections and friendships you will make throughout the program are something that will stay with you forever, and I believe that is truly priceless.

We caught up with one of this year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, David Sboro, Team Leader Environmental Health, City of Marion, to find out how he enjoyed the program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

I wanted to stretch myself as a leader, which coincided with starting a new role in leadership. This was perfect timing as I was going to learn whilst on the job! The content for the program looked to specifically build skills within the local government industry. Once I started speaking with previous ELP graduates, it became clear how beneficial the program was going to be for leaders in our sector.

The last cohort-led module focused on sustainability – as an Environmental Health Officer, what were some of your takeaways from this module? 

Circular economies and how little things matter. We all have a role to play, whether it be advocating for regulations or adopting models, It all adds up. I also enjoyed being part of the group that delivered this module. We secured three great speakers presenting a range of topics, including financial sustainability relating to funding models as well as opportunities for innovative, sustainable, and climate-resilient developments.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program?

Do it! If you are wanting to build leadership capability, extend your local government knowledge and think more broadly, then this is the program for you. The program has a great mix of theory and practical components which made it easy to apply back at the workplace. Building my local government network was an added benefit, as I’ve been able to connect with counterparts across local government to share resources and ideas for common topics.

We caught up with one of this year's Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) participants, Craig Pearson, Information Technology Coordinator, Coorong District Council, and module organiser, Laura Morgan, Manager Property, Mount Barker District Council, to find out more about their experiences with the ELP.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

Having recently joined the local government sector, my director asked if I would be interested in the program. Eager to broaden my knowledge across different areas of local government, I recognised this as an excellent opportunity. The program’s prospectus promised substantial personal and professional growth, as well as the chance to network with colleagues from other councils.

To date, the program has exceeded expectations, offering a diverse range of topics and a fantastic range of tutors and guest speakers. While it has pushed me beyond my comfort zone - an aspect I had not fully anticipated - this challenge has proven to be the most rewarding part of the experience.

A recent module focused on Media and Engagement – what were some of your takeaways from this module? 

Media and Engagement aren't really areas that I would be involved with on a day-to-day basis so I went into the module with an open mind as to what I could learn from the day. The group who organised the module did a fantastic job, with a wide range of views on strategies for managing media, engagement and community consultation. Having Kate O’Neill take us on her career journey gave great insight and inspiration into taking risks and not letting others tell your story. It has been a continued theme from guest speakers, to embrace the unknown and say yes to new challenges.

The 45 minute ‘express masterclass’ by Brett Manuel was highly entertaining, and participants were able to see the value in which having real experience and expertise in engagement is favourable within local government.

What are you most looking forward to as the program comes to close? 

Witnessing the growth of all Program participants. Collectively you can see the level of confidence increase, so I am excited to see the results of this in the final presentations. Having worked on our group project for around six months now, I am looking forward to the opportunity to present the final report to local government colleagues, executives and the other ELP participants.

We caught up with one of this year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, Victoria Olupeka, Senior Advisor, WHS, City of Tea Tree Gully, to find out how she is enjoying the program so far.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

I signed up for the Emerging Leaders Program to gain contemporary, evidence-based leadership skills. I wanted to explore my leadership style and leverage it to lead myself and influence others more effectively.

As a newbie to local government, I wanted to deepen my understanding of its structures and operations. Additionally, the opportunity to connect and build relationships with colleagues from other Councils allows me to tap into valuable knowledge and support throughout my journey in local government.

What was your biggest takeaway from the latest module, Leading Change? 

My key takeaway from the 'Leading Change' module is a deeper understanding of resistance to change, along with practical strategies for effectively leading teams at various stages of the change process.

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

I am eager to collaborate with my project team to create a modern solution for retaining intellectual property when different generations retire. Our approach will be easily adaptable for both local government and beyond

We caught up with one of this year's Emerging Leaders Program participants, Jamie Thornton, Team Leader Environment & Natural Assets, Mount Barker District Council to find out how he is enjoying the program so far. What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program? I was honoured to be nominated by P&C and after looking at the prospectus I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn leadership skills in a local government context given my mostly commercial background. I have attended various professional development short courses in leadership during my career including Certificate IV in Frontline Management (Business) and feel that leadership requires ongoing work and diligence in training to effectively lead your team and organisation. A recent module focused on the Political Context – what were some of your takeaways from this module? The day was very good and provided great insight with excellent speakers. One of the key things I took away was from Mark Withers who provided detail on how he spends his time - 20% each across – strategy planning, relationship management, problem solving, politics and creative. It highlights the multiple areas, disciplines and skills a CEO is required to work, and time spent to remain sustainable given multiple responsibilities within the role.

This backed up comments from the CEO of Rural City of Murray Bridge, Heather Barclay, from the rural module who noted her CV would for some be quite chaotic but as a CEO the diversity and understanding of multiple areas is not only key but politically this diversity is needed to gain an understanding of all aspects, seen as good experience for the CEO role.

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

Continued networking and problem-solving opportunities with the group and valued insight from various speakers and leaders within the local government setting.