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