Leadership & Connection
Navigating uncertainty through leadership and networks
We strengthen leadership and connection by equipping people to collaborate, adapt and lead through complexity. Working alongside partners such as the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF), we support leaders and communities across rural, regional and remote Australia to build the skills, confidence and networks needed for resilient futures.

How we work
Our leadership approach is participatory, practical and grounded in evidence. We create learning environments that connect people across sectors and places, drawing on systems thinking and resilience frameworks to build understanding and action. Through workshops, mentoring and collaborative projects, we support leaders to grow their capacity, strengthen relationships and work collectively to drive change.
What we deliver
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Leadership development programs as an associate of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and in partnership with local leadership organisations.
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National initiatives including Changemakers, Regenerate, Leading Australian Resilient Communities and the Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program.
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Tailored support for local community leadership programs across Australia.
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Mentoring and coaching for individuals and small groups in leadership and changemaking for resilient futures.
Leadership & Connection in practice
some examples of our work
Rural Leadership in practice
Our leadership work focuses on building capacity in rural, regional and remote communities. Using a range of innovative tools and approaches, we bring people together to explore their role in creating change. We take a systems-based approach to building resilience at the personal, community, regional and social-ecological scales.
Australian Rural Leadership Program
As a partner with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation we deliver training into the Australian Rural Leadership Program, the nation’s flagship initiative for rural, regional and remote communities. Over 15 months, participants take part in immersive experiences that build confidence, resilience and adaptive leadership. By strengthening networks and fostering collaboration across sectors, the program equips leaders to navigate complexity and create positive change in their communities.

Changemakers
We have delivered over 30 Changemaker workshops across Australia, helping everyday community members step into leadership roles. These sessions empower participants to connect across divides, shift perspectives and take practical action on local issues. By fostering networks of local changemakers, the program strengthens the social fabric and builds a national web of community leaders ready to navigate disruption.

Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program
As part of the Future Drought Fund, this program equips leaders in agricultural communities to prepare for and respond to climate extremes. We work with volunteers and local leaders to build adaptive skills, strengthen collaboration and develop networks that endure beyond the program. Participants leave with practical strategies and the confidence to guide their communities through drought and uncertainty.

Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC)
LARC brought people together in ten regions to build regional leadership capacity for resilience. We co-facilitated forums, workshops and coaching that supported participants to understand challenges, identify opportunities and design community initiatives. The program fostered strong local cohorts while connecting them into a national network of regional leaders driving positive change.

Regenerate
Regenerate supports communities recovering from disasters such as the Black Summer bushfires. We worked with local leaders to strengthen skills, networks and confidence to guide recovery and renewal. Through workshops, systems thinking and collaborative initiatives, participants gained tools to lead long-term resilience and build stronger connections across their regions.

Local Leadership Programs
Alongside national initiatives, we partner with regional and community leadership programs across Australia. By embedding resilience and changemaking into existing programs, we support local leaders to develop skills relevant to their own context. This place-based approach ensures leadership development resonates with community culture and challenges while linking into wider networks of practice.

Mentoring for Resilient Futures
We also provide one-on-one and small group mentoring in leadership and changemaking. Mentoring relationships build trust, accelerate development and give leaders a sounding board for real-world challenges. Our mentoring equips emerging changemakers with the clarity, confidence and networks to turn ideas into action for resilient futures.


