RDA, UOW & TIC pledge their commitment to Leadership Illawarra Program
On Tuesday 1st September, 3 and a half highly prized scholarships for the Leadership Illawarra Program will be officially opened for the next two year program.
Representatives Daniel Rowan, Leadership Illawarra Program Steering Committee Chairman, on behalf of Regional Development Australia - Illawarra (RDA), Colin Picker (Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law) of Sydney Business School (SBS) of the University of Wollongong and Graham Lancaster, President of The Illawarra Connection (TIC) come together to commit to supporting the Leadership Illawarra Program for a further 3 years, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
RDA Illawarra, UOW SBS and TIC are commited to creating the future of the Illawarra by fostering growth and development of participants of the Leadership Illawarra Program. The Leadership Illawarra Program has been running for 8 years, and the signing ceremony symbolises the strengthened partnership between the RDA Illawarra, UOW SBS and TIC and their long-term commitment to developing the Illawarra’s NextGen leaders.
The program works collaboratively to enhance regional leadership skills and experience in order to support the community and economic growth of the Illawarra. The program is continuing to thrive, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant interest being shown for the 2 year program, starting in February 2021.
Tuesday 1st September 2020
Media Contact: Debra Murphy, RDA Illawarra: admin@rdaillawarra.com.au
Representatives Daniel Rowan, Leadership Illawarra Program Steering Committee Chairman, on behalf of Regional Development Australia - Illawarra (RDA), Colin Picker (Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law) of Sydney Business School (SBS) of the University of Wollongong and Graham Lancaster, President of The Illawarra Connection (TIC) come together to commit to supporting the Leadership Illawarra Program for a further 3 years, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
RDA Illawarra, UOW SBS and TIC are commited to creating the future of the Illawarra by fostering growth and development of participants of the Leadership Illawarra Program. The Leadership Illawarra Program has been running for 8 years, and the signing ceremony symbolises the strengthened partnership between the RDA Illawarra, UOW SBS and TIC and their long-term commitment to developing the Illawarra’s NextGen leaders.
The program works collaboratively to enhance regional leadership skills and experience in order to support the community and economic growth of the Illawarra. The program is continuing to thrive, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant interest being shown for the 2 year program, starting in February 2021.
Tuesday 1st September 2020
Media Contact: Debra Murphy, RDA Illawarra: admin@rdaillawarra.com.au
Leadership Illawarra Program graduates celebrate at TIC gala dinner

Two years have passed and another group of future Illawarra leaders have emerged. On Tuesday night, the 2016-18 Leadership Illawarra Program (LIP) cohort celebrated the completion of this multi-faceted, experiential learning program at a black-tie dinner hosted by The Illawarra Connection (TIC) at the Novotel Wollongong. The program, developed by Sydney Business School, RDA Illawarra, and The Illawarra Connection, aims to produce inspired and well-connected visionaries who will lead our region into the future, and the graduating cohort is no exception.
Over the past 24 months the cohort have attended workshops, seminars and site visits; had fireside chats with outstanding regional leaders and picked the brains of politicians in Sydney and Canberra. The two-year program was designed to reflect challenges unique to the Illawarra region and aims to foster understanding across this broad range of backgrounds.
The cohort hail from a diverse range of industries, big business, small business, commercial, government and not-for-profit and the benefits of participating in the program are numerous. Often the benefits are not always limited to the professional realm, with many progressing their careers in leaps and bounds.
“I have been offered more opportunities at work, offered a position on a board, started mentoring other young professionals, and achieved a few personal goals outside of work too” said Sharon Wingate, graduate of the 2016-18 LIP cohort.
Eddy de Gabriele, Chair of RDA Illawarra would like to thank all the participants involved in the program and the contribution of time and energy from mentors, TIC, and UOW Sydney Business School.
Congratulations to the graduating cohort of 2016-18: Justin Bailey, Nia Briguglio, Jacinta Cali, Nathan Cattell, Matthew Demos, Shiva Gopalan, George Harb, Matthew Imber, Matt Lee, Arjah-Learh McGrath, Neil Menzies, Susannah Powter, Melissa Thompson, Jenny Towers and Sharon Wingate.
We look forward to following your leadership journeys into a bright and prosperous future for the Illawarra region, as we welcome in the next batch of fresh-faced future leaders to the Leadership Illawarra Program.
Media Contact: Maddalen Isabella, RDA Illawarra: admin@rdaillawarra.com.au
0403 654 691
Over the past 24 months the cohort have attended workshops, seminars and site visits; had fireside chats with outstanding regional leaders and picked the brains of politicians in Sydney and Canberra. The two-year program was designed to reflect challenges unique to the Illawarra region and aims to foster understanding across this broad range of backgrounds.
The cohort hail from a diverse range of industries, big business, small business, commercial, government and not-for-profit and the benefits of participating in the program are numerous. Often the benefits are not always limited to the professional realm, with many progressing their careers in leaps and bounds.
“I have been offered more opportunities at work, offered a position on a board, started mentoring other young professionals, and achieved a few personal goals outside of work too” said Sharon Wingate, graduate of the 2016-18 LIP cohort.
Eddy de Gabriele, Chair of RDA Illawarra would like to thank all the participants involved in the program and the contribution of time and energy from mentors, TIC, and UOW Sydney Business School.
Congratulations to the graduating cohort of 2016-18: Justin Bailey, Nia Briguglio, Jacinta Cali, Nathan Cattell, Matthew Demos, Shiva Gopalan, George Harb, Matthew Imber, Matt Lee, Arjah-Learh McGrath, Neil Menzies, Susannah Powter, Melissa Thompson, Jenny Towers and Sharon Wingate.
We look forward to following your leadership journeys into a bright and prosperous future for the Illawarra region, as we welcome in the next batch of fresh-faced future leaders to the Leadership Illawarra Program.
Media Contact: Maddalen Isabella, RDA Illawarra: admin@rdaillawarra.com.au
0403 654 691
Media Release
Date: 1 February 2018
Date: 1 February 2018
Illawarra Leaders come together to commemorate five years of the Leadership Illawarra Program

This Thursday, 1st February, will see Regional Development Australia - Illawarra (RDA), the Sydney Business School of the University of Wollongong (UoW SBS) and The Illawarra Connection (TIC) commemorate their long-standing initiative, the Leadership Illawarra Program, with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding.
The Leadership Illawarra Program has been running for five years, and the signing ceremony symbolises the strengthened partnership between the RDA Illawarra, UoW SBS and TIC and their long-term commitment to developing the Illawarra’s NextGen leaders.
The program works collaboratively to enhance regional leadership skills and experience in order to support the social, economic and cultural environment of the Illawarra. The program is continuing to grow with significant interest being shown for the 2018-2020 program, starting in October 2018.
Three scholarships will be provided for the Leadership Illawarra Program, which incorporates two years of ongoing professional development and networking opportunities.
RDA Illawarra, UoW SBS and TIC are committed to creating and sustaining the future of the Illawarra by fostering growth of the participants of the Leadership Illawarra Program. Participants work within a range of private, not-for-profit and government organisations in the region. Alumni include Michael McKeogh, Owner of Fibre Optics Design and Construct.
Media Contact: Debra Murphy 0417 202 376
The Leadership Illawarra Program has been running for five years, and the signing ceremony symbolises the strengthened partnership between the RDA Illawarra, UoW SBS and TIC and their long-term commitment to developing the Illawarra’s NextGen leaders.
The program works collaboratively to enhance regional leadership skills and experience in order to support the social, economic and cultural environment of the Illawarra. The program is continuing to grow with significant interest being shown for the 2018-2020 program, starting in October 2018.
Three scholarships will be provided for the Leadership Illawarra Program, which incorporates two years of ongoing professional development and networking opportunities.
RDA Illawarra, UoW SBS and TIC are committed to creating and sustaining the future of the Illawarra by fostering growth of the participants of the Leadership Illawarra Program. Participants work within a range of private, not-for-profit and government organisations in the region. Alumni include Michael McKeogh, Owner of Fibre Optics Design and Construct.
Media Contact: Debra Murphy 0417 202 376

Media Release
Date: 8 May 2017
Life-altering opportunities for Illawarra leaders New partnership announced
The Leadership Illawarra Program is pleased to announce it’s new partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI) Illawarra to support leaders through the MentorMe program.
Debra Murphy, CEO of RDA Illawarra said “we’re excited to announce our new partnership with JCI Illawarra who will provide their successful MentorMe program to Leadership Illawarra Program participants. This partnership will strengthen the community leadership pool in the Illawarra as well as grow the mentor and mentee connections across the Illawarra Community Leadership Continuum”, (see diagram below).
“In my view, exceptional mentors can provide life-altering opportunities for our next generation of Illawarra leaders. I have no doubt that the pool of Illawarra leadership talent will grow exponentially through this new partnership,” said Debra.
The highly successful MentorMe program was developed by JCI Illawarra and is a structured one-on-one mentoring program which establishes links between younger and more experienced professionals in the Illawarrra. MentorMe provides guidance regarding mentees career journey and fosters opportunities for individual growth.
Alfred Chidembo, CEO and Founder of Aussie Books for Zim, and JCI Illawarra member, was a mentee through MentorMe and said “I got an awesome mentor who helped me grow professionally and challenged me to think differently as a leader.”
The partnership agreement will be signed at a meeting on 9th May. Alfred Chidembo and Debra Murphy will be available for interviews at that time.
Media welcome: 10.00am to 10.30am Tuesday 9th May 2017
RDA Illawarra, 87-89 Market Street, Wollongong
About: The Leadership Illawarra Program is a joint initiative of Regional Development Australia – Illawarra (RDA Illawarra) the University of Wollongong’s Sydney Business School and The Illawarra Connection. Further information is available at www.leadershipillawarraprogram.com.au
Media Contact: Debra Murphy 0417 202 376
To see the story on WIN News please click here: https://www.facebook.com/WINNewsIllawarra/videos/1749914161691986/