​Nick Guggisburg 
Manager Community and Cultural Development, Kiama Municipal Council

​My experience with the LIP was one of growth, learning, networking and friendship. The aspects of the program that I enjoyed the most were the master classes on leadership development, theory and practice, plus the site visits to a range of organisations across the Illawarra and even the federal and state parliaments.

​One of the richest learning’s I gained from the program was through my mentor. He was someone who brought extraordinary experience and insights into personal growth and development, and gave me a great boost in confidence around my personal attributes that assist me in my own management roles, plus in challenging me in the areas I need further development in. He provided me with a range of tools and readings to support me on this journey, and possibly the best confirmation one could receive around my positive growth as a manager was from my own staff who have commented that they’ve noticed and appreciated the growth they’ve witnessed.

One other great benefits of the project is the broad range of people you meet and network with and the friendships that develop. In my cohort, there was a very wide-ranging spectrum of people from across a variety of organisations and services; from people who run their own businesses through to other government employees. You can never know too many people and understand enough about who does what and what resources they may be able to assist you to access in the process of pursuing initiatives. Some very strong friendships have developed through the program, and I am very grateful for the generosity of all the other program participants and particularly my mentor.

The coordinator of our cohort, Karen Bain, was a real asset to the program because apart from being a very likeable person, she had such extensive experience and access to people and opportunities that we have all drawn upon during the program. Karen also helped keep us on our toes, made sure we all knew what was coming up and gently prompted us when we needed.

I would strongly recommend the program to anyone who wants to grow their networks, experiences and understanding of themselves in the context of leadership. This is a program that will continue to grow and play an important role in supporting people from the Illawarra to access opportunities to further develop their leadership skills.

Jen White
Jen White Communications (formerly Illawarra Mercury Deputy Editor)

The Leadership Illawarra Program has not only met my expectations but it has also allowed me to meet some amazing people from all walks of life. I have had the opportunity to meet and hold discussions with the region’s leaders from a variety of organisations, from local government to educational and health services, large and small businesses.

​I was fortunate to be partnered with an incredibly supportive mentor in Vicki Grossman from CSC, and not only that, but I met a wonderful group of my peers. Our backgrounds - both personally and professionally - were as diverse as you could imagine, yet the support and friendships we forged will continue long after the program ends.

I’d like to thank RDA Illawarra, The Illawarra Connection and Wollongong University for this wonderful program.

​I would encourage those who care about the region’s future and those who want to be involved in leading this community to take part in this program. It’s an amazing opportunity that offers a unique insight into our region and its future.

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Walter Immoos
 General Manager, Novotel Northbeach

The Leadership Illawarra Program has been of true benefit to me personally, especially as the mentor/mentee relationship is more based on personal needs and driven by the mentee. The introduction training day was excellent.

Heather Marciano
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Having lived and worked in the Illawarra for most of my life, I was fortunate enough to be selected in the 2015/16 cohort of the Leadership Illawarra Program.
I was nominated by IRT Group to further my personal and professional development. Through the program I was fortunate to meet so many innovative business leaders who were willing to share their insights and experience, which helped guide and influence my personal leadership journey.
My passion has always been in the areas of disability and ageing. Although I had co-authored research papers, presented our research overseas, and secured 2.9 million in funding to build an innovative accommodation model for ageing people with intellectual disability, I lacked the required business acumen needed to scale up the model.
https://abdn.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/stories-affording-new-pathways-bridging-the-divide-between-aged-a
https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2015/07/08/services-collaborate-on-innovative-housing-to-bridge-ageing-disability-divide/
 
My aim was to learn the strategies, objectives and tactics of successful leaders to see how I could apply them to drive my own passion to the next level. What I learnt through our LIP business leader visits, was that to be a successful leader and have a successful organisation takes years of dedication, innovation and hard work. It means driving yourself harder and further towards your goal. It was during my LIP journey that I realised that to achieve my dream of scaling up communities designed for people with disability, I needed to further my own development, particularly in Financial Management. It was at that time that I applied for MBA entry at UOW, and in October 2018 secured a full post graduate MBA Scholarship through the Illawarra Connection presented by Dr Grace McCarthy. I am currently in my first year of my MBA studies and am loving the experience.
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5694298/a-career-helping-people-with-disabilities-earns-scholarship/
 
I was so fortunate to meet some really incredible people on my LIP journey, including Grace McCarthy who was instrumental in my decision to attempt an MBA and apply for relevant scholarships, Karen Bain who led our LIP group and created an amazing experience for all of us, and of course my fellow LIP members, many of whom I still connect with and am so grateful to have met. I certainly feel much richer for the experience.