13 May 2015: Influential businesswoman Rachelle Towart will discuss what it means to be an Indigenous leader in a public lecture at the University of Canberra TOMORROW.
The chief executive of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, Australia's only national provider of accredited Indigenous leadership programs, will deliver the lecture 'Leadership in an Indigenous context' as part of the Ngunnawal Lecture Series.
Ms Towart will argue that the delivery of leadership and governance education programs must be synchronised with whole of government strategies and processes in order to be effective.
"Strong individual leadership builds strong governance and can contribute to improved wellbeing, as well as positive change in economic and social indicators," she said.
"While individual leadership programs can sometimes have sufficient impact to encourage and nurture transformational leadership on their own, transformational leadership is more frequently catalysed by opportunities for ongoing support, education and training for many leaders.
"This requires effective training and a framework of ongoing leadership development to provide guidance, support and inspiration for Indigenous leaders."
Ms Towart received the 2013 Westpac Community Leaders Award and was named one of Australia's Top 100 Women of Influence in the same year. She was also named top emerging leader in the not-for-profit sector in the 2014 NAB Women's Agenda Leadership Awards.
The Ngunnawal Lecture Series is run by the University's Ngunnawal Centre, which provides academic and pastoral support programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- Ms Towart is available for interview
WHAT: Ngunnawal Lecture 'Leadership in an Indigenous context'
WHEN: Wednesday 13 May, 6.30pm-8.30pm (lecture starts at 7pm, followed by a Q&A session)
WHERE: Building 1, Level C, Clive Price Suite (campus map)
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Amanda Jones: 0409 140 415
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362