Creating Organisational Success with Female Leadership

Are you a talented professional woman ready to take the next step in your professional career? Do you lead an organisation looking to promote talented female leaders? YWCA Australia’s SHE Leads® program is for you!

Facilitated by Nicole Swaine, a CPA Top 40 Leaders in Australia in 2014 and South Australian Women’s Honour Roll recipient, SHE Leads® is a female leadership development program with a unique approach to leadership development including classroom learning, mentoring, and peer-learning.

Ms. Swaine says, “There is such value, both for the individual and the organisation, in women engaging in a leadership development program which supports skills and self-knowledge development and builds confidence and valuable support networks.”

“Today’s most successful businesses are those that bring diverse perspectives and experiences to each new challenge. That is why it is critically important for businesses to create clear opportunities for talented and dynamic leaders, including female leaders, to rise to the top.”

Sarah Jhunjhunwala participated in the 2018 YWCA Australia SHE Leads® program and valued the real-life practical skills that program participants are empowered to use in their leadership journey.

“Nicole was fantastic, she provided the participants with support, guidance and real-life practical skills for the challenges faced by women in leadership. Since completing YWCA’s SHE Leads® program, I’ve had the opportunity to act in a higher position and manage different teams. The program gave me the skills and knowledge I needed to move into a management role,” she says.

SHE Leads® also offers mentoring opportunities for all program participants. Multiple research studies have shown that people who receive professional mentoring are more likely to receive higher compensation, receive more promotions, feel more satisfied by and committed to their careers. This isn’t restricted to just mentees – mentors also report the same benefits.

“Mentoring is a critical component of a good leadership program,” says Ms. Swaine. “As part of the SHE Leads® program, participants are paired with a mentor who can help to encourage personal and professional development through sharing their years of knowledge, expertise and experience.”

Ms. Jhunjhunwala agrees, “My relationship with my mentor was a real highlight. She has helped me to become a more confident female leader through her ongoing encouragement and support.”

SHE Leads® delivers real, measurable, results for women aspiring to advance their careers with many women moving onto management positions following the program.

Ms. Jhunjhunwala is one of those who have advanced since participating in the program, “The program gave me the confidence to apply for a team leader position, as I felt I now had the practical skills I needed to succeed in my workplace.”

“I would definitely recommend the SHE Leads® program as it was a fantastic opportunity to network with other women in management roles and to discuss the challenges women in leadership face. The opportunity to be paired with a mentor was invaluable and the highlight of my participation in the program. My confidence increased since participating in this program.”

YWCA Australia wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work, live and play and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise First Nations people as the custodians of the lands, seas and skies, with more than 60,000 years of wisdom, connection and relationship in caring for Country.

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