Regional leadership program provides women in remote WA opportunity to expand skills

A Geraldton woman has received a scholarship after taking part in leadership training. Stephanie Essex received the scholarship after attending a course collaborated by industry expert Kylah Morrison, BDO Australia and RRR Women’s Network. The Leadership for Women eight-week masterclass program included interactive sessions, group discussions and hands-on activities to provide participants skills to lead with confidence and develop their leadership potential. Ms Essex said often regional women could participate in online training only but being face-to-face with other participants was hugely valuable. “This content has been confronting, it has been relevant but what I’ve loved most is meeting other women who are like-minded and networking with them and discussing the challenges that we face regionally,” she said. Ms Morrison developed the program to support female leaders in the regions after living and working in the Pilbara for nine years. She said she wanted to support women who were empowered, resilient and engaged and ensure there was access to leadership training for regional women. More than 250 women have completed the program across 16 cohorts, including leaders from the mining industry, Government departments and local government, the not-for-profit sector and small business owners. Grief Connect founder Michelle Moriarty, who won the 2023 WA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, said she was grateful for the opportunity to reflect on her leadership skills, what was working well and what she could improve on. RRR Network CEO Kendall Galbraith said there were challenges that came with living in the regions, including limited opportunities and access to essential services, employment opportunities and smaller markets.