The inaugural group of Uniting AgeWell’s BEST Operational and Emerging Leaders Course have graduated, blazing the trail for others to follow in their footsteps.
CEO Andrew Kinnersly congratulated the group of 20 staff representing all service and corporate areas across both Victoria and Tasmania, saying “the program exemplifies our commitment to employee development and the nurturing of potential within our organisation.”
Andrew says, “Having met with and presented to the group during their course, I am genuinely proud of their dedication and enthusiasm.” He also paid tribute to General Manager People and Culture Gen Toop, course facilitator Emma McQueen and members of the People and Culture team for working tirelessly to deliver a meaningful experience for the cohort.
The group, complete with academic gowns and mortar boards, graduated at a high tea at the Stamford Hotel, where they also delivered fun and engaging presentations drawing from their learnings.
The emerging leaders were nominated by their managers as demonstrating leadership qualities and attributes that would benefit from formal development.
The course, which ran from November to February, with breaks over the holiday season, afforded participants the opportunity to gain a holistic strategic viewpoint of the organisation, forge stronger ties and help better understand the impacts of how we all work together.
One of those who attended, Digital Marketing Lead Jacinda Valeontis says, “Because we are a large organisation we can tend to work in silos. This gave us an insightful perspective into how the various parts of the organisation work in order to gain an understanding of how things operate as a cohesive whole.”
Jacinda was particularly interested in how staff in residential care operate. “I am in awe at the incredible work that they do, day in and day out,” she says.