Inspired Leadership 2024 was developed to address the lack of inclusive, place-based leadership pathways across the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island region. Regional leadership programs often fail to reflect cultural diversity, lived experience of disability, or First Nations perspectives. This program was designed to increase economic equity by empowering underrepresented individuals to lead with confidence and purpose.

Through a framework centred on cultural awareness, wellbeing and regenerative leadership, Inspired Leadership 2024 fostered meaningful participation from diverse voices shaping the region’s economic future. The program supported participants to build networks, gain recognition, and launch community initiatives that contribute to local economies. Outcomes include new peer networks and partnerships, inclusive events, and strengthened community engagement.

Inspired Leadership 2024 was a six-month, regionally tailored leadership program resulting from a collaboration led by RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island (AHFKI), with funding from the Government of South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions. This is funding allocated to each region to develop its own leadership programs.

The Inspired Leadership program was delivered by Newday Leadership on behalf of RDA AHFKI to align with RDA’s strategic focus on building inclusive local leadership by directly addressing gaps identified in RDA AHFKI’s regional leadership scan.

That scan delivered through the Leaders Institute of South Australia, identified the following gaps:

• Lack of provision of leadership development opportunities at local and regional level
• Existing programs are weighted towards horizontal and individual/business focus
• Missed opportunities for sharing good leadership practice from within the region  
• Community leaders under skilled in governance and the role of Chair
• Leadership cohort unrepresentative of the diversity of the region, including:
  • Females
  • Minority groups
  • Young people
• Missed opportunities for leadership collaboration as a region.

The three keys to the success of the Inspired Leadership 2024 initiative were:

• Curation of the participant cohort
• Focus on regenerative principles and First Nations teachings
• Enabling participants to teach.

“My world became very small after acquired brain injury (ABI). I now feel more distinct, more whole than I have in almost a decade. I was on the right path, I just needed the loving kindness and wisdom of Katrina and Matt, and the generosity of the other participants, to identify my strengths and to refine my purpose. I am growing into this new self, into clarity, and look forward to continually evolving”. – Inspired Leadership participant, Liluella Walsh