FLEET has provided an environment for early-career women to thrive, progress and grow into capable and confident leaders
A significant cohort of women at FLEET received funding (2019–23) towards high-level leadership training, with surveys of the recipients in 2023 confirming the lasting positive impacts of this training in their new careers.
Iolanda Di Bernardo was Previously a Woman in FLEET Research Fellow (Monash), now Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow at IMDEA Nanociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a FLEET Scientific Associate Investigator.
The leadership program works towards two of FLEET’s major strategic aims: to develop the next generation of science leaders and to foster improved equity and diversity in STEM.
18 FLEET women have gone through Women and Leadership Australia (WLA) leadership programs, with the majority subsequently moving on to new roles in which their leadership skills are key. FLEET has surveyed WLA graduates to evaluate the ongoing benefits of leadership training, with a few comments pulled out below:
“I found the lesson on how to be a good ‘coach’ (or mentor) particularly useful: e.g. that when providing guidance it’s easy to just give advice and opinions, but it’s much more useful for the mentee if you help them get to the solution by themselves, as this helps them grow.” — Iolanda di Bernardo (Leading Edge graduate)
Previously a FLEET PhD student at RMIT, Dr Hareem Khan is now at CSIRO
“The Leading Edge course had a major component on leading in times of change, which was particularly useful for the then-current Covid-19 situation! In such circumstances, being a good leader or colleague entails understanding how people respond to change, and we were introduced to concepts and models to better understand this and to respond positively.” — Hareem Khan (Leading Edge graduate) Previously a FLEET PhD student (RMIT), now Postdoctoral Fellow, CSIRO.
Bianca Fabricante FLEET PhD student (ANU)
“The knowledge I gained in the Impact program in effective listening, negotiating, and prioritising are lifelong guides regardless of what point I am in my career, and aimed to boost productivity without sacrificing my own wellbeing. These skills would be the very framework of how I work and ascend in my chosen career and are pivotal for long-term success. Already I have reduced stress levels by using Impact’s prioritising skills, and I feel more confident when I negotiate, using learned techniques such as such as ‘voicing out’. — Bianca Fabricante (Impact) FLEET PhD student (ANU)
Tenille Ibbotson was previously FLEET Executive Officer, and is now Department Manager, Monash.
“Leading Edge helped me appreciate my own strengths and understand how to best utilise communication and critical thinking in leadership to build trust, gain buy-in and achieve outcomes. I learned how to understand team dynamics and individual characteristics to foster a high-functioning team culture. Securing a promotion to department manager within 18 months of completing the program, my transition was assisted by knowledge and skills enhanced by Leading Edge, particularly as a staff supervisor managing a large department as a cohesive, productive unit. I am empowered with confidence for continuous improvement in my leadership skills with the aim of stepping into a more senior role in the future.” — Tenille Ibbotson (Leading Edge) Previously FLEET Executive Officer, now Department Manager, Monash
Charlotte Hurry was previously FLEET Executive Officer, now Centre Manager of an ARC Training Centre
“Leading Edge gave me confidence that I have the ability to be an effective leader, allowing me to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses and to consolidate what other people see as an effective leader and then apply that to my own style. The training gave me the confidence to try for new roles even if I don’t strictly fulfil all the key success criteria. And now as a centre manager I use learned people-management techniques to help manage difficult situations.” — Charlotte Hurry (Leading Edge) Previously FLEET Executive Officer, now Centre Manager, Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre
Peggy Schoenherr was a FLEET Research Fellow (UNSW), now Research Scientist, CSIRO
“The Leading Edge program made me more confident in taking on a more leadership role. Feeling confident in being in such a role, being able to address conflict and being responsible for others.” — Peggy Schoenherr (Leading Edge) Previously FLEET Research Fellow (UNSW), now Research Scientist, CSIRO
Dianne Ruka was previously FLEET Outreach and Education Coordinator, now Centre Manager, ARC Training Centre
“Determining my own working style and the working styles/personality types of others was particularly beneficial. In my current role, I consider how to work with different individuals – and am able to manage down and up. Partly thanks to the program, I decided to apply for a different role and am now centre manager at an ARC Training Centre. This was a natural progression in my career path; however, I might not have applied without the impetus of Leading Edge. — Dianne Ruka (Leading Edge) Previously FLEET Outreach and Education Coordinator, now Centre Manager, ARC Training Centre
Maedehsadat Mousavi FLEET PhD student (UNSW)
“ Leading Edge taught me how to understand myself better, manage myself, know others, and work well with others. It gave me tools like good communication and conflict resolution skills, which I find really helpful in my daily workplace. After the program, I saw real changes in my career. I got better at leading, talking to people, and adapting to changes. The program also helped me make new connections, opening up new opportunities for me.” — Maedehsadat Mousavi (Leading Edge) FLEET PhD student (UNSW)
Nicci Coad was previously FLEET Node Administrator (RMIT), now Centre Coordinator at a new ARC Centre of Excellence
“The outstanding Leading Edge module on professional growth helped me revisit my career path and set a clear path for the future, allowing me to make a clear plan for the next 10 years. When the opportunity arose I had the confidence to approach the director of a new 2023 Centre of Excellence to register my interest in a role with the centre at a higher level of responsibility in the university HEW scale. If I had not completed the course and set a new career plan, I may not have had the confidence to approach the director to discuss a role with the new centre.” — Nicci Coad (Leading Edge) Previously FLEET Node Administrator (RMIT), now Centre Coordinator, ARC Centre of Excellence
WLA’s Leading Edge program provides practical management and leadership training. It has a holistic approach to building leadership skills and mindset, enabling women to increase resilience and develop invaluable peer-support networks.
The Impact program is aimed at women who wouldn’t necessarily consider themselves a leader or who aren’t in formal management positions. The 10-week program builds behavioural and interpersonal skills to enable better self-understanding, interpretation, and impact on others.
Scholarships are highly competitive with a limited number of applicants from each organisation eligible to apply.
Efforts to increase the number of women in STEM in leadership positions will also have long-term benefits, as the increased number of women in science leadership in turn become role models to inspire others.