2026 Rising Leadership Program June cohort

We’re excited to formally introduce our 2026 Rising Leadership Program June cohort.

This group brings together 18 talented leaders from across Western Australia, representing a wide range of industries, organisations and communities. While their backgrounds are diverse, they all share a commitment to creating positive change and making a meaningful contribution to WA.

Congratulations to our Scholarship Recipients

A number of participants are joining the program with the support of Leadership WA scholarships. We’re proud to recognise the recipients in this cohort and thank our Scholarship Partners, whose ongoing support helps make these opportunities accessible to leaders across the state.

Congratulations to:

• Georgie Chaffey, Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Inc), recipient of the Lotterywest Community Leadership Scholarship (Regional)
• Gill Sheridan, Australia Conservation Foundation, recipient of the Lotterywest Community Leadership Scholarship (Metro)
• Lisa Jane Cooper, Life Without Barriers, recipient of the LeadAbility Leadership Scholarship, supported by the Department of Communities
• Jo Thomas, Rabobank Australia, recipient of the Mt Burdett Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation Scholarship
• Janelle Sellers, Kilmore Group, recipient of the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Construction Sector Leaders Scholarship
• Olivia Colja, Ellenbrook Arts, recipient of the Leadership WA Foundation Ted Powell Scholarship (Ragdoll)

You can discover more about our Scholarships, including the Leadership WA Foundation and LeadAbility Scholarships, here.

We look forward to seeing this cohort connect, challenge themselves and grow over the coming months. Congratulations to everyone selected, and we wish you every success as you begin your journey through the 2026 Rising Leadership Program.

Leadership WA 2026 Rising Leadership Program – June cohort:

• Alana Trew – Customer and Community Manager, Horizon Power
• Brent Henderson – Project/Contract Manager, Main Roads Western Australia
• Colleen McDonald – Principal Sustainability Specialist, Main Roads Western Australia
• Fritha Argus – Road Safety Research & Evaluation Manager, Main Roads Western Australia
• Georgie Chaffey – Business Adviser, Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Inc)
• Gill Sheridan – Senior Philanthropy Executive, Australia Conservation Foundation
• Janelle Sellers – Delivery Manager, Kilmore Group
• Jo Thomas – Senior Rural Manager, RaboBank Australia
• Justin Davies – Operations Manager, SCEE Electrical
• Kiley Butterworth – Principal – Operational Readiness, CBH Group
• Lisa Jane Cooper – Operations Manager, Life Without Barriers
• Lorraine Hull – Training Advice Manager, Construction Training Fund
• Mark Cheong – Service Area Manager (South East Metro Region), Mission Australia
• Olivia Colja – Executive Director, Ellenbrook Arts
• Rebecca Brandham – Manager Executive Services, Public Sector Commission
• Stacey Knock – People Operations Manager, Westport, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
• Timothy Stead – Project Manager Coastal Engineering, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
• Zoe Thayre – Service Delivery Manager, Department of Fire and Emergency Services