Introducing our 2026 Signature Leadership Program cohort

Leadership WA is delighted to introduce our 2026 Signature Leadership Program cohort.

This year’s cohort of 35 accomplished Western Australian leaders bring together a wealth of experience, perspective and insight. Representing a  broad cross-section of sectors and industries, each Participant is united by a shared commitment to strengthening our State and contributing meaningfully to its future.

We gratefully acknowledge our Scholarship Partners for their ongoing  investment in leadership development across Western Australia and congratulate the 2026 scholarship recipients.

The GGA and CBH Group Growing Leaders Scholarships have been awarded to Bindi Murray and Ruth Young.

The Lotterywest Community Leadership Scholarship (Metro) have been awarded to Pat Ryan, Melanie Hopkinson, Shelly Skinner and Holly Norman.

Our Leadership WA Scholarships have been awarded to Helen Curtis and Mark Winnett, and the Department of Communities LeadAbility Scholarship has been awarded to Alastair Mackenzie.

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

As the 2026 Signature Leadership Program commences, we look forward to supporting this exceptional group as they strengthen their leadership capability over the next 10 months.

Leadership WA Signature Leadership Program 2026 cohort:

• Alastair Mackenzie – Managing Director, Buddiup
• Ben Noteboom – Executive Director Royal Perth Bentley Group, East Metropolitan Health Service
• Ben Thomas – Asset Manager, Woodside
• Bianca Douglas – Director Forensic Science Laboratory, ChemCentre
• Bindi Murray – Executive Director, Kunmallup Pastoral
• Charron Bruce – Head of Nursing – Community, St John WA
• Christopher Lockwood – Detective Inspector, WA Police Force
• Clarissa Clark – Regional Manager – Maintenance Planning & Engineering, Rio Tinto
• Clinton Kuchel – Superintendent Metropolitan North East, Department of Fire and Emergency Services
• Edel Geoghegan – Senior Risk Manager, Keystart Home Loans
• Frances Downey – Director, Department of Health
• Genelle De Petra – Manager, Advancement Operations, Curtin University
• Helen Curtis – Director, APPARATUS: public art and cultural services
• Holly Norman – Business Development Manager, WA Youth Jazz Orchestra
• Ian Sheldrake – Executive Director, Strategy and Transformation, North Metropolitan Health Service
• Jacqueline Lane – Director, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
• Jonathan Bromage – Principal, Department of Education
• Karis Laird – Manager Contracts, Asset Training & Doc Governance, BHP
• Katy Dickson – Project Director, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
• Kyle Maher – Manager Rail Maintenance Integration, Rio Tinto
• Kylie Agius – Acting Information Communications and Technology Director, Department of Fire and Emergency Services
• Kym Lavender – Head of People Services, St John WA
• Lauren Brazier– Company Secretary, Governance & Strategy, MercyCare
• Mark Winnett – Chief Executive Officer, Willetton Basketball
• Mary-Rose Tomeo – Manager Family and Domestic Violence (Strategic Policy), Department of Communities
• Melanie Hopkinson – Chief Executive Officer,  Financial Counsellors Association of WA
• Petrina Lane – Chief Executive Officer, Best Lives
• Rebecca Lewis – General Manager New Energy, Woodside
• Robert Dickie – Head of Government & Industry Relations, CBH Group
• Rocky Collins – Principal, SEDA College WA
• Russell Thom – General Manager ICT & Corporate Support, Anglicare WA
• Ruth Young – Owner/Manager, Wyening Mission Farm
• Sarvenaz Norouzy – Planning Director, Curtin University
• Sharon Maloney – Director of Communications, Department of Education
• Shelly Skinner – Chief Executive Officer, Lionheart Camp for Kids Inc.