An Evening with Leadership WA 2026: Recognising leadership in a changing world

Last Thursday evening, 19 February 2026, our Leadership WA community gathered at the ANZAC Club to mark a year of impact and to recognise the leaders shaping Western Australia. More than an annual event, the evening offered space to connect, reconnect, share stories and consider how leadership must continue to evolve in an increasingly complex world.

CEO Candy Choo shared highlights from 2025 across our Programs, Alumni community and Partnerships with organisations who share our vision for a better WA, reinforcing the importance that connections play in developing courageous leadership. She also announced that all WA public universities now recognise prior learning of Leadership WA’s Signature and Rising Programs for Alumni graduating from 2020 onwards.

During the evening, we recognised former CEO Dominique Mecoy OAM, who was awarded Lifetime Alumni Membership in acknowledgement of her leadership and impact while guiding Leadership WA through significant growth and change.

Leadership WA Deputy Chair, Sam Barbaro presented the 2025 Leadership WA Awards which celebrated two exceptional leaders whose influence extends well beyond their roles.

Our congratulations to:

2025 Distinguished Fellow – Deb Wilkes (Signature 2010), Principal, Building on Strengths

Deb has more than two decades of leadership experience across government, industry and the for-purpose sector, with a career focused on strengthening communities and driving meaningful change. Her collaborative approach has seen her lead complex initiatives that bring people together to address challenging issues.

Her work includes leading the award-winning Lock Hospital truth-telling project in partnership with Aboriginal Elders and communities, advancing healing, understanding and public awareness. A long-standing member of the Leadership WA Alumni network, Deb continues to support emerging leaders through mentoring and advocacy.

In her address, Deb spoke about leadership not as performance, but as quiet, everyday practice grounded in integrity. She reflected on staying in difficult conversations, choosing principle over convenience and leading in environments where the impact of decisions is visible and personal.

Deb described leadership as service shaped by curiosity, courage and kindness, encouraging leaders to lead from a strength-based perspective, challenge systems that no longer serve people and create environments where individuals feel empowered to do the right thing without permission.

2025 Honorary Fellow – Nicole Lockwood, Chair of Infrastructure WA

Nicole is a nationally recognised leader in infrastructure, sustainability and systems transformation, with a career dedicated to bringing government, industry and communities together to address complex challenges. Widely known for her strategic insight and collaborative approach, she has played a significant role in shaping long-term projects that support economic growth, climate transition and community wellbeing.

A long-standing contributor to Leadership WA, Nicole previously served eight years on the Board, including as Deputy Chair. Her leadership has consistently focused on building partnerships that enable more adaptive, future-focused decision making.

In her address, Nicole spoke about the complexity leaders now face and the need to move beyond traditional models built on certainty and control. She described a shift toward wiser leadership, one that embraces uncertainty, prioritises learning and brings communities together around shared problems.

Her reflections captured a powerful message: systems change when people do, and leadership today requires both inner clarity and collective action to create lasting impact.

Throughout the evening, the conversations highlighted the enduring value of the Leadership WA Alumni network. Relationships formed through Programs continue to support leaders through their career transitions, professional milestones and personal challenges, reinforcing that growth extends well beyond the Program experience. One message emerged clearly: leadership is being reshaped by a more complex world. From quiet integrity to systems thinking, we must lead with curiosity, courage and collaboration.

Looking ahead, An Evening with Leadership WA served as a reminder that leadership is strengthened through connection and sustained through community. With the continued dedication of our Participants, Alumni, Partners and supporters, Leadership WA remains focused on creating experiences and connections that develop leaders whose contribution will shape a better future for Western Australia.

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Moments from the evening beautifully captured by: Kylie Plunkett Photography