April 2026 LeadAbility Graduation

We warmly congratulate the April 2026 LeadAbility Graduates, who celebrated the completion of their three-month Course on Friday 26 June 2026.

Held at City West Lotteries House, the Final Experience Day and Graduation brought together Participants, Project Mentors, Managers, family, friends and special guests to celebrate the cohort’s growth and leadership.

The occasion also marked the Graduates’ formal welcome into the LeadAbility Community of Practice.

Ideas in action: Community Project presentations

A central part of the day was the presentation of the cohort’s Community Projects. Developed throughout the Course with guidance from Community Project Mentors, the Projects invited Participants to apply their learning to real-world challenges affecting people living with disability.

Together, the presentations demonstrated the creativity, insight and practical leadership of the April cohort, with each Project offering a different pathway towards greater accessibility, connection and inclusion.

The Projects included:

• The Ripple Effect | A toolkit designed to help change-makers recognise accessibility barriers, build empathy and inspire practical action towards more inclusive environments, services and systems.
• Not Drunk, Just Different | A disability awareness concept designed to strengthen Responsible Service of Alcohol training and support more inclusive, informed decision-making.
• Connect Ability | A structured conversation toolkit and prototype designed to reduce social isolation and strengthen connection, community and belonging.

We extend our sincere thanks to our Project Mentors Amber Anthony (LeadAbility 2022, Rising 2024), Delgermaa “Deggi” Altangerel (LeadAbility 2023, Rising 2025) and Leanne Crawford (LeadAbility 2017), for the time, care and guidance they contributed to the Participants’ Projects over the last three months.

Graduation Ceremony 

We were honoured to welcome Lauren McFarlane, Executive Director, Disability Engagement and Stewardship at the Department of Communities, attending on behalf of the Hon. Minister Beazley MLA, Minister for Disability Services. Her attendance reflected the Department’s continued support for LeadAbility and its commitment to strengthening leadership capability across the disability sector.

Leadership WA CEO Candy Choo reflected on the cohort’s growth in confidence and capability, noting how impressive it was that Participants developed such thoughtful and impactful Community Project presentations across just seven Experience Days.

She also acknowledged the powerful message behind Not Drunk, Just Different, which highlighted how disability-related behaviours can sometimes be mistaken for intoxication. Candy described it as an important reminder to challenge assumptions, increase awareness and support more inclusive decision-making in community and service settings.

Our Valedictorian

Congratulations to Myreesa Hurtado, Lived Experience Consultant at Ability WA and Paraplegic Benefit Fund (PBF); Injury Prevention and Keynote Presenter at PBF, who was elected by her peers as the April 2026 cohort’s Valedictorian.

Myreesa offered a thoughtful reflection on leadership as something practised in real life, not a title or achievement, but a choice made repeatedly through curiosity, listening, humility and connection.

She also reflected on the cohort’s shared learning across different perspectives, communication styles and lived experiences, reminding Graduates that true inclusion means creating the conditions for people to be heard, understood and able to shape what happens next.

Acknowledging Leanda Syme

Leadership WA extends heartfelt thanks to LeadAbility Course Manager Leanda Syme for her extraordinary contribution to the Course over the last 12 years.

Having been part of LeadAbility since its inception, Leanda has played a vital role in shaping the Course into what it is today. Her care, expertise and commitment have made a lasting difference to Participants, Graduates and the wider LeadAbility community.

We thank Leanda sincerely for the guidance and generosity she has given to LeadAbility, and wish her every happiness in her next chapter.

As we acknowledge Leanda’s remarkable contribution, we are also delighted to welcome Meagan Shand as the incoming LeadAbility Course Manager. An experienced disability leader, consultant and coach, Meagan will lead the September 2026 cohort and help guide the next phase of LeadAbility.

Congratulations to the April 2026 LeadAbility Graduates! We look forward to seeing the leadership, advocacy and positive change you will continue to create.

 

Graduation ceremony beautifully captured by: Kylie Plunkett Photography