Emerging leader scores scholarship

A Warnbro resident has been awarded a scholarship to become an influential leader within the community.

Kim Hocking was selected from 40 other applicants by Southcare Inc to participate in the 2016 Emerging Leaders in Governance program.

Aimed at empowering young leaders with the knowledge and skills to benefit boards and committees within aged care and community services, it is led by Southcare Inc, a not-for-profit organisation helping people stay connected to their community.

Program founders Dr Nicky Howe and Alicia Curtis said they were excited by the talent of participants and believed young professionals represented an untapped resource of new ideas, fresh thinking and community understanding.

“I was thrilled to provide Kim with a scholarship — she is an exciting talent and an exceptional leader with over 15 years experience in the not-for profit sector,” Ms Howe said.

“Considering, 62 per cent of board members on publicly listed boards across Australia are 50 years old or above, it is essential we engage talented professionals like Kim, to lead our community into the future,” Ms Curtis said.

Ms Hocking wishes to pursue a board directorship in the aged care and/or community services sector to continue to give back to her community.

“It’s certainly time to look at the changing face of the workforce within not-for profits,” she said.

“We need to be looking at who will be the new leaders within the sector and how to best prepare them for those roles.”