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Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Elizabeth White (pictured) and Claire Stokes – recent graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact and Master of Business Administration respectively – are part of a small group chosen to participate in the 2016 Emerging Leaders in Governance Program .

An initiative of Southcare Inc, the innovative four-month program offers young professionals opportunities for developing the skills and knowledge necessary for stepping onto a not-for-profit board. This includes governance training, board observations, mentoring, networking, and exploring the current challenges and opportunities for aged care and community organisations.

Elizabeth, Team Leader of Community Development at the City of Joondalup, is passionate about the potential of cross sector partnerships to create social change at scale, community engagement, and social justice. She states “It is an honour to be a part of this innovative and inspiring program, which offers exciting new possibilities for contributing to social change in WA”.

Claire currently holds positions at the Centre for Social Impact UWA and Befriend Inc, and is passionate about systems-level change and generating positive social impact. She stated “I’m excited to apply the new skills and knowledge developed during the program to assist aged care and community organisations transition and thrive during this period of significant change.”

Elizabeth and Claire offer aged care and community organisations opportunities for greater board diversity. Currently, the average age of not-for-profit board members in Australia is over 50, however younger directors on boards can bring expertise in different areas such as technological innovations, culture change and different networks. Board diversity also encourages creative problem solving, healthy conflict and different insights about populations and cultures.

“A diverse and inclusive board is not just the right thing to do, but an important business strategy in navigating the challenges of a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world " says Dr Nicky Howe, CEO of Southcare Inc.

Media references

Cheryl Croce (Centre Manager, Centre for Social Impact UWA) (+08) 6488 8129

Claire Stokes (Centre for Social Impact UWA)  (+61) 403 845 124

Verity Chia (Communications Officer, Business School) (+08) 6488 1346

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Centre for Social Impact