It was an empowering start to the day at the Women in Business and Regional Development (WiBRD) and Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce breakfast at The Henty last week.
The event was supported by Business NBN and hosted by Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Candice Fennell and WiBRD board member Cathy Beckman.
Local guest speakers Member for Barker Tony Pasin, Sinclair Wilson partner Hayley Neumann and City of Mount Gambier councillor Sonya Mezinec answered questions from WiBRD partner Di Ind about leadership.
WiBRD executive officer Kylie Boston said it was a great morning and the guest speakers provided some great take-home messages.
“It was just fabulous having that local content because we have some fabulous people within our community so it was great that we could showcase them,” Ms Boston said.
“I think it’s been great, some great tips to take on for the day and also then moving forward in your own career and life and what you do.
“It’s a chance for everybody to learn and grow and network.”
WiBRD board member Brittany Shelton said the breakfast was an opportunity for people new to leadership roles and owning businesses to hear from experienced people.
“How often do you have an opportunity to sit down in a room with Tony Pasin, Sonya Mezinec and Hayley Neumann?” Ms Shelton said.
“It is just not something that is easily accessible in our everyday lives and this provides people that opportunity to come, to hear from those people, to hear from their valuable experience.
“We help build courage, build experience, so that we can have strong female leaders in our community.”
Ms Fennell said the event was successful, received a great attendance and the panel was a great approach because a diverse range of important topics, thoughts and perspectives could be communicated quickly with attendees.
“This is also not just a message for women, but also for male leaders to look out for potential young leaders and female leaders to help bring them along as well,” she said.
“We’re all leaders of something, whether that means you’re a leader of a family unit or a leader of the people around us.
“Even though we may not be a leader of a ‘team’ by way of having direct reports, we’re also a leader of people we can influence.”
