LEAD Professional Development Association Inc.

𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲
As we continue reflecting on and beyond National Reconciliation Week, I want to pause and acknowledge the depth, strength and generosity of the world’s oldest continuing cultures. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples ways of knowing, being and doing and to carry this learning forward with humility and intention......Read More https://mailchi.mp/62773cd52950/leaders-digest-june-13733757

𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 5 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸, 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

In the for‑purpose sector, workers bring heart, skill and dedication into environments that are complex, emotionally demanding and deeply human. To do this work well and sustainably practitioners need tools that build confidence, resilience and genuine capability. CliftonStrengths offers exactly that.

This is not about ignoring challenges. It’s about meeting them differently with confidence, clarity and the tools that come naturally to you.

For more information: https://leadpda.org.au/professionaldevelopment/clifton-strengths-for-individuals-and-teams/

To register now: https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/38532?_gl=1*b81k2m*_ga*MTEzMDgxNDg0NC4xNzQ4OTk0MTc3*_ga_06MPCYXFHJ*czE3ODExNTM4NTEkbzExOCRnMSR0MTc4MTE1NDU3MSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.&_ga=2.160718013.1632495329.1781054393-1130814844.1748994177

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 (𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗦) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 (𝗪𝗦𝗡𝗕𝗠).

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 ‘𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴’, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴?

In the for‑purpose sector, workers bring heart, skill and dedication into environments that are complex, emotionally demanding and deeply human. To do this work well and sustainably practitioners need tools that build confidence, resilience and genuine capability. CliftonStrengths offers exactly that.

In this online workshop, you will explore how a person-centred, strengths-based mindset can transform not just individual performance, but team culture. By shifting focus from deficit to asset, from problem to possibility, we build the foundations for greater resilience, self-determination and hope in ourselves, our teams and the people we support.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 Tuesday, 16 June 2026
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 9.30 am - 12.30 pm
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Online via ZOOM


Whether you work with children, young people, families or communities, understanding your strengths gives you and the people you support a stronger foundation to thrive.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 ➡️https://lnkd.in/gZSu_YET

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀,

We invite you to take part in our annual 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 (https://lnkd.in/gaS7k8Xy), designed to better understand the strengths, experiences and opportunities across our sector. This includes exploring workforce capacity, capability, wellbeing, learning needs and collaboration.

At LEAD, we stay connected with you throughout the year through ongoing engagement across the sector - listening, learning and responding at every level of your organisation. While this engagement is continuous and dynamic, the annual survey provides an important opportunity to pause, reflect together and plan ahead collectively.

The 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 (https://lnkd.in/gaS7k8Xy) is quick and easy to complete and responses are confidential.
Every perspective matters, whether you are in frontline, leadership, governance or support roles.

Thank you for helping us strengthen our sector together.

https://etqckya3ov9.typeform.com/leadsurvey2026

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲

Across many local settings, practitioners and service leaders are encountering situations where children, families and community members are experiencing increased community tension and distress, racism, discrimination or harmful language. These experiences can have significant impacts on wellbeing, trust, engagement with services and feelings of safety and belonging.

This Learning Circle provides a structured, reflective space for practitioners and leaders to strengthen their confidence, skills and shared practice approaches when responding to racism and harmful language in service and community contexts. Grounded in trauma‑informed and culturally safe practice, the session focuses on understanding how stress, fear and emotional responses influence behaviour and how practitioners can respond in ways that promote safety, dignity and connection for those affected.

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)

Date: Wednesday 03 June 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: LEAD Learning Centre, 10/197 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills, NSW 2147
Click here to Register: https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/39195

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Penrith Regional Gallery
86 River Road, Emu Plains 2750
Click here to Register: https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/39562

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Berala Community Centre
98-104 Woodburn Rd, Berala NSW 2141
Click here to Register: https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/39240

Date: Wednesday 24 June 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Blue Mountains Theatre and Community,
106-108 Macquarie Rd, Springwood NSW 2777
Click here to Register: https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/39241

Today, on National Sorry Day, we pause to acknowledge the strength, resilience and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We honour the Stolen Generations and recognise the deep and ongoing impacts felt by individuals, families and communities. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and acknowledge the importance of truth-telling, healing and genuine partnership on the path toward reconciliation.

As we begin National Reconciliation Week 2026, we reflect on this year's theme: ALL IN, a call for 𝗮𝗹𝗹 Australians to walk alongside First Nations peoples with intention, respect and shared responsibility.

At LEAD, we are committed to going ALL IN. To mark National Reconciliation Week, we will be hosting 2 experiential workshops which will bring together nature-based ecotherapy and artmaking, creating space for reflection, connection and learning. These sessions are designed to support those working with children, young people, families and communities to strengthen practice that is culturally safe, trauma informed, healing‑focused and aligned with Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: Tuesday, 2 June 2026
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: LEAD Learning Centre - 10/197 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills NSW 2147
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm ➡️ Register Here: https://leadpda.org.au/professionaldevelopment/lead-nrw-event-all-in-nature-based-arts-ecotherapy-for-reconciliation-in-practice-morning-session/
𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm ➡️ Register Here: https://leadpda.org.au/professionaldevelopment/lead-nrw-event-all-in-nature-based-arts-ecotherapy-for-reconciliation-in-practice-afternoon-session/

Reconciliation is not a moment. It is an ongoing commitment and we are honoured to walk that journey together.

𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙄𝙉: 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚-𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙨 & 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

In the spirit of National Reconciliation Week 2026, join us for a powerful, experiential workshop that invites the workforce working with children, young people, families and communities to be All In, learning, reflecting and acting to support reconciliation every single day.

This workshop weaves together nature‑based ecotherapy and artmaking as meaningful pathways to deepen cultural understanding, strengthen relationships and support healing‑informed, culturally safe practice. Grounded in evidence and Aboriginal perspectives of connection to Country, culture and community, participants will engage mindfully with nature and creative expression to enhance emotional regulation, wellbeing and reflective practice.

Register Today
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: https://leadpda.org.au/professionaldevelopment/lead-nrw-event-all-in-nature-based-arts-ecotherapy-for-reconciliation-in-practice-morning-session/
𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: https://leadpda.org.au/professionaldevelopment/lead-nrw-event-all-in-nature-based-arts-ecotherapy-for-reconciliation-in-practice-afternoon-session/

Discover the heart of community impact in our latest Member Spotlight featuring Woodville Alliance.

We bring you an insightful sit-down conversation between LEAD Professional Development Association Inc. CEO, Sharmily Mukherjee and Woodville Alliance CEO, Greg Benson, as they share perspectives on collaboration, community leadership and the power of continued learning.

It is inspiring to see the strong relationships and collaboration that have grown across the sector over the years. The connection between Manager, Community & Family Services, Mary Haiek and LEAD Professional Development Association Inc. CEO, Sharmily Mukherjee, is built on years of mutual respect and partnership. In this video, Mary takes us through Woodville Alliance’s wide range of services, highlighting the care and dedication her team brings to supporting individuals, families and communities every day.

Watch now to learn how Woodville Alliance is making a real difference - and what it means to be a LEAD member!

LEAD x Woodville Alliance Member Spotlight Discover the heart of community impact in our latest Member Spotlight featuring Woodville Alliance.We bring you an insightful sit-down conversation between L...

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗦𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗹? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗨𝘀

If there’s one thing that defines our sector, it’s commitment. People don’t work with children, young people, families and communities because it’s easy or well‑paid. They do it because they care - deeply..... 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://mailchi.mp/d455f6d14f94/leaders-digest-may2026-13733576

We were honoured to have our CEO Sharmily Mukherjee, invited to be part of Vaisakhi Mela 2026, a milestone event and historic first for Oran Park and the wider Macarthur region, led by the truly visionary Councillor Dr Abha Suri. Congratulations to Camden Council NSW Australia, Cr Dr Abha Suri, Mayor Therese Fedeli, Cr Eva Campbell, Cr Peter McLean and Red Crown Events for bringing Vaisakhi Mela 2026 to life.

This event was a powerful example of leadership bringing communities together with purpose and heart, demonstrating that thriving communities and genuine belonging are built through collective effort and shared responsibility.

Thank you for recognising and including LEAD Professional Development Association Inc. in this important moment and for acknowledging the role we play in supporting the professional development and wellbeing of the workforce who support our children, young people, families and communities.