Exploring the Realities of Leadership Wellbeing in Rural and Regional Australia

Leading with Purpose While Caring for Self

Leading a social enterprise in rural, regional, or remote Australia often involves navigating complex realities—from resource limitations and isolation to personal burnout and community pressure. This Masterclass brings together lived experience and research-based strategies to illuminate the unique wellbeing journeys of social enterprise leaders. Drawing on findings from a recent Queensland Government-funded study, this session offers practical tools and reflections to help leaders strengthen their resilience, protect their wellbeing, and enhance their impact.

Join Dr Aastha Malhotra for an Insightful and Grounded Masterclass

This session will be led by Dr Aastha Malhotra, a pracademic with over 20 years of global experience in social innovation and applied research. A Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), Aastha will be joined by a research student who contributed to the study. Together, they will share findings and insights from a project examining the wellbeing experiences of rural, regional, and remote social enterprise leaders.

📅 Date

Wednesday 6 August

⏰ Time

12 PM (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) / 11:30 AM (Adelaide, Darwin) / 10 AM (Perth) / 2 PM (Wellington)

🖥 Online

🎟 Cost

Free for BFGN members, $20 for non-members

What You’ll Learn & Do

Explore key findings from the Queensland Government-funded study on leadership wellbeing
Hear firsthand reflections from a contributing research student
Identify common stressors and resilience strategies among social enterprise leaders
Reflect on your own wellbeing practices and leadership sustainability
Connect with peers navigating similar regional and rural challenges

About the Speakers

👤 Dr Aastha Malhotra
Dr Aastha Malhotra is a pracademic, bridging academia and practice to advance equity through innovation. With over 20 years of global experience, she supports social purpose organisations and social enterprises to navigate complex change while amplifying impact through strategic planning and evaluation. Her work spans designing prison rehabilitation programs in India, fostering inclusive employment for people living with HIV in Canada, and co-creating entrepreneurial solutions with marginalised communities in Queensland. As a Senior Lecturer and Higher Degree Research Coordinator at UniSQ, Aastha leads applied research projects, curriculum development, and research mentorship. Her accolades include UniSQ’s Excellence Award in Educational Leadership and ANZAM’s Excellence Award in Promoting Learning & Teaching.

👤 UniSQ Research Student
A student researcher from UniSQ who contributed to the project will join Dr Malhotra to share key insights and lived reflections from the study.

Why Attend?

If you’re a social enterprise leader, changemaker, or support organisation working in rural, regional, or remote Australia, this Masterclass offers:

Evidence-based insights into leadership wellbeing
Practical strategies to enhance personal and organisational sustainability
A supportive space to connect with peers and share experiences
Inspiration to foster a culture of wellbeing within your enterprise

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