EmpowerHer - Leadership Beyond Barriers

Alo Leadership Program
Experience an extraordinary 3-day leadership program designed to empower you with the skills and insights needed to reach your career aspirations. Celebrate the achievements of women leaders while gaining the tools to elevate your own leadership journey and unlock your growth mindset. A program designed by CALD women academics, thought leaders, executive coaches for CALD women. Our mission is to provide the tools and knowledge needed to step confidently into leadership roles, contextualised to the lived experiences of CALD women. 

Apply now to secure your spot in this groundbreaking program!

Program Dates: from 9.30 am to 2:30 pm 
Day 1: 20th oct
Day 2: 3rd Nov
Day 3: 17th Nov

Leadership courses like this will cost you $$$. Thanks to ACT Women grant and Westfield Local Hero Community grant to sponsor this program and make it affordable to all CALD women. Enjoy morning tea and lunch at the luxurious East Hotel Canberra. 

Program fee: 
General Tickets: $150
Cohort will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program, recognizing your commitment to leadership development. Money will be re-imbursed on completion of the program!!!

Program Highlights
Inspirational Keynotes: Insights from trailblazing women leaders.

Interactive Workshops and Panels: Practical strategies to overcome challenges and foster inclusivity. 

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and influential leaders in a relaxed, authentic setting — no gimmicks, just meaningful interactions — dedicated to advancing gender equality.

Facilitators: Dr Lubna Alam (Finalist ACT Women of the year) and Dr Fannie Wu, senior lecturer and expert in women leadership.

Why Join

Real-World Application and Leadership Knowledge: Apply leadership concepts, theories, and examples in practical scenarios, understanding various leadership traits, styles, and indicators of effectiveness.
Dynamic and Interactive Learning Experience: Engage with diverse educational materials, including readings, videos, and guest speaker sessions, complemented by interactive activities such as panel discussions, simulated presentations, and role plays.
Self-Assessment and Reflection: Continuously track your development through leadership and self-diagnostic assessments, reflecting on your growth and experiences.

What you will gain

Boost Your Confidence: Develop a growth mindset through professional development and workshops. Expand Your Network: Bridge the gap between CALD women and leadership pathways and build a cohesive network with participants and facilitators. Overcome Barriers: Equip yourself with strategies to navigate unique challenges. Connect with Role Models: Learn from successful leaders with diverse backgrounds. Build Resilience: Develop strategies to manage adversity and thrive as a leader.

Program Outline

Day 1: Women Leadership 
Session 1: Leadership traits, behavioural styles, and assessment of leadership impact.
Session 2: The role of gender in influencing leadership development and perceptions.
Session 3: Application: Case study and scenario exercises to apply concepts, theories, and principles learned.

Day 2: Strategic Communication Skills
Session 1: Confidence building through collaborative reflection and insights from a guest speaker.
Session 2: Strategic framing tactics, covering the use of verbal and nonverbal communication cues to signal qualities such as charisma, assertiveness, and empathy.
Session 3: Building persuasion and negotiation skills.

Day 3: Cultivating Resilience in Women Leaders
Session 1: Understanding and managing adversity and introducing strategies for building resilience.
Session 2: Adopting a peer-led learning model to reflect on prior experiences and apply learning to leadership challenges. Session 3: Recognising the significance of cultural intelligence in today's workplaces

Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders!

Research shows women continue to be paid less and are underrepresented in leadership roles, especially in male-dominated fields like STEM, where women represent only 15%. Systemic barriers such as gender bias, stereotyping, and lack of senior support further hinder their progress. Women from diverse backgrounds face additional challenges at the intersection of ethnicity, gender, and race. For example, only 3% of Asian women are in C-suite roles in Australia. Moreover, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) employees often lack access to mentors and professional networks, taking twice as long to reach leadership positions. This program is designed to address these disparities and provide targeted opportunities for diverse women to excel in leadership roles.

Testimonials

"This initiative was fantastic! Our pure intentions to learn, share, and grow led to an incredible experience. Kudos to the organizers!"

"Absolutely phenomenal – count me in for all future Alo events. I'd proudly wear a mascot to promote Alo!"

"The room was alive with the spirit of solidarity as women from all walks of life united to support women in tech. The sense of community and shared purpose was truly inspiring. In the presence of so many like-minded individuals, the notion that "You cannot be what you can't see" transformed into a powerful reality."

“I'm thrilled to be a part of this incredible event that's providing inspiration and encouragement. It's truly a remarkable opportunity for me and fellow CALD women in the tech industry to collaborate and work towards shaping a better future. I look forward to continually making meaningful contributions and positive changes with you together!”

Leadership Coaches and Speakers

Dr Fannie Wu

Dr. Fannie Wu is a leadership scholar and educator dedicated to empowering individuals, particularly those from minority backgrounds, to excel in leadership roles. She holds a PhD in Management from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and currently serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Management at Deakin University.With a rich background in developing and teaching postgraduate leadership courses—such as the widely recognized "Crisis Leadership" MOOC on FutureLearn—Fannie’s work also appears in top international journals like Academy of Management Annals and The Leadership Quarterly. Her research and teaching focus on helping women and individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds achieve career success and well-being at work.In addition to her academic contributions, Dr. Wu has successfully secured competitive research funding and actively serves the leadership community through her roles at Deakin University, including the Leadership Futures Hub and the Journal of Vocational Behaviour.

Associate Professor Lubna Alam

A dynamic and inspiring thought leader in the field of Information Systems, and a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and women’s empowerment. As an Associate Professor and co-founder of the not-for-profit ALO Enlightened Women Inc., Dr. Alam is a driving force in supporting migrant and refugee women, helping them unlock their full potential.

Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Dr. Alam has earned the prestigious ACT Outstanding Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion at the 2023 ACT Government Multicultural Awards and was a finalist for the 2024 ACT Woman of the Year. Her impact has also been celebrated through nominations like the 2022 Women in ICT “Wicked Woman of the Year” and “ABC Radio Canberra Multicultural Champion” for her tireless work in advancing gender equality.

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Alam blends her academic expertise with hands-on experience to deliver engaging presentations on technology leadership, digital transformation, and building capacity for marginalized communities. Her unique perspective on workplace intersectionality and socio-technical impacts positions her as a trailblazer for change.

With nearly two decades of research and teaching experience, Dr. Alam’s passion for empowering individuals through emerging technologies has earned her accolades such as the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award and the Dean’s Emerging Research Leader Award. A regular contributor to industry panels and media outlets, Dr. Alam is an influential voice shaping the future of technology and equality in the digital age.