The opportunity comes along every second year and the number of hopefuls always outnumbers the limited intake. Selena Stevens’ advice is simple: apply now.
Applications have opened for the latest intake of the Leadership Illawarra Program (LIP), the region’s flagship two-year initiative designed to shape the next generation of leaders from local business, council, and non-profit sectors.
Delivered through a partnership uniting Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven (RDAIS), the University of Wollongong’s Sydney Business School, and The Illawarra Connection (TIC), the program is heading into its 15th intake. What began as informal coffee-and-sandwich catch-ups has grown into the region’s premier leadership accelerator.
CEO of the RDAIS, Selena Stevens, explained that LIP offers far more than a typical professional development credential.
“This program isn’t about simply getting a certificate and moving on,” Stevens said. “It’s really grounded in the experiential factor. Local talent here is incredible, but professionals often get caught in silos or their own industries. LIP breaks people out of their industry silos so they can see how different regional sectors connect.”
The next cohort will include the Shoalhaven for the first time and offer participants university-level masterclasses, C-suite executive mentoring, practical governance training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and immersive site visits to regional enterprises alongside political delegations to Sydney and Canberra.
The Illawarra Connection president Graham Lancaster explained the unique non-partisan, collaborative model that sustains the program: “There is no formal agreement; it’s a memorandum of understanding that unites us. And that it has worked for so long, and worked so well, is a form of leadership in itself,” Lancaster, who has been involved from the start, said.
Modified across cohorts to incorporate expanded site visits and mentoring, LIP has now involved over 300 professionals.
“By investing in the development of rising professionals, we are cultivating a new generation of visionary leaders poised to make a lasting impact on the region’s future,” the TIC president said.
The program revolves around non-transactional values but rather “the concept of mutuality and reciprocity”.
“The mentee-montor relationships are two-way streets and the feedback I’ve had is that it is one of the most beneficial parts of the program,” he said.
As the Illawarra addresses more economic transformation, Stevens stressed that LIP provides a safe environment for emerging executives to build next-level skills - from public speaking to strategic agility.
“Our greatest accomplishment is seeing someone flourish,” Stevens, an alumni of the program, said.
Who - what - when - where
Emerging leaders:
“We ask participants to put their best foot forward and really commit to being involved in the process. That means being open to learning, open to meeting new people, and really broadening your perspective on what it means to be a leader,” Stevens explained.
Why employers should get involved:
“There is no better sign of a good leader than when they are looking at their workforce and asking: who can I put forward to grow and grow in a meaningful way?
“I would encourage all employers to consider if there is someone in their workforce who would benefit from the program, not just for their organisation, but also personally,” she said.
How to apply
To learn more about the program contact Susan Wallis at susan@rdais.com.au.
Or simply fill in the application form here.
Applications close Sunday, November 1, 2026.