Across FY26, CEW is proud to support over 200 women as they advance their leadership through the Leaders Program and Executive Leaders Program. As the final Leaders Program intakes commenced this past June, two recent alumni Marta Kielich and Laura Weston reflected on the moments and learnings that shaped their journey.

Reflecting on your recent journey on the CEW Leaders Program, what made it such a standout and valuable experience for you?

“The remarkable breadth and depth it covered. From uncovering and focusing on my distinctive strengths, to presence, communication, storytelling, networking and coaching - every element felt purposeful and immediately relevant. I felt safe to challenge myself in a space that supported honest and constructive conversations, relationship building and genuine growth. The facilitators and guest speakers were a standout - their expertise and generosity in sharing their experiences was inspirational, motivating and brought the learning to life.” - Marta Kielich, Inghams 

“The content and exposure to such an impressive group of women. It pushed me out of my comfort zone - I gained a clearer understanding of my strengths, how to lean into and draw on them, and how to leverage others’ strengths to complement my own. A big shift was confidence: backing myself and truly believing I deserve a seat at the table, while realising I’m not alone in that inner voice of self-doubt and that I can actively reframe it.” - Laura Weston, TechnologyOne

Since returning to your role, how has the Program impacted the way you show up as a leader and interact with others?  

“I show up with greater confidence, intention and purpose in how I engage, communicate and lead. I'm more observant and energetic, approaching interactions with deeper empathy. I'm also more reflective - conscious of how I want to show up and contribute. The program didn't just give me new tools, it reshaped how I think about leadership and my place within it.” - Marta Kielich, Inghams

“I’m more intentional about showing up as myself unapologetically. I’ve realised I need to take care of my own clarity and energy first to lead others well. Understanding my values has given me a clearer lens for decision making and keeping me accountable to what I’m working towards and who I’m showing up for. How I support my team: instead of jumping in with answers, I’m focusing on coaching them through problems. In a short time, I’ve seen how much more confident and capable they become when given that space.” - Laura Weston, TechnologyOne

For more information, connect with our Leadership Development Team

Email: leadersprogram@cew.org.au

CEW Leaders Program | CEW Executive Leaders Program | CEW Scholarships