ProfessorMichelle Dickson

I completed an intensive leadership training program at Harvard University, through the support of a competitive scholarship from The Roberta Sykes Foundation and Chief Executive Women. The opportunity has further connected me with a global network of women in leadership roles and has inspired my strategic thinking about the role of mentoring and leaders. Secondly I was sponsored to complete the McKinsey & Company Executive Leadership Program. This is an invitation only program bringing together senior executives to build knowledge of emerging leadership theories, skills, technologies, and networks. These leadership experiences have resulted in my own approach to leadership staying firmly fixed on engaging both strategy and execution that seeks to support and inspire others to thrive. I have completed the Australian Institute of Comnpany Directors Program.

As a Koori academic I have responsibilities accountable to the University, my discipline, and my communities. I position the latter at the core of
my GLE work and uphold this portfolio with integrity and engaged ethical practice. My influence plays across several activities. I mentor a diverse
array of people from Schools/Centres in Faculty of Medicine and Health( 10 formal mentees, four students and five informal mentees), and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in other Faculties (five). Additional mentees include three Aboriginal health staff in the Far West local health district.  I also mentor two senior Aboriginal policy colleagues in the Ministry of Health.

This is a major part of my role as a Koori academic and I have demonstrated leadership, trusting relationships and authenticity in that space. Through mentorship I also maintain a close connection and understanding of social, political, and economic
issues that impact on the workforce and those they serve . I serve on multiple university, faculty and Centre boards or committees, ensuring
appropriate Indigenous advocacy and representation in policy, practice, and initiatives. I am a frequent invited key speaker at events across the
university, ensuring that my community is appropriately represented and recognised.

Beyond the university I play a significant leadership role in guiding Indigenous health policy. For example, I remain chair of the inaugural Cultural
Reference Group for the Ministry of Health (NSW), providing advice, briefs, and reports to the Ministry, ensuring communication across the broader
community .My role of the Ministry Advisory Committee for the Aboriginal Public health Traineeship Program allows me to contribute to the policy
and decision making that supports the growth of the current ( and future) Indigenous public health workforce. While I contribute to several external
boards/committees to promote capacity building and enhance international and national First Nations practices, I am particularly proud of my role as key Indigenous evaluation expert to the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s Evaluation Advisory Board in Canberra. In that capacity I play a
highly significant role in shaping how research and evaluations of federally funded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives are planned,
developed, and undertaken.