QDN Emerging Leaders Program

What is the QDN Emerging Leaders program?

QDN’s Emerging Leaders program is dedicated to fostering the leadership skills of people with disability, empowering them to lead and influence positive change in their lives and communities.

Each year, up to 25 people with disability complete the program, which develops skills and enhances the capacity of leaders at individual, community and systems levels.

The program embraces a variety of learning opportunities, including face-to-face workshops, online interactive sessions, mentorship, and community activities. It provides a safe and inclusive place for developing critical thinking, explore leadership theory, systems thinking and change, engaging in inquiring conversations, building relationships, and connecting with established leaders.

QDN’s key four pillars - Inform, Connect, Lead and Influence - are at the core of everything we do and are integral to the Emerging Leaders program. Leadership by people with disability is crucial for driving and influencing change that promotes equality, rights and inclusion.

When will the program run?

Now in its fifth year, the program will run from March 2025 to November 2025. Participants are required to commit to the entire 9 months program, involving two workshops in Brisbane along with monthly online sessions. Travel and accommodation expenses for successful applicants outside the southeast corner will be covered by the program.

Who is it for?

People with disability who live in Queensland, who want an opportunity to develop leadership skills. We welcome diversity and encourage people with disability of all ages, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, who are LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse, live in rural, remote, and regional areas or are First Nations to apply.

It is important for applicants to have a willingness to work on their own development and to support others in theirs. If not already a QDN member, successful applicants will become QDN members through the program. We encourage you to share the program with your networks!

QDN Emerging leaders in the program are involved in:

• monthly training sessions (face to face meetings, online interactive sessions),
• mentorship,
• community activities to develop critical thinking,
• exploring leadership theory practice and techniques,
• exploring systems thinking and systems change,
• holding inquiring conversations,
• building relationships, and
• connecting with established leaders.

Thank you for your interest in the Emerging Leaders program. Applications for 2025 are now closed.

Please contact peersupport@qdn.org.au or phone 1300 363 783 if you would like more information.