Illawarra Leaders - Courage, Inspiration, Education & Leadership

Emerging Youth

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IWIB Illawarra Young Business Woman of the Year 2009 - Angela Saville

Angela's decision to transform her hobby into a very successful business has reaped enormous benefits for the Illawarra.

Taking the gamble of leaving her secured employment of school teaching has shown leadership and determination in setting up a business that now employs local people. She has developed skills in all aspects of her business from management, marketing and financial matters.

Savvy Fitness is enhancing the health and wellbeing of growing numbers of both young and more matured Illawarra citizens and is complemented by the many charitable initiatives that she runs. Congratulations Angela.

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Jessica Saad

JCI Illawarra

The leaders of tomorrow will only emerge if they are engaged today.

Mentoring is an effective way to encourage youth to think and act conscientiously in their local community. While many youth have innovative ideas and strong views they often don’t know how to access the right channels that will help them along. By having a mentor you have the opportunity to network, discuss ideas, share knowledge, gain skills and experience, and hear how others have progressed their own lives and careers.

I support mentoring because I believe it is more than guidance. Mentoring should be about motivating and empowering the other person to identify their own goals and issues and helping them reach or resolve them. It is particularly important for our Illawarra region because while we have come so far...I believe we have so much further to go. It is critical that we don’t lose the knowledge of those who are well acquainted with the region and of those who have ideas on ways forward that we can carry through. Mentoring is a great medium for ensuring that knowledge is passed on, cultivated, added to and never lost.

At JCI Illawarra we are often mentored by Past Presidents, Alumni, Ambassadors, and Senators who look forward to the opportunity to empower and guide. In addition, many members of JCI find mentors in each other – helping and talking through issues with like minds who encounter similar situations is a valuable aspect of being a member. I believe it is important not only to look to those who have pioneered a way forward before us, but also to look to each other.

You can keep up to date with us at: www.jciillawarra.org

JCI is part of a worldwide network: www.jci.cc

Why is it important to develop and grow young potential female leaders within the Illawarra Region and cultive them to stay in our region?

Melissa Abu-Gazaleh

Managing Director - Best Catch Foundation

Response: It is so important to develop and expose young females in the Illawarra to events, ideas and current trends to ensure we maintain a high standard of knowledge and innovative ideas that can compete against other regions and meet an expected standard. There is so much that can be developed for young female entrepreneurs in the Illawarra but it requires focus and attention on this target group in order for us to have a competitive edge when entering the business field whether locally or more abroad.

Best Catch Website: www.bestcatch.com.au

Natalie Viselli

Senior Research Analyst - IRIS Research

Response: Women have a lot to contribute to the region. Not only do they have the same level of commitment and dedication to work and study, but they can offer new and different ways of thinking, a new perspective. In a city that prides itself on being innovative, the more ideas and the more points of view we have being shared, the greater the potential for our region to grow and be successful.

We are losing a lot of bright young local women, who feel that the only way to get a good job is to move to capital cities such as Sydney or Canberra. It's a shame to be losing such a valuable resource.

Kate Knowles

Marketing Manager - Crown St Mall

Response: It can be argued that Wollongong has a ‘brain drain’ problem that needs addressing. The good news is that Wollongong has excellent schools and an award winning University that gives young potential female leaders great educational opportunities.

The women of Wollongong are more educated than they have ever been. But what happens to our young female graduates once their University degree is complete? Women make up just over half of the management and commerce degree graduates and have the potential to be outstanding leaders across all fields. The question is - are they now in Wollongong? I personally have friends who live in every state of Australia and various overseas countries who have left Wollongong because they didn't perceive there to be enough career opportunities in Wollongong. At least 50% have settled down in their new cities and claim they have no intention of ever moving back to the Illawarra.

If Wollongong businesses do not assist young female leaders to grow and develop into outstanding leaders, the move away from the region will continue. In order to retain talented young women, employers need to be committed to supporting their ongoing professional development and career progression through mentoring and leadership development.