Dylan’s Experience: She Leads Diploma

Learn about Dylan’s experience of the She Leads Diploma as they discuss the powerful social impact of the program in bringing women from diverse communities together.

Their journey highlights how the She Leads Diploma is not simply a tool for professional development, but rather a platform for representation and empowerment, inspiring upcoming women and non-binary people to invest in their potential and lead from the front.

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We would like to begin by expressing our deep gratitude to Directions Health Services for supporting us in undertaking the Diploma of Leadership and Management through the YWCA Canberra. This opportunity was about much more than professional development, it was about investing in leadership pathways for women and non-binary individuals across all sectors of business.
 
One of the most inspiring parts of this program was the diversity in our cohort. Among us are women over 55 stepping into new chapters of leadership, First Nations women bringing strength and cultural knowledge, women from single-income households, women from diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
 
What this tells us is powerful – women from marginalised backgrounds are eager to step forward into leadership roles, to influence decision-making, and to secure financial independence for themselves and their families.
 
YWCA Canberra is playing a vital role in making that possible. By creating pathways and opportunities for women and non-binary people, YWCA Canberra is ensuring that leadership spaces reflect the true diversity of our communities, and that influence and financial security are not privileges for a few, but should be available to all.

On a personal level, this journey has held special significance. As a queer and non-binary person, I know how important visibility and representation are. To be able to see ourselves in leadership roles, as change makers, and to see ourselves reflected back. It matters. It shapes what we believe is possible.
 
My hope is that by being visible and proud, I can play a small part in showing that how we identify should never hold us back. Leadership is possible. It is achievable. And it is enriched by the diversity of who we are.
 
So once again, thank you to Directions Health Services and YWCA Canberra for making this opportunity possible. Your support has grown my confidence as a leader, but has also reinforced the importance of creating pathways for all of us, to lead authentically, proudly, and with impact. Thank you!