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Learn to Lead: Embracing Servant Leadership

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Learn to Lead: Embracing Servant Leadership

Join us at this Leadership Conference to gain an understanding of essential leadership skills and take the next step toward your successful career!

When

24 SEP 2024
6.30 PM - 8.15 PM

Where

UniSQ Toowoomba & Online

RSVP

24 Sep
6.30 PM

UPDATE: Learn to Lead: Embracing Servant Leadership has been postponed until Tuesday 24 September. If you have any questions, please contact Support for Learning: Support for Learning Support.For.Learning@unisq.edu.au 07 4631 2372

Join us to explore the nature of servant leadership, how it can be implemented, and what it's impact is. Hear from our Keynote Speaker, Ryan Salzke, and engage in a Q&A panel with a distinguished group of professionals in servant leadership and social enterprise, including Ryan and Fraser Lane founder of mental health charity project, HAND InC. Connect with panellists and fellow attendees after the main program, for refreshments and to further discuss experiences and perspectives on servant leadership.

Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy centered on prioritizing the service of others. This approach focuses on meeting the needs of employees, customers, and the community, creating a culture of trust, collaboration, and empowerment.

Leadership Excellence Academy

This leadership conference is brought to you by students of the Leadership Excellence Academy, Class of 2024. The academy helps students develop their leadership skills through learning, experience, and practice. Through completion of the Leadership Excellence Academy, students gain employability and graduate skills, confidence for entering their career and help to realise their potential for leadership to stand out from the crowd.

Speakers and panellists

	Ryan Salzke CEO, Vanguard Laundry Ryan has forged a pathway of servant leadership in the for-purpose sector, and is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vanguard Laundry. Established in 2016 with the help of Ryan, Vanguard Laundry is a social enterprise commercial laundry, with a dedicated purpose of reducing systemic unemployment barriers for the socially disadvantaged in Toowoomba. In addition to Ryan's driving role at Vanguard, he has previously served as COO for Orange Sky, a charity that runs free mobile laundry and shower services to homeless across Australia and New Zealand, and Campus Manager for a large integrated community hub and commercial facility, with Churches of Christ. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration (MBA) through the University of Southern Queensland, which he attained while engaging in an accelerated leadership pathway at Heritage Bank in service, training and development.
	Professor Emeritus Jane Summers Executive Chair \| UniSQ Student Guild Professor Emeritus Jane Summers is the Executive Chair of the UniSQ Student Guild and has been acting GM for the past year. Previously, she had a distinguished academic career at UniSQ, including roles as MBA Director and Marketing Professor. Jane has extensive experience in coaching and mentoring leaders, encouraging them to understand their personal and professional goals. Before academia, Jane was a marketer in the tourism and hospitality industry on the Gold Coast, where she worked on international hotel openings and theme park developments. Seeking a better work/life balance, she moved to Toowoomba to pursue a master's degree and doctoral studies while raising two children. Jane joined UniSQ in the early 90s and has held various leadership roles, notably shaping future leaders as MBA Director. An active community member, Jane has held volunteer leadership roles in swimming and equestrian sports and served on several boards. Her commitment to servant leadership is evident in her dedication to helping others achieve their best, inspiring and motivating them to find their purpose.
	Fraser Lane Founder \| Project HAND Inc. Fraser has built his reputation as a servant leader in roles across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors leading to his first appointment as a Director within the Queensland Government at just 28. Currently, Fraser oversees statewide customer service delivery for the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as Director, Customer Services. Fraser’s insights on servant leadership are informed by years of practical experience leading teams of over 180 staff and a passion for creating supportive, inclusive and effective team environments. His commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces that are representative of the community he serves was recognised with his appointment to the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Queensland’s Emerging Leaders Group. Fraser’s leadership extends beyond the office and into the community where he founded Brisbane based mental health charity, Project HAND Inc. working to empower a mentally healthy Australia. Fraser’s expertise and passion for leaving a positive impact on the world around him was recognised by his appointment as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society and more recently as recipient of the 2023 Community Service Award in the University of Southern Queensland Student Awards. Fraser holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business and Commerce with a major in Management and Leadership through the University of Southern Queensland.
	Alison Kennedy CEO \| Toowoomba Hospital Foundation An inspirational, energetic and determined leader, Alison works alongside a dynamic team, raising funds to support the lifesaving and life-changing work of Darling Downs Health. As the first female Chief Executive Officer in Toowoomba Hospital Foundation’s history, Alison brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the sales, tourism, and not-for-profit sectors. In this role, Alison and her team have achieved an incredible list of results for the Darling Downs, from establishing new social enterprises, funding equipment firsts for the region, to taking on historic projects like building the region’s first medical and health museum. Alison is also an experienced Board Director, having graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds a position on the Toowoomba Anglican School Board, and previously on the TASC Toowoomba and St Joseph’s College Toowoomba Boards. With her ability to build strong relationships, empower her team and approach challenges with gusto, Alison Kennedy has established herself as a passionate and dedicated advocate for the region and a role model for aspiring female leaders.

	Ryan Salzke CEO, Vanguard Laundry Ryan has forged a pathway of servant leadership in the for-purpose sector, and is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vanguard Laundry. Established in 2016 with the help of Ryan, Vanguard Laundry is a social enterprise commercial laundry, with a dedicated purpose of reducing systemic unemployment barriers for the socially disadvantaged in Toowoomba. In addition to Ryan's driving role at Vanguard, he has previously served as COO for Orange Sky, a charity that runs free mobile laundry and shower services to homeless across Australia and New Zealand, and Campus Manager for a large integrated community hub and commercial facility, with Churches of Christ. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration (MBA) through the University of Southern Queensland, which he attained while engaging in an accelerated leadership pathway at Heritage Bank in service, training and development.
	Professor Emeritus Jane Summers Executive Chair \| UniSQ Student Guild Professor Emeritus Jane Summers is the Executive Chair of the UniSQ Student Guild and has been acting GM for the past year. Previously, she had a distinguished academic career at UniSQ, including roles as MBA Director and Marketing Professor. Jane has extensive experience in coaching and mentoring leaders, encouraging them to understand their personal and professional goals. Before academia, Jane was a marketer in the tourism and hospitality industry on the Gold Coast, where she worked on international hotel openings and theme park developments. Seeking a better work/life balance, she moved to Toowoomba to pursue a master's degree and doctoral studies while raising two children. Jane joined UniSQ in the early 90s and has held various leadership roles, notably shaping future leaders as MBA Director. An active community member, Jane has held volunteer leadership roles in swimming and equestrian sports and served on several boards. Her commitment to servant leadership is evident in her dedication to helping others achieve their best, inspiring and motivating them to find their purpose.
	Fraser Lane Founder \| Project HAND Inc. Fraser has built his reputation as a servant leader in roles across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors leading to his first appointment as a Director within the Queensland Government at just 28. Currently, Fraser oversees statewide customer service delivery for the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as Director, Customer Services. Fraser’s insights on servant leadership are informed by years of practical experience leading teams of over 180 staff and a passion for creating supportive, inclusive and effective team environments. His commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces that are representative of the community he serves was recognised with his appointment to the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Queensland’s Emerging Leaders Group. Fraser’s leadership extends beyond the office and into the community where he founded Brisbane based mental health charity, Project HAND Inc. working to empower a mentally healthy Australia. Fraser’s expertise and passion for leaving a positive impact on the world around him was recognised by his appointment as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society and more recently as recipient of the 2023 Community Service Award in the University of Southern Queensland Student Awards. Fraser holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business and Commerce with a major in Management and Leadership through the University of Southern Queensland.
	Alison Kennedy CEO \| Toowoomba Hospital Foundation An inspirational, energetic and determined leader, Alison works alongside a dynamic team, raising funds to support the lifesaving and life-changing work of Darling Downs Health. As the first female Chief Executive Officer in Toowoomba Hospital Foundation’s history, Alison brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the sales, tourism, and not-for-profit sectors. In this role, Alison and her team have achieved an incredible list of results for the Darling Downs, from establishing new social enterprises, funding equipment firsts for the region, to taking on historic projects like building the region’s first medical and health museum. Alison is also an experienced Board Director, having graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds a position on the Toowoomba Anglican School Board, and previously on the TASC Toowoomba and St Joseph’s College Toowoomba Boards. With her ability to build strong relationships, empower her team and approach challenges with gusto, Alison Kennedy has established herself as a passionate and dedicated advocate for the region and a role model for aspiring female leaders.