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Executive Indigenous Leadership Program

This course develops high-potential Indigenous leaders through culturally grounded executive education, combining strategic leadership, innovation, coaching and applied workplace projects to drive impact across organisations and communities.

Next Dates: 19 May; View more dates
Duration: 6 months
Delivery mode: In-person
Location: Sydney CBD
Price (AUD inc. GST): $14,190

Spots remaining: AVAILABLE
Digital badge credential: 12 CEMD points; What are CEMD Points?

Download the course guide

Access the detailed short course brochure here.

Download guide

Course summary

Develop Indigenous leaders

The Executive Indigenous Leaders Program develops the next generation of senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. Through modules in Leadership, Culture and Identity; Strategic Leadership and Innovation; Strategy and Innovation; and Personal Effectiveness and Leading Change, participants strengthen leadership capability, deliver applied strategic projects and graduate with a nationally recognised CEMD qualification.

Who will benefit

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Managers and Senior Managers
Leaders identified as having senior potential; Organisations with RAPs or commitment to Indigenous leadership

Course is suitable for

Professionals seeking to confidently lead diverse teams, strengthen communication and coaching capability and align team performance with organisational strategy.

Delivered by experts

Professor Mark Rose

EILP Program Director

Distinguished Indigenous leader with four decades of experience shaping education, policy and community outcomes.
Highly experienced designer and facilitator of executive and postgraduate leadership programs in Australia and internationally.
Trusted cultural authority and strategic adviser with deep engagement across government, universities, boards and Indigenous organisations.

Eva Freedman

EILP Program Director

Senior HR and organisational change leader with global executive experience.
Proven expertise in leadership development, culture and transformation.
Longstanding stewardship and strategic leadership of AGSM Indigenous programs.

Aaron Clark

AGSM Faculty

Practice-led Indigenous leadership experience across elite sport, community organisations and government partnerships.
Demonstrated expertise in designing and delivering Indigenous talent pathways, youth development and leadership programs.
Highly effective stakeholder and relationship leader with deep engagement across community, corporate and advisory boards.

Amanda Tootell

AGSM Faculty

Senior executive with 30+ years’ experience in public sector service delivery.
Strong advocate for Indigenous equity, access and policy-informed leadership.
EILP alumna with lived experience of executive Indigenous leadership development.

Justin Trounson

AGSM Faculty

Clinical psychologist specialising in Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing.
Extensive experience coaching Indigenous executives and high-performance leaders.
Deep expertise in culturally safe leadership, identity and resilience.

Jo O’Reilly

AGSM Faculty

Nationally recognised expert in executive communication and presence.
Extensive experience developing influence and impact for senior leaders.
Trusted AGSM faculty member across flagship leadership programs.

Sharon Nokelainen

AGSM Faculty

Globally experienced communication coach and facilitator, integrating performance, improvisation and executive education to build executive presence and impact.
Award-winning AGSM educator and highly regarded practitioner, recognised for creating engaging, experiential learning environments that drive confidence and authenticity.
Trusted advisor to senior leaders across sectors, translating performance skills into practical tools for influence, clarity and leadership effectiveness.

Patrick Sharry

AGSM Faculty

With a strong foundation in business strategy and innovation, Patrick brings deep insight in business strategy and innovation through his strategic expertise across sectors.
Patrick brings global and cross-cultural expertise through his experience delivering programs across Australia, Asia, the US, UK, Europe and the Pacific.
As a seasoned facilitator, Patrick excels at engaging diverse stakeholder groups in complex environments, fostering collaborative problem-solving and confident decision-making.

Dr Shanie Atkinson

AGSM Faculty

Shanie combines three decades of experience in strategic consulting and education, enabling her to translate complex strategy frameworks into immediately actionable insights for participants.
Her unique ability to integrate human-centred design, innovation methodologies, and systems thinking allows leaders to develop robust, future-ready strategies in complex environments.
With over 20 years facilitating AGSM executive and MBA programs, Shanie is known for her engaging, high-impact teaching style and her ability to challenge assumptions and inspire transformative thinking.

Course designed to stack

12 CEMD points

TOWARDS

Certificate in Executive Management and Development (CEMD)

Use multiple credentials to stack your learning. This course is worth 12 AGSM CEMD points, which provides formal recognition of professional development and reflects 6 months of learning inclusive of pre-work, course participation, learning materials and support.

Learn more about stacking and CEMD Points

About the course

Developing Indigenous leaders for strategic impact

This program is designed to strengthen the strategic capability of Indigenous leaders while deepening cultural identity and building enduring professional networks. It equips participants with the confidence, tools and perspective to lead with influence in complex organisational and community contexts. Recognised internationally, AGSM’s award-winning program prepares Indigenous leaders to shape policy, drive meaningful change and create sustained impact across organisations, sectors and communities.

Why enrol in this course

Develop executive leadership

Gain advanced leadership capabilities in strategy, innovation and decision-making.

Strengthen cultural identity

Learn in a culturally safe environment with Indigenous coaches, elders and academics.

Deliver real-world impact

Complete a Strategic Challenge Project addressing workplace or community challenges.

Join a powerful alumni network

Connect with Indigenous leaders nationwide through AGSM’s New Tracks Festival.

Mitchell Thompson

EILP Graduate 2025 (C9) IAG Insurance

“Heading into the EILP, I expected a traditional senior leadership program, but the experience went far beyond that. It clarified my sense of purpose and strengthened my understanding of my role within both my organisation and community. This is not a program to complete for credentials alone—it’s a journey of deep personal and personal growth.”

Key features

Blended executive learning

A mix of face-to-face, virtual learning, coaching and applied work aligned to real leadership challenges.

Culturally safe learning environment

An Indigenous-led, culturally grounded environment that supports identity, trust and confident leadership.

Applied strategic challenge projects

Participants apply leadership frameworks to real workplace challenges to deliver meaningful impact.

Nationally recognised qualification

Graduates receive a CEMD, providing formal recognition and credit towards selected AGSM programs.

Learning outcomes

Transformational Indigenous leadership

Participants strengthen their leadership capability through a deep connection to cultural identity, purpose and values, while building enduring professional and community networks. They develop the confidence and strategic acumen to navigate complex systems, bridge Indigenous and Western leadership perspectives, and lead with authenticity and influence. As a result, participants progress into senior and influential roles, shape decision-making at organisational and policy levels and drive meaningful, sustainable change across business, community and government through culturally grounded, strategic leadership practice.

What you'll learn

Participants develop the capability to lead with influence by integrating Indigenous and Western leadership frameworks. Through immersive modules and applied projects, they build the skills to drive innovation, navigate complexity and deliver strategic change across organisations and communities.

Topics covered

Leadership
Culture and identity
Strategic leadership and decision-making
Strategy and innovation
Leading change and immersion experience
Communicating with influence

Course delivery

Format	Commitment	Method
Hybrid	Completion of pre-course preparation Full attendance and active participation Application through a strategic challenge project Engagement in coaching and reflection	Pre-work digital learning Face-to-face program sessions Experiential and applied learning Structured peer learning

Schedule

Module 1: Leadership, culture and identity In Sydney, NSW	Module 2: Strategic leadership, innovation, decision making Online via AGSM navigator learning platform	Module 3: Strategy and innovation Online via AGSM navigator learning platform	Module 4: Personal effectiveness and leading change In Darwin, NT	Module 5: Communicating with influence In Sydney, NSW
Day 1: May 19, 2026 Program introduction Day 2: May 20, 2026 Cultural immersion day	Online eLearning throughout May and June Participant completes online modules	Day 1: July 14, 2026 Online via AGSM learning platform Day 2: July 15, 2026 Online via AGSM learning platform	Day 1: 8 Sep, 2026 Module welcome Day 2: 9 Sep, 2026 Cultural immersion day Day 3: 10 Sep, 2026 Workshop day	Day 1: 3 Nov, 2026 Workshop day Day 2: 4 Nov, 2026 Presentation preparation Day 3: 5 Nov, 2026 Final presentations and graduation

Module 1:

Leadership, culture and identity

In Sydney, NSW

Module 2:

Strategic leadership, innovation, decision making

Online via AGSM navigator learning platform

Module 3:

Strategy and innovation

Online via AGSM navigator learning platform

Module 4:

Personal effectiveness and leading change

In Darwin, NT

Module 5:

Communicating with influence

In Sydney, NSW

Day 1:

May 19, 2026

Program introduction

Day 2:

May 20, 2026

Cultural immersion day

Online eLearning throughout May and June
Participant completes online modules

Day 1:

July 14, 2026

Online via AGSM learning platform

Day 2:

July 15, 2026

Online via AGSM learning platform

Day 1:

8 Sep, 2026

Module welcome

Day 2:

9 Sep, 2026

Cultural immersion day

Day 3:

10 Sep, 2026

Workshop day

Day 1:

3 Nov, 2026

Workshop day

Day 2:

4 Nov, 2026

Presentation preparation

Day 3:

5 Nov, 2026

Final presentations and graduation

Credentials

12 CEMD points

TOWARDS

Certificate in Executive Management and Development (CEMD)

Progress your career with stackable credentials

By completing this course, you will receive a verifiable digital badge issued by AGSM, certifying your achievement.

The Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) will formally recognise your commitment to professional development and lifelong learning with the Certificate in Executive Management and Development (CEMD). The CEMD is a flexible program that allows you to build your leadership capabilities through stackable learning.

A CEMD is a unique pathway to future study that can directly contribute to accelerating the attainment of an AGSM MBA or Graduate Certificate if you choose to embark on this journey in the future. Each time you complete a short course with the AGSM, we’ll award you with CEMD points. CEMD points can be collected and stacked together to create a unique professional development pathway that works for you and your specific career goals.

Can I use my credit towards further study?

Once you collect 12 points over a period of up to 4 years you will be awarded the CEMD. The CEMD is a specialised credential and can contribute to 2 course credits towards our AGSM MBA and Graduate Certificate qualifications.

This flexible model supports continuous learning and creates a recognised pathway from short courses to postgraduate qualifications at UNSW's AGSM.