Gordon McMaster (Rise’s Senior Finance Manager) embarked his Rising Leadership Program journey prior to COVID-19 restrictions being announced last year. Despite many of the challenges faced during this time and the need for Leadership WA to extend the program timeline for his cohort, some great achievements were made along the way.
The Rising Leadership Program is a unique program that brings together extraordinary people and challenges the way each person leads in both their professional and personal lives. It provides access to learn from some of WA’s most successful leaders, it allows for the space and opportunity for reflection and helps one recognise you can give so much more as a leader.
Best of all it provides participants with an incredible network of people that they can call upon for guidance.
A unique part of this program is to contribute in a community project. Gordon’s cohort (see below) celebrates their achievements with the Perth Inner City Youth Services (PICYS). Through their unique skillsets and networks they helped PICYS raise funds to secure some properties to extend their household network to support young people aged 16-25 who are at risk of homelessness or homeless (and a bidding template for future applications). They raised funds exceeding the amount required to be successful (required $6k but raised $16k). The McCusker Charitable Foundation in particular was very supportive on this project and they are acknowledged for their exemplary work to improve health and education across WA.
With so many reasons to celebrate, Gordon enjoys the graduation evening with his fellow cohorts (see below):
I’m so proud of you Gordon!! The rewards of your hard work and dedicated efforts have been outstanding. Congratulations on your brilliant success and achievement! This is just the beginning…..you are a star in the making….Shine On with achieving your goals!!
By Seemar Riyat