We are a community of women transforming Australia’s response to our environmental and climate crises. We are Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) — an independent not-for-profit organisation.
Leadership in Australia has failed to respond to the environmental and climate crises we face. We will not get out of them by relying on the same leadership that got us into them – outdated leadership that has enabled environmental destruction, inequality and marginalisation of diverse voices. International evidence has shown that more women in decision making leads to better environmental outcomes.* Women’s leadership is often collaborative, networked and responsive to communities, which are essential skills for our transition to a sustainable future. But there are still many barriers stopping women from stepping into their leadership. *Evidence references include Gender & Society and ScienceDirect.
We are removing barriers to women’s leadership because that’s what we need for a future in which people and the planet can thrive. It’s time to redefine ‘leader’. Leadership is about influence, which comes in many forms and from many places. It’s not just the strong person in charge. It comes from the neighbour creating connections to collect local food waste for compost. From the uni graduate running for local council to protect nature; the First Nation scientist caring for Country through her original research and engagement; the CEO pushing for a zero emission commitment.
To create a safe future, we need all types of leaders who positively influence local communities, businesses, industries and government in their own unique ways.
So what are you waiting for? Join our community today.
Our impact
Since 2016, we have supported the leadership development of women and gender diverse peoplewho have influenced some of Australia’s most important environmental campaigns and projects. Thousands of women in the WELA community are connecting for greater impact from Darebin VIC to Denmark WA, and from grassroots organisations to global corporations. To date, our leadership programs have supported over 230 women and gender diverse people to step up for our environment across multiple sectors. Learn more.
Our roots
WELA was born out of an Australian Research Council project, Diversity in Leadership: Australian women, past and present, which revealed the vital role women play in the environment movement, their poor representation in leadership positions and a lack of support for those aspiring to leadership roles. In 2012, a workshop in Canberra mapped out the next steps in a remarkably prescient way, leading to the formation of WELA in 2016 as an annual leadership development program for women in the environment and climate movements. You can read more about our co-founders here. With our program’s success and the growing environment and climate crises, we looked at how we could respond to the urgent need for change. In 2020, we adopted a new and expanded plan, and set out to formalise WELA as an independent organisation, working to transform Australia’s response to these crises. Learn more.
Our 3-year plan (2023-2025)
Today, demand for WELA’s transformative leadership development programs and our community events is at an all-time high. The only factor limiting our support for transformative climate and environmental leadership is our capacity. Over the next three years, WELA is seeking to double capacity to EMPOWER, CONNECT and INFLUENCE an environmental leadership revolution. Find out more by downloading our 3-year plan.