Strength in diversity at VU Student Leadership Conference 2024

Held since 2010, the conference is a highlight of the VU Student Leadership calendar.  

The 2024 event, held at Melbourne Exhibition and Convention on Friday 24 May, was themed Strength in Diversity. According to MCs Ashlie Thorburn and Mickey Sajwan who are studying a Bachelor of Dermal Sciences and a Bachelor of Cybersecurity, respectively:  

Diverse teams are better equipped to navigate complex global markets and adapt and anticipate emerging trends.

More than 80 students heard from industry and community leaders through talks, interactive workshops, panel Q&A's, and a lunch networking event. 

Beginning with context: diverse teams & leadership 

CEO of Australian School of Entrepreneurship and 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year in Individual Community Service, Jahin Tanvir, hosted a morning workshop, ‘High performance starts with diversity.’ 

A three-time TEDx speaker, and experienced commentator on national television programs, Jahin wasn't always so confident. 

As a child, he was reluctant to speak up in class. A mindset shift happened in his late teens after a conversation with his biggest inspiration, his mother: 

I realised I’ve got to respect myself first, before expecting anyone else to respect me.

He explained that diverse leadership starts through recognising difference in thought, appearance, and abilities.   

Jahin shared a prompt to help with a fear of public speaking: “FAVE” - Fun, to embrace the adrenaline from fear, using your Arms as key to non-verbal communication, projecting your Voice as a communication tool, and using Eye contact with people in the room. 

Bringing together experiences to move the dial – a VU partner panel discussion 

John Kon, a VU alum, community leader and lawyer at Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre, and qualified medical science professional, explained that different skills and experience in services can help move organisations forward in achieving their goals. 

Born in Sudan, John remembered developing English skills in primary school and realising “[his] accent could not be changed.” But now, representing clients from diverse communities, “it is a strength to have different skills and accents. Some clients will feel more comfortable because you speak the way they speak.” 

Tariro Makwasha, Development and Customer Strategy Executive Manager, Industry Capability Network, explained that different experiences contribute to creative solutions and innovation, “if we all had the same perspective it would be hard for us to move the dial on things that matter."

Asked what advice she would share with emerging leaders, Tariro said “bring your full self to work and always show up. It’s about collaboration. You get results from working together.”  

Bec Cole, Executive Director and Co-CEO, Footscray Community Arts explained the importance of “suspending expectations about what community are asking for” and instead really listening. 

Leading a gallery in Wyndham, Bec asked her team to suspend their expectations that curation has to come from an academic mindset, encouraging them to co-curate the exhibition; a change of model and shift for the gallery. 

“New perspectives can move things forward and create change,” Bec said. 

Include + Lead = Inclusive Leadership 

Lawyer and Senior Manager at Youth Support and Advocacy Service, Tienyi Long shared an action-based equation for inclusive leadership, “include and lead are both verbs, doing words.” 

Working in groups, attendees highlighted ways to include and lead in standard workplace activities, like interviews, events and communications. Students discussed practical actions like learning to pronounce people's name correctly, sharing agendas in advance, and planning events with accessibility front of mind. 

Finding connection through community development & comedy 

The conference keynote speaker was Justine Sless, VU alum, author, comedian, and community cultural development practitioner.  

Justine’s journey to study at VU began when she was a new mother. When Justine got in the car with her two-month-old baby to attend the course interview, the prospect felt overwhelming. She returned home with her daughter. Later that day, Justine received a call from the course coordinator who encouraged her to come in the next day and offered to look after the baby during the interview. That act of kindness proved transformative. 

"I [did] a Diploma and it [was] one of the most inclusive, incredible experiences of my life.”  

Then pathwaying into a Bachelor of Community Development at VU: “my undergrad prepared me in so many ways to do amazing work, pretty much every day.” 

Justine’s ethos and commitment to “connect with people and make them feel less alone” is the foundation of her work - which has spanned comedy, community development, writing, and volunteer work. Justine has written numerous shows and performed at comedy festivals and events nationally and internationally 

Justine concluded her talk with takeaways including: 

VU rocks, it is a community that cares

Fear is your friend: fail fast then get up and do it again

Be curious – ask questions rather than make assumptions.

The day concluded with drinks and networking, and attendees left for the weekend with new contacts and plenty to think about:

“I have learned what it means to be a true leader: including and appreciating everyone.” said Bachelor of Business student Marcellia Jonathan.