Learn to Lead facilitators announced! 

This year’s course focuses on influencing through communication, decision making under uncertainty, leading for social impact and finding your authentic leadership style.

The experts behind these topics have now been announced! Please meet our 2021 Learn to Lead facilitators.  

Professor Frederik Anseel 

Frederik Anseel is a Professor of Management and Senior Deputy Dean (Research & Enterprise) at UNSW Business School, and has previously worked in academic leadership roles internationally. As a psychologist, he studies the motivational microfoundations of why and how people contribute to organisational success. His recent work focuses on how individuals can overcome motivational obstacles during the innovation and entrepreneurial process to 'keep their fire burning'. 

This facilitator will focus on: 

• Why is leadership a mission impossible? 

• Why would anyone want to be led by you? 

• Is there an ideal recipe for leadership? 

• How is authentic leadership perceived by followers? 

• Recommendations on how to find your own voice 

Professor Ben Newell  

Ben Newell is Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Deputy Head of the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on the cognitive processes underlying judgment, choice and decision-making and the application of this knowledge to environmental, medical, financial and forensic contexts. A key theme of much of this work is overcoming the myopic thinking that tends to cloud our judgment when we are making decisions about an uncertain future.  

This facilitator will focus on: 

• What does decision-making under uncertainty mean?  

• Understanding our own biases and inclinations in making decisions 

• Anticipating how others will make decisions 

• Recommendations and guidelines to improve your own decision-making 

Jo O’Reilly  

Jo O’Reilly is an internationally acclaimed performer and speaker, holding a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Social Studies from the University of Sydney, and also studied for a diploma of Operatic Art at the NSW Conservatorium of Music. She has substantial global experience in delivering workshops and individual sessions in communication and presentation skills with people in business at all levels. She is a champion improviser and comedy performer, having performed to critical acclaim in New York, London’s West End and international comedy festivals, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s leading improvisation trainers. Jo’s specialty is designing experiential programs where people in business learn relevant performance skills to enhance their impact in business.   

Jo also teaches with AGSM Executive Education (winner of the Outstanding Facilitator award), the corporate program at Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and is a consultant with High Performance Coaching. 

This facilitator will focus on: 

• How do we set the stage for effective communication?  

• How do I become aware of how others perceive me?  

• Can I develop presence that connects through both listening and commanding attention in a way that inspires others? 

• How should I adapt my verbal and non-verbal communication in a digital world?  

Dr Ali Walker  

Dr Ali Walker is a leadership and culture specialist with a PhD in group dynamics from the Australian National University. Ali is a lawyer, a nationally accredited mediator, and the founder of Ality, a company that designs personal assessment tools to optimise individual and team performance. Ali designs and delivers executive leadership programs that have effectively displayed measurable improvements in performance-based outcomes. Ali is the author of the bestselling book Get Conscious: How to stop overthinking and come alive. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts/Law and a Master’s degree in International Law & International Relations, both from UNSW.  

This facilitator will focus on:  

• Is there a trade-off between purpose and profit?  

• How do I lead change for sustainability?  

• How do I connect my own leadership style and goal to purpose?  

• Recommendations for sustainable leadership