Following an initial short stint in the finance industry following graduation, I took a leap of faith and secured a job at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ). At the Association I progressed to more senior levels and was given the opportunity to work across a diverse range of portfolios, including among other things, the state-wide amalgamation of councils – one of the most extensive local government reforms in Queensland. As a consequence of my roles and study, I have acquired a range of skills including strategy development and implementation, inter-governmental relations, influencing and negotiating for outcomes, policy and program design, social impact analysis, stakeholder engagement, events facilitation and management.I am guided by a servant leadership style, creating shared value and collaboration.