ANZ has renewed its partnership with Leadership Victoria and its flagship Williamson Community Leadership Program (WCLP) for a further three years, extending one of the bank's longest-running community partnerships.
For more than 30 years, ANZ has supported Leadership Victoria's work to develop purpose-driven leaders who create positive outcomes across Australian communities.
The Williamson Community Leadership Program is Leadership Victoria's flagship leadership development program, offering an immersive year-long experience for experienced leaders from diverse sectors and backgrounds. Since its inception, the Williamson program has built an alumni network of more than 1,450 leaders who continue to contribute to their organisations, industries and communities across Australia.
As part of the partnership, ANZ sponsors community leaders to participate in the program, helping strengthen leadership capability within organisations that deliver social and community impact.
To date, 34 ANZ executives have participated in the WCLP, while ANZ has supported seven leaders from community partner organisations to undertake the program, enabling them to build their skills, networks and capacity to create positive change.
One of those leaders is Fitted for Work Managing Director Donna de Zwart, who participated in the program in 2024.
"The Williamson Community Leadership Program was a transformative experience. Opportunities for leadership development like this are rare in the community sector, and the program gave me the time and space to reflect on my leadership, strengthen my confidence and connect with an incredible network of leaders from across industries and communities. It reinforced my sense of purpose, sharpened my thinking about the impact we're creating at Fitted for Work, and provided valuable perspectives that I continue to draw on today."
ANZ Head of Social Impact Janet Liu said the extension reflects ANZ's ongoing commitment to supporting leaders who create lasting social and commercial value.
"For more than 30 years, ANZ and Leadership Victoria have shared a commitment to developing leaders who make a positive difference in their communities. We're proud to extend this partnership and continue supporting the Williamson Community Leadership Program, which equips leaders with commercial acumen, networks and confidence to drive meaningful impact."
Leadership Victoria CEO Katherine Ellis, a Williamson Fellow herself from 2007, expressed her appreciation of the long relationship between ANZ and Leadership Victoria.
“The origin story of the Williamson Community Leadership Program has a direct link to ANZ, through past CEO Hugh Williamson who left a bequest to create a leadership program that would encourage business leaders to think more broadly and deeply about how they could contribute their skills, networks and resources to shaping stronger communities.
“ANZ executives and community partners have been vital contributors to, and beneficiaries of, the Williamson experience across the decades, and we are thrilled to see that important partnership continue.”
For media enquiries contact:
Alexandra La Sala
Public Relations Advisor
Tel: +61 499 292 554
Kate Power
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +61 481 547 556
About Leadership Victoria: Leadership Victoria delivers transformative leadership programs that develop, connect and inspire diverse leaders across all sectors, to strengthen communities and tackle society’s complex and systemic problems. These 7,000 alumni contribute to the vision of an inclusive, equitable and sustainable society.
About the Williamson Community Leadership Program: The Williamson Community Leadership Program is Leadership Victoria's flagship leadership program. The immersive, year-long experience brings together experienced leaders from across sectors, industries and communities to explore complex societal issues, build leadership capability and strengthen connections that contribute to positive community outcomes. The program's alumni network includes more than 1,450 leaders.