Changemakers
A challenging and insightful program for experienced senior leaders and executives.
Course Overview
This program is targeted at the top echelon of First Nations leaders in government, community and corporate to collectively elevate the current and emerging generation of executive changemakers. FPL Changemakers is unique in that it is non-sector specific, strengths based, and focussed on harnessing the collective knowledge and experience of the program team and participants.
FPL Changemakers creates a safe and innovative space for collaboration, excellence and the foundations of a professional network that will evolve with participants throughout their leadership journey. The FPL Network is already around 500 strong across Australia — join us and thrive!
The program is delivered both online via live video stream and face to face. Delivered over 12 weeks, the program is centred around 2 x 3 day workshops and comprehensive e-learning resources, intra-sessions tasks and activities and 3 x 1:1 and 2 x small group executive coaching. The program includes accommodation and meals for the residential components.
Program features
Our FPL micro-credentials offer a unique value that differentiates us from other programs.
Culturally Relevant Curriculum: Developed in partnership with First Nations' lived experience, our program reflects the unique values and perspectives of Indigenous leadership, emphasising consensus-building, connection to Culture and Country, and long-term vision. This culturally grounded approach sets our program apart.
Skill Development & Micro-credentials: Participants gain practical skills in Change leadership, impact narrative, and relevant and contemporary case studies, all while earning micro-credentials that validate their expertise to employers.
Ongoing Learning Opportunities: These micro-credentials can be applied towards further education and career development within the FPL program, providing a clear pathway for continued growth.
Supportive Learning Environment: We foster a strong community where participants connect with other First Nations leaders and mentors, building a network for ongoing support and collaboration.
2026 program dates
What You Can Expect
2 x 3 day face to face workshops
3 x 1:1 executive coaching sessions
2 x small group coaching circles
Extensive online learning materials
2 x networking events
First Peoples Leading — Changemakers is a program tailored for First Nations people who are experienced people leaders and executives
Learning Outcomes
Identify and analyse your values, purpose, aspiration and ambition, and understand how these contribute to being an impactful leader
Demonstrate your ability to use your strengths to lead with dignity and self-awareness
Craft your public narrative to create a shared purpose and increase your capacity to lead others
Critically appraise and reflect on your own ability as a change leader
Comprehend and analyse negotiation and agreement making strategies
Be an empowered, proactive, and authentic leader who can influence behaviours and strategy at all organisational levels in a rapidly changing, disruptive environment
Demonstrate agility and flexibility in the application of knowledge and skills to new situations, to resolve technical and adaptive problems and to think diagnostically and independently
Workshop One
What Is Leadership
Authority vs Leadership
Managing the Authority Role
Self Awareness
Presence
Vulnerability and Authenticity
Hungers
Driving Performance
Team Effectiveness
Nurturing the Careers of Others
Workshop One
Staying Diagnostic
Narrative
Negotiation
Leadership Challenge
Workshop Two
Impactful Leadership
Change Leadership
Change Resistance
System to Ecosystem
Pressure and Presence
The Third Space
Tough Conversations
Workshop Two
Opportunities and Challenges
Networking
Brand
Leading the Way
This Program Is For
Experienced First Nations senior leaders or executive looking for great impact.
Leaders who want to become part of the strenght based and supportive leadership network across Australia.
Leaders looking for contemporary, innovative and impactful tools and coaching.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Changemakers wanting a culturally safe and innovative space for collaboration, excellence and professional networks that will evolve with your leadership journey.
What Our Participants Say
“Changemakers provided an inspiring few days of sitting in this space thinking and learning about not just the what and how, but understanding the why. Thanks Thirriwirri for creating this space and look forward to continuing these thoughtful discussions with some amazing colleagues.”
Jason Darney
COO TAFE NSW
“For Aboriginal leaders, the social and moral obligation that comes with community leadership is life-long. Those who lead, who have authority, must care for and look after those who come behind.”
— Senator Patrick Dodson
Our Vision
“Our aspiration is not just to create great First Nations leaders, but to create great leaders, full stop! Purposeful leaders, equipped with the agility and confidence to respond adaptively and with dignity to the unprecedented complexity and pace of change currently experienced by our communities and organisations.”
First Peoples Leading Board
First Peoples Leading is a registered Not-For-Profit organisation that aims to offer supported places to First Nations community organistions to access high quality leadership development programs.
Some of the organisations we work with
Build leadership across your organisation
When multiple team members progress through FPL programs together, you create a powerful multiplier effect.
Your team develops a shared leadership language, common frameworks for communication and collaboration, and a unified understanding of purpose and values.
This collective foundation strengthens team performance, improves workplace culture, and accelerates the impact of your leaders at every level.
Whether you're looking to upskill emerging leaders or develop your management team, we work with you to find a solution that meets for your organisation's needs and goals.
Acknowledgement of Country
We pay our respects to Elders and community leaders, and those leaders that came before us, who for millennia have maintained the world’s oldest surviving cultures and who have made it possible for us to do what we do. We acknowledge the strength and innovation of our young people, the leaders and Elders of the future.
We acknowledge our families, who have always supported us to dream big and who continue to support us as Thirriwirri evolves.
We also pay respect to the non-First Nation people we work with who share our vision for an empowered, prosperous and culturally assured First Nations Australia.