Excelerator Launches Future Leaders Programme

Excelerator Launches Future Leaders Programme

Auckland, 10 March 2005 - The first intake* of the Future Leaders Programme (FLP) starts tomorrow with students embarking on a unique 18 month programme that will launch them on the path as future leaders and key decision makers of many New Zealand organisations and communities.

Sixty talented and diverse young people, from Auckland to Bulls to Bluff, will participate in the inaugural programme which is a key part of Excelerator. Selection for FLP was competitive but those chosen all demonstrated an exceptional drive to make a positive difference to New Zealand in their chosen fields ranging from community health, charitable fund raising, sport, student politics, to the environment.

Mary Logue, Future Leaders Programme Director says the quality of the first FLP intake is outstanding and many of the successful applicants, despite experiencing significant life challenges, are already starting to make their mark.

“Each one of these young people has amazing potential and qualities that combined with inspiration, passion and a strong desire to achieve will continue to excel and seize opportunities today, tomorrow and well into the future”.

“The Future Leaders Programme offers the 60 participants the chance of a lifetime to learn about themselves as leaders, but also how to lead others, and how to use critical elements of leadership to maximum advantage in a variety of different situations.”

Mary Logue says that the programme also aims to highlight that leadership is essential to success in virtually all areas of life.

“Leadership is all encompassing and a vital factor in building New Zealand ’s competitiveness whether it be in sport, art, music or business.”

Dr Lester Levy, Chief Executive of Excelerator says in 18 months time the future leaders will have considerable skills to create a vision, empower people, motivate and inspire people, deal with conflict, build networks, and much more.

“Moreover, it is just the start of a lifelong journey, but we anticipate that the lessons learnt and shared on the programme will benefit not just the participants but flow through to every New Zealand community.”

The 18 month programme is divided into three modules and includes seven residentials, the first launching the programme in Auckland on 11, 12, 13 March at The University of Auckland’s Waipapa Marae. The launch residential will allow the Future Leaders to meet each other for the first time, be introduced to the programme, and undertake activities relating to self awareness.

Each of the programme participants is aged between 17 to 25 years and works or studies full-time. The majority of the programme costs are covered by Excelerator through the generous contributions of its partners, including Westpac, Tindall Foundation, Bell Gully, Deloitte, Hudson, and Sleepyhead Manufacturing.

The University of Auckland ’s Business School is the founding partner of Future Leaders and plays a key role in the delivery of the programme.

© Scoop Media