At Powerlink, the Accelerate Women in Leadership program has been helping women across the organisation do exactly that since 2019. Designed to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, particularly in technical and operational environments, the program focuses on something often overlooked: confidence, visibility and the belief that leadership is possible.
For many participants, that shift is both personal and profound.
Julie Nicholls, Social Performance Specialist at Powerlink describes the experience as a turning point.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the program. It was thoughtfully curated and wonderfully delivered, offering a strong theoretical foundation complemented by an experiential approach that fostered meaningful insights, discussion, and learning. The program has helped me to recalibrate my career at a time when I was feeling unsure of myself and my place in Powerlink. Fundamentally, it prompted me to reflect on my leadership aspirations and journey.”
Through that reflection, Julie began to see her experience differently.
“I came to realise that my greatest strength is not my subject matter expertise, but the suite of skills I have developed over a 25-year career which genuinely align with leadership qualities.”
With a clearer sense of direction, she began approaching her career more intentionally.
“I now network with purpose and I’m being deliberate and bold in seeking opportunities to step into leadership initiatives that are meaningful and rewarding for me.”
Powerlink developed the Accelerate Women in Leadership program as part of its broader commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Internal insights and employee feedback highlighted the need for a more intentional pathway for women with leadership potential. In response, the People and Culture team worked alongside external experts to design a program that goes beyond traditional training.
Its structure plays a key role in its impact. Using a small group coaching model and a flipped classroom approach, participants engage with learning materials in their own time, allowing facilitated sessions to focus on deeper, experience-based conversations. This creates space for reflection, something not often prioritised in busy operational roles.
Gerard Nicolas, GM Major Customers, has seen that impact firsthand.
“Powerlink’s Women in Leadership program has been a real game-changer. It’s not just about developing individual leaders—it’s about shifting the culture to be more inclusive and forward-thinking. I had the privilege of mentoring a few participants who are now thriving in leadership roles, and seeing their confidence and impact grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of my leadership journey at Powerlink.”
For Spatial Specialist Billi Colin, that space led to a fundamental shift in how she understands leadership.
“My overall experience was inspiring and so profound that it changed my thinking. My previous belief of what a leader is supposed to be and how to get promoted into a leadership position has fundamentally changed.”
Coming from a technical background, Billi had observed leadership through a particular lens.
“Before joining Powerlink, I had observed strong and dominant behaviour as being respected and seen as a successful trait for leaders and managers. What I have since learned from Powerlink and the Accelerate program is very different.”
Instead, the program reinforced a more human-centred approach.
“This new understanding of modern leadership, grounded in human-centred management, really came through in the program. Values like trust, empathy, employee wellbeing and engagement are prioritised at Powerlink, rather than dominance.”
That shift didn’t just change how she viewed leadership, it changed how she showed up.
Powerlink actively supports diverse and inclusive hiring and has promoted 33% of its women in the past year.
“Showing vulnerability, kindness and softness is not a sign of weakness and I don’t try to ‘harden up’ anymore.”
It also translated into practical changes in how she works with others.
“When I communicate now, I try to see the individuals and their preferences, and I adapt accordingly. I feel well respected and more connected to my peers now and my relationships have changed for the better.”
Facilitation plays a key role along with participation. Powerlink’s Organisational Development Consultant, Suzanne Brookes, who has been closely involved with the program, describes it as one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
“Each session genuinely fills my cup. Over the 10 months, you see people change how they speak about themselves, how they see their strengths and what they believe is possible for their careers.”
From the beginning, executive support has been critical to the program’s success. In a male-dominated industry, there were important conversations about why a gender-specific program matters and how it contributes to a stronger leadership pipeline. Leaders across the organisation have supported participants to engage fully, ensuring they have the time and backing to prioritise their development.
Subbu Brahmanayagam, GM Infrastructure Delivery, reflects on the broader impact of the program.
“There’s something powerful about watching leadership take shape, when confidence clicks, capability shines, and someone steps into their potential. That’s exactly what the Accelerate Women in Leadership program is designed to do.
Having been part of Powerlink Queensland for 14 years, I’ve seen many forms of growth. But few compare to the impact of Accelerate Women in Leadership. It’s not just a program; it’s a launchpad.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing talented women go through Accelerate and emerge as strategic thinkers, leaders, and change-makers. Today, they’re shaping our future.
Accelerate creates space for growth and builds the confidence to lead. It’s about more than development, it’s about representation, voice, and culture.
Because when diverse perspectives are heard, our organisation becomes stronger, smarter, and more inclusive.”
Connection and visibility are also central. Participants hear directly from senior leaders who share their career journeys, including challenges and lessons learned. Structured networking opportunities help emerging leaders build relationships and increase their visibility across the organisation.
For Julie, that visibility is now something she actively pursues, supported by a deeper understanding of leadership.
“I’m now focused on building my emotional intelligence. I’m actively listening to and observing leaders and peers through a growth and development lens and deepening my understanding of what good leadership looks like.”
For Billi, the impact has been equally far-reaching.
“Overall, the program reshaped my approach to leadership, and it was a truly inspiring and transformative experience for me.”
As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer with WORK180 since 2019, Powerlink has further strengthened this work, providing access to insights, resources and best practice to support the program’s continued evolution and amplify its commitment to gender equity.
The Accelerate Women in Leadership program continues to evolve, but its purpose remains clear. It is about creating space for women to reflect, connect and redefine what leadership looks like, not just in theory, but in their own careers.
