AUSTRALIA | The next generation of winemakers have graduated from Future Leaders, a flagship development program for the industry.
Fifteen emerging leaders have graduated from the Australian grape and wine sector’s flagship professional development program, Future Leaders, having been inspired and equipped to shape meaningful change for the benefit of the industry.
Funded by Wine Australia, supported by Australian Grape & Wine and delivered by Pragmatic Thinking, the Future Leaders program is offered every two years to mid-career professionals. It focuses on fostering individual talent and strengthening leadership capability to meet the sector’s evolving needs and challenges.
Since its inception in 2006, Future Leaders has built an impressive network of more than 150 alumni who continue to influence and make valuable contributions to the Australian grape and wine industry.
Dr Martin Cole, CEO of Wine Australia, congratulated the graduates and highlighted the importance of the program to the sector.
“The calibre of this year’s cohort speaks volumes about the depth of talent and drive across our sector. Navigating the complexities of the current environment, from climate pressures to market changes, requires bold thinking and genuine, collaborative leadership. These graduates are well placed to make a lasting impact on the future of Australian wine,” Dr Cole said.
“Investing in our emerging leaders is central to securing a sustainable, resilient future for Australian wine. This cohort brings fresh perspectives, collaboration, and the mindset needed to lead through change,” said Lee McLean, CEO of Australian Grape & Wine.
Alison Hill, from Pragmatic Thinking, said the future requires leaders to navigate the unknown, to challenge thinking and to invest in their own development in a way that serves things beyond themselves.
“Every single one of these leaders have embraced the challenges in this program with their whole heart and their connection as a group is unparalleled. This industry is in great hands with these Future Leaders driving change,” she said.
As part of the program, participants have authored thought leadership articles that address key challenges such as workforce development, sales and marketing, customers, and sustainability. These articles are designed to reflect the issues shaping the sector’s future and prompt important conversations, and will be contained in a Thought Leadership book that will be unveiled at the graduation.
“While the Future Leaders program might be coming to a formal conclusion, in other ways it feels like just the beginning,” said graduate Lachlan Aird, Direct to Consumer and eCommerce Manager with Shaw & Smith.
“Not only will the new skills we’ve acquired throughout the course help us navigate future leadership challenges, but our cohort will also keep the conversations, connections and sense of community going well beyond 2025.”
Marianne Duluk, Manager at Food and Wine Exports with SA Department of State Development, described Future Leaders as “a catalyst of real transformation”.
“The tools and strategic models matter, but the connections and friendships forged matter even more, and have been a driving force in the cohort in how we think about change and leading our industry forward,” she said.
Future Leaders is a finalist in the Best Education & Transmission Category in the annual International V d’Or Vinexposium Business Awards, which recognise the most impactful and responsible initiatives in the global wine and spirits industry. Winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 8 February.
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