Legacy and Leadership
The 2026 Leadership Development Institute — 4 to 6 February, Sydney Olympic Park, Wangal Country
More Than 400 Interns, One Room
From 4 to 6 February, interns from across Australia filled Sydney Olympic Park for three days themed Legacy and Leadership — the biggest gathering of the CareerTrackers year.
They heard from some of Australia’s most influential First Nations and industry leaders, built confidence, communication and leadership skills in hands-on workshops and formed networks that will carry through their careers.
How the week ran
The week
Three events across three days in Sydney.
Wed 4 – Fri 6 Feb
Leadership Development Institute — Sydney Olympic Park, Wangal Country
Thu 5 Feb
National Gala Awards Dinner — International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Gadigal Country. More than 1,500 guests.
Thu 5 – Fri 6 Feb
National Alumni Conference — South Eveleigh, Gadigal Country. More than 200 Indigenous professionals.
The Speakers
Keynotes and sessions from leaders at the top of their fields.
Martin Luther King III
Civil rights leader and global humanitarian, keynote speaker at the National Gala Awards and the National Alumni Conference.
Fiona Jose
Kuku Yalanji and Torres Strait Islander woman, Group CEO of Cape York Partnership.
Brad Welsh
Muruwari man, founder and CEO of Mawal and formerly the first Indigenous CEO of ASX-listed Energy Resources of Australia.
Dr Terri Janke
Wuthathi, Yadhaigana and Meriam woman, leading Indigenous lawyer, writer and founder of the 100% Indigenous-owned firm Terri Janke and Company.
Brian Hartzer
CEO of Quantium Health and former CEO of Westpac.
Greta Thomas
Co-founder of Full Potential Labs and former CMO of eBay Australia and the Sydney Opera House.
Michael McLeod
Ngarrindjeri, Monaro and Yorta Yorta man, co-founder and chairman of Message Stick Communications and co-founder of Supply Nation.
Robert Fitzgerald AM
Age Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Alan Docherty
Group Executive Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer at Commonwealth Bank, executive sponsor of its Yana Budjari employee network.
The Night the Community Dressed Up
On the Thursday night more than 1,500 interns, alumni, partners and supporters filled the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour for the National Gala Awards.
National awards recognised excellence across interns, alumni, universities and partners, from Intern of the Year through to the Legacy and Leadership Award.
The Alumni Excellence award carries a $15,000 no-strings-attached grant, backing a graduate excelling in their field to go further.
