Creating a culture of change

AtNIDA Corporate, we are creative and passionate, and this means that even as a not-for-profit, we find innovative ways to add value and meaning to the community and environment we are located in. At a time when company cultures are transforming, we recognise the importance of how effective communication can be integral to the success of an organisation.

Havingopened our doors in one of the most liveable cities, NIDA Melbourne invited two individuals from the community sector into courses which were suited to their professional needs: a senior manager in a leadership position for a globally renowned not-for-profit, and an intern just entering the professional world with a local creative organisation.

Laura Kulman, Head of Organisation Development at Save The Children Australia

Save The Children is one of Australia’s largest aid and development agencies dedicated to helping children. They work hard to protect children from harm and help them access quality education and health services. With more than 90 years working with children, Save The Children are at the forefront of saving children’s lives when disaster strikes and creating lasting change for them and their families through their long-term development programs.

Laura occupies a key specialist role within the People and Culture Team that leads and supports organisational capability and performance improvement. She manages a team of professionals and enables the HR managers to implement and imbed strategic and operational HR practices and frameworks in their relevant client groups. She is also involved in developing and aligning the organisation’s approach to succession planning, talent calibration and management.

Laura said of our two-dayInfluential Women course:

‘After attending similar training in the past, I was expecting to refine and practice skills I had already learnt. I was pleasantly surprised at how the NIDA course really challenged me to come out of my comfort zone. Using the practical exercises really made me think about how I prepare and hold myself as an influencer. The tutors were well placed for personal and professional coaching but a key highlight for me was being able to share the experience with such a high calibre of professional women, who all taught me something about myself.’

Nicole McKenzie, Creative Producer at Emerging Writers’ Festival

The Emerging Writers’ Festival is a not-for-profit organisation whose foundations are built on supporting emerging writers. The festival is a place where creativity and innovation are celebrated, where new talent is nurtured and where diverse voices from across Australia are represented.

The festival has pioneered one of the most important internship programs in the cultural landscape of Melbourne: Creative Producers. The internship provides a unique opportunity to take ownership of a key festival event, seeing it through from programming to production, and assisting in the overall management of the festival along the way. Nicole McKenzie came through a highly competitive pool of applicants to be selected as a Creative Producer for this year’s iteration of the festival.

Nicole said of ourPublic Speaking Bootcamp:

‘NIDA’s public speaking bootcamp was a fantastic way to lift my confidence and improve my public speaking ability. The course was taught in a fun and approachable way by knowledgeable tutors. It’s a great step for anyone looking to cover public speaking fundamentals or polish their existing public speaking skills.’

It has been a privilege for NIDA to have hosted such wonderful women who ensure they foster a connected, caring and creative ecosystem in Melbourne, Australia and the world.