Alishia, Eddie and Woodside benefit from Indigenous leadership program

Alishia Stearne, Senior Adviser Sustainability Reporting & Assessment, and Eddie Huddlestone, Pluto Frontline Instrumentation and Electrical Technician, took part in the Executive Indigenous Leadership Program (EILP) last year.

The six-month course, which finished in November, is part of the Elevate RAP approach which includes working with public and private organisations across Australia. It is hosted by the University of NSW (UNSW) Business School in collaboration with the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

The EILP comprised five modules which were held both online and in-person. One of the modules was hosted at Uluru, the final one in Sydney where the students presented in front of a panel of First Nations professionals on their strategic challenge.

“It was a great opportunity to expand my existing leadership skills,” says Alishia, who has 20-plus years at Woodside.

She said, “I was pleased to be given the opportunity to spend time on country and sharing experiences with my cohort which reinforced my own connection to country.

"I realised my own capacity for leadership and I am excited for the next stage in my career."

“It was an eye-opener,” reports Eddie, who is co-chair of Woodside’s Indigenous Collegiate in Karratha. “I got a lot out of the content like how to build strategies and knowing how to create something, who you need to speak to. It’s like a chessboard.”

“I also learned how different people are – I learnt a lot about people!”

There were 35 students from across Australia on the program and Eddie and Alishia were two of four West Australians who took part. The course is designed for Indigenous participants exclusively and this was the third cohort of Woodsiders to have participated.

Alishia is a proud Wardandi woman from the South West of Western Australia, with connections to the North West.

Eddie is a proud Karajarri man from his mother’s side in the West Kimberley and a proud Mirrawong man from his father’s side in the East Kimberley.

Eddie began his working life as an Air Conditioner Technician working all over the world commissioning oil and gas facilities before successfully applying for an apprenticeship hosted by Woodside and then joining our company. He’s now been with Woodside for more than 10 years and has worked at both KGP and Pluto as well as offshore.

Eddie says he’s inspired to help Indigenous people be the best they can be, as Woodside employees and as people in the Community, because he knows that with a bit more self-confidence, they could aim higher.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it. I’m no different than anyone,” he says.

Sharon Reynolds, Head of First Nations and Human Rights, says: “Woodside is proud to support First Nations leadership development because these leaders play a vital role within their communities and our workforce.

“Importantly, Indigenous leaders offer unique insights that contribute to better, more sustainable decision-making for our business.”

Congratulations to Alishia and Eddie.