This innovative online and in person program will build seafood women’s entrepreneurship and leadership skills and capabilities
The Turn the Tide Entrepreneurship and Leadership program is designed to train women in entrepreneurial and leadership thinking to solve key issues facing women in seafood workplaces and communities.
We take participants through a journey of shared problem identification, and collectively developing practical and measurable actions and tools to address the problem.
The highly regarded Affectus will guide you through all parts of the program with a line up of experts to help you on the way.
Key outcomes for participants to take into their work and personal lives are:
- Entrepreneurial and leadership thinking and skills
- A process for collective action
- A new support network and relationships with a diverse group of women in seafood
- Connections to industry leaders and influencers
This 6 month program is online and in person and is free to WISA members (including travel and accommodation).
We work together online for 6 months and then the final part of this annual feast of women’s brilliance is a ‘Round Table’ in person gathering in Canberra where women participating in the program come together. You will hear about the amazing work done to address the five burning issues, be motivated by some awesome speakers and influencers, connect with industry leaders, deepen your network, work with Affectus building more leadership and entrepreneurship knowledge, and genuinely have a fabulous time!
We encourage anyone in the Australian seafood community to apply to be involved.
Applications are now closed. Applications will reopen in 2025. If you missed the online introduction to the program view it here!
About the Program
There are 2 ways to participate in the program:
Facilitator training (APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED)
Five women will be offered an incredible opportunity to train as an Entrepreneurship and Leadership facilitator.
You will receive training to build skills to provide leadership to a group through facilitating discussions. These sessions will be very practical. You will have the chance to test your new skills by helping the Turn the Tide team facilitate the Leadership and Entrepreneurship small group program by shadowing and co-facilitating. The expectation is that you will be able to transfer these skills to your role in the seafood industry.
Entrepreneurship and Leadership action group program
(Applications are closed)
You will work online in small groups over six months, to develop and action your personal plan to achieve your entrepreneurial and leadership goals, based on a shared group issue. The Affectus team (and facilitators above) will guide you and experts will help you throughout.
You will work in small groups of 5-8 women. First you will decide which issue to tackle. In 2024 the action groups have chosen the following issues:
Building a career while juggling the “women’s work” of family and caring responsibilities
Navigating the network: Overcoming exclusion and isolation from the existing network to break through the “glass ceiling”
Who does she think she is? Developing your voice to overcome unconscious bias, undermining behaviours and backlash
Growing deeper and stronger connections, teams, and networks among seafood women to build resilience and opportunity
Influencing industry to listen to women: Building allies to champion grass roots cultural change
Groups form around shared topics participants are most interested in actioning. In online meetings groups will discuss, decide, action plan and take action on their shared issue – supporting and working together to make change in the industry on issues that matter to you.
Affectus will also provide you with skills along the way to help you build your entrepreneurial and leadership thinking.
Time commitment to the program:
- For participants in Action Group program:
- 5 x 3hr online sessions (29 May, 19 Jun, 24 Jul, 14 Aug, 2 Oct)
- In person Round Table 3 day event in Canberra (18-20 Nov 2024)
- Working online with your group in between online sessions as required
- For facilitator program
- As above for action group program with 15mins pre meeting and 45mins post group meeting for facilitator catch up with Affectus
- Additional 2 x 3hr facilitator training sessions pre program (10 Apr, 8 May)
PART 3: Round table
The final part of this annual feast of women’s brilliance will be a ‘Round Table’ in person gathering where women participating in the Turn the Tide project will come together. You will hear about the amazing work done to address the five burning issues in the action group Part 2, be motivated by some awesome speakers, and work with Affectus and WISA to build greater leadership and entrepreneurship knowledge.
Hotel Realm – Canberra 13-15 November – Round Table – View 2023 PowerPoint presentations
Facebook Live Recording of Action Group Presentation 2023
Key dates :
| Entrepreneurship and Leadership program Introductory workshop | 15 February 2024 12:30-1:30 AEDT |
| Applications for E&L program open | 15 February 2024 1:30 AEDT |
| Applications for E&L program close | 15 March 2024 5:00pm AEDT |
| Facilitator Training Workshop 1
Facilitator Training Workshop 2 |
1O Apr 12.30pm – 2.00pm AEST
8 May 12.30pm – 2.00pm AEST |
| E&L Action Group Training Workshop 1 |
Facilitators 29 May 10.00am – 2.00pm AEST Action Groups 29 May 10.00am – 1.30pm AEST |
| E&L Action Group Training Workshop 2 |
Facilitators 19 June 10.00am – 2.00pm AEST Action Groups 19 June 10.00am – 1.30pm AEST |
| E&L Action Group Training Workshop 3 |
Facilitators 24 Jul 10.00am – 2.00pm AEST Action Groups 24 Jul 10.00am – 1.30pm AEST |
| E&L Action Group Training Workshop 4 |
Facilitators 14 Aug 10.00am – 2.00pm AEST Action Groups 14 Aug 10.00am – 1.30pm AEST |
| E&L Action Group Training Workshop 5 |
Facilitators 2 Oct 10.00am – 2.00pm AEST Action Groups 2 Oct 10.00am – 1.30pm AEST |
| Annual Round Table | 18 – 20 November 2024 (Canberra) |
What is Entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is an action – it is something you choose to do. It is the ability and readiness to develop, organise and run an enterprise, along with any of its uncertainties in order to make a profit or a difference. There are different types of entrepreneurship, including in small or large business, startups, social enterprises or as researchers.
What is Leadership?
At Turn the Tide, we define leadership as an action you take. That action might be obvious to the world or might be subtle and only known by you. It may be in your workplace or in your community. It may be a big thing or a small thing. Leadership is seeing a need to take action and intentionally stepping into that space, having your intended action articulated, seen and heard, and then doing it. Through taking this considered action, others then can choose to follow your leadership direction.
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please read the Program Overview and FAQs brochure or contact the team:
Jill Briggs, Affectus
jill@affectusaus.com.au
Heidi Mumme, Affectus
heidi@affectusaus.com.au
Malinda Moreton, WISA
communications@womeninseafood.org.au
Kirsten Abernethy, WISA
eo@womeninseafood.org.au
2023 Participant Testimonials
Five months ago, I embarked on a journey as a facilitator trainee in the #WISA Turn the Tide Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program - Women in Seafood!
During the program, I had the pleasure of working with 30 amazing women from across Australia from the different sectors of the seafood industry. We worked in five small groups and combined our diverse skills and perspectives to identify innovative solutions to address a shared issue that women in the seafood industry were facing. The topics we worked on were selected based on the outcome of a survey conducted by WISA in 2022.
I worked with a group of five incredibly talented women on the topic “Raising the visibility of and opportunities for women in Leadership in the seafood industry”. We were working online for the last five months in the program, and the energy, dedication, and creativity that flowed through each of our sessions were truly inspiring. Together, we delved into the depths of understanding the factors impacting women seeking leadership opportunities and creating actionable strategies for positive change.
I'm grateful to the #WISA and #Affectus for the opportunity and for their support to be a part of this journey. I'm excited about the impact all our collective efforts will have on shaping a brighter future for women in the Seafood Industry.
Soni Maria Jacob Peter2023 Participant Testimonials
I spent the week in Canberra where I had the privilege of facilitating one of five groups for Women In Seafood Australasia (WISA) entrepreneurship and leadership program—a part of WISA's "Turn the Tide" project, focused on breaking barriers for women in the seafood industry.
Our journey spanned five months of research, planning, engaging with industry professionals and women in the industry. with plenty of zoom meetings, late nights and lots of laughs, we arrived in Canberra and presented with 4 other facilitators and their teams to successfully deliver 5 solutions to move to a better future.
Leading Team "Glass Busters" (the team presented the "Women’s Allyship" project. Following research and findings that indicated a underrepresentation of women in advisory positions (being boards, advisory groups, committees etc) within the seafood industry, the team had a goal to support the industry in engaging more women in advisory positions, implementing a solution for women to become industry advisors, and fostering connections between industry and these talented women.
Thank you to WISA and Affectus for this opportunity and pushing me to grow (as always). Excited about the positive impact we're making! #WISA #Leadership
Kate Lamason2023 Participant Testimonials
Reflecting on an inspiring journey! 3 weeks ago I completed the Turn the Tide Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program by Women In Seafood Australasia, and I'm filled with gratitude for this transformative experience.
The six-month journey alongside 30 women from diverse sectors of the seafood industry was a true collaboration. Our group focused on "Growing Deeper and Stronger Connections, Teams, and Networks Among Seafood Women to Build Resilience Across the Industry," and comprised talented and inspiring individuals.
Diverse perspectives converged into three exciting solutions that we can't wait to share with everyone. Our hard work culminated in Canberra, where we met in person to present our ideas. Grateful for the insightful sessions and networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Heartfelt gratitude to Women In Seafood Australasia, Affectus, FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation for this impactful program. Excited to be part of this meaningful change in the seafood industry.
Shandy Yap