Each year a new Hunter leader is awarded the Kristen Keegan Future Leaders Scholarship, which is a joint initiative between HunterNet and the Hunter Business Chamber, aimed at covering the tuition for one participant as part of the HunterNet Future Leaders Program 2020.
From the long list of submissions, HunterNet announced that their 2020 recipient is Sharni Campbell, a Recruitment Consultant Specialist from Chandler MacLeod.
The Assessment Panel, comprised of Ian Brown (Chairman, Future Leaders Committee), Jacqui Warren (Future Leaders Program Director) and Tony Cade (CEO, HunterNet), received several high calibre applications from young leaders across the Hunter.
Each applicant was required to submit a letter addressing the following criteria:
- What would participation in the Program mean to you.
- Demonstrate your aspiration to succeed in your chosen pursuit and how financial and moral support would further your education or personal development.
- What does the heritage of our region mean to you and how can this be respected while creating the necessary change, innovation and progression to take our region forward.
Ian Brown, Chairman of the Future Leaders Program Committee said the committee were amazed by the large amount of entries, which made their job very difficult, but feel confident in their final decision.
“Congratulations to all of the 2020 Kristen Keegan Scholarship finalists – we were certainly overwhelmed with the quality of the applicants this year and I congratulate Sharni Campbell on being awarded the Scholarship for 2020,” Ian said.
“I look forward to witnessing Sharni’s personal and professional development this year as she embarks on the 2020 HunterNet Future Leaders Program.”
Sharni’s application detailed her aspirations to be a thought-provoking, caring leader who empowers the people around her.
She is passionate about her work and the region and said she would be proud to honour Kristen’s legacy as a leader in the Hunter.
Sharni has a passion for organisational psychology and is undertaking a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Science through the University of Newcastle.
“Being named the recipient of the Kristen Keegan Future Leaders Scholarship for 2020 is an absolute honour,” Sharni said.
“I am excited for the opportunity to grow and learn alongside the future leaders of our region. I am passionate about our region and hope that the skills and knowledge I gain from this Program will allow me to honour Kristen in promoting our region and shaping its future.”
Sharni will join the HunterNet Future Leaders Program along with several other young leaders on Thursday 2 April 2020 for the Program Launch.
The Program will cover 12 leadership topics, followed by a major project where participants will be mentored by industry leaders and present to a panel of esteemed judges in October this year.
Other finalists worthy of mention included;
- Paul Sniekers, Richard Crookes Constructions,
- Kate Evans, Ampcontrol,
- Danielle O’Neill, NAB, and
- Sam Barnes, Banlaw
According to the panel each finalist demonstrated a commitment to personal growth, development and a passion for the Hunter Region.
IMAGE | Sharni Campbell, 2020 Kristen Keegan Future Leaders Scholarship recipient.