On 20 March 2026, MWA’s Board Members and CEO convened for a strategic planning workshop designed to shape the organisation’s priorities and direction for the next phase of growth. The session brought together key leadership voices to align on objectives, explore opportunities, and define actionable outcomes across several critical areas.
The workshop was structured to ensure both breadth and depth of discussion, covering finance, member engagement, events, training, mentoring, and regional strategy. Each topic was led by designated board members, fostering ownership and accountability while encouraging collaborative input.
At its core, the workshop aimed to align the Board on strategic priorities, clarify responsibilities, and establish practical next steps. Early discussions focused on defining what success should look like for MWA over the next two to three years, ensuring that all subsequent decisions were anchored in a shared vision.
Key Strategic Focus Areas
Financial Sustainability and Growth
Led by Neil Whiteside and CEO Peter Ali, discussions centred on strengthening financial resilience and diversifying revenue streams. The Board examined current financial positioning and explored opportunities to support long-term sustainability while enabling future initiatives.
Expanding Engagement Beyond Victoria
Recognising the importance of national reach, the Board explored strategies to better engage non-Victorian members. This included leveraging hybrid and digital event formats and identifying partnerships to enhance interstate participation.
Enhancing Corporate Member Value
Corporate member engagement emerged as a priority, with a focus on refining the value proposition, increasing program participation, and identifying opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, and thought leadership.
Training and Professional Development
The workshop highlighted the importance of capability building across the membership base. Discussions focused on aligning training offerings with industry demand, balancing free and paid content, and optimising delivery methods across in-person and digital formats.
Strengthening the Mentor Program
The mentor program was recognised as a core component of member value. The Board explored ways to improve program structure, ensure quality outcomes, and expand its reach across different career stages and regions.
Rural and Regional Engagement
A dedicated session addressed the unique needs of rural and regional members. The Board considered how to improve accessibility, strengthen local partnerships, and ensure MWA’s offerings remain relevant and impactful across all geographies.
Outcomes and Next Steps
The workshop concluded with a consolidation of key insights, identification of cross-cutting themes, and agreement on top strategic priorities. Clear ownership was assigned to Board members, ensuring accountability for advancing initiatives.
Importantly, the session established a strong foundation for MWA’s forthcoming strategic plan, with a clear emphasis on growth, inclusivity, and member value.
Looking Ahead
The 20 March workshop marks a pivotal step in MWA’s evolution. By bringing together its leadership for focused, forward-looking discussions, MWA has positioned itself to respond proactively to industry needs and deliver meaningful outcomes for its members.
As the organisation moves toward finalising its strategic plan, the priorities set during this session will serve as a guiding framework for decision-making and execution in the years ahead.