Jo Leonard Memorial Scholarship 2026

$14,500 scholarship to undertake the Women in Senior Leadership Program

The Melbourne Business School will be offering an open program scholarship for a VCCC alliance partner, who is a senior female leader in cancer to participate in their Women in Senior Leadership Program on 18 - 22 November 2026. This scholarship is in honour of Jo Leonard who was a long-standing and valued member of the Melbourne Business School. 

Background

Jo first commenced with the Melbourne Business School in 1999 supporting Executive Education programs as a facilitator and executive coach. She worked with many public and private sector clients including the highly successful BHP Billiton Graduate Program where she was instrumental in its delivery for a number of years. Jo was also a key facilitator and feedback specialist on the MBS Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) programs. 

Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Jo will know she was incredibly professional and highly dedicated to her work. She had an engaging personality, a curious mind and a very special warmth. Colleagues and participants alike benefited from her passion and focus on developing others.  

In August 2016, Jo lost her battle to ovarian cancer - leaving her husband, her teenage daughter and son and a huge network of family and friends. This scholarship has been established in her honour, is valued at $14,500 and supported by the Melbourne Business School.

Opportunity

This five-day program offers a safe space where we combine evidence-based leadership development with a focus on finding the joy in leading. Through the collective wisdom of your peers, this program amplifies your personal growth, empowering you to not only lead effectively but also thrive in senior roles.

Who is this for? 

• Experienced senior leaders who lead a function or division
• Women with over 10 years of experience as leaders 
• Women who are keen to learn from a diverse cohort across a variety of industries, age and cultural backgrounds

Key benefits

By the end of the program journey, you will:

• Learn what leadership is and isn’t and the challenges faced in exercising it as an authentic leader
• Develop your ability to navigate professional alliances with female and male colleagues and to present with authority
• Explore the particular dilemmas that a woman can face when negotiating and how to overcome them
• Broaden your sphere of influence for speedier gender equity change and consider the role men can play
• Understand the value of being able to tell compelling and impactful stories that engage and persuade others

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants would need to be available on the program dates below and must attend all five days
• Woman in a senior role
• Has a current involvement in cancer research, education or clinical care
• You are employed by a VCCC alliance member organisation or regional partner organisation

For more information, visit https://mbs.edu/short-courses/women-in-senior-leadership-program

How to apply

Applications are due strictly by 5.00pm (AEST) Monday, 15 June 2026.

Complete the Application Form and include a copy of your CV, compiled into a single PDF.

Submit to [email protected]