“You don’t have to be seen at the top to be leader. Leaders are everywhere.”

That was the overarching message given to the Whitten Project Young Leaders on Thursday night, when they were addressed by Sue Shultz, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne.

The inspiring leadership discussion did not fall on deaf ears, with students in the room either 2013 Whitten Project graduates or young leaders who have been nominated in their community to undergo the leadership program.

In the special address, Sue Shultz discussed the value of empowering young people with leadership skills by drawing on her experience in the United States Foreign Service.

“Stepping out of your comfort zone and constantly pushing the envelope goes a long way to achieving your goals,” Sue said.

“When you’re too comfortable, you become accustomed to settling and this stops personal and professional progression.”

Sue also said that leadership does not need to be accompanied by a title or official recognition but rather is reflected in an individual’s daily actions.

“You can be a leader anytime, anywhere in your life. You don’t have to be seen at the top to be leader. Leaders are everywhere,” she said.

 “Think of yourself as a role model based on who you are, where you are from and what you can achieve.”

The Western Bulldogs’ Whitten Project aims to inspire and develop young leaders in Melbourne’s West and further engage them in the local community. 

Hosted by the Western Bulldogs, this unique initiative is delivered in partnership with Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay and Brimbank councils, the AFL, AFL Victoria, Netball Victoria, SportWest and the State Government with support from Victoria University and the Western Region Football League (WRFL).

Sue Shultz, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General Melbourne.

Susan Shultz is a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne. Over the last fifteen years she has served in Turkey, Kenya, India, Slovenia, and Washington, D.C.  Her most recent posting prior to Australia was in the State Department’s Office of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, as Deputy Director of Strategic Planning for the East Asia/Pacific and Western Hemisphere regions.  Work in that office brought Sue to Australia in 2011, as the lead of the bilateral US-Australian civilian team in the Talisman Sabre military exercise, a role which she reprised in 2013.