Building the next generation of regional leaders

The Northern Rivers Young Professionals Network is a Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Leaders initiative created to empower, connect and develop the next generation of talent across our region.

Established in response to the changing shape of the Northern Rivers workforce, the Network recognises a critical moment for our region. We are seeing more young people choosing to stay, return and build their careers here earlier than ever before. The opportunity now is to ensure they can see, and experience, that the grass is just as green here as it is in the cities.

This Network exists to create those meaningful opportunities.

Through a series of curated events delivered throughout the year, the Northern Rivers Young Professionals Network brings together emerging leaders aged 20–39 to connect with peers, learn from local leaders and grow the skills, confidence and networks they need to thrive professionally, right here in the Northern Rivers.

what the Network offers

The Northern Rivers Young Professionals Network is for people who live and work in the region and want to build strong careers locally.

It’s designed for young professionals who are looking to:

  • build meaningful local professional connections
  • strengthen leadership capability and career direction
  • develop practical, future‑focused skills
  • contribute ideas and perspectives on the future of the Northern Rivers

Participants connect with peers from across industries, hear from experienced local leaders and are encouraged to take an active role in conversations that influence the region’s economic and community future.

At its heart, the Network is about developing the next generation of Northern Rivers leaders, people who see this region as a place to build a career, make a contribution and stay for the long term.

about the Event Series

The Young Professionals Network is delivered as a bi‑monthly in‑person event series.

Thanks to Ballina RSL's generous sponsorship, all sessions are hosted at Anchorage Bar, Ballina RSL. 

Each event focuses on a topic relevant to emerging leaders and combines:

  • practical professional development
  • time to connect and share experiences
  • opportunities to build relationships across industries

A welcome drink and light bites are included at every session, with plenty of space for conversation and connection before and after the formal program.

Upcoming Session Dates 2026:

Save these in your calendar

  • Thursday 26 March | 3.00–6.00pm
  • Tuesday 26 May | 3.00–6.00pm
  • Thursday 13 August | 3.00–6.00pm
  • Wednesday 25 November | 3.00–6.00pm

You can book your tickets here about 4 weeks prior to each event.

Join the Young Professionals LinkedIn Group

Stay connected between events by joining the Young Professionals LinkedIn Group. It’s a place to keep conversations going, share challenges and opportunities, and tap into the experience of others in the Network, including those moments where it helps to “phone a friend” for a fresh perspective on a tricky work issue.
Request to Join

Ad Yourself to the Young Professionals Mailing List

PAST SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

network Launch Event 

3rd December 2025 | Anchorage Bar Ballina RSL

The Northern Rivers Young Professionals Network launched with an afternoon focused on leadership, connection and creating opportunity locally.

The session opened with Jane Laverty, Regional Director of Business NSW Northern Rivers, who shared the thinking behind the Network and her long‑standing focus on “growing our grass greener”. Jane spoke about building a region where talented young people don’t feel they need to leave to build a successful career, where opportunity is something we intentionally create in the Northern Rivers rather than chase elsewhere.

Ben Roche, Pro Vice‑Chancellor at Southern Cross University, brought a different lens to the idea of networking. Drawing on systems theory, Ben challenged the notion that networking is about collecting contacts. Instead, he spoke about businesses, people and communities as interconnected systems, and how strengthening relationships over time benefits the wider network.

His message to the room was simple and practical: be deliberate about the relationships you invest in, focus on reciprocity, and take a long‑term view.

The afternoon wrapped up with Angela Davies, Founder of Mind Your Grit, who explored values‑based leadership. Ange spoke about how understanding what matters most to you supports better decisions, clearer boundaries and sustainable momentum over the course of a career. She encouraged participants to take the time to define their values, particularly in fast‑moving environments where it’s easy to react rather than choose intentionally.

To support this, Ange shared a practical values guide with attendees to use as a tool for reflecting on direction and next steps in their professional lives.
Download Your Free Values Guide

march Event 

Topic: Future-Proof You: Practical AI Skills for Young Professionals 

26 March 2026  | Anchorage Bar Ballina RSL

The March 2026 session focused on helping young professionals build confidence and capability with practical AI tools they can use in their everyday work.

Facilitated by Elizabeth Griffiths, Founder and CEO of WELLCOME AI, this interactive workshop explored how AI can be used to:

  • sharpen thinking and decision‑making
  • work more efficiently in the workplace
  • strengthen professional communication and presentation

Rather than theory, the session focused on real workplace applications, with participants leaving with concrete assets and techniques they could use immediately in their roles.

Following the workshop, attendees took part in a relaxed connections session featuring a panel of Young Professionals Network members. Panelists shared what they do in their roles, what they enjoy about working in the Northern Rivers, and what has helped them build their careers locally, with a few local insights and laughs shared along the way.

The session reinforced what the Network is about: practical learning, genuine connection, and creating space for emerging leaders to learn from one another.

Slides and further learning

For those that couldnt write fast enough to jot down all those incredible tools and tips from Elizabeth:

Download Presentation 

For those who would like to build on the ideas explored in the workshop, Elizabeth also shared a dedicated page she has created specifically for the Regional Leaders Network.

This page includes details on upcoming AI courses and a hands‑on Build Day running through April in Byron Bay. The sessions range from:

  • a half‑day AI Essentials workshop
  • a full‑day Agentic Executive intensive for senior leaders
  • a practical Build Your Idea in a Day experience

Regional Leaders are eligible for a 20% discount across these offerings.

You can explore these options here:

https://wellcome.me/nsw-regional-leaders

with thanks to our event partners

The Young Professionals Network is made possible through the support of partners who share a commitment to developing future leaders in the Northern Rivers.

We thank our event partners Southern Cross University, TURSA, & Ballina RSL along with all of our Regional Leaders, for their ongoing support, insights and investment in this region. Their involvement helps create the space for connections, learning and meaningful conversations to take place.

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