With experience in urban planning and local government, Hayley reflects on how people-focused leadership, strategic project delivery, and the CPMgr accreditation have shaped her leadership approach. She also shares some practical insights for emerging leaders looking to create meaningful impact for both teams and communities
Looking back, what moments in your leadership career make you most proud, the ones that really remind you why you do what you do?
The moments I’m most proud of are when I’ve seen a team grow in confidence and culture. Supporting people who once felt hesitant or undervalued to find their voice, enjoy their work, and contribute meaningfully is incredibly rewarding, especially when I see them progress in their own careers. As an urban planner, I’m motivated by the way good planning can create more inclusive and connected communities and enhance liveability and sustainability. Leading complex projects and shaping built form outcomes, while also building trust across Council and the community, reinforces why I do what I do: to deliver better outcomes for both people and place. It’s those cultural shifts, combined with achieving project milestones that expand opportunity, that give me true pride and purpose in leadership and planning..
Every leader has influences. Who or what has shaped your approach to leadership the most?
My leadership has been shaped most by the people around me. I’ve had inspiring mentors who modelled the value of vision, clarity, and integrity, and colleagues who demonstrated resilience, creativity, and kindness in practice. The teams I lead continue to influence me every day, their ideas, feedback, and energy push me to adapt, listen, and grow as a leader. I’ve also drawn on professional learning, from strategic leadership programs to governance frameworks, but the strongest influence has always been people: observing what works in practice and experiencing firsthand the impact that strong, values-led leadership can have on others.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of leadership advice, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to trust your own leadership style. Early in my career, I sometimes felt pressure to adopt a louder, more traditional approach, but I’ve learned that empathy, thoughtfulness, quiet strength and sheer determination are powerful qualities. You don’t need to fit an outdated stereotype to be effective, and you don’t need a title to have an impact. The right people will recognise your value so stay true to yourself, invest in relationships, and have the courage to back your ideas. Leadership is about influence and impact, not volume. Authenticity, effort and hard work will always take you further in the long run.
As you think about the next stage of your leadership journey, what excites you most about where you want to grow or make an impact?
What excites me about the next stage of my leadership journey is the opportunity for growth, both in scale of my impact and in the scope of my contribution. I want to keep positively influencing how local government delivers complex planning and placemaking projects, while also stepping into roles that shape strategy and advocate for better outcomes. I see my growth not only in advancing projects, but in developing people: helping others step up, feel supported, and thrive as leaders in their own right. Looking ahead, I’m motivated by the chance to expand my impact, combining collaboration, advocacy, and values-led leadership to deliver transformational outcomes for the organisation and the community.
Since becoming a Certified Practising Manager, how has the accreditation influenced the way you lead: whether that’s facing challenges, supporting your team, or setting direction?
Becoming a Certified Practising Manager has reinforced my confidence and sharpened my practice as a leader. It has encouraged me to pause and reflect on my approach, ensuring decisions are grounded in strong governance, clarity, and direction. I draw on the frameworks and standards when navigating challenges or resetting priorities, and it has strengthened the way I communicate strategy to both my team and executives. Most importantly, CPM has affirmed my leadership strengths being people-focused, strategic and resilient, while reminding me of the importance of continual growth and alignment with professional best practice. It has also validated my “best for people, best for project” philosophy: that sustainable success comes when you balance project outcomes with the growth and wellbeing of the people delivering them.
On a lighter note, if a fellow Member found themselves in Toowoomba for a weekend, what are your top three must-see or must-do recommendations?
If you were coming to Toowoomba for a weekend, I would recommend visiting in spring during the Carnival of Flowers festival. The region comes alive with colour, gardens in full bloom, parades, food and wine events, and a real sense of community spirit. Alongside the festival, take time to explore Laurel Bank Park for a peaceful walk, and enjoy Toowoomba’s laneway coffee and art culture in the CBD. Here you’ll find beautiful heritage architecture, vibrant street art trails, and hidden cafés that reflect the city’s creative energy and character.
