Emergency management has traditionally been shaped by operational and response-based career pathways, often privileging those who have “earned their stripes” within emergency services agencies. However, as the sector evolves, so too must our understanding of what our sector looks like — and how we develop and sustain the next generation of leaders.

Drawing on my experiences moving from a "green-newbie" to a leader within the health and emergency management sectors, this presentation explores the challenges and opportunities for those entering emergency management through non-traditional routes. It reflects on lessons learned as a female leader navigating a male-dominated industry, the importance of visibility and mentorship, and the role of inclusive leadership in building a resilient, future-ready workforce.

By sharing real examples from multi-agency operations and system-level reform, the session invites participants to re-examine how we define credibility and expertise in emergency management. It will highlight practical approaches to supporting those who bring analytical, strategic, and systems-thinking strengths — and how embracing diverse professional backgrounds strengthens the sector’s collective capability.

Ultimately, this presentation argues that a sustainable emergency management workforce depends not only on technical skills, but on our willingness to foster diverse leadership pipelines and challenge outdated notions of who “belongs” at the table.