POWERING WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE
Program Schedule
Steward Leadership Edge 2026
Join us in person for two immersive full-day sessions on:
23-24 February 2026
Deakin Downtown,
Level 12, 727 Collins Street, Docklands, Victoria
Two full days in person + two online workshops
Investment: $3,995 AUD (includes meals and materials)
Contact: Danny Ong at danny.ong@deakin.edu.au
Overview
Running a business in Australia today comes with complex challenges. You’re juggling an expanding list of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements, from reducing carbon emissions and building workforce diversity to driving community engagement and ethical leadership. On top of that, you’re navigating shifting capital markets, demanding customers and supply chains, changing workforce expectations, and ongoing geopolitical and climate disruptions.
Despite over US$40 trillion invested globally in ESG funds, progress on environmental and social challenges remains slow, widening the gap between expectations and results. ESG is no longer just about doing the right thing, it’s a strategic tool for risk management, competitive advantage, and sustainable growth. Ignoring it can increase costs, limit financing, and erode brand trust, while a strategic approach can secure better funding, attract top talent, enhance resilience, and protect long-term profitability.
Today’s successful organisations share a common approach: they maximise profit by maximising purpose. They treat ESG challenges as opportunities to innovate, differentiate, and lead. Achieving this requires a shift from traditional leadership models to Steward Leadership, a values based approach that delivers win-win-win outcomes for business, society, and the environment.
About the Program
Co-delivered by Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre, and with experts from Australian business and Deakin Business School, the Steward Leadership program is a practical, intensive leadership program that equips leaders to:
- Turn ESG obligations into strategic growth advantages.
- Embed integrated thinking to meet Australian governance requirements.
- Build leadership resilience in volatile, uncertain markets.
- Activate the Steward Leadership Compass© to optimise profit with purpose.
- Drive impactful outcomes for all stakeholders.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, you will be able to:
- Apply practical tools to integrate ESG into your business strategy.
- Redefine your leadership approach to meet current business and market realities.
- Connect personal and organisational Leadership Energy to sustain momentum.
- Implement purpose led strategies that create measurable impact.
- Build a culture that improves retention, innovation, and stakeholder trust.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Participants who successfully complete the program, including passing the two optional assessments are eligible to receive one elective credit toward Deakin University’s Master of Business Administration or Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. This provides a valuable pathway for further academic and professional advancement.
Who Should Attend?
The program is suitable for C-suite executives, business leaders, business owners and board directors committed to sustainable growth.
Investment
$3,995 AUD
This includes two full days of face-to-face sessions (inclusive of all meals) and two online workshops. For any queries, please contact Danny Ong at danny.ong@deakin.edu.au.
Program Director
Rajeev Peshawaria , CEO of Stewardship Asia Center, Singapore, and President of Leadership Energy Consulting, Seattle, WA, USA.
Rejecting platitudes and theoretical models, Rajeev combines 22 years of global Fortune 100 experience with research-based insights to provide unique and practical approaches to personal leadership, ethics, governance, sustainable business growth, and stewardship. A sought-after speaker and consultant, he is the CEO of Stewardship Asia Center, Singapore, and President of Leadership Energy Consulting, Seattle, WA, USA. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Human Science of Environmental Action.
Author of the Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestseller Open-Source Leadership (McGraw Hill), Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders (Simon & Schuster), Sustainable Sustainability (Penguin Random House), co-author of Be the Change (McGraw Hill) and a regular contributor for Forbes, he constantly challenges conventional wisdom on leadership, management, stewardship, sustainability, and corporate governance. He has pioneered unique practical concepts such as Leadership Energy and Emotional Integrity for personal growth, the Brains-Bones-Nerves model for enterprise leadership, and the Steward Leadership model for driving sustainable business growth in the 21st century.
Rajeev is a high-energy, inspirational speaker who provides coaching, consulting and advisory services to corporate and public sector clients globally. He also serves as guest faculty at leading US, Europe and Asia business schools. He has been widely featured in international media such as CNN, Bloomberg TV & Radio, National Public Radio, Harvard Business Review, CNBC, Fast Company, Leader to Leader, American Management Association magazine, Leadership Excellence magazine, The Times of India, The Straits Times, Business Times, and many more.
Before joining SAC and starting LEC, he was the CEO of the Iclif Leadership & Governance Centre. He was formerly the Chief Learning Officer of Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley and has also held senior positions at American Express, HSBC, and Goldman Sachs. At Goldman, Rajeev helped found Pine Street − the firm’s acclaimed leadership academy − and headed Pine Street for Europe and Asia. In his early career, he was a banker and currency trader.
In 2014 and 2017, he was named one of the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders for Trustworthy Business by ‘Trust Across America.’ (LinkedIn) (Spotify-Podcasts)
Deakin Business School Expert
Fara Azmat, Associate Professor
Fara Azmat is an award-winning educator and leading sustainability advocate, recognised for her work in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within business education. Her research focuses on climate education, social inclusion, and sustainability, with a commitment to fostering transformative change through responsible management education and policy engagement.
Deakin Business School Expert
Michael Bray, Professor of Practice (Integrated Reporting)
Michael is Executive Director of the Deakin University Business Value Creation Centre and is Director of the Australian Business Reporting Leaders Forum (BRLF), Australia’s Integrated Reporting Community and a Reporting Stakeholder to the Australian Financial Reporting Council.
Previously:
Special Adviser – Connectivity and Integrated Reporting, IFRS Foundation
Michael was associated with the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) throughout its life as an independent organisation, between 2017 and 2020 as a member of the IIRC Board of Directors and since then as a member of the management team of the IIRC, then the Value Reporting Foundation and now the IFRS Foundation Integrated Reporting and Connectivity team.
Prior to joining the IIRC management team, Michael was a Director of KPMG Australia’s Better Business Reporting Services (2016-2020), and an audit partner of KPMG Australia for 27 years between 1989 and 2016.
Prior to joining the IIRC management team, Director of KPMG Australia’s Better Business Reporting Services (2016-2020), and an audit partner of KPMG Australia for 27 years between 1989 and 2016.
Member of the Expert Reference Groups for the International Auditing & Assurance Standards Board’s and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Sustainability Reporting Assurance Projects.
Deakin Business School Expert
Andrew Noblet, Professor in Organisational Behaviour
Andrew Noblet is a Professor in Organisational Behaviour, Deakin Business School, Deakin University. Andrew’s research interests are in the areas of workplace mental health, entrepreneurial wellbeing, team resilience, and intervention research. Much of his recent work has focused on working with industry and community stakeholders to plan, implement, and evaluate interventions aimed at enhancing the health of workers and the environments in which they work. He is a Chief Investigator on 19 successful external grant applications including two ARC Linkage grants, two NHMRC Partnership grants and six large grants from Federal and State-based funding bodies (Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources; Beyond Blue; VicHealth; WorkSafe Victoria; Institute for Public Accountants; Victoria Police; Eastern Health, Child Protection Victoria, and Department of Health and Human Services). The combined cash contribution of these grants is over $5.9 million. Andrew has also developed a strong publications record, including over 62 journal papers, book chapters and commissioned research reports.
Deakin Business School Expert
Mike Bengough, Lecturer
Mike is a Lecturer in the Deakin Business School where he has designed, chaired and delivered post-graduate units in Managed Change, Management Consulting and Leadership in Complexity.
Prior to commencing at Deakin, Mike worked in the NAB for 19 years in a number of senior management roles across Institutional and Corporate Banking, Payment Solutions, Transactional Banking and Major Projects. During this time Mike was directly involved in major change implementations including the adoption of internet banking and payment solutions for corporate clients, segment restructuring, risk and product delivery.
Given the significant increase in global volatility and uncertainty, Mike emphasises the critical importance of inclusive and transparent leadership to drive successful change initiatives.
Mike is passionate about connecting and creating relationships and partnerships with industry and his research interests focus on organisational change readiness, post implementation review and measurement and the impact of change on employee health and wellbeing.
Mike sits on the Board of the Association of Change Management Professionals ANZ.
