Scholarship recipient announcement
The Australian Scholarships Foundation and the Australian Graduate School of Leadership are delighted to announce Natasha Kusmuk as the Doctor of Business Leadership Scholarship recipient in 2023.
Natasha is the Chair of a not-for-profit organisation called Sister Project Incorporated. Based in Western Australia the Sister Project delivers impact-driven programmes to support and empower migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker women to achieve their personal, social and economic goals.
Natasha is also a founding member and current board member of the Serbian Council of Australia (SCOFA). Currently working as an adviser on South-East Asia, South Asia and Pacific region for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
On receiving the scholarship, Natasha shares, “Cultivating passion for and embracing the power of education is the cornerstone of exceptional business leadership, which is why I have embarked on a journey of continuous learning to grow as a leader.”
Natasha Kusmuk was born in Bosnia and arrived in Australia as a refugee.
As an Australian Public Servant and former CEO, she has extensive expertise across areas of refugee settlement and migration, multicultural and indigenous affairs, youth empowerment and justice, business and contract management, governance and risk management, and social service policy and programs.
Cultivating passion for and embracing the power of education is the cornerstone of exceptional business leadership, which is why I have embarked on a journey of continuous learning to grow as a leader.
Natasa Kusmuk, 2023 AGSL Doctor of Business Leadership scholarship recipient
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (with Joint Honours in Political Science and International Relations, and European Studies) from the University of Western Australia and a Master of International and Community Development from Deakin University.
Natasha engages in various formal and informal volunteer roles to support disadvantaged youth and multicultural communities in Western Australia, and is passionate about diversity, social justice, community development and education.
Professor Ramzi Fayed, CEO of the Australian Graduate School of Leadership said, “We are delighted to award this scholarship to a very worthy candidate and wish Natasha an interesting and rewarding leadership journey.”
Louisa Graham, CEO of the Australian Scholarships Foundation said, ‘Building greater leadership skills encourages best practice, builds capabilities and leads to organisational growth. In a sector where professional development funding is scarce, it is crucial to offer outstanding educational opportunities to our for-purpose leaders. We applaud the Australian Graduate School of Leadership for their continued support of the sector.’
The Doctor of Business Leadership commences with four coursework double subjects covering leadership theories and practice, case analyses, leadership ethics, critical reasoning and leadership issues, which provide a background of relevant leadership knowledge, research skills and insights required for the second stage of the course. Stage 2 involves undertaking a supervised and externally examined Leadership Critique and Supporting Portfolio (the thesis component) through documentation and analysis of personal leadership experiences.
