Meet Ashleigh, a Volunteer Operations Manager at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and NTAQ – Fundraising , whose leadership is grounded in empathy, advocacy, and connection. In this Share Your Story – Volunteer Managers Edition feature for International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay), Ashleigh reflects on what it means to lead with heart — to centre people, amplify their stories, and create space for growth and belonging.
Why Bold Leadership Matters in Volunteer Management
For me, bold leadership in volunteer management is about having the courage to put people at the centre of everything. It’s not just about filling rosters, it’s about creating an environment where volunteers are seen, heard and genuinely valued as individuals.
Bold leadership also means being their advocate. If people don’t understand why volunteers are so invaluable, it’s up to us to help them realise it. Share their stories, show how their contribution helps us achieve the bigger picture and make sure they’re recognised as the heart of what we do.
Bold leadership is also about helping people understand how everything connects. It’s easy for teams to become siloed but once you start building relationships across different parts of the organisation you can align your volunteer program with the bigger picture. That’s when you make sure the program is not only supporting volunteers but also giving the business what it truly needs.
Proudest Achievement as a Volunteer Manager
What I’m most proud of is watching the volunteers themselves grow.
I’ve seen people come in shy and unsure and then, through their time with us, blossom with confidence, build lifelong friendships and even turn volunteering into careers they never thought possible. Being part of that journey and creating a space where that kind of growth and connection can happen is honestly the greatest privilege. I’m proud of every single one of them.
View the full collection of our Share Your Story series and be inspired by the many ways Volunteer Managers are leading with courage, care, and creativity.
