DT Global is pleased to announce the newest cohort of participants selected for the Emerging Leaders in International Development (ELID) Program.
Following a rigorous and competitive selection process, 15 emerging leaders from nine countries across the Asia–Pacific region have been chosen to join the latest cohort. Each participant brings a strong commitment to advancing development outcomes in their respective contexts and to strengthening their leadership capabilities within the sector.
The diversity of backgrounds and experiences represented in the cohort underscores DT Global’s ongoing commitment to embedding its Locally Led Development Framework, which places local leadership and decision-making at the centre of development practice.
Leonie Whyte, DT Global APAC’s Head of Program Quality and Gender, welcomed the incoming cohort and highlighted the importance of the program’s role in strengthening leadership capability across the development sector.
“Each year, the ELID Program provides an opportunity to support emerging leaders who are driving meaningful change in their communities,” Leonie said. “This cohort reflects the depth of talent across our region, and DT Global is committed to equipping them with the leadership skills and platforms needed to further their impact.”
Over the next 12 months, participants will undertake an intensive, primarily online learning program focused on a range of leadership models, including Adaptive Leadership. The curriculum is designed to enhance participants’ ability to apply these approaches within their professional roles. The program will also include group and individual coaching sessions and dedicated modules on development effectiveness, decolonization in the international development sector, and the importance of locally led development.
In early December, the cohort convened in Canberra for a week-long professional development retreat held in conjunction with the Australasian AID Conference. The retreat included in-person workshops and coaching sessions delivered by ETM Perspectives, an Indigenous-owned and operated organisation specialising in transformational and adaptive leadership.
ELID participant, Telstar Jimmy, with the Balance of Power project in Vanuatu said that leadership is more than just titles and positions.
“It’s about service and role modelling. Its about inspiring and empowering those around us. Its sharing the growth journey with our teams in development cooperation, but also within our communities, our faith-based settings and especially our families and children” she said.
“Leading in the right way within the development sector is crucial for laying a strong foundation for future generations”
DT Global extends its congratulations to all participants and looks forward to supporting their leadership development in the year ahead.
On Friday, November 21, DT Global was honoured to celebrate the graduation of our latest cohort of Emerging Leaders in International Development (ELID).
This year’s online graduation ceremony brought together participants from across the Asia–Pacific region, alongside dignitaries and guest speakers from DFAT. We were also joined by First Nations Leadership Coaches from Perspectivas de ETM, colleagues, friends, and staff from both corporate and project offices.
Leonie Whyte, Head of Program Quality and Gender at DT Global Asia-Pacific, reflected on the purpose and impact of the program. She shared that “DT Global is strongly committed to locally led development because we know it is fundamental to achieving effective and enduring change. We are incredibly proud of the Emerging Leaders in International Development Program — our people are at the heart of our organisation. ELID provides leaders with skills, networks, and support to guide them on their leadership journeys. They are driving change, strengthening local systems, and embodying the values that guide our work.”
Throughout the event, our Emerging Leaders reflected on their 12-month leadership journey — sharing insights on the value of learning with First Nations providers, the impact of applying adaptive leadership approaches in their work, and how the program has strengthened their contributions to locally led development.
Rosamond Bing a graduating Emerging Leader and Deputy Director for the Tonga Australia Support Program said that the ELID program has been a catalyst for accelerating locally led development:
“By encouraging local perspectives, peer learning, and shared solutions to common challenges, ELID has strengthened leadership capacity and built resilience across the region.”
Congratulations to our graduating Emerging Leaders! We look forward to seeing the impact you will continue to make across the region.
DT Global is excited to announce the appointment of Neil Durnan as Country Manager for our DT Global Asia Pacific Indonesia office. In this role, Neil will engage with core clients, drive responsible growth, ensure excellence in program implementation for the office, and lead a team of high performing staff.
“I’m thrilled to have Neil on board in Indonesia leading our country operations,” says Danielle Alford, Head of Asia at DT Global. “Neil brings to the role a breadth of senior management experience across program management, program effectiveness and operations — which is ideally suited to our diverse portfolio in Indonesia. We welcome Neil to this important leadership role in our APAC business.”
Neil draws on over 18 years of experience managing technical assistance and operations for large scale development projects with a range of agencies in complex environments in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Previously, he served as the Senior Director of Operations and Senior Director of Program Effectiveness for DT Global US.
Neil’s commitment to operational and technical excellence, his long track record of work with DT Global and within the development sector, and his experience creating systems to enhance efficiency in project delivery were all key factors for his appointment to this role.
“I am very excited to join DT Global’s stellar Indonesia team,” says Neil. “Our portfolio includes cutting edge development programming across a range of sectors backed by some of the most talented practitioners anywhere in the world. Additionally, after many years of partnering with my APAC colleagues on global initiatives, I am looking forward to officially being part of the team and working with DFAT.”
Final preparations are underway for the Timor-Leste – Australia Economic and Business Conference 2025 (TLAUCON2025), taking place from 7 to 8 August at the Dili Convention Centre, co-hosted by the Vice-Prime Minister of Timor-Leste and the Australian Government.
TLAUCON2025 will open with keynote addresses from His Excellency, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and The Hon Dr. Anne Aly MP, Australia’s Minister for International Development, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, demonstrating the strong commitment of Timor-Leste and Australia to support private sector-led development and expand our growing economic ties.
TLAUCON2025 will feature across four key sectors: tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and processing, and minerals and resources, along with a special discussion on Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession and its implications for trade and investment in Timor-Leste and the region.
A Trade Fair showcasing more than 50 businesses from Timor-Leste and Australia, representing a range of industries, will serve as a platform to promote innovative local products and services and attract investment.
TLAUCON2025 will also include networking side events hosted by the Timor-Leste Australia Business Council, and sponsored by TradeInvest Timor-Leste, Austrade and the Australian Embassy, and site visits for delegates to explore projects across tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.
With more than 400 participants expected, TLAUCON2025 promises to deliver two dynamic days of dialogue, partnership building, and practical business outcomes.
The DFAT-funded PROSIVU Program, managed by DT Global, is proud to host the Timor-Leste Australia Economic and Business Conference 2025.
For more on TLAUCON2025: https://www.tlaucon2025.com/
DT Global is thrilled to launch an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on 3 July at our corporate office on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra, Australia, and to take meaningful action to advance First Nations reconciliation.
The intimate event, attended by 40 distinguished guests, included members from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, our First Nations partners, including InTravel Group, and DT Global Corporate and Project Staff, who had travelled from around Australia to attend.
The launch opened with a stirring outdoor smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, delivered by Ngunnawal First Nations Traditional Owner and Cultural Director at TOAC, Richie Allan, followed by the official launch hosted by Karla Hume, DT Global's First Nations Lead, and Mark Deards, Head of People and Culture, DT Global Asia Pacific.
Based on the core pillars of relationships, respect, and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.
This plan is more than a document; it is a commitment to transformation.
"As an international development organisation, we recognise that true reconciliation requires us to decolonise our practices, to centre self-determination, and to be guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," said Karla.
Mark stated that launching the 'Innovate' RAP is a significant milestone for DT Global, and one that has been in the making for many years.
"We know that the path to reconciliation is not always a straightforward, linear journey, but rather an ongoing learning process that we are all on. I’m confident that with this Innovate RAP, we can continue to grow, learn, and make a positive difference towards a more united future," said Mark.
We are excited to continue our journey of reconciliation.
Read DT Global's 'Innovate' Reconciliation Action Plan here:
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2025 - July 2027
DT Global’s APAC Team have recently been selected to deliver the Climate Resilient Communities Support Unit (CRCSU) in the Asia Pacific region.
The CRCSU is DFAT’s flagship investment to meet its climate policy and finance commitments. CRCSU will incentivise the flow of funds towards inclusive climate change programming—targeting community resilience in the water, food, and energy sectors—by co-funding bilateral and regional programs and attracting new sources of climate finance, while also raising the quality of climate integration across sectoral programs.
The CRCSU is an AUD70M, five-year program which will work with DFAT bilateral and regional programs, including at Posts, to co-fund and design new climate change programming, particularly in the water, food, and energy sectors. It will also integrate climate and disaster resilience across the Development Program, Posts across the Asia-Pacific region, and DFAT Canberra.
“We are very excited to be adding CRCSU to our APAC portfolio,” said APAC Managing Director Jo Choe. “It is an extremely significant and high-profile program for APAC and DT Global more broadly; it acknowledges our deep commitment to inclusive climate change programming across the region.”
“This announcement comes off the back of our recent success with the New Zealand MFAT-funded Climate Finance Capacity Support Programme (CFF-CSP) which is working with 15 Pacific countries to scale up their delivery of climate change priorities.”
“The solidifies our strong commitment and long-standing investment in embedding climate change policies and sustainable development practices across the region while continuing to strive for a more sustainable future. Congratulations to all involved.
