We have great pleasure to invite you to the Thought Leadership Breakfast Series - Leading with impact: The power of empathy and accountability, on Tuesday 9 June 2026 at Bloomhill Cancer Care, 58 Ballinger Rd, Buderim QLD 4556.
The event will include an opportunity for networking with industry members, light refreshments, and to hear our experts discuss the event topic. The event is open to all UniSC business postgraduate students and alumni, UniSC staff and Industry members located within the Sunshine Coast region.
When: Tuesday, 9 June 2026, from 7.00am-8.30am (AEST), arrive by 7am for networking and a prompt start at 7.30am
Where: Bloomhill Cancer Care, 58 Ballinger Rd, Buderim QLD 4556.
Registration: the event is free but registration is required.
Registrations close: Monday 8 June 2026, 5pm
With employee engagement at just 23% globally, leaders who can foster connection and accountability are becoming the true differentiators in high-performing organisations.
As organisations navigate increasing complexity, leaders are being called upon to balance results with people, fostering cultures that are both high-performing and deeply human. Empathy is no longer a “nice to have” it’s a proven driver of innovation, engagement, and long-term success.
Join us as Leanne Butterworth, Empathy Educator at Empathy First, shares insights on:
• The impact empathy has in driving performance, innovation, and retention
• Balancing empathy with accountability to lead effectively
• Building stronger, more connected and high-performing teams
• Practical tools to enhance empathy in leadership and decision-making
• How connection influences customer loyalty and organisational success
Whether you’re a leader, business owner, or emerging professional, this session will equip you with the mindset and tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Presenter: Leanne Butterworth – Founder Empathy First
Leanne Butterworth is the founder of Empathy First, a social enterprise focused on developing healthy empathy skills for leaders and teams. A TEDx speaker, university lecturer, and empathy educator, Leanne specialises in emotional literacy, active listening, and unconscious bias. With a passion for breaking down misconceptions about empathy, Leanne believes it is a skill that can be learned and practiced for greater impact and human connection. She works with businesses, nonprofits, and government sectors, offering keynotes, workshops, mentoring and consulting to improve relationships, leadership, and mental health. Leanne is dedicated to creating a future where empathy drives innovation, resilience, and positive change.
Moderator: Dr Katie McIntyre
Dr Katie McIntyre is the Founder and CEO of the Joyful Leadership Academy, a researcher, educator, and leadership specialist with more than 25 years of experience across education, nonprofit, government, and community sectors. She is recognised for pioneering Joyful Leadership as a distinct leadership approach that explores how joy, connection and meaning influence leadership practice and organisational culture.
Katie holds a PhD in Leadership, from UniSC, along with two master’s degrees in business and education, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Through the Joyful Leadership Academy, she supports leaders and organisations to create more human, values-led, and thriving workplaces. Her research also spans entrepreneurship and regional innovation, including work across the Pacific Islands supporting governments, universities, and organisations.
On the Sunshine Coast, she collaborates with entrepreneurs, primary producers and regional industries to strengthen sustainable business ecosystems and innovation as well as teaching in the University of the Sunshine Coast's undergraduate and postgraduate business programs. Katie has previously held senior leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer of a female-led aeromedical airline and leadership positions within schools and education systems and continues to work with nonprofit organisations including in her current role as ambassador for Little Wings Children's Charity.
For any inquiries, please contact Dr Jane Menzies at jmenzies@usc.edu.au or Dr Bianka Sabert at bsabert@usc.edu.au
