URBAN PLANNING 27
Lauren Oakey CEO of LG Professionals Australia
Lauren Oakey became CEO of LG Professionals Australia in 2014 , and works closely with the Board of Directors to create and run programs to support ? local government professionals around Australia .
With the federation partners and national office staff , Lauren has been a driving force in changing the conversation at the National level within and about local government towards a more collaborative-community approach ; focusing on issues that impact local government nationally and programs that support sharing and engagement between local governments , the different levels of government within Australia and between local government associations internationally .
Building on her previous role as National Manager of Programs and Strategy , Lauren has played a leading part in repositioning and revitalising the organisation ’ s role with the development and implementation of the 2015-2020 LGMA
Federation Strategic Plan ; the establishment of an Indigenous scholarship supporting learning and development ; and an exchange program for local government professionals between LG Professionals Australia and its counterpart in the USA , ICMA ; and international technical support and exchange opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region .
Lauren has ensured the organisation is truly a part of the wider governance network ; facilitating new working partnerships with the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis at the University of Canberra , and online engagement specialists , OurSay , as well as formal understandings with sister organisations in New Zealand , United States , Canada , United Kingdom , Nepal and Kiribati , and with the Governments of Timor-Leste and South Korea , providing Australian local government professionals opportunities in for international collaboration .
Constantly in motion , Lauren has degrees in political science and international relations , and is soon to complete her Juris Doctor at RMIT , and is an award-winning wushu and taijiquan practitioner .
GOVLINK » ISSUE 1 2017