International Women’s Day highlights that gender inequality is structural, and meaningful progress requires intentional and sustained change.

At Busways, helping to transform public transport from a traditionally male-dominated industry means creating clear pathways for women to enter, progress and lead.

One of the key ways this is happening is through Leaderways, Busways’ six-month leadership development program for supervisors and Level 2 managers.

Director of People and Culture and Chief of Staff, Alanna Ward, led the development of Leaderways to strengthen leadership capability and build a strong pipeline of future leaders across Busways.

Ward says the program was designed to support emerging leaders as they step into the realities of operational leadership. 

She said strong leadership capability is critical in operational environments where clear decisions, aligned teams and consistent communication directly influence service delivery.

Launched last year, Leaderways combines interactive workshops with one-on-one coaching to help participants strengthen communication, judgement and decision-making needed to lead teams in complex operating environments.

Ward says programs like Leaderways play an important role in developing leaders and creating opportunities for more women to step into leadership roles across the organisation.

“Leadership is about creating clarity and alignment. When people understand the direction, trust each other and feel accountable for outcomes, teams perform – especially in complex operational environments,” she said.

“At Busways, leadership happens in real operational environments – in depots, on the road and in the moments when teams need calm direction and clear communication.”

“Every day our people are making decisions, supporting each other and keeping services running for the communities who rely on us.”

“When we invest in developing our people, we strengthen our organisation. Creating opportunities for more women to step into leadership roles is an important part of that – helping us build capable teams and a resilient transport network for the communities we serve.”

Leadership development expert Jess Ferguson, Director of Leadership Rebellion which delivers the program, says strong leadership starts with self-awareness.

“Authenticity isn’t softness, it’s alignment,” Ferguson said. “The most powerful leaders I see are those who are clear on their values, grounded in their strengths, and willing to own their impact — both strengths and blind spots.

“Leadership is more about energy than expertise. How you show up shapes everything, from your own experience to the experience of those around you.”

In its first year, two cohorts of Busways’ women leaders from across NSW and SA have completed Leaderways, representing depots, operations and support teams, where clear communication and confident leadership are essential.  Here's what a few of those women had to say about the program:

Sherise Oliveira, Corporate Finance Manager

For Sherise Oliveira, who last year stepped into a new role as Corporate Finance Manager, the program strengthened both her confidence and her leadership approach.

“Leaderways helped me better understand my own leadership style and how I can show up more effectively for my team,” Oliveira said. “Learning alongside colleagues from across the business was incredibly valuable. We shared ideas, talked through real experiences and learned from each other.”

“The transport industry is going through a lot of change and complexity. The program has given me tools to build resilience and support my team through those challenges. The one-on-one coaching complemented the group sessions and has made me a more well-rounded leader.”

Oliveira joined Busways in 2022 as Tax Manager after beginning her career as a cadet accountant in professional services. Now as Corporate Finance Manager she oversees banking, treasury, insurance and tax, helping ensure the business has the financial strength to support continued growth.

“Busways has an incredible 80-year history and I feel honoured to play a part in building on that legacy,” she said. “No two days are the same and I’m always learning something new.”

Joanne Edwards – Work Health Safety Manager

For Work Health Safety Manager Joanne Edwards, the program strengthened both her self-awareness and confidence as a leader.

“Leaderways helped me recognise what’s going on in me, especially in high-pressure conversations,” Edwards said. “In safety, emotions can run high. The program gave me practical tools to stop and respond rather than react. That shift alone has made a real difference.”

She said the focus on curiosity — asking better questions rather than jumping straight to answers — strengthened collaboration across teams.

“The coaching has been outstanding. I’ve been able to talk through real situations, even things I didn’t handle perfectly, and unpack them properly. Having that space to reflect has built my confidence enormously.”

Edwards said the investment in development sends a strong message.

“The fact that Busways invests in me like that makes you feel valued. There’s a real culture here of encouraging people to have a go. You don’t have to be perfect — you’re learning all the time.”

Jo Hall and Jess Ferguson, Leadership Rebellion

Jess Ferguson and Jo Hall, Co-Founders of Leadership Rebellion, are long-term partners to Busways, developing programs that strengthen leadership, accountability, and culture — including the Leaderways initiative for leaders at all levels.  

As founders, partners, and mothers, Jess and Jo are passionate about supporting women to lead authentically, creating space for reflection, connection, and growth. They help women leaders step into their voice, back their judgement, and lead without fitting a mould.

For them, leadership isn’t about becoming someone else — it’s about becoming more intentional, accountable, and aligned with who you truly are.