By Ben Ready, 13 October, 2025
With over two decades of experience in community economic development, from grassroots initiatives in India to leading social enterprise movements in Queensland, Amelia Salmon has built a career around empowering others.
As Community Economic Development Manager for Southern Queensland at Many Rivers, Amelia has seen firsthand the transformative power of inclusive growth.
Many Rivers is a purpose-driven organisation that supports Indigenous Australians and others who wish to engage in the economy but face barriers due to limited financial resources or practical business assistance. Their work focuses on Microenterprise Development and Community Economic Development.
Amelia values the intersection of community building and business development, and she thrives working at the grassroots level, engaging directly with communities to support their growth and entrepreneurial efforts.
Studying her Executive MBA at QUT as a Not-For-Profit Leadership Scholarship recipient is strengthening Amelia’s leadership capabilities and deepening her strategic acumen to create long-term social impact.
She had been considering studying an MBA for more than a decade, and the timing finally felt right. Now nearing the end of her first year in the two-year Executive MBA program, she’s especially drawn to its unique structure.
“One of the things I really value about the QUT Executive MBA is its flexibility,” Amelia said. “We meet once a month for a three-day, in-person learning block over the weekend.
“It suits my learning style perfectly. I try to get as much out of each session as I can, and it saves me time in the long run. Being able to engage directly with peers and lecturers makes the experience very impactful— plus, having the flexibility to join online when needed is a big advantage.”
Amelia is already applying many of the program’s learnings to benefit the communities she serves. In her strategic roles with developing organisations, she frequently draws on tools and frameworks from the strategic management subject.
She’s also building greater confidence in her leadership capabilities and her ability to operate across different levels within an organisation.
The QUT Executive MBA is delivered in Brisbane and designed for senior professionals who want to elevate their leadership, lead with purpose, and expand their influence.
The program runs over two years part-time, combining intensive three-day, face-to-face learning blocks each month with flexible online components, allowing students to balance work, life, and study.
Structured into three stages, the Executive MBA covers business foundations, advanced strategy, and leadership, with global immersion opportunities and a diverse, experienced cohort enriching every discussion.
A major highlight of the program for Amelia has been the cohort experience.
“Being part of a cohort helps you stay on track and motivated, and the program is designed to be completed within two years, which is ideal for busy professionals,” she said.
“If you’re someone who values face-to-face learning and thrives in that environment, this program is a great fit. It allows you to continue working full-time while you study, which is a huge advantage, and most of us in the program are doing just that.
“One of the things I’ve really appreciated is the diversity and experience within the cohort. You’re learning alongside people from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, which adds so much depth to discussions and group work.”
Amelia has no hesitation in recommending the Executive MBA at QUT to anyone seeking an accelerated, structured program with flexibility.
“The expertise of the QUT academics and industry experts is amazing. They bring real-world insights and academic rigour that make the learning experience both practical and intellectually engaging. If you’re looking for a well-rounded, flexible, and professionally rewarding MBA, I’d absolutely recommend it.”
For Amelia, the program is already paying dividends by enhancing her ability to make a meaningful impact for her organisation and the communities she serves.
“Part of the QUT Executive MBA experience for me is expanding my horizons on what might be possible next. The program is providing me with new insights and the confidence to reach further.”
A Parallel Journey: Jennifer Basham
Like Amelia, Jennifer Basham brings more than two decades of experience in community-focused roles, spanning nonprofit and community sectors including faith-based, Indigenous-led, and multicultural organisations.
These environments often deal with complex issues, and Jennifer has seen firsthand how adaptive, strategic leadership is essential to making progress.
Currently, Jennifer is the Urban Sustainability and Organising Lead at the Queensland Conservation Council, the peak body for the environment in Queensland. Her work centres on ensuring that as cities grow and develop, they also protect and restore critical habitats and biodiversity while safeguarding the climate.
Alongside this, she supports community organising across greater Brisbane, helping individuals become stronger advocates for sustainability and livability, not just for today, but for future generations.
Jennifer chose to enrol in the QUT Executive MBA because she wanted to benchmark her career experience against one of Australia’s top programs and accelerate her growth as a leader.
“After years of exploring MBAs from various universities and facing numerous barriers, I discovered QUT’s Executive MBA and the Not-For-Profit Leaders Scholarship on their website. I threw my hat in the ring, thinking it might be a long shot, and was thrilled to be selected.”
Receiving the scholarship has been pivotal to her professional journey.
“The QUT Not-For-Profit Leaders Scholarship has supported my growth as a leader, as it has given me access to their high-calibre Executive MBA. This opportunity has already enhanced my learning, heightened my skillset, and increased my confidence as a leader. Although I’m only partway through the program, I’m excited to see this growth continue over the next 18 months.”
Jennifer is already experiencing the program’s transformative impact.
“The QUT Executive MBA is helping me address critical management gaps in my profession and encourages me to grow as an intelligent, adaptive, and open leader.”
Like Amelia, she places great value on the cohort experience.
“QUT’s Executive MBA cohort is a diverse, intelligent, and open group of people. They’re individuals I wouldn’t have had the chance to connect with in my work life or other study formats,” she said.
“I’m really enjoying getting to know them and learning from their rich life experiences and wisdom. Every discussion challenges me to do better, and we also share plenty of laughs along the way.”
For Jennifer, the program is not only about addressing present challenges but also about broadening her vision of what’s possible in the future.
“Part of the QUT Executive MBA experience for me is expanding my horizons on what might be possible next. The program is providing me with new insights and the confidence to reach further.”
Shared Growth, Shared Purpose
Though Amelia and Jennifer come from different sectors — community economic development and environmental sustainability — both are united by a shared purpose: using leadership to strengthen communities and drive long-term positive change.
Making a meaningful difference in the community is a common motivation for students in QUT’s MBA suite. One way they extend their impact beyond the classroom is through the QUT Real Deal Community Pro Bono Centre. This initiative connects MBA students and alumni with not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations, offering opportunities to apply their skills to real-world challenges while deepening their understanding of the sector. It’s another way QUT’s not-for-profit leaders bring their purpose to life—creating lasting change through hands-on projects that matter.
Through QUT’s Executive MBA, supported by the QUT Not-For-Profit Leaders Scholarship, Amelia and Jennifer are gaining the skills, networks, and confidence to amplify their impact. As they progress through the program, both women are proving how education, when coupled with purpose, can empower leaders to transform communities.
Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Applications are now open for QUT’s Executive MBA January intake. Learn more and apply today.
This article is republished from MBA News. Read the original article here.
Author
Ben Ready founded MBA News in 2014 and is the Managing Editor. He is a former business and finance journalist with Australian Associated Press (AAP) and Dow Jones Newswires in London. Ben completed his MBA in 2012 and was awarded the QUT GMAA Entrepreneurship Prize. He is also the founder and Managing Director of RGC Media & Mktng (rgcmm.com.au).