Leading from the Middle: A Leadership Forum with Margaret Allison AM
How middle managers create public value, empower teams, and connect purpose with action across Queensland
About this Event
Middle managers carry the system: translating strategy into action, brokering partnerships, and protecting standards under pressure. Examples include regional directors negotiating the politics of corporate strategy and the expressed needs of local stakeholders; the policy and strategy leaders navigating the feasibility of government priorities and budget challenges; and frontline service directors balancing increasing service demands with changing workforce expectations.
Leading from the Middle is an interactive forum for public sector middle leaders who are navigating the space between senior strategy and frontline delivery. Facilitated by distinguished public sector leader Margaret Allison AM, the forum will create space for participants to reflect on their leadership practice, explore the realities of middle management, and strengthen how they prioritise, use networks, sustain themselves and connect purpose with action.
Designed for AO8 to SO and equivalent leaders, the session will combine the insights and expert facilitation of Margaret Allison AM, with table discussion and peer reflection.
A former President of IPAA Queensland and Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Margaret brings unparalleled expertise and enduring passion for developing the next generation of public sector and community leaders to this new initiative.
Audience
The session is for you if you:
Session Objectives
This session is designed to draw on Margaret’s significant experience in public-purpose leadership, and it is informed by input from middle leaders in the Queensland public sector.
It will explore:
The forum aims to create space for middle leaders to step out of day-to-day delivery mode, reflect on their leadership practices and connect with peers. Participants will be invited to share perspectives, test ideas and grow their network in a way that supports leadership beyond the forum.
Date & Format
Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026
Place: Multifunction Rooms 1 & 2, Level 41, 1 William Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Time: 9:15am to 1:00pm (registration and networking with formal proceedings commencing at 9:30am. A light lunch will be provided from 1:00pm)
Cost: Individual and organisational IPAA members: complimentary
THE EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED
This event is made possible with the support of our Major Partner
Margaret has had a diverse career spanning more than 36 years in the public sector in Queensland and NSW, in both local and State government. With a professional background in human services, she has led services and reforms in areas including youth justice, child protection, disability, legal aid, domestic and family violence, childcare and customer services. Margaret was the CEO of four public sector agencies during her career. She took up her final public service role as Director-General for the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services in March 2012, following two years as the Public Service Commissioner in Queensland.
Margaret now runs her own consultancy, specialising in organisational strategy and review, and Board membership. She has conducted independent reviews into matters related to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (2014) and the protection of children in immigration detention (2015 to 2017). Margaret was a member of the Queensland Police Service Board of Management from 2014 to 2018.
Since 2019, Margaret has been contracted to work with the World Bank to support civil service reforms in Cambodia, including the design and delivery of a Leadership and Innovation Program for the country’s most senior civil servants. She is currently engaged in work on the National Public Administration Reform program, with a focus on improvements in health and education outcomes for Cambodians.
In a voluntary capacity, she was involved in the governance of Logan Together from 2014 to 2024. She held the role of Board Chair for four years until August 2024. Logan Together is the largest collective impact initiative in Australia. It aims to improve the wellbeing of Logan children aged 0 to 8 years through community empowerment. Margaret has also volunteered for This Life Cambodia in Siem Reap for the past three years, with a focus on women’s leadership and juvenile justice reforms.
Margaret holds a Bachelor of Social Work (University of Queensland) 1977 and Master of Public Administration (University of Queensland) 1987. She was appointed as a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia in 2009, and as an Adjunct Professor, School of Business and International Relations, Griffith University from 2014 to 2020.
In June 2024, Margaret was inducted as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to public administration and the community.
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