The Australian Student Leadership Association (ASLA) was founded in 2008 by a dedicated group of students who are in their 3rd year of the University of Wollongong Black Opal Leadership Program, under the guidence of the UOW Centre for Student Engagement.

The team members are from different backgrounds and degree areas, yet they all share a belief that leadership is such an important area of study for tertiary students - as everyone has the power to influence the world around them in positive ways.

ASLA and the S4S National Leadership Conference is their contribution to building a culture of leadership in Australia's tertiary students!

Elana Foster is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Population Health and Psychology.
She recently returned from a semester abroad at the University of Arizona in the USA. Whilst on exchange she was an active part of the Blue Chip Leadeship Program, and was involved in the National Collegiate Leadership Conference held at the University of Arizona.
Upon graduating, Elana would like to pursue a career in health education and community development.

Geoff Pidcock

Geoff Pidcock is a third year Bachelor of Nanotechnology student, and comes from Campbelltown, Western Sydney. An avid member of ASLA, he serves as Sponsorship Officer for the S4S National Leadership Conference 2008. In his three years at the University of Wollongong, he has participated in the Black Opal Leadership program, was involved in student programs in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, has been elected as a General Representative for the Student Association (WUSA), and has recently become secretary for Wollongong Toastmasters. A strong advocate for alternative approaches to leadership, he believes the 2008 conference will be fantastic in providing non traditional perspectives to delegates, which are vital for application to the world at large.

Melissa Vine

Melissa Vine is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce/Law majoring in Management and Finance.
She is an active member of the University of Wollongong Black Opal Leadership program, senior member of ASLA and Finance Coordinator of this years S4S Conference. Melissa was also apart of the University's Project Challenge: Egypt and Jordan Team and recently returned from a trip to China.
Upon graduating, Melissa would like use her degree to pursue a career in the areas of corporate law and finance abroad.

Clara Saddi

Clara is a third year Politics & Spanish student at the University of Wollongong. She is fun and outgoing & passionate about social change. She was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. Clara spent 8 months in Central America doing volunteer work, she has been actively involved in several different volunteer/leadership initiatives, including youth work & refugee care, & loved every minute of it. Her favourite leadership model is relational leadership, because to her, life is all about people. Clara believes that the Students for Students conference will be an exciting way to find out about different perspectives on leadership.
Upon graduating, Clara would like to pursue a career in international diplomacy & third world development.

Judit Markos

Judit Markos is a third year student at the University of Wollongong, majoring in Psychology and European studies. Judit is the Speaker and Workshop coordinator of the S4S conference this year! Judit was born and raised in Transilvania and loves learning new languages and exploring different cultures. She is hoping to become a practicing Psychologist and one day open a refuge for women and children of domestic violence. She is also extremely excited about the fabulous S4S Conference it is going to be an inspirational and challenging four days!

Quinton Wilkinson

Quinton Wilkinson attended high school at St Gregory's College Campbelltown and has since then been living in Wollongong completing his Mechanical Engineering degree. Quinton was part of the first black opal cohort in 2005 however completed part of his degree in Canada in exchange at the Univeristy of British Columba. Already Quinton has worked for international companies such as BHP Billition and DELTA Electricity where he has been able to apply the leadership skills and knowledge that he has learnt and developed throughout the black opal program. Throughout his university degree Quinton has participated in numerous sporting teams, Clubs and Societies as well as a participant in the Rotary Youth Leadership Program in 2008. He is hoping to successfully complete the Black Opal Leadership Program and finish his Engineering Degree and move into project management upon graduating.

Quinton is also looking forward to yet another successful Youth Leadership Conference in 2008 and hopes that everyone who is interested in leadership, especially those looking at management positions in the future seriously consider attending.

Mary Calleja

Mary Calleja is in her final year of a Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies at the University of Wollongong. Born and raised in this wonderful town, Mary appreciates the beaches and laid back nature on Wollongong, however yearns to get out and experience more in this world. Last year she spent a semester abroad in northern Sweden, followed by another semester working as an English teacher in the Czech Republic. Excited about this year's conference, she is keen to show fellow students her home-town and exchange ideas on different perspectives of leadership.

Tristan Grace

Tristan Grace is a third year student at the University of Wollongong majoring in Economics. He has recently returned from the University of Arizona where he participated in the Blue Chip leadership program. A member of many clubs and societies around University Tristan is looking forward to helping create a fantastic conference.

Tara Pogson

Tara is studying a double degree part-time while working full-time. Tara is studying Commerce (Economics) and Arts (Marketing), while she works as a Sales Manager for a leading supplier in the swimming pool industry. Tara is a fifth year student, balancing study and work while completing the Black Opal Student Leadership Program offered by the University of Wollongong. Tara enjoys learning and while she can’t wait to finish her remaining three subjects, she would rather be a university student than work in the ‘real world’ any time.

Sabine Mascarenhas

Is in her third year studying Psychology at the University of Wollongong. She loves the organisational aspect of being involved with ASLA and is in charge of contacting speakers for the conference. Her interests are reading, “being organized”, public speaking, leadership and finance. She also loves to spend time with her daughter and husband.

Ayesha Mascarenhas

The official mascot for the Student Leadership Conference and youngest person on the team. She regularly attends meetings, enjoys the social aspect of organising the conference. Currently she is working on her communication abilities and mobility skills.

Melinda McAlpine

Melinda McAlpine is soon to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology. She is passionate about social justice and encourages everyone to be more aware about international issues. She loves life and lives it to the max! For her a combo of fun and depth is vital - she is always up for a good laugh!
Melinda enjoys watching the Olympics and fondly remembers the day in 2000 when she carried the torch in the Sydney Olympic Torch Relay.

Melinda enjoyed being on the organising team for the National Collegiate Leadership Conference 2008, held at the Univeristy of Arizona, USA. She is on the Programming Committee for S4S, and is excited about the many great keynote speakers we have in store.