PTAANZ EMERGING LEADERS
Join the 2026 Cohort
Whether you're ready to put yourself forward or you know someone with the potential to be a future transport leader, there are two ways to join the Emerging Leaders Program.
Nominations open Monday 17 August and close Friday 11 September.
Membership is the gateway to both pathways. Search below to check your employer or organisation.
Try checking the spelling or searching for part of the organisation name. If you believe your organisation is a member, please contact PTAANZ.
Premier
7Champion
7Gold
57Silver
37How would you like to participate?
Apply to join
Nominate an emerging leader
What happens next?
Apply or nominate
Panel review
Cohort announced
Our Story
The first Emerging Mobility Leaders program was formed in 2021 to develop the next generation of mobility and public transport leaders, connected and equipped to tackle future challenges, demands and needs. From the start, it has been about giving early career professionals real access, real development, and a voice in the conversations that matter.
What began as a volunteer committee of passionate young transport professionals has grown into a trans-Tasman community, delivering sold out seminars, industry webinars, conference pitch competitions and mentoring alongside C-suite leaders, with a visible presence at PTAANZ’s biggest events.
Today, the Emerging Leaders Program is a community that connects, develops and champions the next generation of public transport professionals, giving them access, the platform and the network to help shape the industry’s future.
Who We Are
The PTAANZ Emerging Leaders is a network of ambitious early career professionals committed to advancing the future of mobility and public transport across Australia and New Zealand.
Established in 2021, the Emerging Leaders Program brings together emerging leaders from PTAANZ member organisations across the public and private sectors. Representing a diverse range of disciplines, experiences and perspectives, our members work collaboratively to create opportunities for professional growth, industry connection and leadership development.
Through events, networking, mentoring and industry engagement, the Emerging Leaders Program provides a platform for young professionals to build meaningful relationships, broaden their understanding of the transport sector, and contribute fresh ideas that help shape the future of mobility.
Whether you are passionate about public transport planning, operations, engineering, customer experience, communications, policy or innovation, the Emerging Leaders Program offers the opportunity to connect with peers, learn from industry leaders and help drive positive and sustainable change.
PTAANZ Connection
The Emerging Leaders Program is championed by, and aligned to, PTAANZ in several key areas:
Leadership Development
Nurtured by PTAANZ to become future industry leaders, contributing to strategic objectives with diverse experiences
Sustainability and Connected Choices Focus
Driving decarbonisation through mode shift by enhancing the customer experience
Subject Matter Expertise
Valuable expertise in event development and industry insights
Voice for Emerging Leaders
Representing the emerging cohort of industry leaders, advocating for innovation and change
Support for Thought Leadership
Enhancing PTAANZ’s thought leadership with diverse roles, locations, experiences and forward-thinking ideas
Vision
To develop the next generation of mobility and public transport leaders who are connected and adept to tackle future challenges, demands and needs.
Mission
To build a network of diverse young professionals in the mobility and public transport sector to advance professional development, encourage cross collaboration and opportunities, and emerge as the next generation of leaders.
Values
Creating a legacy that champions sustainable outcomes in public mobility, brings fresh and innovative ideas, connects with industry, collaborates with a diverse group of others, and helps us all learn and grow.
Objectives
- Support the involvement of young professionals in PTAANZ activities
- Educate and encourage skill development among young professionals
- Engage and facilitate networking and engagement opportunities across jurisdictions
- Facilitate interaction between young and senior professionals
Built on Shared Value
Explore the benefits, opportunities and experiences available through the Emerging Leaders Program.
- A two year program, with mentoring from a senior industry leader
- Connect with transport industry peers across Australia and New Zealand
- Take part in webinars and structured development and training sessions
- Attend and participate in our annual PTAANZ conferences
- Speak, host or sit on a panel at PTAANZ events
- Build relationships that support your career now and into the future
- Host conversations with industry experts through our webinar series
- Host in-person seminars featuring leading subject matter experts
- Contribute new ideas to important industry conversations
- Champion diversity and inclusion in the transport sector
- Receive free tickets to major PTAANZ events
- Be eligible for international scholarships to major global conferences
Delivered through four pillars:
Mentorship
Group and 1:1 mentoring with senior industry leaders, plus Leadership Gap Coaching
Exposure
Speaking slots, panels and pitch competitions at PTAANZ conferences and the Emerging Leader Seminar
Networking
A community of peers across Australia and New Zealand, not just your own city
Learning
Themed sessions, webinars and site visits built around real industry topics
What Your Organisation Gets
A ready-made leadership pathway, delivered by PTAANZ. You’ll benefit through:
- Stronger leadership capability and confidence in your emerging talent
- The chance for your people to help shape PTAANZ’s future direction
- Better engagement and retention, through a visible investment in your people
- Broader organisational connections across Australia and New Zealand
- Increased profile through participation in PTAANZ’s biggest events
- A growing leadership pipeline ready to represent your organisation
- A low effort, high value program, fully coordinated by PTAANZ
What we ask in return
To get the most out of the program, we ask that you:
- Commit to your Emerging Leader attending the first induction event with their cohort at the next PTAANZ major event
- Support their involvement in program projects and meetings
- Allow around two hours a week for cohort calls and program commitments
- Arrange occasional travel for in person events, hub meetups or the Seminar
- Commit to the annual membership fee for your nominated participant
- Support them in taking up speaking and exposure opportunities
- Encourage them to engage actively with their mentor
Download Our Brochure
For full details on what you’ll gain through the Emerging Leaders Program, our benefits, opportunities and experiences, download the Emerging Leaders Program brochure.
Have any questions? Ask us!
Upcoming Events
FAQs
Yes. Membership is $2,900 plus GST per year for Gold members and all other member tiers. Champion members pay a flat rate of $2,000 plus GST, and Premier members receive one complimentary place, with additional participants at $2,000 plus GST. This is a two year program and fees are charged annually, per participant. If you’re already part of the current cohort, you’re covered for your final year as part of the transition to this new model.
We have up to two scholarships available to support talented future leaders who may otherwise be unable to participate due to financial barriers. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
No, applicants need to work for a current PTAANZ member organisation. If you’re not sure whether your organisation is a member, or would like to explore membership, get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
To apply, you need to:
- Work for a current PTAANZ member organisation
- Be based in Australia or New Zealand, with the right to work there
- Be under 35 years of age, or
- Have less than 5 years’ experience in the transport or mobility industry
- Be endorsed by your organisation, including confirmation that the membership fee will be covered
- Be willing to commit approximately two hours per week to the program
- Full details are also available in our downloadable brochure.
There are two pathways. If you’re applying for yourself, use the application form. If you’re nominating someone from your organisation, use the nomination form. Both are linked in the Join the 2026 Cohort section above.
Yes. Multiple nominations per organisation are always welcome, and we’d encourage it. Fees apply per participant, so it’s worth confirming your organisation’s membership tier first.
Have the conversation early. Our program brochure covers what your organisation gets out of the program and what we ask of them in return. If it would help for us to speak with them directly, just let us know.
Over two years you’ll be matched with a senior industry mentor, take part in webinars and structured development sessions, attend PTAANZ conferences, and have opportunities to speak, host or sit on a panel at our events. You’ll also contribute to a project team alongside your cohort.
Around two hours a week on average, including fortnightly themed sessions, bimonthly cohort meetings and project team activities. There’s flexibility during particularly busy work periods.
The program is fully coordinated and delivered by PTAANZ. You’ll have a dedicated coordinator, structured mentoring and coaching, and a clear program of activities across the two years.
Applications are reviewed by a panel of Emerging Leaders and PTAANZ leadership through September, with successful applicants notified in early October.
Get in touch and we’ll work through it with you. Depending on timing and circumstances, there may be an option to nominate a replacement participant for the remainder of the term.
You don’t lose your connection to the Emerging Leaders community. As an alumnus, you’ll stay connected through our mailing list and invitations to major events, and you’re always welcome to stay involved, whether that’s mentoring current members, speaking at events, or helping welcome the next cohort.
Meet Our Emerging Leaders Leadership team
Find an Emerging Leader Near You
Explore our map of Australia and New Zealand to discover Emerging Leaders across each region