Nicole Yade

Resilient leadership: Nicole Yade on balancing compassion and confidence

For many effective leaders, the most important qualities are grounded in empathy, confidence and compassion. Nicole Yade, CEO of Women and Girls Emergency Centre, reinforces the significance of human leadership and modelling wellbeing at every level.

For more than 25 years, Nicole Yade has dedicated her career to supporting some of the most marginalised members of the community.

From her early work with unaccompanied refugee minors to her current role as CEO of the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC), her leadership is defined by compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the people she serves.

However, Nicole realised becoming an effective leader also means being an example of how to prioritise oneself, particularly in the face of loneliness, self-doubt, and accompanying people through their darkest days.

A deeper understanding of influence, power, and authority, while learning alongside leaders from other industries, has elevated her ability to lead with greater confidence. 

Resilience at the heart of leadership

Nicole’s leadership is grounded in her lived experience. Having encountered domestic violence firsthand, she was drawn to work supporting victim survivors.

“I see my journey as a full circle moment. Combining my own lived experience with professional skills has allowed me to lead in a way that honours the voices of others and creates services that empower rather than rescue,” Nicole said.

She believes true leadership begins with acknowledging the full complexity of people’s lives and creating the safety and care needed for trust to grow.

“Our work means accompanying people through some of the darkest days of their lives, but it is their agency, their resilience and their strength that will get them through it. It can't be imposed; it must be theirs to own and that's where the real transformation happens.”

For her and her team, this means resilience and wellbeing are central to everything they do.

“When we give our full self, with heart and compassion, we need to trust that it makes a difference. It might not be as quick as you would like, but all those interventions do add up, and that awareness is critical to keep yourself balanced.”

From sustaining her own mental health to that of her staff. She emphasises the importance of modelling healthy behaviours and normalising conversations about mental health.

“People don’t tend to do what you say, they do what you do. I openly share when I need help, and I make sure that when people reach out, real support comes into play,” she said.

This perspective not only guides the way in which Nicole approaches conversations with her team but also the people they support. 

“Our role is to listen without judgment and build relationships where healing can begin It's profound and life-changing work in so many ways,” she explained.

Learning to lead with confidence 

Leading any organisation comes with unique challenges. For Nicole, this includes the emotional demands of working in trauma and wrestling with feelings of self-doubt.

The ability to better navigate those pressures has been shaped through UNSW’s executive programs, including the General Manager Program and Adaptive Leadership Program, culminating in Nicole receiving her Certificate in Executive Management & Development at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

These courses provided her with practical tools for strategic leadership, organisational development, and managing complex challenges, while also offering the opportunity to share insights with leaders across diverse sectors.

“In the beginning, I was quite surprised by how the challenges of leadership are often universal. Some of the deepest learning came from being in a room with people in completely different industries. That sense of connection and shared learning was transformative,” Nicole reflected.

The experience also helped Nicole tackle feelings of imposter syndrome, an issue she believes is common for women in leadership.

“Before AGSM, I often questioned whether I was doing a good job. The courses helped me step into my role with authority and understand influence, power, and responsibility. I learned that effective leadership is not about hierarchy but is about focusing on creating culture, empowering people, and driving impact,” Nicole said. 

Through this lens, Nicole has strengthened WAGEC’s organisational strategy and continues to lead a team that is both resilient and empowered. Her UNSW experience reinforced the value of lifelong learning and continues to shape her approach to leadership.  

Nicole’s journey is an example that leaders do not need to have all the answers. Instead, they need to balance compassion with clear boundaries and a deep respect for people. 

Learn more about the General Manager Program, Adaptive Leadership Program, and Certificate in Executive Management & Development at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

Learn more about Nicole Yade here.