METHER, Leah

2022 Alumna of the Year

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)

Graduation year

2002

Leah Mether is a communication specialist and trainer, motivational speaker, and facilitator. Graduating from Monash University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism), Leah started her career as a journalist at the Latrobe Valley Express before moving into corporate communications and management positions at Gippsland Water. In 2010 she started her own business, Methmac Communications, and over the last decade has grown it into a thriving company.

Leah is an expert on the skills and qualities that create human connection and make someone good to work with, not simply good at what they do. Her work is based on the belief that soft skills are the new hard skills.

Leah works with executives, leaders and teams to improve their communication, mindset and self-management under pressure, helping businesses across the country to radically improve their effectiveness. Through workshops and programs Leah has helped clients from a diverse range of industries, government agencies, and businesses including AGL Loy Yang; Energy Australia Yallourn; East Gippsland Water; the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Gippsland; Latrobe City Council; Baw Baw Shire Council; East Gippsland Shire Council; the Country Fire Authority; and Gippsland Lakes Complete Health. She has also trained leaders from Optus, staff from Dairy Australia and AGL, and leaders from Latrobe Community Health Services, Viatek, and Country Universities Australia.

In 2019 Leah was named winner of the Business and Professional Services category at the Gippsland Business Awards. The same year she published her first book Soft is the New Hard: How to Communicate Effectively Under Pressure which was a finalist in the Australian Career Book of the Year Awards in 2020.

Alongside her success in the business world, Leah is also a dedicated community volunteer whose commitments include board member of national not-for-profit and educational organisation, Fertility Matters; committee member of Women in Gippsland; and a volunteer speaker for Beyond Blue. She has also represented numerous local community groups.