On Wednesday June 26, it was announced that Assistant Commissioner Sharon Cowden from Ethical Standards Command, was the 2019 winner of the Chief Executive Women (CEW) scholarship for the Authentic Leader Development program at Harvard Business School.
Assistant Commissioner Cowden will attend the highly regarded leadership program in July, and is the fifth CEW scholar to attend and second QPS officer, following Superintendent Virginia Nelson in 2017.
Currently leading a team of 135, Assistant Commissioner Cowden has state-wide responsibility for driving ethical behaviour, discipline and processional practice among the QPS workforce.
Assistant Commissioner Cowden said she was looking forward to broadening her leadership skills and becoming a better coach, mentor and guide for others, particularly women in leadership.
“I understand the challenges women face, so I’m proud to be a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity in all workforce’s,” Assistant Commissioner Cowden said.
“The Authentic Leader Development program at Harvard will help me build relationships and support networks, not just in policing but at an international level outside my line of work.”
The program aims to help leaders uncover the unique characteristics that comprise their authentic leadership, enabling them to become the type of leader they admire most.
Announcing Assistant Commissioner Cowden as the winner, CEW Scholarships Committee Chair Colleen Harris said CEW works to remove the barriers to women’s progression into leadership positions.
Starting her career in Victoria, Assistant Commissioner Cowden was appointed to the QPS in 2018 with Commissioner Stewart and Minister Ryan.
