Tanya Stevenson believes one simple philosophy has shaped every successful project she's been part of: never do anything alone.

As CEO of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Tanya has spent more than two decades bringing people together to tackle complex community challenges. Whether it's improving children's literacy, creating innovative wellbeing experiences, supporting foster families, or helping grassroots ideas become reality, her approach always starts the same way. Find the people who care, learn from those who've solved similar problems before, and build solutions together.

In this episode of Rural Leaders, Tanya shares how collaboration has become the foundation of her leadership. Rather than trying to have all the answers, she actively seeks out people with different expertise, often connecting with leaders from around the world, adapting their ideas to suit local communities and creating partnerships that last.

As part of this season's exploration of the ARLF Leadership Practices, this conversation focuses on affiliation: building meaningful relationships that strengthen leadership, improve problem-solving and create better outcomes than any individual could achieve alone. Tanya reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome as a young leader, why ego can be one of the biggest barriers to community impact, and how the strongest projects are built by groups of people who share ownership rather than individuals working in isolation.

This episode is a practical and inspiring conversation about the power of collaboration, the importance of asking better questions, and why meaningful change often begins by inviting others to be part of the solution.

Tanya's story is a reminder that leadership is not about having the best ideas. It is about creating the conditions where great ideas, strong relationships and shared purpose can flourish.

Some highlights:

• Why Tanya's philosophy of "never do anything alone" has guided her leadership journey

• How looking globally and adapting ideas locally has helped solve community challenges

• Why affiliation and collaboration create stronger, more sustainable community outcomes

• The role humility plays in bringing together people with different skills and perspectives

• How Tanya builds partnerships across business, government, community organisations and volunteers

• Why the most successful projects are shared by many rather than owned by one

• Practical advice for anyone wanting to turn a grassroots idea into meaningful community impact

Our host:

Oli Le Lievre is the host of Rural Leaders, an ARLP Course 28 alumni, and the founder of

Humans of Agriculture.

Resources:

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Rural Leaders podcast