HG Welcomes Felicity Topp as Executive Learning Set Facilitator
02 Dec 2024
We are delighted to announce Felicity Topp as the newest facilitator for HG’s flagship program, Executive Learning Sets. Felicity brings an extraordinary legacy of leadership, having dedicated over 35 years to advancing public health organisations across Victoria. Known for her expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, and digital health, Felicity has a strong track record of driving cultural change, improving performance, and enhancing service delivery across complex health services.
Felicity’s career highlights include leading the $1.1 billion Frankston Hospital Redevelopment, a milestone project that set a new benchmark for healthcare infrastructure. She also successfully integrated Frankston Private Hospital into the public health system, demonstrating her expertise in fostering collaboration and enhancing patient care.
Felicity shared her thoughts about leadership for this month’s edition. Here is what she told us:
In conversation with Felicity
Q: How do you leverage your extensive leadership experience to empower senior executives as they navigate their own leadership journeys and tackle complex challenges?
Everyone’s challenges and reflections are unique, shaped by individual perspectives, values, and circumstances. My own approach to assessing issues, developing strategies, and navigating situations stems from how I interpret and understand the context at that moment.
When mentoring executives or future leaders, my goal isn’t to provide definitive solutions or prescribe specific behaviours as answers. Instead, I aim to offer alternative ways of thinking, fresh perspectives, or new angles to consider when addressing challenges or devising solutions. My experiences serve as a foundation for guiding others toward discovering their own effective approaches.”
Q: What drives your passion for mentoring executive leaders, and how do you inspire them to create meaningful impacts within their organisations and communities?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from exceptional leaders whose guidance profoundly shaped my leadership style. At the same time, I’ve encountered leaders whose approaches were less admirable, and these contrasting experiences have been equally instructive.
What inspires me most is the opportunity to share insights gained from these experiences. Leadership, to me, is not just about driving outcomes but about setting an example that others can learn from. It’s incredibly rewarding when someone acknowledges how my approach to a situation has positively influenced their own methods or decision-making process.
One of my greatest joys in leadership is supporting others in their growth. Whether it’s through new roles, challenging projects, or expanded responsibilities, seeing people thrive and gain confidence is immensely fulfilling. To me, success lies not only in achieving goals but also in nurturing the next generation of leaders and helping them leave their own lasting legacies.”
Looking Ahead
Felicity’s appointment as a facilitator for HG’s Executive Learning Sets marks an exciting chapter for the program. Her ability to guide senior leaders with empathy, insight, and innovation ensures participants will gain transformative experiences that empower them to lead with impact.
