When Jo Hlavaty enrolled in the Executive Ready Program in 2020, she was not chasing a title. Instead, she was looking for clarity, confidence, and a way forward.
At the time, Jo was working as a Service Delivery Manager with DXC Technology. She had been in the role for several years and loved the work, but she felt stuck. “I knew I was ready for the next step,” she says, “but I had no clear vision of what that was or how to get there.”
Image: Jo working with DXC
Why choose the Executive Ready Program?
Jo discovered Women & Leadership Australia almost by accident. A company newsletter mentioned the Executive Ready Program and, with COVID just beginning to reshape how we worked and studied, the timing felt right.
“The fact that the program was delivered online made it possible for me,” Jo explains. “I’m neurodiverse and I have three children with disabilities, so attending in-person study just wasn’t realistic.”
With her company’s support, Jo enrolled, and what began as a chance opportunity quickly became the start of a much bigger leadership journey.
Learning to lead, not just manage
From the outset, Jo was clear about what she wanted from the Executive Ready Program.
I didn’t want to just be a better manager, I wanted to truly understand what it takes to be a great leader.
Being part of a cohort of women at similar career crossroads proved transformative. Listening to others, learning from their experiences, and seeing the different paths people had taken helped Jo visualise her own next career step.
Networking, something Jo had previously found challenging, also became more comfortable. “It felt safe,” she says. “We were learning together, which made it much easier, and I am still in contact with some of the women from my course.”
The learnings that changed everything
Several leadership frameworks from the program have stayed with Jo long after graduation.
One was the SCARF Model, which helped her better understand motivation, autonomy, and behaviour. She applied this learning not only at work, but also during a complex family situation, where it helped her reframe the dynamics and move things forward.
Another was the four People Styles model. “It completely changed how I approach conflict,” Jo explains. “Instead of expecting others to communicate the way I do, I learned how to adapt my approach to them.”
She went on to share them with her team, helping resolve long-standing conflicts and build stronger collaboration across the group.
“These weren’t just workplace skills,” she reflects. “They changed how I communicate in every part of my life.”
Supportive facilitators made all the difference
Returning to study as a mature student was daunting at first, but Jo credits the program facilitators with making it achievable.
The facilitators were patient, engaging, and genuinely invested in our success. They taught us how to think academically without making it overwhelming.
The structure of the program also made a difference. It was practical, well-paced, and assessment-based rather than exam-driven, which meant Jo could demonstrate what she had learned in a way that worked for her.
Real career outcomes
After completing Executive Ready, Jo’s career momentum accelerated.
She was promoted to Manager of Service Delivery, breaking through the career plateau she had been experiencing for several years.
Through the Executive Ready Program, participants can receive course credit towards an MBA with partner universities. With her company’s full support, Jo used this pathway to enrol in an MBA with ACAP University in 2022.
Completing the MBA was a long-held personal goal. “I’d wanted that graduation moment since I was 18, and I never thought someone like me could have that,” she says. “Walking across that stage meant everything.”
Since finishing her MBA, Jo has also been nominated for a Delivery Practise Lead role, managing an AMS practice of her own. “This journey really matured me as a leader,” she says.
Image: Jo receiving her MBA on stage at her graduation
Leading by example
For Jo, the impact of her studies extends far beyond her job title.
She wanted to show her team, and her children, that neurodiversity, caring responsibilities, and a busy life are not barriers to career growth.
“Both of my older children went on to complete their own training and secure jobs after watching my journey,” she says. “They’ve told me they were inspired by seeing me do it.”
Advice for women considering Executive Ready
Jo regularly recommends Women & Leadership Australia to others and continues to share her learnings within her organisation.
Her advice is simple and direct.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. If you want it badly enough, you will find a way. There will be moments when it feels hard, but if you keep going, you’ll surprise yourself.”
Jo’s experience reflects what many women discover through Executive Ready: with the right support and structure, real career progression becomes possible.
