Born in regional WA. Empowering young leaders across Australia.
OUR FOUNDING STORY
Started in the regions. Built for every young Australian.
In 2018, Wil Massara founded Youth Leadership Academy Australia in regional Western Australia — driven by a simple observation: young people in regional and remote communities had just as much leadership potential as anyone, but far fewer opportunities to develop it.
YLAA was built on a radical premise: that the most authentic leadership development comes from young people themselves. Our facilitators are young people who’ve walked the same path, faced the same challenges, and come out the other side ready to lead.
That for-youth, by-youth model is still at the heart of everything we do.
OUR CORE DIFFERENTIATOR
For youth.
By youth.
YLAA is built by young people, for young people — at every level. Our Youth Advisory Board drives strategy and program design. Our facilitators are young Australians who've been in the same room, felt the same pressure, and found a way through. Not adults talking at young people — peers walking alongside them.
MISSION & VISION
To equip, educate and empower young people to lead themselves, their schools and our communities across Australia.
OUR VISION
A world where young people drive meaningful change and build a more positive, sustainable future.
ALIGNED WITH THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
GOAL 3
3
Good Health & Well-Being
YLAA programs build resilience, emotional wellbeing and self-efficacy in young Australians — directly addressing the mental health crisis facing young people across every state and territory.
GOAL 4
4
Quality Education
YLAA delivers equitable, high-quality leadership education to students from Year 5 to Year 12 — with a specific focus on young people in regional, rural and remote Australia who are too often left behind.
GOAL 16
16
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
YLAA builds the next generation of civic leaders — partnering with local governments to give young people a genuine voice in their communities and the skills to drive change from the ground up.
THE YLAA HYPOTHESIS
“Give a young Australian the right tools at the right time, and they’ll change their school. Give a school a generation of them, and they’ll change their town.”
— Wil Massara, Founder & CEO
HOW WE DELIVER OUR MISSION
Three ways YLAA creates change
In-Person Events
Our National Tour brings thousands of students together each year for inspiring one-day conferences — top-tier speakers, hands-on workshops and the YLAA Creating Change Model.
School-Based Programs
Tailored in-school workshops for Year 5 through Year 12, focused on student leadership, resilience and community engagement — delivered by young facilitators, for young people.
Government Partnerships
Youth Council Retreats, Regional Youth Summits and tailored solutions through local and state government partnerships — building civic engagement and strategic thinking.
THEORY OF CHANGE
Evidence-based. Not guesswork.
Every YLAA program is grounded in three internationally recognised frameworks: Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan), Self-Efficacy Theory (Bandura) and Growth Mindset Theory (Dweck).
We bring this to life through our 4 E’s Framework and the Creating Change Model — YLAA’s own grassroots methodology for turning insight into action.
Flagship Methodology
The Creating Change Model
WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY
“YLAA brought an energy and professionalism that exceeded our expectations. The young facilitators connected with students in a way that adults simply can’t — it was genuinely transformative for our community.”
Phillip Michelmore
Youth Officer, Corangamite Shire Council — 2024 Youth Leadership Summit, 150+ students
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our values
Four principles that shape every program, every partnership and every conversation with a young leader.
Innovation
Continuous improvement — adapting our methodology to meet young leaders where they are, not where we wish they were.
Sustainability
Creating long-lasting impact that ripples through schools and communities long after our facilitators leave the room.
Growth
Building environments where both our young facilitators and the leaders we work with can develop, stretch and grow.
Accountability
We measure our impact rigorously and own the outcomes — every program, every council, every student.
TRUSTED ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Backed by councils, schools and partners.
YLAA partners with local government, schools and community organisations from every state and territory — 1,500+ school relationships and a growing roster of LGA partnerships.
WORK WITH YLAA
We’d love to partner with you.
Schools
Primary and secondary programs for Year 5–12. Delivered by young facilitators who get it.
Explore School Programs →Local Government
Youth Summits, Council Retreats and tailored community programs. Only 10 LGA partnerships per year.
Explore Council Programs →Funders & Partners
Aligned with UN SDGs 3, 4 & 16. If you’re investing in Australia’s youth, let’s talk.
Explore Partnerships →
Youth Leadership Academy Australia is a DGR-registered charity within The Youth Impact Foundation.
©2026 Youth Leadership Academy Australia. All rights reserved. · ABN 616 016 68 482
