What happens when you place collaboration at the heart of changemaking? For Kalen Sowter, the result has been powerful networks, resilient communities, and a sense of shared strength that continues to grow.
In this episode, Kalen shares her journey from crisis response to community empowerment. Her story is a testament to the power of Co-Design and appreciative enquiry, two key principles explored in the Changemaker Workshop framework. It is also a reminder that building lasting impact is not about doing more, but about doing it together.
“We really only need a mustard seed of energy to start the change.”
Kalen’s introduction to changemaking came in the wake of the 2014 Dungog floods. With no formal warning and devastating consequences, her town was left isolated and overwhelmed. Kalen jumped in to help, feeding people, coordinating donations, and creating connections. But the experience taught her that real resilience needs more than just goodwill. It needs structure, shared purpose, and a plan.
That is where Appreciative Inquiry came in. Instead of focusing on the problems, Kalen and her community began to ask: What do we already have? What could be possible? This mindset shift became a catalyst for lasting change.
“We put the issue at the centre, not ourselves. And then we built around that.”
As her understanding of collaborative leadership grew, so did her impact. From forming disaster resilience networks to launching ‘Ladies on the Land’, Kalen has created spaces for connection, capability, and courage. Through each initiative, she has applied the principles of Co-Design, inviting diverse voices, embracing shared values, and designing with, not for, others.
“I didn’t expect the Changemaker Workshop to be as powerful as it was. But we left with more than ideas, we left with a community.”
That community has endured. Her cohort still meets regularly, exchanging support, ideas, and even horse floats. It only took one person to say, “Let’s catch up,” for a network to thrive.
“It only takes one person to be a changemaker.”
To hear more about Kalen Sowter’s story and leadership experience you can listen to the episode on our Changemaker podcast series.
About the series
This conversation is part of a new series exploring the impact of the Changemaker Workshops delivered across more than 30 regions by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. These workshops were a part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.
To listen to this episode visit our website or search for Rural Leadership Unearthed on all major streaming platforms.
