Nic Quilty
Chief Executive at WasteMINZ

Alicia is herself - she is vulnerable, up-front and tells it like it is. She is also very good at engaging with the audience. Alicia doesn't read off notes. She gave us learnings and tools we could take away and use. It was inspirational, funny, and vulnerable. I would recommend Alicia for events where you want to challenge your delegates' thinking, inspire them, and make them think differently.

Jun 7, 2024
Paul Bennett
General Manager, Tamworth Regional Council

THANK YOU for your incredible positive impact on our organisation during 2020. All of our Strategic Projects have progressed in line with our original plans. We have established a new and reinvigorated Executive Team, have regular strategic sessions to evaluate our performance and stay on track, and are finally starting to trust our managers and staff to do their jobs without feeling like we have to meddle/interfere. The change has been noticed not only by our staff and Councillors but by many of our community stakeholders, who have commented on the progressive, positive and proactive attitude that is now becoming evident across all areas of our operations. You taught me so much about my role, purpose, approach, and attitude. You opened my eyes to obstacles that were right in front of me, but they had become so much a part of the scenery that I had become almost oblivious to their impacts on our progress. You are a star.

Dec 17, 2020
Sean McNamara
Library Services Manager at City of Mitcham
I loved it
I loved it. I enjoyed Alicia’s facilitation and intelligence. Alicia is really f*cking clever. She is a scary smart person and the mid-moment reads and adjustments she was making were inspiring. She should coach an  NFL team! I always value the way staff and Council work together - it was great in the session but I think that is quite typical of the relationship. The most valuable part for me was the opportunity to sit on the Mayor’s table in both sessions. I had already used a version of the 'bigger questions' template, but I like your version better, and I will move to that. The important question is not what any one person will do differently but what we will do differently together, and I genuinely believe the biggest opportunity in that regard sits with staff, not Councillors. I will endeavour to be part of a change where leadership staff spend more time on the peak/balcony than paddock/dancefloor and let our experts tend the paddocks. 
Feb 22, 2024
Alex McKenzie
Manager, Development Services at City of Mitcham
Alicia has a gift
I enjoyed all of it - but how Alicia pulls accountability, honesty and humour together in such a clean (but also kind of messy and fun kind of way) just blew me away. She calls out bullshit, and doesn’t make people feel small, or silly, or lesser for it. There is so much in that. She has a gift, and I love how she uses it. I think from now on I’ll be more me, keep growing, keep dropping the walls, and stop the performance. We are all just people who don’t really know what we’re doing sometimes, but we do so well when we do it together and don’t overthink it. I honestly do not know how to describe it. This is something you have to experience for yourself to really feel it. 
Feb 22, 2024
Dan Jellings
Manager Performance and Strategy at City of Mitcham
Shared learning was excellent
The format of shared learning with the Council Members was excellent, along with Alicia's approach to concept > story > game > reflection. I enjoyed the pace, and the adjustments made to suit us, plus the use of humour to disarm and create a collegiate atmosphere. The most valuable thing I learned was the power of scaffolding a workshop to support the tough point of trade-offs and prioritisation. To not ignore the basics of strategy and rely on fundamental behaviours: quality questions, role clarity, and effective allocation of time relative to the decision’s impact. What will I be doing differently? Lots! Use the quality questions framework to elevate strategic thinking within my team; use it to respond to enquiries and manage up. Not search for the warm glow of agreement; but instead the mildly-aggrieved feeling of alignment. How to describe Alicia McKay… it’s like watching a magician perform an act... only you don't realise it until after its finished! Humour and rapport are used to realign, and correct participants’ view on role and impact. Concepts and truisms punctuate key points. The final reveal of a robust trade-off process is scaffolded by the experience of shared learning. Bravo. Thanks so much for allocating your time to us, Alicia. We really appreciate it.
Feb 22, 2024
Ebel Kremer
Southland District Councilor at Southland District Council
Alicia is straight up! She challenges every one in the room. Visionary. Alicia is an exceptional facilitator who understands the topic. She’s easy to listen to and interacts well with participants. Highly recommended! Many thanks for a great day Alicia.
Dec 22, 2022
Bodo Hellberg
Senior Consent Officer at Tauranga City Council
Very straight forward, no time wasting. As she said, we did a days work in half a day and her local government insight helped us. Thanks for facilitating the workshop. I took more away than I was hoping for.
Dec 22, 2022
Neels Janse van Rensburg
Group Chief Executive Officer, Bible Society Incorporated
If you want your leadership, strategy and management paradigms to be challenged, look no further than Alicia McKay. Her professional, unorthodox and no nonsense approach helps organisations take bold and courageous steps towards the future. Our leadership experience with her enabled us to re-direct/prioritize our thinking or strategic priorities helping us navigate through difficult situation especially our current challenges brought on by Covid19.
Nov 29, 2022
Mayurie Gunatilaka
Principal & NZ Country Leader at Arup
Alicia leads high energy, high impact strategy sessions assisting teams solve a range of complex problems. She has a unique ability to assist teams lift up from operational to strategic thinking whist also ensuring we are having a lot of fun along the way. I have thoroughly enjoyed and learnt from our strategy sessions with Alicia and would recommend her to anyone who is looking at clarifying their organisational strategy to solving complex customer issues and engaging their teams. Above all she is incredibly talented and fun to work with!
Nov 29, 2022
Dr Lyndsey Dance
CEO, Safer Farms
Don’t even hesitate - just get this superbly intelligent lady on board to help you and/or you org achieve greatness! Alicia literally fizzes with energy and captures the attention and focus of any audience in order to help guide and facilitate the generation of ideas into a meaningful outcomes. This is no easy feat when dealing with an ultra busy executive leadership team yet Alicia managed it with easy, over a short space of time (6 weeks!) during exceptional circumstances (COVID-19, level 4). By the end of the 6 weeks we had a clear direction of where we needed to steer our organisation in terms of project investments and understood the fundamental principles of sound, robust, practical and GOOD decision making!! Not bad for 6 weeks, eh?! (Thanks Alicia!)
Nov 29, 2022
Lyndsey Dance
General Manager Strategy & Investment, Executive Leadership Team at Stats NZ
Our workshops were relaxed and inclusive and ensured everyone participated and had a voice. Alicia's style is so energising that it didn't matter what time of the day the sessions were scheduled, everyone found themselves focused and paying attention, ready to contribute.
Dec 22, 2022
Emma Speight
Director Regional Relationships at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Alicia never gave up, even when achieving an outcome appeared unlikely!
Dec 22, 2022
David Mackay
Deputy Secretary - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

A huge thank you for your outstanding presentation to my team this afternoon. I’ve had so much great feedback on your session, and some of your phrases have already entered our lexicon. I am very grateful to you for having brought your wisdom, experience, and obvious enthusiasm for the local government sector to our meeting today. Thanks again

Nov 23, 2023
Matt Prosser
Chief Executive Officer Dorset Council Chief Executive Officer Dorset Council
I had the privilege of meeting, listening too and chatting with Alicia McKay recently - and this is a great read, binged it from cover to cover in one sitting and will now pass it on for others to appreciate. Thanks Alicia you are a legend!
Aug 5, 2024
Jenni Cochrane
Group Manager Customer Experience Group Manager Customer Experience
My pre-order copy of Alicia McKay's book Local Legends arrived last week and I demolished it already. It's six months since I shifted from a Comms Manager role to a GM role, and this book has been better at articulating the differences between being a technical expert and a strategic leader than anything else in my induction so far. It's a brilliant mix of stuff I know, but need reminding of - like needing to focus relentlessly on our strategic objectives, and get out of the way in the operational space - particularly where I used to be the subject matter expert. But also practical frameworks to identify the things we need to work on to help us keep moving forward. Plus it's so satisfying to read a book that has you going "YES!" as you read it - because Alicia gets and articulates both the system and people-based challenges that we grapple with every day. Highly recommend the book. In fact, wondering how we can make it part of the induction for every senior leader and elected member in local government…
Aug 13, 2024
Peri Zee
Mayoral Candidate for Upper Hutt Mayoral Candidate for Upper Hutt
While waiting for our IT people to fix my laptop this morning I got to get stuck in to Alicia McKays new book Local Legends. The first chapter on how to move a Council from Laggard to Legendary is 👌
Aug 7, 2024
Kaliegh Smerdon
Manager, Corporate Planning and Improvement at Bega Valley Shire Council Manager, Corporate Planning and Improvement at Bega Valley Shire Council
The perfect read before we begin planning with our newly elected councillors. For my colleagues in the LG sector get around this book- it’s top shelf.
Aug 31, 2024
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Sam Johnson OAM GAICD
Chief Executive Officer | Board Director Chief Executive Officer | Board Director
Got this in the 📬 today 😀 For all the other local government nerds out there - do yourself a favor and order a copy. Having read all the other Alicia McKay editions, I have no doubt this will be sure to impress! 📕
Sep 10, 2024
Daryl Connelly
Rolling out the red carpet, not the red tape | Director Strategic Growth @ Tasmania's Central Coast Council
Alicia, the book is very good, thank you. You know your stuff, and your messages are simple and engaging. I’ve encouraged staff and councillors to check it out. The public value payoff ratio is gold!
Sep 15, 2024
Craig Swift-McNair
General Manager at Woollahra Municipal Council
A super read and I have now received copies for all my Managers and newly elected Councillors…there are many important lessons included in this book, which should be compulsory reading for all in local government.
Sep 14, 2024
Anthony McMahon
CEO at Bega Valley Shire Council
Ordered 50 copies after reading it. One for new councillors and all exec/managers plus some extras for staff. Nails the challenges and the joys of LG and shares lots of useful strategies.
Sep 13, 2024
Clare Lundon
Clare Lundon Consulting
I look forward to Wednesdays, the day that Alicia speaks directly to me. It's like she is in my brain she knows what is keeping me awake at night, her insights and no bullsh!t approach is so easy to relate to. I think everyone deserves something as good as this to look forward to on Wednesdays.
Sep 10, 2024
Nick Martelli
A must read for all NZ public servants
Aug 6, 2019
Joy
This book is like a Dilbert cartoon – so easy to relate to and says it like it really is. Some great insights and practical ideas to take your leadership journey to the next level. I am an avid reader but have now ordered more copies of this book to give to friends – it was so good I just had to share it.
Jun 22, 2021
Louise Gibson
You Don’t Need an MBA lives up to its name in spades, offering a relevant, insightful and chock full of value alternative to accelerate leadership capability and impact for the real world. It’s clear from the get-go that Alicia McKay knows her stuff when it comes to leadership and performance. What’s more, she doesn’t beat around the bush while generously sharing her lived experiences. McKay candidly calls out common traps and excuses for poor leadership and equally offers up clarity, practicality and a good dose of humour to shed light on what really matters when it comes to making an impact on people and business. There is absolutely no sign of artificial leadership constructs here. You Don’t Need an MBA is light on theoretical models. Instead, it’s cleverly laid out around five core modules, each comprising fundamental and relatable lessons for strategic performance leadership, with actionable questions and ‘next steps’ for every stage of development, and a cheat sheet to sum up key takeaways. As the subtitle suggests, this book genuinely is all about leadership lessons that cut through the crap. McKay puts leadership into its rightful world, organisational and strategic context, tracing the roles, identities, mindsets and behaviours of great leaders. It connects the dots between essential elements of flexibility, systems, decision making, performance and influence. All this at a time when we most need it to navigate constant and inevitable change. This really is a playbook for growing leaders. It will challenge you to deeply reflect on your own leadership, to acknowledge where you’ve come from, where you find yourself and where you need to get to. It will undoubtedly prove to be a reliable mirror, a coach and guide for leadership transitions at any stage of your career. You need to read this book. But be warned, it will dare you to lead differently! - Louise Gibson, Founder & Director, With Verve
Mar 24, 2022
Mark Nichols
I was pleasantly surprised by this - substantial and easy to read. I suspect I'll be referencing back to this one from time to time. Well worth the investment and the time.
Apr 30, 2022
Ben Grapes
Safe System Lead, NZ Transport Agency
Wednesday Wisdom cuts to the chase on topical themes or issues and I have found that reading the blog helps remind me to not get stuck in the weeds on matters that are not important or out of my control. Such a refreshing mid-week read and reminder on what really does matter.
Sep 2, 2024
Lucy Blackbourn
Principal Advisor to the Deputy CFO, MBIE
I highly rate Wednesday Wisdom, it's always worth a read and it can be the mid-week boost and refresher that I need to refocus on what is important or bring new information and ways of thinking that is lacking in other media. It's short and sweet and I'm always wanting to re-share the wisdom...even when it doesn't make it through the work email server due to containing "profanity" :P
Sep 1, 2024
Karen Abey
Acting Director, City of Hobart
Wednesday Wisdom is one of the few email lists which I not unsubscribed. It’s punchy, informative and gives you the fresh perspective or nudge you need sometimes to snap you out of the daily same-same.
Aug 30, 2024
Rebecca Speirs
Director, Adapt & Improve Consulting
I love the bite-sized content that is thought provoking, insightful and downright useful. Alicia really has her finger on the pulse on the issues of the day, and for me often articulates things I sense but have not yet put into words. I love that she's so articulate and straight talking, and also laugh out loud funny,
Aug 29, 2024
Alison Balind
Bland Shire Council
Really look forward to Wednesday Wisdom emails because every single one has been a gem! Have been an Alicia McKay fan since her first LGC2023 appearance and love the plain speaking, no BS approach she adopts to those wicked local government issues that keep many of us awake at night. With more sharing at LGC24 from her Local Legends book - She just makes sense!
Aug 27, 2024
Lance Kennedy
Deputy Chief Executive Whanganui District Council
I am constantly surprised how on point Alicia is with her Wednesday Wisdom messages. Her messages and anecdotes always resonate with something going on in either the professional or personal fronts. Ps I pre-ordered Local Legends and it arrived last week - half way through it and I’m already ‘borrowing’ from it at work.
Aug 27, 2024
Suzy
Wednesday wisdom somehow slides into my email right when I need the not so gentle reminder and always hits the right spot.
Aug 27, 2024
Celeste
You ever come across someone who knows exactly what you need to hear, and when you need to hear it? That's Alicia. Wednesday Wisdom is like advice from a good friend who is a straight shooter and is also your business and life coach. She gets it right on so many levels. Do yourself a favor and sign up if you haven't yet!
Aug 27, 2024
Yelaina Eaton
City of Unley
Wednesday is short, snappy and smart. Just what you need mid-week. I love it.
Aug 27, 2024
Megan Reid
Megan Reid - Operations & Change Consultant
'Wednesday Wisdom' is a real highlight of each week. A mix of practical and valuable insights, with a no nonsense and real delivery style. The topics covered often provide a jolt to your thinking and include useful tips and tricks for your own reflection and personal growth. I would recommend this uplifting, direct and thought provoking weekly wonder to anyone's inbox.
Aug 26, 2024
Lizzie
Operations Analyst NZTA Waka Kotahi
I love the way Alicia says it in plain English and paints the whole picture. It’s all current issues and what I’m currently trying to figure out and it’s easily useable information. I’d recommend others because we all need another voice to give us some insight and perspective and Alicia gives valuable strategic advice.
Aug 26, 2024
Stan Garton
Alert Safety
I love the originality and the quirky manner. saying the same things as other in a different way is a gift. Keep it up. You give a change of dimension on so many topics.
Aug 26, 2024
Vicki Stoner
Technical Consultant, Strategic Pay / Artist for life
I think of it more as Weekly Wisdom (happens to come out on Wednesdays). Always something relatable or the exact thing I am swimming in. Alicia is a national treasure.
Aug 26, 2024
Jenny Pooley
I often use Wednesday wisdom with my team at work. I’m constantly surprised at how often the messages Alicia communicates align with what’s happening in my workplace. I use them often to reframe difficult situations and conversations most recently how to stay on track when things go to sh#t. Great feedback from my team. It really resonated for people.
Aug 26, 2024
Tony Meredith
General Manager - Houston Technology
Wednesday Wisdoms are awesome, they make me think every week. Alisha always provides great nuggets .
Aug 26, 2024
Angella
Executive Coach and Founder, Fresh Insight.
Wednesday Wisdom always has something for me. I mean, ALWAYS. So many newsletters are full of noise or distraction. WW is brief, intelligent, relevant and funny. It has an uncanny way of offering me a helpful idea or question that links to something going for me on that week. I appreciate the 'no bull, say it how it is' approach and the effort that goes into producing these ideas time after time. I read very few newsletters - I can count them on one hand - and WW is always worth my time.
Aug 26, 2024
Rochelle Moffitt
Founder + Director | Tickled Pink
Wednesday Wisdom is my all-time favourite email to receive. ⭐️ Learn something new ⭐️ Have a laugh (Alicia's style is gold) ⭐️ Feel Informed ⭐️ Connected with other like-minded people ⭐️ Genuine value (not another sales pitch) Plus Alicia is a legend. I like hearing from legends.
Aug 26, 2024
Kelly Ann Bisset
Insightful and Helpful Content
I frequently read and share articles with my LG colleagues, and Alicia’s content consistently stands out. Her unique local government perspective, shaped by her work experience, is invaluable. Keep up the great work, Alicia—your insights are always appreciated!
Aug 26, 2024
Claire
Practical, actionable, entertaining and plenty of links to learn more. Wednesday Wisdom great advice I have used both in my workplace and in life.
Aug 25, 2024
Mike Steere
Director, Shared Innovations Ltd
I’ve never before “enjoyed” an email subscription - Wednesday Wisdom is the one exception! Every week Alicia delivers gems that will help you level up. Alicia’s style gets to the point, and is focused on giving you value - not selling you stuff. She knows how to deliver important lessons that will improve how you operate, while making it a lot of fun in the process. It’s obvious to me why Wednesday Wisdom is so popular.
Aug 25, 2024
Lois van Waardenberg
Director, RemCon
Alicia has an unusual ability to share illuminating content in an engaging , personal voice. She’s straight up, and expects things - me - to change as a result of her Wednesday wisdom. It’s excellent.
Aug 25, 2024
Tomina
I love the freedom Alicia gives us to be ourselves and bring all we are to the table, whatever that table looks like for us. I would recommend this subscription to gain different insights and another way to support an incredible wahine.
Aug 25, 2024
Catherine
I love Wednesday wisdom - there’s always such great insights and thought provoking details! Alicia has wisdom to offer and it’s great to start the middle of the week on a good note!!
Aug 25, 2024
Jordi Hoult
I've been receiving Wednesday Wisdom for a year and love the dash of direct, authentic, and positive honesty it brings to my week. Alicia's pieces not only grab your "what if?" brain, but give you tangible ways to make change. Subscribe if you like to have your thinking challenged, and are looking to disrupt the status quo for positive growth.
Aug 25, 2024
Jordi Hoult
I've been receiving Wednesday Wisdom for a year and love the dash of direct, authentic, and positive honesty it brings to my week. Alicia's pieces not only grab your "what if?" brain, but give you tangible ways to make change. Subscribe if you like to have your thinking challenged, and are looking to disrupt the status quo for positive growth.
Aug 25, 2024
Frank Garten
Independent Consultant and Speaker
Tough as a nail. Sharp as a laser. But it all comes from a heart full of compassion. Alicia doesn't shy away from controversial topics, sharp observations and killing conclusions: if you're looking for comfort only, don't subscribe. If you want the raw truth that makes you think, and really improve yourself and the ones you work with, subscribe and implement the many practical advices she gives. One of the only 3 newsletter I read end-to-end each week!
Aug 25, 2024
Matt Walker
Equipment & Logistics Regional Manager, Fire & Emergency New Zealand
I love the Wednesday Wisdom's and find myself looking forward to the fresh, often though provoking and sometimes challenging pieces expertly written by Alicia, Break up the week with some Humpday gold bars. Subscribe and enjoy
Aug 25, 2024
Leana Reid
Silver Fern Farms
I love Wednesday Wisdom, it has provided guidence and common sense advice which has been easy for me to apply, not just in my career, but also in my home life. Alicia McKay cuts through the bullshit and gets right to the heart of the matter, with empathy, commonsence and honesty.
Aug 25, 2024
Katrina Lund-Tangye
Senior Business Analyst
I love reading Wednesday Wisdom - it's like a breath of fresh air highlighting what should be common sense but is overlooked all the time. I pass it onto my colleagues.
Aug 25, 2024
Renee Sara
I’ve subscribed to Wednesday Wisdom for many years and keep the weekly insights coming despite retiring young and leaving my executive office days behind. I love the succinct way Alicia cuts to the chase and shares practical tips for moving through day-to-day challenges. I’ve recommended it to mentees - so they regularly get something new to add to their leadership toolkit, or get reminded about something they’d forgotten to use.
Aug 25, 2024
Janine A Corke
COO CORUM Limited
Informative, direct and insightful, with a bit of humour to keep you returning for more. I really enjoy my weekly fix. It gives me the opportunity to stop and consider things that sadly don't always make it to the top of my list. Thanks, Alicia, for breaking up my week and giving me the time to focus on what matters :-)
Aug 25, 2024
Jane George
Rural Health Workforce Consultant
The genius that is Wednesday Wisdom (and Alicia McKay) hits your inbox just when you need it each week. Always on point, with opportunity to take action (via a strategically placed nudge) Alicia's content is the top of my list each week to read and reflect on. If you're not already on the list, what are you waiting for?!
Aug 25, 2024
Sam Lobsey
Tamworth Regional Council
We’ve kicked off an organisational transformation to align with our community blueprint, and the most valuable outcome is to see collaboration across Council on an agreed outcome. Alicia has an easy, engaging style. (She also has good music, and swears a little bit…)
Aug 25, 2024
Kevin Marriott
Head of Community Delivery at Auckland Council
Alicia’s benefits-led methodology is really sound. She adds a lot of value to the process as an expert facilitator but also as a very insightful and knowledgeable consultant. With Alicia’s help, we have a service improvement plan that we can action without deviating from our core purpose.
Aug 25, 2018
Vanessa Browne
National Manager Programme & Standards, NZ Transport Agency
Alicia is a strategy ninja and highly skilled facilitator. She listens to the brief and focuses the content accordingly. On the day she brings energy, humour and directness all done with refreshing candour and openness. Alicia knows strategy inside out and will guide participants accordingly. Team members are highly engaged throughout and achieve agreed goals. All done with a high level of care and professionalism. Alicia is one of the best facilitators I have experienced combined with a sharp insight into what makes public sector agencies tick. Highly recommended.
May 25, 2019
Rebecca David
Head of Transformation, Fonterra
Alicia has a real talent for simplifying strategy in a way that is both thought provoking and incredibly impactful. We walked away from our short session with a collective understanding of the gaps and opportunities we have, which has given us a renewed energy and focus to really nail our strategy. As a speaker Alicia was engaging and relatable – her wealth of experience is obvious, but at the same time she makes it seem so achievable which I think is a pretty powerful combination
Oct 11, 2023
Erin Wansbrough
CEO, SODA
"Alicia absolutely nailed the guest speaker talk at our RISE UP event celebrating female entrepreneurship! She was entertaining, inspiring, engaging and her down-to-earth manner made her easy to relate to and connect with. Our audience members were totally enraptured and we’ve never received so much positive feedback about a guest speaker before."
Aug 22, 2022
Kirsten Taylor
Executive Advisor at NZ Transport Agency
We really refined the areas where we can make an impact, and areas where we need to focus. This was an important opportunity for people to both relax and work hard together. I appreciated Alicia’s style - direct, funny and challenging. She was relentless.
Aug 4, 2018
Astin Jose
Procurement Lead at Waikato Regional Council
I love Alicia's clarity and focus on activities which carries a significant value.
Jun 26, 2024
Jo Bromley
Principal Advisor - Science, Policy & Information Directorate at Waikato Regional Council

Loved Alicia's energy, persona and how she made the topic relevant to local government. This is the most relevant training I've had in a large number of years. Enjoyed learning the importance of identifying the "HOW" - thank you!

Jun 19, 2024
Jasmine
Lake Management Lead at Waikato Regional Council

I enjoyed Alicia's frankness and understanding of local government. Learning how to figure out a higher strategy to focus on and prioritise projects was really valuable. Thanks for the great workshop.

Jun 18, 2024
Andrea Rogers
Enterprise Portfolio Office Lead at Waikato Regional Council
I really enjoyed Alicia's energy and stories.
Jun 18, 2024
PK
Team Leader - Environmental Data at Waikato Regional Council

I loved how Alicia was energetic and dynamic. She engaged the room and I really enjoyed the $100 game. It's most useful and I intend utilising this tool.

Jun 18, 2024
Eva Kozub
Enterprise Portfolio Office Advisor at Waikato Regional Council

I enjoyed Alicia's no nonsense, articulate, really engaging style. She's a really capable speaker with well informed, insightful perspective. Her ability to tell the story was also really compelling. Such a great session. Provided me, and I'm assuming most of the people in the session lots to think about. Will definitely be recommending Alicia to anyone interested in the topic.

Jun 17, 2024
Fiona Hunter
Manager Business Advisory Services at Waikato Regional Council

I loved how Alicia could apply real life examples to local government. It was valuable to learn the How and how to link to the Why and What.

Jun 17, 2024
Maddie
Primary Industry Engagement Specialist at Waikato Regional Council
I love how Alicia is down to earth and energetic. Learned how to better focus on the How.
Jun 17, 2024
Connie Chittick
Principal Advisor at Waikato Regional Council

The most valuable thing I learned was the How (link) between Why and What is often lost. Alicia knew local government, could relate and had stories/situations that were relevant. Alicia is a great facilitator, engaging, right amount of humour and know the market.

Jun 17, 2024
Scott Thompson
Strategic Risk Advisor at Waikato Regional Council

Loved Alicia's honesty and industry knowledge. I loved this training - learning the why, how, what - and want to do more strategy training.

Jun 17, 2024
Jo
Team Leader - Information Management at Waikato Regional Council
I really enjoyed how Alicia was candid, relatable, had oodles of analogies and interactive. It was really valuable to learn the importance of team buy-in and understanding of the criteria that sits within the 'How'. Keep shining your light Alicia cos you're an inspiration to other women.
Jun 17, 2024
Amantha Bowen
Community Transport Lead at Waikato Regional Council
I enjoyed Alicia's sense of humor and down to earth style. Learning how to not only prioritise our work but how to explain that rationale to others is really valuable. Really impressed and even touched by Alicia's professional journey.
Jun 14, 2024
Coral Zettler
Personal Assistant for NZ transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Meetings that Matter - online course. Anyone who wants meetings to result in actions, needs to do this. Alicia gets to the point, identifying whats wrong with your meetings and how to fix it. Great tips on how to get the best from your meetings. Always set an agenda, and do the ground work before the meeting.
Jul 19, 2024
Jacob Toner
Director of Risk & Intelligence at Te Whatu Ora
Alicia is a dynamic and engaging presenter who despite having to run the session virtually was able to keep participants engaged throughout. Alicia is able to balance imparting wisdom with some genuine humour. I would love to work with Alicia again.
Nov 29, 2022
Colin D. Ellis
AU | UK | US : Keynote Speaker, Culture Change Specialist, Founder of the Culture Makers Community and Podcaster
I've never heard a speaker that cuts through the complexity of strategy quite like Alicia. Her speeches are powerful and strike at the very heart of what's required to create meaningful direction that can give rise to the cultures required to get things done. She is honest, forthright and uses case studies to land her points. Highly recommended!
Nov 29, 2022
Diana Pawluk
Manager Events at Local Government Professionals Inc
I really enjoyed Alicia's ability to read the room and adapt quickly. Thanks to Alicia's contribution our awards ceremony was conducted efficiently. She was not afraid to deviate from the script when warranted which is a great thing! I highly recommend Alicia for emcee and facilitation roles.
May 7, 2024
Dan Ferguson
Executive Officer at Parks and Leisure Australia Vic/Tas Region
I enjoyed Alicia's down to earth, no-nonsense approach. It was a great contrast to our government attendees! Thanks to Alicia's contribution, our event was set up with a fantastic undertone that continued on across the following two days. Alicia, and her content, was often referred to in presentations by other speakers and events afterwards. She's a great communicator who sets the tone of the event, and responds to the vibe of the audience really well. I would recommend Alicia for events where you want to have a little bit of fun and 'cut through the crap'.
May 27, 2024
Amy Johnston
Manager Active and Healthy Communities at the City of Greater Bendigo
I enjoyed Alicia being real and relatable. Thanks to Alicia's contributions, the workshop got us thinking about different perspectives for solutions. She gets Local Government and the context of our work and therefore can provide realistic examples and appreciates the good and the not so good of the sector. I would recommend Alicia for events that are LGA specific or when you want facilitation to push some 'norms'.
May 30, 2024
James Stokie
Manager, Information Technology at the City of Greater Bendigo
I enjoyed Alicia being collaborative, positive, inclusive and focused on objectives of the offsite. Her style of mixing the content up and mixing fun with tasks was valuable to the workshop. Loved the positive and authentic delivery and approach. I would recommend Alicia for facilitating workshops with strategic outcomes.
May 30, 2024
Andie West
Manager Community Partnerships at the City of Greater Bendigo
Alicia was relatable, engaging, enjoyable, relevant.... as well as an expert holding significant knowledge! She made 'it all' relevant. Alicia understood the Local Government context, so all of her knowledge sharing was relatable through the examples she used. While Alicia is an expert - she did not portray herself as the 'all knowing', 'no one knows better than me' type image. She shared with positive intent, passion and understanding - acknowledging that she was in a room with people who were also 'experts in their field' with a great deal to offer. I would recommend Alicia for MC, Speaking, Coaching, Keynote... what ever she likes really! Thanks to Alicia we achieved a lot - and it was all content that can be further refined and used (not just popped on a shelf somewhere...). .Fabulous day!
May 30, 2024
Stacy Williams
Director Healthy Communities and Environments at the City of Greater Bendigo
Alicia was so down to earth, real and frank. She gets gets the context of local government. I already valued Alicia being honest, real, fun, fast paced and on track. Based in real stories, she has deep understanding of LG and nailed the context for us. Real examples help ground the work. I would recommend Alicia to leaders looking for solutions, where you want to get out of the business and work on it. Alicia is awesome!
May 30, 2024
Brian Westley
Director - Presentation & Assets at the City of Greater Bendigo
I really enjoyed Alicia's energy, direct communication style and practical examples. Her analogies and theory are really valuable. I would recommend Alicia for leadership programs and strategic planning events.
May 30, 2024
Nic Quilty
Chief Executive at WasteMINZ

Alicia is herself - she is vulnerable, up-front and tells it like it is. She is also very good at engaging with the audience. Alicia doesn't read off notes. She gave us learnings and tools we could take away and use. It was inspirational, funny, and vulnerable. I would recommend Alicia for events where you want to challenge your delegates' thinking, inspire them, and make them think differently.

Jun 7, 2024
Paul Bennett
General Manager, Tamworth Regional Council

THANK YOU for your incredible positive impact on our organisation during 2020. All of our Strategic Projects have progressed in line with our original plans. We have established a new and reinvigorated Executive Team, have regular strategic sessions to evaluate our performance and stay on track, and are finally starting to trust our managers and staff to do their jobs without feeling like we have to meddle/interfere. The change has been noticed not only by our staff and Councillors but by many of our community stakeholders, who have commented on the progressive, positive and proactive attitude that is now becoming evident across all areas of our operations. You taught me so much about my role, purpose, approach, and attitude. You opened my eyes to obstacles that were right in front of me, but they had become so much a part of the scenery that I had become almost oblivious to their impacts on our progress. You are a star.

Dec 17, 2020
Sean McNamara
Library Services Manager at City of Mitcham
I loved it
I loved it. I enjoyed Alicia’s facilitation and intelligence. Alicia is really f*cking clever. She is a scary smart person and the mid-moment reads and adjustments she was making were inspiring. She should coach an  NFL team! I always value the way staff and Council work together - it was great in the session but I think that is quite typical of the relationship. The most valuable part for me was the opportunity to sit on the Mayor’s table in both sessions. I had already used a version of the 'bigger questions' template, but I like your version better, and I will move to that. The important question is not what any one person will do differently but what we will do differently together, and I genuinely believe the biggest opportunity in that regard sits with staff, not Councillors. I will endeavour to be part of a change where leadership staff spend more time on the peak/balcony than paddock/dancefloor and let our experts tend the paddocks. 
Feb 22, 2024
Alex McKenzie
Manager, Development Services at City of Mitcham
Alicia has a gift
I enjoyed all of it - but how Alicia pulls accountability, honesty and humour together in such a clean (but also kind of messy and fun kind of way) just blew me away. She calls out bullshit, and doesn’t make people feel small, or silly, or lesser for it. There is so much in that. She has a gift, and I love how she uses it. I think from now on I’ll be more me, keep growing, keep dropping the walls, and stop the performance. We are all just people who don’t really know what we’re doing sometimes, but we do so well when we do it together and don’t overthink it. I honestly do not know how to describe it. This is something you have to experience for yourself to really feel it. 
Feb 22, 2024
Dan Jellings
Manager Performance and Strategy at City of Mitcham
Shared learning was excellent
The format of shared learning with the Council Members was excellent, along with Alicia's approach to concept > story > game > reflection. I enjoyed the pace, and the adjustments made to suit us, plus the use of humour to disarm and create a collegiate atmosphere. The most valuable thing I learned was the power of scaffolding a workshop to support the tough point of trade-offs and prioritisation. To not ignore the basics of strategy and rely on fundamental behaviours: quality questions, role clarity, and effective allocation of time relative to the decision’s impact. What will I be doing differently? Lots! Use the quality questions framework to elevate strategic thinking within my team; use it to respond to enquiries and manage up. Not search for the warm glow of agreement; but instead the mildly-aggrieved feeling of alignment. How to describe Alicia McKay… it’s like watching a magician perform an act... only you don't realise it until after its finished! Humour and rapport are used to realign, and correct participants’ view on role and impact. Concepts and truisms punctuate key points. The final reveal of a robust trade-off process is scaffolded by the experience of shared learning. Bravo. Thanks so much for allocating your time to us, Alicia. We really appreciate it.
Feb 22, 2024
Ebel Kremer
Southland District Councilor at Southland District Council
Alicia is straight up! She challenges every one in the room. Visionary. Alicia is an exceptional facilitator who understands the topic. She’s easy to listen to and interacts well with participants. Highly recommended! Many thanks for a great day Alicia.
Dec 22, 2022
Bodo Hellberg
Senior Consent Officer at Tauranga City Council
Very straight forward, no time wasting. As she said, we did a days work in half a day and her local government insight helped us. Thanks for facilitating the workshop. I took more away than I was hoping for.
Dec 22, 2022
Neels Janse van Rensburg
Group Chief Executive Officer, Bible Society Incorporated
If you want your leadership, strategy and management paradigms to be challenged, look no further than Alicia McKay. Her professional, unorthodox and no nonsense approach helps organisations take bold and courageous steps towards the future. Our leadership experience with her enabled us to re-direct/prioritize our thinking or strategic priorities helping us navigate through difficult situation especially our current challenges brought on by Covid19.
Nov 29, 2022
Mayurie Gunatilaka
Principal & NZ Country Leader at Arup
Alicia leads high energy, high impact strategy sessions assisting teams solve a range of complex problems. She has a unique ability to assist teams lift up from operational to strategic thinking whist also ensuring we are having a lot of fun along the way. I have thoroughly enjoyed and learnt from our strategy sessions with Alicia and would recommend her to anyone who is looking at clarifying their organisational strategy to solving complex customer issues and engaging their teams. Above all she is incredibly talented and fun to work with!
Nov 29, 2022
Dr Lyndsey Dance
CEO, Safer Farms
Don’t even hesitate - just get this superbly intelligent lady on board to help you and/or you org achieve greatness! Alicia literally fizzes with energy and captures the attention and focus of any audience in order to help guide and facilitate the generation of ideas into a meaningful outcomes. This is no easy feat when dealing with an ultra busy executive leadership team yet Alicia managed it with easy, over a short space of time (6 weeks!) during exceptional circumstances (COVID-19, level 4). By the end of the 6 weeks we had a clear direction of where we needed to steer our organisation in terms of project investments and understood the fundamental principles of sound, robust, practical and GOOD decision making!! Not bad for 6 weeks, eh?! (Thanks Alicia!)
Nov 29, 2022
Lyndsey Dance
General Manager Strategy & Investment, Executive Leadership Team at Stats NZ
Our workshops were relaxed and inclusive and ensured everyone participated and had a voice. Alicia's style is so energising that it didn't matter what time of the day the sessions were scheduled, everyone found themselves focused and paying attention, ready to contribute.
Dec 22, 2022
Emma Speight
Director Regional Relationships at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Alicia never gave up, even when achieving an outcome appeared unlikely!
Dec 22, 2022
David Mackay
Deputy Secretary - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

A huge thank you for your outstanding presentation to my team this afternoon. I’ve had so much great feedback on your session, and some of your phrases have already entered our lexicon. I am very grateful to you for having brought your wisdom, experience, and obvious enthusiasm for the local government sector to our meeting today. Thanks again

Nov 23, 2023
Matt Prosser
Chief Executive Officer Dorset Council Chief Executive Officer Dorset Council
I had the privilege of meeting, listening too and chatting with Alicia McKay recently - and this is a great read, binged it from cover to cover in one sitting and will now pass it on for others to appreciate. Thanks Alicia you are a legend!
Aug 5, 2024
Jenni Cochrane
Group Manager Customer Experience Group Manager Customer Experience
My pre-order copy of Alicia McKay's book Local Legends arrived last week and I demolished it already. It's six months since I shifted from a Comms Manager role to a GM role, and this book has been better at articulating the differences between being a technical expert and a strategic leader than anything else in my induction so far. It's a brilliant mix of stuff I know, but need reminding of - like needing to focus relentlessly on our strategic objectives, and get out of the way in the operational space - particularly where I used to be the subject matter expert. But also practical frameworks to identify the things we need to work on to help us keep moving forward. Plus it's so satisfying to read a book that has you going "YES!" as you read it - because Alicia gets and articulates both the system and people-based challenges that we grapple with every day. Highly recommend the book. In fact, wondering how we can make it part of the induction for every senior leader and elected member in local government…
Aug 13, 2024