How Leadership Changes the Way We Advocate – UBL Webinar Recap
United Blind Leaders recently hosted a powerful and deeply personal webinar exploring how stepping into leadership changes the way we advocate—and how advocacy, in turn, shapes leadership.
Facilitated by UBL Co-founder, Emma Bennison, the session brought together three distinguished speakers with decades of lived experience, activism, and leadership: Susan Thompson, Martin Stewart, and Dr Pam McNeill.
Together, they unpacked the shifts required when moving from independent advocacy to organisational leadership, shifts that call for strategic thinking, political savviness, and an unshakable commitment to the communities we serve.
From Anger to Strategy, From Outsider to Insider
Each speaker reflected on the delicate balance between working within systems to create change whilst staying true to grassroots advocacy. Dr Pam McNeill shared candidly about her 18 years working within the New Zealand government, navigating complex relationships with ministers while staying loyal to disabled communities. Her approach? Find strategic alignment without compromising values—and don’t be afraid to stir the pot when necessary.
Susan Thompson spoke of earning respect through active participation across all parts of an organisation—from client committees to internal operations—while never losing sight of her identity and responsibility as a blind person. She emphasised the importance of choosing battles carefully, maintaining emotional discipline, and being “part of the blind community, not above it.”
For Martin Stewart, the shift from activist to advocate was also a deeply personal journey. He described moving from anger-fuelled protest to organisational leadership, crediting his role at Blind Citizens Australia as a transformative turning point. “I wanted to be a reputable person,” he said. “And now I’m happy to be swimming in the mainstream.”
Tensions, Boundaries and Burnout
The panel also grappled with the emotional intensity of advocacy work, particularly when it’s personal. As leaders who are blind themselves, they shared stories of attempting to “switch off” from systemic inaccessibility—only to be pulled back in by everyday experiences, like confronting an inaccessible payment terminal during a special dinner.
“We often carry the burden of advocacy everywhere we go,” Emma noted. “And when you’re part of the community you’re advocating for, there’s no off switch.”
Susan added that the key is not suppressing the advocacy impulse but learning to scale your response to the moment—and having the discipline to protect your energy for when it’s most needed.
Building Capacity and Backing the Next Generation
A recurring theme was the responsibility of leaders to build the capacity of others. As Pam put it, “One of the hardest things is when your networks and community ties, so highly valued when you're hired, later become the reason you’re criticised.” Still, the panel agreed that proximity to the community is a strength, not a liability.
The discussion closed with a reminder that leadership is not about perfection or popularity—it’s about integrity, persistence, and connection.
We thank our panellists for their honesty, courage and wisdom, and the many attendees who joined us for the conversation. If you missed the session, a recording is now available.
As you engage with the content, we invite you to reflect on your own leadership journey, whether you’re stepping into your first committee or shaping national policy. Consider how your advocacy has evolved along the way.
This kind of self-reflection is crucial for us as individuals and as a community so that together, we can continue building a movement that centres blind leadership as essential, not optional.