In this episode of Better Student Leaders, host Josh Farr chats with Stef Maccar, a trailblazer in student engagement with over 15 years of experience at Monash Student Association and a Director on the Student Experience Network Board. Stef shares how an unexpected start in student radio reshaped her career, and how that passion evolved into building volunteer programs that now engage thousands of students each year.

From her innovative Welfare Warriors leadership program, which gives students the freedom to test and fail safely, to her unique approach of turning volunteers into future staff, Stef reveals the power of pairing passion with humility. Her insights offer a practical roadmap for anyone looking to grow better student leaders who make university better for everyone.

Connect with Stef here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniemaccar/?originalSubdomain=au

TOP QUOTES:

1. “I’m not looking for leadership experience — I’m looking for passion.”

2. “Volunteering should be a safe space to test, experiment, and even fail — with a safety net underneath you.”

3. “Every staff member in my department started as a volunteer — that’s the culture we’ve built.”