About Tanya Lehmann

Once described as having enough energy to power a small town, Tanya has over two decades’ experience leading large-scale organisational change, developing leaders and shaping complex systems. A Dietitian by background, Tanya spent a decade creating systems of clinical governance, workforce support and leadership development for allied health professionals across rural South Australia, whilst also seeking to influence major reforms of national rural healthcare policy and funding via not-for-profit Board Chair roles.

Tanya’s work with colleagues on the development of an integral performance framework was recognized in 2017 with an SA Health Excellence Award and invitation to present at the Wisdom Economies Conference in Iceland in 2018. Following almost three years as Regional Director Riverland Mallee Coorong, Tanya was seconded to lead clinical governance and change leadership streams of a major restructure of public health services across rural South Australia, establishing governing boards. She then Managed Organisational Development services across rural South Australia, before establishing Aurora Meliora Pty Ltd, in early 2021.

In 2021, Tanya was appointed by the Minister for Health to the South Australian Health Performance Council for a four year term. In the same year, she was appointed as South Australian Regional Lead of the Drought Resilience Leaders Program by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

Tanya is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (Course 21 in 2015), and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course. She has over10 years’ experience as a Board Chair, including with the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) and Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH).

Tanya describes herself as a work-in-progress and passionate about pursing whole-hearted leadership. She loves discovering and developing the potential in individuals, teams and systems to thrive. With the mind of a scientist, heart of a lion and hands of an artist, Tanya powerfully combines curiosity, courage and creativity.

Tanya draws on a deep and diverse toolkit, including qualifications in Science (Nutrition & Food Science, Dietitian), clinical education, communication and positive psychology. She holds credentials in Coaching, Gestalt Facilitation, Embodied Practice (integral theory), and certifications in The Leadership Circle, Human Synergistics Lifestyles Inventory (LSI and GSI), Barrett Cultural Transformation Tools, Saville Wave, Resilience at Work (R@W) and Mental Health First Aid.

When it is time to recharge, Tanya can be found outdoors enjoying the beautiful Murray River with her husband, two teenagers, two energetic kelpies and good friends, or curled up with a good book in their rammed earth home. You might also find her with a paintbrush, wooden spoon or power tool in hand, indulging her love for making art, yummy food and other creative messes.