Spotlight in Stirling: Empowering Future Female Leaders

The Female Leaders Program is a six-month initiative designed to equip young women with the skills, confidence and networks they need to become entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders.

As a Visionary Investor in the program, the City has awarded Nina a full scholarship to undertake pre-career leadership training. Through this opportunity, she will further develop her social enterprise, Hearts in Yarn.

At the heart of Hearts in Yarn is a simple but powerful belief: small acts of kindness can make a big impact. Nina’s handmade crochet bears are designed to bring comfort, connection and emotional support to children undergoing cancer treatment. “Spending years in hospital as a child was disorienting and sometimes lonely,” Nina shared. “I wanted to support other kids going through something similar and remind them they are not alone.”

Nina first introduced her idea at the Pitch Night event in June. “It was terrifying, but in the best way,” she said. “Sharing my idea and receiving feedback helped me think more deeply and gave me a clearer direction for the project.” The experience marked a turning point, boosting her confidence and refining her goals.

The bears are more than toys. They are soft, supportive companions designed to bring warmth and hope in clinical hospital environments. “My biggest hope is that when a child receives one of these toys, they feel comforted and reminded that they can keep going, even when days get hard,” Nina explained.

The initiative also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Through the program, Nina has gained valuable life skills including adaptability, self-respect and consistency. She has also connected with inspiring women across Perth and Australia who have helped shape her understanding of leadership and community impact.

Support for Hearts in Yarn is growing. The project welcomes bear donations made using a unique pattern that will soon be available on social media. For those who don’t crochet, there are other ways to get involved - from sharing posts, donating yarn, and following the project online to purchasing upcoming merchandise such as tote bags, pins and t-shirts. All proceeds go directly towards materials for the bears.

You can follow Hearts in Yarn on Instagram and Facebook at @heartsinyarn, and learn more about the Future Female Leaders Program by visiting futurefemaleleaders.com.au.

By supporting programmes like this, the City of Stirling is helping to foster a generation of changemakers who will contribute to local job creation, business development and economic growth. The City is proud to invest in young people like Nina who are building a brighter and more inclusive future for our community.