A non-partisan philanthropic foundation
Fostering outstanding leadership
for the greater good.
A system entrepreneur convening practice, insight and influence to build the leadership capability Australia needs next.
Leadership is not a position.
It is a shared capability, and a shared obligation.
We see leadership as a capability, one that can be developed, shared and applied across communities, organisations and systems. Our work supports people to act with purpose, lead with integrity and work across difference.
Command-and-control styles are falling short as we navigate a polycrisis of climate disruption, political instability and entrenched disadvantage. Together, we can build the capacity to act for the greater good.
A dedicated team
stewarding the work.
Meet the people leading the Foundation’s work across practice, insight and influence.
An experienced board
guiding the movement.
Directors bring perspective from law, philanthropy, technology, policy and community leadership, a mix that keeps the Foundation accountable to both its history and the work ahead.
Sir Robert Menzies · 1894–1978
Sir Robert Menzies is Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister. He exemplified many of the leadership qualities essential for addressing complex 21st-century challenges: integrity, clarity of purpose, resilience, a commitment to all Australians, and an enduring dedication to service.
The Menzies Leadership Foundation honours Sir Robert’s legacy by promoting a contemporary view of his approach, encouraging reflection on leadership, building leadership capability, and empowering people to act for the greater good.
Five priorities shaping the work ahead.
Collectively, these priorities reflect an evolving understanding of leadership development. The future will not be shaped by individual leaders acting alone, it will be shaped by the capacity of people, organisations and communities to lead together.
- Strengthening leadership as a shared civic practice.
- We will continue expanding opportunities for leadership participation across communities, education, civic life and institutions, reinforcing the idea that leadership is a shared responsibility rather than the preserve of formal authority alone.
- Building collective and systemic leadership capability.
- We will deepen our focus on the relational and systemic conditions that enable leadership to emerge across teams, organisations, communities and networks. This includes strengthening collaboration, distributed leadership and cross-sector capability in response to increasing complexity.
- Connecting practice, research and public engagement.
- Through our incubators, the Complexity Leadership Lab and the Menzies Leadership Forum, we will continue connecting real-world leadership practice with research, inquiry and public discourse. This integrated approach enables ideas to be tested in practice, strengthened through evidence, and amplified more broadly across society.
- Strengthening ethical and civic leadership capability.
- As technology and societal disruption accelerate, the need for ethical judgement, civic responsibility and principled leadership continues to grow. We will continue supporting leadership capability grounded in purpose, integrity, social responsibility and contribution to the greater good.
- Amplifying impact through collaboration and catalytic investment.
- Addressing complex societal challenges requires collaboration across sectors, disciplines and institutions. We will continue strengthening partnerships and evolving our catalytic approach, using our networks, influence and capital to unlock broader participation, co-investment and long-term leadership capability across the system.
The interactive leadership ecosystem map shows how these priorities connect across people, programs, partners and institutions, and where you might contribute.
THE ENGINE
Leadership capability is built through a connected system: ideas tested in practice, shaped through insight, and amplified to influence how leadership is understood and enacted.
Three dimensions, working together. Hover to read how each part of the engine turns.
We support the development of leadership capability in practice, across communities, workplaces, civic life and systems. This includes emerging leaders, Indigenous women, citizens, educators and leaders in all walks of life contributing to positive change. Leadership capability grows when people are trusted, connected and supported to participate.
EXPLORE OUR WORK
We generate and translate insight from practice, research and lived experience. Through reflection, inquiry and collaboration, we deepen understanding of how leadership develops in conditions of complexity, uncertainty and change; enabling practice to inform insight, and insight to strengthen practice.
EXPLORE OUR WORK
We contribute to the broader leadership discourse by connecting ideas, people and perspectives across sectors and generations. Through dialogue, partnerships and public engagement, we strengthen leadership as a shared civic practice and expand the conditions for collective leadership to emerge.
EXPLORE OUR WORKThe year, in numbers.
A snapshot of the Foundation’s reach across research, partnerships and practice through 2025.
Focused areas of leadership practice, research and influence.
Programs and partnerships underway across the Engine.
Essays, orations, podcasts, reports and public conversations.
Estimated combined reach across digital platforms, media and partners.
We are committed to developing a best practice approach to our philanthropic work and supporting better practice across the sector.
We are committed to an impact management and measurement framework aligned with our overall vision and mission.