Fostering outstanding leadership for the greater good.

We are a Non Partisan, Philanthropic Foundation and System Entrepreneur.

We see leadership not as a position, but 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; work across difference; respond to complexity; and contribute to a stronger society.

Leadership is not the responsibility of a few. It is a shared capability and a shared obligation.

Command-and-control styles are falling short as we navigate a polycrisis of climate disruption, political instability and entrenched disadvantage. At the Menzies Leadership Foundation, we believe leadership is for everyone and that together, we can build the capacity needed to tackle complexity and act for the greater good.

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Our Priorities

We seed partnerships, amplify narratives, and build evidence to strengthen leadership for the greater good.

Together, these form the engine that connects all of our work — linking practice, insight and influence.

Incubate

We support real-world initiatives that build leadership capability in practice — across Emerging, School, Indigenous and Citizen Leadership.

Insights

We generate and refine understanding of what leadership requires in complexity — through the Complexity Leadership Lab, in partnership with the Australian National University.

Influence

We convene leaders, share perspectives and shape the national conversation — through the Menzies Leadership Forum.

Menzies Foundation Team

Liz Gillies

Chief Executive Officer

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Rohan Martyres

Director, Strategy and Partnerships

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Sarah Jenkins

Director, Communications and Engagement

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Trudy Morrison

Operations Manager

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Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Manager

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Menzies Foundation Board

Peter Jopling AM KC

Naina Subberwal Batra

Kathryn Greiner AO

Harvey Kalman

Tony Surtees

Samuel Richards

Matt Tyler

Rachael McLennan

Our Legacy

Sir Robert Menzies (1894–1978) 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.

Our Strategy

We seek allies and collaborators to amplify a leadership movement, working together to strengthen everyone’s ability to connect with others, and act collectively for the greater good. 

By 2040 we aim to:

- Directly engage 5 million people annually with evidence-based work to: reflect on their purpose, cultivate outstanding leadership, and act for the greater good.
- Change the public narrative on leadership, with the characteristics required to lead in complexity — values-based, collaborative, adaptive, forward-thinking, purpose-driven

Our Catalytic Approach

We have a catalytic strategy to foster outstanding leadership. We:
- Amplify a leadership movement of individuals and organisations, to build leadership capacity at scale.
- Use field-building techniques, and connect practitioners, advisors, funders, policy actors and others for systemic impact.

2025 Impact

6

Focus Areas

82+

Partners and Guests

119M+

Global Reach

Global

Footprint

Menzies Foundation Annual Report

Download the full report to learn of the Foundation’s strategy and impact

View 2025 Annual Report

Philanthropy

We are committed to developing a best practice approach to its philanthropic work and supporting better practice in the sector.

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Impact Investment

We are committed to an impact management and measurement (IMM) framework aligned with our overall vision and mission.

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Liz Gillies

Chief Executive Officer

Liz Gillies has had over 25 years experience in a range of fields focused on initiatives for social impact. She has held roles in multiple sectors and academia.

In 2018, Liz was appointed CEO of the Menzies Foundation which aspires to build a leadership movement that supports Australians to pivot to purpose, build their leadership capability and contribute to the ‘greater good’.

Liz joined the Melbourne Business School in 2009 and was instrumental in establishing the Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre (APSIC) and The Centre for Ethical Leadership. In November 2011 she was appointed as research fellow to lead a partnership focused on strategic philanthropy which culminated in the release of the reports: Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model (2018) and the Philanthropy: The Continued Journey to Real Impact and better Practice (2021).

Liz has extensive governance experience, having served on the Board of the Publish Galleries Association of Victoria, Social Firms Australia, Uniting Care Community Options, United Way Australia and the Development Committee of the Towards a Just Society Foundation. She is currently on the Philanthropy Reference Group of Barmal Bijiril and a Director of Philanthropy Australia.

LinkedIn | liz.gillies@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0416 112 703

Rohan Martyres

Director, Strategy and Partnerships

Rohan has 15 years’ experience in facilitating cross-sector collaborations to address complex social and health challenges.  He has worked with the World Economic Forum in Australia, led an international conflict resolution field team in Nepal, and directed a 10-year £40m initiative to reduce health inequity in London.

Most recently, Rohan was Major Grants Development Manager at the Ian Potter Foundation.  He refined the foundation’s major grants strategy, and co-developed a series of large scale initiatives, including joint philanthropic-government funding for a new national organization to support place-based approaches across Australia.

Rohan has held several non-executive roles, including with an international NGO and with London Funders, the peak body of independent foundations in London.  He holds several qualifications including a graduate degree in innovation and strategy from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

When Rohan isn’t exploring Melbourne’s creeks with his partner and 6yo daughter, he’s working on his currently weak Australian accent (after 15 years in the UK).

LinkedIn | rohan.martyres@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0404 505 954

Sarah Jenkins

Strategic Communications Manager

Sarah has more than 18 years’ experience in communications and marketing leadership across a range of sectors.

Communications strategy and organisational growth is a continuing theme in Sarah’s career. Most recently, she leads the development of a Leadership Movement, evaluated by Menzies Viral Co-efficient Model; a contribution to the NFP. 

Sarah’s early career centred around best practice in marketing and communications which later culminated into the establishment of her very own agency. This work extensively spanned across PR, traditional media, event management, strategy, digital marketing, graphic design and business development consultancy. 

In 2019, Sarah joined the lean and robust team at the Menzies Foundation. She has since crafted the Foundation’s narrative and communication strategy. The development of this strategic communications platform is essential for ‘movement building’ and requires a strong strategic, management and communication skills set. Sarah has brought so much to this important work, which sits at the forefront of communication practice. 

Sarah continues to contribute to the NFP sector through her commitment to Purpose; as she reflects on her own leadership, builds her own leadership capability and contributes to the greater good. 

LinkedIn | sarah.jenkins@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0401 880 071

Trudy Morrison

Operations Manager

A marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years experience in government, corporate and consumer marketing, Trudy brings her adaptive and organisational project management skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

With a BA degree in Public Relations, Trudy began her career with the City of Melbourne and in magazine publishing, before moving into marketing communications consulting. She has worked in strategic marketing leadership roles with retail brands and enjoys juggling many projects and tasks simultaneously. Her skills were further enhanced when managing her own communications business representing industries across private education, financial services, aviation, government and the health industry. 

Trudy is passionate about leadership and all people being encouraged to reach their full potential through research and educational initiatives and opportunities throughout Australia. A skilled and accomplished writer and editor Trudy is enthusiastic about bringing her variety of skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

LinkedIn | trudy.morrison@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0402 361 878

Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

LinkedIn | natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au

Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au