News

Latest news and updates from the Menzies Foundation on leadership, community, and social impact.

Boffins and Business – The tough journey from lab to market

Like our namesake, we’re committed to supporting leadership initiatives that grapple with issues that are germane to Australia’s future and with that lays commitment to raising the profile and importance of support for Australian entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups. __________________________________________________________________ The following story, written by Brent Balinski, and published by @AuManufacturing For a long time, Australian […]

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A new $90,000 fellowship is giving 3 scientists the chance to commercialise their ideas

Like our namesake, we’re committed to supporting leadership initiatives that grapple with issues that are germane to Australia’s future and with that lays commitment to raising the profile and importance of support for Australian entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups. __________________________________________________________________________________________ The following story, written by Simon Thomsen, was published by Start Up Daily. The CSIRO’s

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Futurist Professor Brian David Johnson to conduct Threatcasting Lab for Menzies Foundation

The Menzies Foundation focuses on raising the profile of ‘outstanding leadership’ and supports strategic leadership development platforms. One of the Foundation’s key strategic areas of focus is supporting Australia to grapple with complex legal challenges in a global context. Our focus for the next three years is cyber security. The Ninian Stephen Menzies Cyber Law

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NHMRC Menzies Fellow receives Australian Academy of Science award

Outstanding contributions to science have been recognised by the Australian Academy of Science, with 20 of Australia’s leading scientists and future superstars receiving prestigious 2019 honorific awards. NHMRC Menzies Fellow Professor Nick Huntington, from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Monash University, has received the Jacques Miller Medal in recognition of

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Fellowships awarded to five outstanding leaders in Victorian schools

  Five prestigious Fellowships for leaders in education have been announced today by the Menzies Foundation in partnership with the Collier Charitable Fund, supported by the University of Melbourne. “We’re delighted to announce the first recipients of the Menzies School Leader Fellowship and the new Collier School Leader Fellowship to support leadership in schools,” said

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Exciting new role at the Menzies Foundation

We’re looking for a creative, can-do Communications and Operations Manager (part-time). Established in 1979 to perpetuate the memory of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, the Menzies Foundation has a track record in backing outstanding leaders. The Foundation is a non-political, national not-for-profit organisation.  The Foundation plays a catalytic philanthropic role in supporting leadership

Exciting new role at the Menzies Foundation Read More »

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

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

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

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

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

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.