News

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

Applications closing soon for School Leader Fellowship

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Applications for the inaugural Menzies School Leader Fellowship Program supporting leadership capability in schools close on 21 December. The new program, a partnership between the Menzies Foundation and the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne, represents an investment of $1.5 million over the next three years. “This Fellowship will support outstanding school […]

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Why are the findings from the 2014 Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model important?

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The importance of the discoveries in the Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model are twofold: They give a snapshot of the current philanthropy landscape, showing what the current state of play is in Australia compared to other countries; and they give a baseline for future work to be built on. The present Philanthropy in Australia

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What did the 2014 Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model report show

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The Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model report is the result of an analysis of the practices of grantmakers supporting not-for-profit organisations in Australia. Grantmakers and grantseekers were surveyed and interviewed to better understand how they approached giving, social impact and the use of evidence in decision-making. The report draws on the Trust Company’s five

What did the 2014 Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model report show Read More »

What does PIPP’s work mean for the wider world?

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On the surface it seems that PIPP’s work only really benefits a select few people. Improving philanthropic impact will only help the not-for-profit organisations that take money from the grantmaking organisations, which means…what? Improving how money is given can mean life or death for not-for-profits When philanthropists fund not-for-profit organisations, it is generally for specific

What does PIPP’s work mean for the wider world? Read More »

Governor-General David Hurley; new patron of Menzies Foundation

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The Menzies Foundation is delighted to announce His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of Australia has been appointed a Patron of the Foundation. “I am delighted to serve as Patron of the Menzies Foundation, says Hurley. He continues, “Outstanding leadership transforms local communities, creates new opportunities and helps us respond

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How PIPP is helping to improve the impact of philanthropy

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PIPP is a cohort-based research and learning project at the University of Melbourne dedicated to improving the impact of philanthropy in Australia. The Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practise Model report showed that the impact of philanthropy in Australia could be significantly improved in a number of areas. The research found that while 78% of philanthropic

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Community expectations and bias; reinforcing disadvantage in our schools

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Karen Snibson, Collier Fellow and integral member of the Menzies School Leader Fellowship Program, shares her current experience as Principal, Phoenix P-12 Community College, Sebastopol, and the impact of students experiencing disadvantage everyday. She speaks of her leadership; as she focuses on addressing the disadvantage and determination to build aspiration. Read on as Karen shares

Community expectations and bias; reinforcing disadvantage in our schools Read More »

Funding to target ‘dead zone’

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The Menzies Foundation believes philanthropy can play a unique role in sparking discovery and innovation in Australia. We are passionate about investing in our country’s future science leaders and giving them the runway to ensure that their research has an impact in the world. We look forward to sharing their entrepreneurial journey. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Exclusively published

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Creating thought leaders – why PIPP is important

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As discussed in the previous post, the Philanthropic Impact Pioneers Programme (PIPP) began as a response to the findings in the Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practise Model report. The report showed a strong disconnect between the grant seekers and grant makers regarding funding priorities, evaluation and social impact. Why PIPP is important PIPP’s importance lies

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Fast tracked, emphasized, illuminated – a look into the Menzies School Leader Fellowship Program

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Menzies School Leader Fellow, Georgia Heffernan, Deputy Principal of Catholic Ladies College, Eltham, takes a look back on the last 6 months of the Fellowship – sharing her key moments, aspirations and insights.  I know how cliché this sounds, but has it really only been six months? My personal and professional growth since the beginning

Fast tracked, emphasized, illuminated – a look into the Menzies School Leader Fellowship Program 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.

natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au