Latest news and updates from the Menzies Foundation on leadership, community, and social impact.
The Menzies Foundation will relaunch its Sir Ninian Stephen Menzies Law Scholarship later in 2018 with a focus on a pressing global legal issue: cyber security. Here, University of Melbourne law student and Menzies Philanthropy Intern, Charlie Summons, outlines the pressing need for a considered focus on protecting our data. “There are two types of […]
Shining a light on cyber security Read More »
New research on better practice models in philanthropy will help shape the way the Menzies Foundation tracks its impact. Menzies Foundation CEO, Liz Gillies, who is also an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre, was the lead author of the Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model report released this
New impact framework to track our progress Read More »
The following story is from our publication Taking the lead: 40 stories of impact Protection of our environment and its natural resources is an enduring issue, but a number of Menzies scholars are directing their careers, and using their expertise and passion for sustainable practices, to ensure our world becomes cleaner, healthier, greener, and more
Discoveries for a better future Read More »
It’s often said that great leaders must “walk the talk”, and this is certainly something Serena Rae Thompson is striving to do. Serena is mentoring Year 7 students at the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) through a 12-month Menzies Indigenous Mentoring Fellowship. MITS is home to 22 Indigenous girls and boys from far-north Northern Territory
Learning through leadership Read More »
The nephew of Sir Robert Menzies, successful CEO, business coach and mentor, John Menzies, has joined the Menzies Foundation Board, taking the baton from Diana Menzies. Having dedicated 10 years’ service to the Board, Diana felt it was time to step down and allow for other family input. Diana expressed gratitude toward the people who
Passing the Menzies baton Read More »
Peter Jopling AM QC, a respected barrister, has been elected the new Chair of the Menzies Foundation setting the stage for the Foundation to move into a new era. Mr Jopling said his priorities would be the finalisation and implementation of the new strategic plan which has defined three strategic areas of focus: Investment to
Jopling takes top job Read More »
As the new students arrive at the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School to start Year 7, one of the people helping make them feel at home is Michelle Kerrin, who recently wrote about her experience as the Inaugural RG Menzies Indigenous Mentoring Fellow. Michelle Kerrin and Menzies Centenary Prize winner, Courtney Dove, come from very different
One of the best years of my life’ Read More »
The Menzies Foundation has kicked off the new year with a number of key leadership changes. With over 20 years’ experience in social impact, philanthropy and leadership development, Elizabeth Gillies has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Menzies Foundation. CEO Sarah Hardy is starting a new role as CEO of the RE Ross
CEO and Board changes Read More »
Today marks 30 years since the official opening of what was the Menzies Centre for Population Health Research in Tasmania (now the Menzies Institute for Medical Research), by the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC, when he was Governor General of Australia. For 30 years the people of Tasmania have
30 years of outstanding Menzies research in Tasmania Read More »
2017 Menzies Alumni President and Engineering Scholar, Dr Adrian McCallum, has just returned from an expedition to Nepal with his engineering students, exploring various aspects of earthquake risk and impact. “It was a multi-faceted adventure, with two weeks spent investigating post-earthquake building construction in Nepal, with my fourth year engineering students from the University of
Scaling the heights to develop avalanche warning Read More »
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.
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 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
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 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 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.
