Latest news and updates from the Menzies Foundation on leadership, community, and social impact.
The Patience of Change: Leadership for a World in Transition What does it take to lead when the world itself is changing form? When institutions are being remade, when time horizons stretch beyond the next quarter, and when complexity demands patience over speed — how must leadership evolve? In the fifth episode of The Future […]
Leading Profound Transitions: Building Capacity for Change Read More »
Australia is living through a moment of profound transition. Across the country, people are navigating overlapping disruptions — environmental shocks, social fragmentation, institutional distrust, and economic precarity. We are in a period where old systems are breaking down while new ones remain uncertain and unfinished. Against this backdrop, the recent Transforming Systems Forum, co-hosted with
Leadership for a Time of Transition Read More »
The Menzies Leadership Foundation is delighted to announce Elly Hanrahan as the 2026 Menzies Youth Board Observer, following a competitive and rigorous selection process. This initiative, now in its second year, builds on the success of the inaugural appointment of Dr Thi Kim (Julie) Dao, the 2025 Youth Board Observer. We thank Dr. Thi Kim
Elly Hanrahan Appointed as the Menzies Leadership Foundation 2026 Youth Board Observer Read More »
Indigenous women across the Kimberley — and increasingly across Northern Australia — are not just building businesses. They are building futures. A powerful transformation is underway, led by Indigenous women themselves: women redefining what economic participation, leadership, and community strength look like on Country. Since 2020, the Menzies Leadership Foundation has been honoured to walk
Standing Up Strong – Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneurship as a Leadership Movement Read More »
Australia is entering an era defined by uncertainty, interdependence and accelerating change. Climate instability, technological disruption, global tensions and profound social fragmentation are reshaping every sector — demanding leadership capable not of controlling complexity, but of navigating it. In this moment, the ANU Leadership & Complexity Lab, supported by the Menzies Leadership Foundation, has emerged
Leading for the Future – Inside the Next Chapter of the ANU Leadership & Complexity Lab Read More »
By Sarah Jenkins, Menzies Leadership Foundation AI will not replace leaders — but leaders who cannot govern AI responsibly will be replaced by those who can. Artificial intelligence is reshaping societies, economies and institutions faster than most leaders can absorb. From automated decision-making to personalised learning systems, AI is now embedded in everyday life. Yet
Governing AI – From Compliance to Competence Read More »
Youth leadership in Australia is experiencing a quiet but profound transformation. As global systems strain under the weight of escalating complexity — what many now describe as a “polycrisis” — young Australians are not simply observing from the sidelines. They are stepping forward with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Few organisations embody this shift more powerfully
Purpose in Action – A New Chapter for Youth Leadership in Australia Read More »
The Challenge While school improvement often focuses on resources, curriculum, or structures, research shows that a hidden factor may be even more powerful: collective efficacy. This is the belief among educators that, together, they can positively impact student outcomes. Yet, until recently, collective efficacy was almost impossible to measure. Leaders knew culture mattered, but they
From ‘Can We?’ to ‘How Will We?’: Measuring Collective Efficacy in Schools Read More »
Finding the Middle Ground: Rediscovering Our Shared Responsibility In a world marked by polarisation and fragmentation, how do we rediscover the space between us — the middle ground where shared purpose and collective action can flourish? In the fourth episode of The Future of Leadership Development, host Dr Toby Newstead is joined by Jack Manning
Collective Leadership in Action Read More »
By Sarah Jenkins, Menzies Leadership Foundation The greatest act of leadership today is not to resolve every tension, but to hold it — with steadiness, humility, and imagination — until something better becomes possible. Leadership in 2025 is defined not by clarity of answers but by the courage to navigate competing truths. Across institutions, communities
The Courage to Hold Tension – Leading Through Paradox 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.
