Latest news and updates from the Menzies Foundation on leadership, community, and social impact.
Episode 2, A Purposeful Edge: Leading in Uncertainty When heritage is treated as expendable and inclusion is seen as optional, leadership must stand for something more enduring. In this episode of A Purposeful Edge: Leading in Uncertainty, Dr Peter Collins is joined by Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana and Meriam woman, lawyer and global […]
Leading Reconciliation and New Approaches to Indigenous Engagement Read More »
In a media landscape increasingly shaped by algorithmic feeds, misinformation, and declining trust, the role of independent, community-rooted journalism has never been more vital. That’s why the Menzies Leadership Foundation is proud to support the Local and Independent News Association (LINA) through a matched funding contribution to their 2025 national fundraising initiative. LINA represents a
Championing Trusted Voices – Why Local News Matters More Than Ever Read More »
The Menzies Leadership Foundation warmly congratulates our Board Director Tony Surtees AM on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, recognised for “significant service to the support and advocacy of technological and charitable entrepreneurialism.” Tony is a visionary leader whose career bridges technology, entrepreneurship, public
By Dr. Aiden M.A. Thornton “The leadership we need will not happen by chance. There needs to be ever-stronger purposeful support and development.” This quote from Leading in Complexity: An Initial Enquiry in Tasmania highlights a concern familiar to many leadership scholars and practitioners: effective leadership does not simply emerge from good intentions or coincidence
Future-Ready Leadership – Why Intentional Development Matters Read More »
Episode 1, A Purposeful Edge: Leading in Uncertainty When old certainties collapse, leadership must become something more than operational, it must become deeply transformational. In this first episode of the A Purposeful Edge: Leading in Uncertainty podcast series, Dr Peter Collins is joined by Professor Rufus Black, Vice Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, to
The Courage to Lead Differently Read More »
Exploring new governance models through participatory grantmaking. At the Menzies Leadership Foundation, we believe leadership must evolve to meet the complexity of the challenges we face—climate uncertainty, social disconnection, and growing mistrust in our institutions. This evolution calls for bold, experimental models that shift power, foster civic agency, and invest in local capability. As part
Leadership in Practice: Power, Participation and Place Read More »
By Dr. Aiden M.A. Thornton “Generational changes are always a challenge… there are many older leaders at sea to understand how to approach leadership with the younger generations.” This quote from Leading in Complexity: An Initial Enquiry in Tasmania vividly illustrates a tension that many leaders are feeling: how to lead across difference in a
Bridging Generations – Leading in a Shifting Social Landscape Read More »
The Menzies Leadership Foundation, in partnership with Global Voices, is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Sir Ninian Stephen Law Delegation Fellows. These three emerging legal leaders—Samar Batool Athar, Tiarna Williams, and Nashita Pasha—have been selected to represent Australia at the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee (Legal) in October 2025. This prestigious
Announcing the 2025 Sir Ninian Stephen Law Delegation Fellows Read More »
By Dr. Aiden M.A. Thornton “My complexities as a leader relate to organisational culture and introducing and managing change…”. This quote from Leading in Complexity: An Initial Enquiry in Tasmania captures a reality that many leaders feel acutely: the pressure to manage change at the pace it is unfolding. It’s where good intentions collide with
Culture, Change and Complexity – Aligning for Impact Read More »
Overview Over four years, from 2020 to 2023, the MedTech Actuator, in partnership with the Menzies Leadership Foundation, delivered two national science entrepreneurship programmes. These initiatives were designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercialisation by equipping researchers with essential entrepreneurial skills. The programmes offered robust and practical training, one-on-one mentorship, and facilitated
Unlocking the potential of science commercialisation: from training to systemic change 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.
