Impact; unlocking the power of data within Not-For-Profit’s

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The Menzies Foundation is delighted to announce a new partnership with data specialist, the Good Data Institute (GDI).

The Good Data Institute seeks to bridge the gap between the not-for-profit world and data analytic expertise to support social impact, and this collaboration will support the Menzies Foundation to further develop the Foundation’s impact and evaluation framework.

The Menzies Foundation aspires to build a leadership movement which encourages Australians to reflect on leadership, pivot to their purpose, build their leadership capability and contribute to the ‘greater good’.  In the context of this work, the Foundation builds catalytic incubators to address leadership challenges. The Foundation is in the process of developing the Menzies Viral Co-Efficient Model which aspires to measure both the transaction virality and transformational nature of these leadership platforms, and our contribution to the leadership discourse more generally.

The Menzies Foundation and Good Data Institute project will specifically focus on the Menzies School Leader Incubator and develop a data approach which deepens the understanding of the systemic impact the initiative is having with those stakeholders both directly and tangentially connected to the work.  This ‘new power’ approach to knowledge translation lies at the heart of movement building.

“We are thrilled to be supporting the Menzies Foundation with a piece that could set a blueprint of sorts for impact measurement across systems-change programs nationally. The Good Data Institute is well-positioned to support such a project as our community of over 100 volunteers have a unique mix of data and analytics skills alongside the strategic thinking ability that is necessary for understanding a big picture system change challenge” said Tom Perfrement, Co-Founder & Director, Good Data Institute

“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Good Data Institute to more deeply consider the development of the Menzies Viral Co-Efficient Model which will considerably enhance our understanding of both the transactional and transformational outcomes of work we do with our outstanding collaboration partners, and is crucial in amplifying the impact of this work both in Australia, the region and the world.” said Liz Gillies, CEO, Menzies Foundation.

The project is being led by GDI Fellow, Shakeel Lala (Product Manager, Sharesies), and a small team of GDI data analytics volunteers, including Matthew Travaglini (Associate, Macquarie Group), Michael Berry (Senior Manager, Data 2 Insight Consulting) and Ashish Chopra (Senior Data Analyst, Safety Culture) and is expected to be complete over a 4–6-month period.

Vivek Katial, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Good Data Institute said, “The similarity between the Menzies Foundation and the Good Data Institute is that we too are ultimately focusing on developing a community of leaders. For us, we are focused on the provision of pro-bono data analytics services to Not For Profits. We want to see NFPs as the front runners and not the laggards when it comes to the use of data and analytics to drive decision making, improve efficiencies and measure impact.”

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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