Leadership

in the AI era

In Motion
— The Premise

Exploring purpose, principle and human agency in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Read the Announcement →
— The Brief

Leadership in the AI era

Exploring purpose, principle and human agency in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

STAGE I

The Partnership

The Menzies Leadership Foundation is partnering with the Aspen Institute Socrates Program on a global initiative exploring what effective, purpose-led leadership looks like in the AI era.

STAGE II

The Challenge

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in organisations and everyday life, leadership requires more than an understanding of the technology — it requires judgement, responsibility, ethics and a clear sense of what must remain distinctly human.

STAGE III

The Programme

Through a series of expert-moderated seminars, cross-sector leaders will examine how AI is reshaping the environment in which leadership is exercised — and how to work with intelligent technologies while retaining purpose and accountability.

— Inquiry

Five questions in focus.

The seminars don't seek easy answers. They sit with the questions that matter most.

Continue the Inquiry →
I 01 / 05

What changes when artificial intelligence becomes an active participant in analysis, decision-making and organisational life?

II 02 / 05

Which aspects of leadership can be strengthened by AI?

III 03 / 05

What must remain grounded in human judgement and responsibility?

IV 04 / 05

Where does accountability sit when decisions are increasingly mediated by machines?

V 05 / 05

How can leaders retain purpose, principle and ethical clarity through rapid technological change?

01 / 05
— The Method

A different kind of conversation — almost thirty years in the making.

The Method — Socrates Model illustration

THE SOCRATES MODEL

Rather than presentations or predetermined answers, participants engage with carefully selected readings, case studies and shared experiences — examining complex questions from different perspectives.

Space for reflection, debate and collective sense-making — strengthening relationships and developing new ideas for leadership in the AI era.

— The Series

The Next Frontier
of Leadership.

Three seminars convening leaders from different sectors, disciplines and backgrounds — who may not ordinarily be in the same room.

Purpose, Principle, and the Animate–Inanimate Divide.

01

New York

UNITED STATES

40.7128° N
02

Sydney

AUSTRALIA

33.8688° S
03

Singapore

SINGAPORE

1.3521° N
— A Premise
“
The aim is not to replace human dialogue or judgement,

but to explore how AI might scaffold without displacing the human responsibility at the centre of leadership.

Core Thesis

Synthesizing technological capability with the irreducible nature of human wisdom.

— The Experiment
AI as a participant — experiment illustration

AI as a participant, not a presenter.

In an experimental dimension of the initiative, the Menzies Leadership Foundation and the ANU School of Cybernetics are developing an AI system to participate in the dialogue.

The system will capture, interrogate and develop perspectives emerging from the discussions — giving participants the chance to examine firsthand the possibilities and implications of working alongside intelligent technologies.

— Outcomes

From conversation to action.

Insights from the seminars will inform future research, writing and potential leadership initiatives — and help build a global community of practice around human and AI-enabled leadership.

01

Seminar reflections

FORTHCOMING

02

Articles & essays

FORTHCOMING

03

Research outputs

FORTHCOMING

— Announcement

What does it mean to lead in the AI era?

Read the full announcement on the partnership and the questions shaping the next frontier of leadership.

READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT →
— Stay Connected

Follow the initiative.

Emerging questions, reflections and outputs as they take shape.

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LinkedIn

Follow the Menzies Leadership Foundation.

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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