Meet our new board members

The Menzies Foundation recently welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors, Ms Kathryn Greiner AO and Mr Tony Surtees.

With a wealth of expertise and experience, the two new additions will complement the ongoing growth of the Menzies Foundation and our work in supporting
leaders who have the capacity to make catalytic change to improve Australia’s future.

Kathryn has held a wide range of leadership positions in public and private companies, government bodies and non-profit organisations, including Councillor
to the City of Sydney Council from 1995 until 2004. She is currently a Director of the Sydney Opera House Trust, the Chair of the Ministerial Advisory
Council on Ageing, Chair of Lifestart Cooperative and a Director of Relationships Australia (NSW.)

In 2017, Kathryn was commissioned by the NSW Government to lead an inquiry into the retirement industry. She was also a member of the Schools Funding Review
Panel and also led an inquiry into the NSW Catholic Schools Funding Process. She received an Order of Australia in 2001 for services to social welfare,
local government and philanthropy awareness.

Tony is a hands-on investor who gets involved in helping companies scale to take full advantage of changing markets. He has held Vice President and CEO
positions in investment, media and marketing with traditional and digital businesses, and operational and management experience in companies in the
US, Asia and Australia.

Tony also has public and private board experience specialising in businesses that are undergoing growth and changes in their business model. He has helped
small organisations manage the challenges of rapid growth in both scope and scale, and large organisations navigate the challenge of working with entrepreneurs
and start-ups as well as scale-ups.

Menzies Foundation Chair, Peter Jopling AM QC,said he was delighted to welcome them both to the Board, as their experience will contribute to the organisation’s
impact in Australia.

“Kathryn and Tony are both passionate about nurturing leaders who can make a difference in Australia,” Mr Jopling said. “They will bring unique skills
and ideas to the table as we implement our new strategic plan, which defines three strategic areas of focus:
entrepreneurship in science; leadership in our schools;
and guiding Australia’s response to complex global legal issues, which will initially concern cyber security.

“I look forward to working with Kathryn and Tony, and the rest of the Board, as we take the Menzies Foundation into a new era.”

Menzies Foundation CEO, Liz Gillies, said she was thrilled to have Kathryn and Tony join the Board.

“I would like to extend a warm welcome to Kathryn and Tony as part of our Board,” Ms Gillies said. “They will each bring relevant expertise and new perspectives
to the work of the Foundation as we continue to build the capacity of future leaders to create a better, healthier and smarter Australia.”

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.