Menzies Leadership Forum

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Peggy O'Neal

Welcome to the seventh episode of the series, "Empowering Others to Lead with Purpose" featuring Peggy O’Neal, American born Australian lawyer, Chancellor of RMIT University and former president of Richmond Football Club (AFL). 

Peggy O'Neal’s journey into leadership began in the coal fields of her US hometown, where she grew up surrounded by a tough, working-class environment. A pivotal influence in her life was her mother, who instilled a sense of purpose and encouraged Peggy to break barriers by studying law, making her the first in her family to do so.

Fast forward to her new home in Australia, Peggy’s leadership path has been marked by significant achievements. She became a leader in law, served as Chancellor of RMIT University, and was President of the Richmond Football Club, leading the team to three premierships in just four years. Central to her success is her unwavering sense of purpose—creating opportunities and uniting people. This sense of purpose is reflected in her approach to leadership: fostering trust, building connections, and consistently repeating these behaviours until they become defining habits.

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Dr Robyn Miller

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose Series, hosted by Peter Collins 

Welcome to the sixth episode of the series, "Wisdom, Courage, and Resilience in Leadership," featuring Dr Robyn Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Mackillop Family Services. 

Our most recent podcast guest, Dr Robyn Miller, imparted a profound understanding that a leader with a clear sense of purpose can effectuate change even amidst complex challenges. With over 40 years of experience in addressing family violence, sexual abuse, and other deeply confronting issues, Dr Miller’s palpable sense of optimism becomes evident. Her discussion highlights how a reinforced sense of purpose and meaning serves as a catalyst for tackling obstacles. This foundational element has endowed her with the wisdom, resilience, and courage necessary to navigate her distinguished career with remarkable effectiveness.

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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The Civic Health of Australia: In Conversation with Sam Wilson

Meaningful change requires both institutional reforms and individual actions. In our latest episode, Liz Gillies, CEO, Menzies Foundation, and Associate Professor Sam Wilson take a deep dive into Australia's civic health and leadership. This insightful discussion centres on the findings from the newly launched report, The Civic Health of Australia: A National Portrait in 30 Charts, powered by the Menzies Foundation and developed by Associate Professor Sam Wilson and the Australian Leadership Index at Swinburne University.

The report paints a concerning picture of Australia’s civic health, revealing declines across three crucial dimensions: civic awareness and engagement, belonging and connecting in the community, and volunteering and giving.

Liz and Sam explore these findings in depth, offering a compelling analysis of the challenges in measuring leadership for the 'greater good', the alarming trends of distrust and polarisation, and the vital role each of us plays in fostering a healthier civic environment. Whether you're passionate about leadership, civic engagement, or simply curious about the future of our democracy, this episode is a must-listen.

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Lily Nguyen

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose Series, hosted by Peter Collins 

Welcome to the fifth episode of the series, "Collaborative Leadership and Collective Responsibility," featuring  Lily Nguyen, Partner at Lander & Rogers.

Lily Nguyen, is one of the 930,000 people who arrived in Australia as refugees post-World War II. In the late 1970s, Lily was a baby carried by her mother on a perilous journey from war-torn Vietnam to Malaysia and eventually to Australia. Now a respected lawyer, Lily’s leadership reflects the power of family and community in nurturing leadership, a common thread throughout her narrative which affirms how leadership purpose often stems from deep-rooted values and the influence of the collective around us. 

Click through to listen and be inspired by powerful stories of leadership and purpose!

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Tony Shepherd AO

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose Series, hosted by Peter Collins 

Welcome to the fourth episode of the series, "Building and Leading Ethical Cultures," featuring Tony Shepherd AO, Chair of the Boards of the Greater Western Sydney Giants, the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.

Tony Shepherd, is a distinguished figure who has led the Business Council of Australia and made significant contributions across both private and public sectors in tackling major challenges by dismantling conventional barriers, addressing issues like productivity, decarbonisation, and Indigenous reconciliation across ASX companies and football clubs. He frequently discusses the importance of mentoring, respect, and learning from experts, highlighting a leadership philosophy that embraces the human dimension entirely. 

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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Talking Leadership Development: “What is Leadership”, with Dr Toby Newstead

“What is Leadership”, the premise is simple: in order to effectively develop leadership (and therefore justify the exorbitant spending on it), we need greater clarity on what exactly 'it' is.  

This webinar adaption explores the backdrop of the multi-billion-dollar leadership industry, within which little consensus exists in relation to what leadership actually is or how to develop it, and in consideration of the often-bemoaned gap between research and practice, Talking Leadership Development showcases diverse perspectives in an effort to distill synergies and lift the understanding and practice of leadership development in Australia and beyond. 

Hosted by Dr Toby Newstead and Dr Joey Crawford from the University of Tasmania, the panel included Adam Gowen from Country Universities Centre Southern Shoalhaven; Professor Amy Tian from Curtin University; Associate Professor Nathan Eva from Monash University; and Katherine Ellis, CEO of Leadership Victoria. 

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Andrew Crisp, AM, APM

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose Series, hosted by Peter Collins 

Welcome to the third episode of the series, "Navigating Challenges with Purpose," featuring Andrew Crisp AM APM, former Australian police officer, Emergency Management. 

Andrew Crisp has held several notable roles, including Deputy Commissioner in Victoria’s Police Force, part of the counter-terrorist unit at Vic Pol, service in Papua New Guinea, and participation in Australia’s peace-keeping mission in Timor-Leste. He was also a key leader in managing COVID-19 and Emergency Management in Victoria.

Over 30 years, he has worked to bridge gaps between various migrants and other communities in Victoria, solidifying his purpose as being a ‘connector’: building trust and reaching out, even to those with critical views of Victoria Police. 

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Dr Beth Jens

Leadership: Pivot to Purpose Series, hosted by Peter Collins 

Welcome to the second episode of the series, "The Foundation of Purpose," featuring Australian astronaut, Dr Beth Jens, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Engineer. 

Dr Jens, was instantly inspired when NASA came to her hometown of Geelong to talk about space when she was 16 years old, her life has never been the same since. She now works for NASA in the United States and has dedicated her working life to being an astronaut who will go on a mission to Mars. 

Beth holds purpose as a guide to her life. To quote JFK, “we do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard and because we need to push the limits of human possibilities to new frontiers – whether that be in space, or medical research or in the way we teach and inspire young people to realise their full potential and their purpose.”

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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Leadership: Pivot to Purpose featuring Catherine Liddle

*NEW SERIES* - Leadership: Pivot to Purpose Series, hosted by Peter Collins 

Welcome to the first episode of the series, "Purpose and Leadership," featuring Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, and Menzies Foundation Board Director.

An Arrernte/Luritja woman from Central Australia, Catherine's mission is of rich tapestry that culminates in traditions of Indigenous storytelling, kinship, and community, all foundational pillars of leadership and resilience for over 60,000 years.

“He had blue eyes.” This poignant memory, captures the lasting impression her grandfather had of the government official who took him away from his parents.

Despite this painful history, Catherine has found a profound purpose inspired by Aristotle's concept of human flourishing, a dedication and contribution that is deeply seeded in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience well-being and the full breadth of opportunities available in life. 

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In complexity, the anchor that ensures progress is made is the identification of a shared purpose, underpinned by the values and principles that enact that purpose. Often referred to as the ‘north star’, purpose galvanises action, creates the imperative and provides the context to reconcile what matters most. It is the thing that shapes who and what we want to become.

It is through this lens, the Leadership: Pivot to Purpose podcast series, hosted by Dr Peter Collins, will feature the perspectives of eight, multi-sector, influential figures, with each episode offering insights into how individuals navigate challenges and lead with courage, wisdom, and resilience.

From personal anecdotes to practical insights, this series promise to engage, enlighten, and empower listeners to embrace purpose-driven leadership in their own lives.

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Empowering Communities: Unleashing the Potential of Web3

Finance is one of the most powerful systems in the world. It can drive a community’s economic growth, create jobs, and support the development of housing and other crucial infrastructure. It can enable new and innovative sectors to flourish, and support communities, organisations, and households through crises or otherwise disruptive transitions.

Join us as we explore how Web3 can revolutionise community finance and challenge financial inequities.

What is Web3? Web3 is the next generation of the internet where individuals control their digital lives through blockchain technology, enabling secure and transparent interactions. 

Facilitated by Liz Gillies, CEO, Menzies Foundation, this podcast features insights from

• Joy Anderson, Founder and President of Criterion Institute;
• Michelle Baldwin, Senior Advisor at Community Foundations of Canada and contributor to SuperBenefit DAO; 
• Anna Powell, CEO of Collaboration for Impact.

Learn more -

REPORT: Designing Web3 Financial Innovations for Social Change

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This important work is powered by Menzies Foundation and in collaboration with Criterion Institute.

Working systemically, Menzies Foundation is committed to exploring the culture infrastructure and capability platform to build citizen leadership, resilience, and new ways of thinking to inform the development of governance and capital flows to support the agency and autonomy of communities to flourish.