Menzies Foundation

The Menzies Foundation is a non-partisan philanthropic foundation based in Melbourne, Australia, established in 1979. It describes itself as a 'system entrepreneur' that convenes practice, insight and influence to build the leadership capability Australia needs. The Foundation's premise is that leadership is not a position but a shared capability and obligation that can be developed, shared and applied across communities, organisations and systems. Its work supports people to act with purpose, lead with integrity and work across difference, in response to what it calls a polycrisis of climate disruption, political instability and entrenched disadvantage. The Foundation operates through three connected dimensions: Incubate, Insight and Influence. It runs national and global initiatives. A flagship global initiative is 'Leadership in the AI era', a partnership with the Aspen Institute Socrates Program running from 2025 to 2026, which explores purpose, principle and human agency in a world shaped by artificial intelligence through expert-moderated seminars for cross-sector leaders. Domestically, it launched 'Reimagining a Civil Australia' in Ballarat in February 2026, a national initiative to strengthen civility, trust and the capability to engage constructively across difference, contributing to national civic infrastructure. The Foundation is led by Chief Executive Officer Liz Gillies, with a team including Rohan Martyres (Director, Strategy and Partnerships), Sarah Jenkins (Director, Communications and Engagement), Trudy Morrison (Operations Manager) and Natasha Eskinja (Digital Communications Manager). It is governed by a board chaired by Peter Jopling AM KC, with directors Naina Subberwal Batra, Kathryn Greiner AO, Harvey Kalman, Tony Surtees, Samuel Richards, Matt Tyler and Rachael McLennan. The Foundation's legacy is tied to Sir Robert Menzies (1894–1978), Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, who exemplified leadership qualities such as integrity and clarity that the Foundation seeks to advance for 21st-century challenges.

The Menzies Foundation was established in 1979 in Melbourne, Australia, as a non-partisan philanthropic foundation. It is named after Sir Robert Menzies (1894–1978), Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, whose leadership qualities—integrity, clarity and others—the Foundation cites as inspiration for addressing complex 21st-century challenges. Over its history, the Foundation has supported leadership development and scholarship, and in recent years has repositioned itself as a 'system entrepreneur' convening practice, insight and influence to build Australia's leadership capability. Its current work is organised around three connected dimensions: Incubate, Insight and Influence. In 2025–2026, it launched a global initiative, 'Leadership in the AI era', in partnership with the Aspen Institute Socrates Program, and in February 2026 it launched the national initiative 'Reimagining a Civil Australia' in Ballarat. The Foundation continues to operate from Melbourne with a dedicated team and board.

• 2026

  Launched national initiative 'Reimagining a Civil Australia' in Ballarat, February 2026.

• 2025

  Launched global initiative 'Leadership in the AI era' with Aspen Institute Socrates Program.

• 1979

  Menzies Foundation established in Melbourne, Australia.

Non-partisan philanthropic foundation fostering outstanding leadership for the greater good; a system entrepreneur convening practice, insight and influence.

• Leadership in the AI era

  A global initiative with the Aspen Institute Socrates Program (2025–2026) exploring purpose, principle and human agency in the AI era through expert-moderated seminars.

• Reimagining a Civil Australia

  A national initiative launched in Ballarat, February 2026, to strengthen civility, trust and constructive engagement across difference.

• Complexity Leadership Lab

  A program addressing cascading, interconnected change and the need for distributed capability and collective judgement.

1. 1Home | Menzies Foundationmenziesfoundation.org.au
2. 2About | Menzies Foundationmenziesfoundation.org.au
3. 3Reimagining a Civil Australia | Menzies Foundationmenziesfoundation.org.au
4. 4Leadership in the AI Era | Menzies Foundationmenziesfoundation.org.au
5. 5Menzies Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org