Leaders on … leadership for our times

With the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 rapidly approach, Giving News is contacting speakers and leaders for their thoughts on the topic of “leadership for our times”.

Each day we see more global and local news that confirms the urgent need for a robust discussion about leadership in a time of polycrisis. So, what do leaders think?

CEO of the International Women’s Development Agency and recently appointed Philanthropy Australia Board Member, Nayomi Kannangara says:

“Leadership for our times must be courageous, accountable and collective. We need to move away from models rooted in control and certainty, and embrace ways of leading that are relational, values-driven and deeply committed to justice. This means redistributing power, listening with humility, and backing those closest to the challenges with the resources and trust they need to lead.”

Jim Phillipson is Strategic Director and Chair of Rendere and Nature Impact Collective. He says:

“The kind of leadership we need now is relational, courageous and intergenerational. We must back those with deep knowledge of place and commit to the work of care, repair and renewal. That means holding trust, resourcing both emerging and established leaders and strengthening the infrastructure which supports them. We must invest forward into the systems future generations will inherit.”

Dr Bhiamie Williamson, Senior Lecturer, National Indigenous Disaster Resilience says:

“The world continues to be confronted by increasingly complex challenges such as climate change, international security, and the continued rise of autocratic regimes. Confronting and overcoming these challenges will require a concerted effort from brave individuals and organisations that are empathetic, strategic and determined, those willing to step into leadership, not away from it.”

Michelle Gortan, CEO of the Macdoch Foundation says:

“Leadership in philanthropy is as much an art as a science. Philanthropy is a highly intuitive and relational exercise, and leadership in this space requires leaning heavily into complexity and being prepared to act quickly when necessary, but also doing the slow, hard work that it takes to make change.”

Calling all leaders! Express your interest today to attend the Philanthropy Leadership Summit in Canberra on 6 August 2025.