Menzies Leadership Forum

As the legal sector rapidly evolves, leaders are faced with difficult decisions about ethics, technology, and tradition. Episode three will explore how courageous leadership can help reshape legal frameworks to keep pace with social and technological advancements. From the implications of artificial intelligence to innovations that improve access to justice, this episode will explore how purpose-driven leadership can balance digital transformation with social responsibility. Key Themes & Talking Points: How technology is reshaping the legal landscape — and what this means for leadership. The courage required to challenge traditional legal frameworks and embrace innovation. Balancing technological advancements with ethical practice and justice. How leaders can embed purpose and trust in digital transformation strategies. Dr Peter Collins from Peter Collins and Associates: Terri Mottershead from Mottershead International Pty Ltd 

Reconciliation requires leadership that is bold, thoughtful, and committed to creating meaningful change. Episode two will explore how courageous leadership can foster new approaches to Indigenous engagement, including strengthening partnerships between public, private, and community sectors. Reflecting on the importance of building trust, this exploration will promote cultural understanding, and amplify Indigenous voices to create positive social impact. Key Themes & Talking Points: How public and private sectors can collaborate to advance Indigenous reconciliation. The courage required to challenge stereotypes and build inclusive frameworks. The power of Indigenous knowledge in addressing contemporary societal issues. Strategies for embedding Indigenous voices in leadership and decision-making. Dr Peter Collins from Peter Collins and Associates: Dr Terri Janke from Terri Janke and Company 

How do we build the courage to challenge tradition and embrace new ways of thinking? Episode one will explore how leaders can step away from established norms to create more adaptable, purpose-driven institutions. Reflecting on how higher education, governance, and leadership frameworks are evolving, this episode will examine how leaders can embrace disruption while maintaining a clear sense of purpose. Expect insights on the risks, resistance, and rewards that come with leading differently in a complex world. Key Themes & Talking Points: How global shifts are impacting educational institutions and leadership in academia. The role of universities in fostering civic engagement and social impact. Courageous decision-making in navigating the tension between tradition and innovation. Insights into how education leaders can prepare students for complexity and uncertainty. Dr Peter Collins from Peter Collins and Associates: Dr Rufus Black, University of Tasmania 

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good, host Michelle Bloom speaks with Jennifer Robertson about the board's role in sustaining cultural and ethical integrity, beyond compliance. Jennifer discusses the importance of boards aligning culture with corporate purpose and values, shifting from “can we” to “should we” in contemporary governance. She shares insights on how boards can influence organisational culture, including examples from the recent Qantas culture report, and the role of leadership in driving cultural change. Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Jennifer Robertson from Board Matters

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good, host Michelle Bloom speaks with Quentin Jones from Culture Capital about addressing and transforming toxic cultures. Quentin explores the role of ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability in turning around toxic environments. He discusses why focusing only on “bad apples” doesn’t solve the issue and how leaders can create sustainable change by addressing the wider organisational culture and relational dynamics. Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Quentin Jones from Culture Capital 

Matt Howell, former CEO of Tomago Aluminium, shares his transformative journey of cultural change within the aluminium smelting industry. He highlights how a focus on care and safety led to exceptional employee welfare and efficiency, making Tomago the largest and most effective smelter in Australasia. Howell discusses the importance of leadership in driving sustainability and integrating clean energy initiatives while navigating tough challenges. His insights emphasize the need for a supportive culture that prioritizes collective good, accountability, and proactive communication.

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good, host Michelle Bloom speaks with Siobhan Toohill, a corporate sustainability expert, about strategies that benefit shareholders, customers, and society. Siobhan explores the alignment of ethical business practices and profitability, the rise of ESG factors in investment decisions, and how sustainability influences organisational culture. She also discusses the moral obligation of businesses to address social justice issues and the impact on corporate culture. Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Siobhan Toohill a corporate sustainability specialist 

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good, host Michelle Bloom speaks with Amie Wallis, Chief of People and Culture at the Australian Olympic Committee, about their cultural transformation journey over the past 8 years. Facing significant challenges, the AOC conducted a comprehensive review leading to reforms in governance, people development, transparency, and accountability. The result? A cultural shift that has positively impacted both the organisation and the broader Olympic community. Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Amie Wallis from the Australian Olympics Committee

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good podcast, host Michelle Bloom speaks to Professor Kristy Muir is the CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation and a Professor of Social Policy at UNSW Sydney Business School on how leaders can cultivate and embed social value into their organisational cultures.   There’s a growing societal expectation that organisations – and organisational leaders – should take a more active role in creating social value, not just for shareholders or customers, but for everyone, particularly those most marginalised.   Given trust is at the core of social license to operate and building social value, we will explore the erosion of trust by many Australian organisations and what leaders can do to increase the trust, confidence and the social value of their organisations.   Kristy shares her insights on how senior leaders need to balance their fiduciary responsibility, keeping the organisational purpose at the core, the role of values and how to balance social responsibility in economically difficult times.   Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Kristy Muir from Paul Ramsay Foundation

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good podcast, host Michelle Bloom speaks to Somali Cerise on the art and science of measuring culture. We explore the tools and metrics available to measure culture, off the shelf options, versus a research approach and if it is indeed possible to measure organisational culture at all. We discuss if we are all on the same page in what we mean by culture, what is being measured and the purpose and value of measurement.   Shareholders, investors, regulators are all interested in understanding the culture of an organisation, as poor culture very often leads to poor outcomes for investors and consumers, it impacts on the integrity of the Australian financial markets, and erodes investor, consumer trust and confidence, impacting the wider eco system in which it operates.   Somali shares her practical experience in how to measure and understand this mercurial concept of culture.  Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Somali Cerise from Elizabeth Broderick & Co