2026 Maybanke Lecture

The Maybanke Fund, a Sub Fund of the Sydney Community Foundation, invites you to the 13th Annual Maybanke Lecture.

This year’s guest speaker is Romilly Madew AO, an internationally recognised leader in sustainable development, infrastructure, and the built environment, who has served as Chief Executive across major national organisations spanning industry, government, and the public good. She will speak on the topic: Changing Systems, Not Just Careers: Lessons in Leadership Across Government, Industry and Community

Throughout her career, Romilly has worked at the intersection of policy, practice and advocacy – shaping how sectors respond to complex challenges such as sustainability, resilience, and social impact. Her leadership has required influence beyond organisational boundaries, bringing together governments, businesses and communities to deliver change that endures.

In this Maybanke Lecture, Romilly will reflect on the practical realities of leading across sectors, the importance of networks and mentorship – including the influence of the women in her life and what it takes to build trust, align interests and achieve reform in environments where authority is shared rather than held. Her story offers insights into how purposeful leadership can shape systems, not just individual careers.

Romilly Madew AO
Romilly Madew AO is Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Australia, the peak body representing the engineering profession nationwide.

She previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Australia and, for 13 years, as Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, where she oversaw the expansion of the Green Star rating system into an internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable building and urban development.

Romilly was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019 for distinguished service to sustainable building and construction. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and a co-founder of the Minerva Network, supporting the development of elite Australian sportswomen. In 2025, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Sydney and a National Medal for her service to Surf Lifesaving.


For enquiries email or call the Sydney Community Foundation team at enquiries@sydcf.org.au or call 8030 7050.

The Fund honours the work of Maybanke Selfe Wolstenholme Anderson (1845-1927), women’s advocate and social reformer. This year it will be the 135th anniversary of Maybanke’s first public speech on 6 May 1891. This annual public lecture is held in memory of beloved aunt, friend and Chair of Sydney Community Foundation, Rosalind Maybanke Strong AM and to support the work of The Maybanke Fund.