Concerned about climate change but aren’t sure how to get started? The Climate Change Masterclass is for you! Join passionate funders from across Australia to learn about climate change; be inspired by experienced funders who will share their lessons developed over years of grantmaking; and leave with some really practical ways to get started funding the issue that will define our generation.

Co-hosted by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) and Philanthropy Australia this is an event for new and established climate change funders. Don’t miss it!

In the Climate Change Masterclass we will cover:

Why now is a critical moment for climate action in Australia and globally;
How climate change will - and already is - impacting other areas of philanthropic giving such as international development and young people;
Take a deep dive into how climate change philanthropy has made a major impact recently using real-world case studies;
Hear from experienced climate change funders on the strategy that drives their giving, what they have learnt along the way, and their tips for getting started; and
We will end by taking a look at the Climate Change Strategic Funding Framework and unpack how to use it as a tool to develop your funding strategy – whether you are a new or existing funder.

Moderators

Daisy Barham - Environmental Philanthropy Manager, AEGN

For over 10 years Daisy worked for state, national and international organisations dedicated to acting on climate change and protecting our natural world.

Daisy held a range of advocacy and campaign roles where she has led a team of campaigners, organisers and policy officers to take on the key threats to nature. These included climate change, tree clearing and deforestation, coal and gas mining, and overfishing.

Having worked for the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales, 350 Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Daisy has experience working with a range of small to medium environmental organisations with local, state and national reach.

Daisy has been Councillor at the Australian Conservation Foundation since 2015 and holds a Bachelor of Health Science in nutrition from the Queensland University of Technology.

Jessica Panegyres - Environmental Philanthropy Manager, AEGN

Jessica’s deep commitment to nature protection and climate justice has animated her working life. She has over a decade’s experience working across environmental advocacy, law, policy and education.

For the past seven years, Jessica has worked in Australia and globally as a campaigner and political advocate for climate and nature, across issues including forests, the Great Barrier Reef and coal. She has driven collaborative work in these roles, most recently in the National Deforestation Alliance while Forests Campaign Manager with The Wilderness Society.

Prior to campaign roles with Greenpeace and The Wilderness Society, Jessica worked at the University of Western Australia’s law faculty and as a parliamentary advisor. She holds first class honours degrees in Law and Political Science from the University of Western Australia, and a Masters Degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

Panelists

Clare Ainsworth Herschell- Co-founder, Groudswell

Clare is a connector and community builder who aims to educate, inspire and activate. Previously, Clare was Next Generation Development Manager for the Art Gallery of NSW, and she is now focussing her energies on the climate crisis. Clare co-founded the Climate Council Heron Island research trip with Anna Rose in 2017, and subsequently the pair have co-founded Groundswell. Groundswell is Australia’s first giving circle funding strategic, high impact climate advocacy.

Clare has over 12 years experience in not-for-profit development and philanthropy. Her work promotes the idea that ‘giving’ comes in many currencies, and helps people to harness their own unique power and purpose. Clare is a Director of the Art Gallery of NSW Foundation, and on the Advisory Council for the Sydney Women’s Fund. She is also a member of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network and the global Climate Reality Leadership Corps. She was also a founding member of New Gen at Philanthropy Australia, and a delegate of the Nexus Global Youth Summit.

Sue McKinnon - Director, McKinnon Family Foundation

Sue McKinnon is a director of the McKinnon Family Foundation a private ancillary fund which directs much of its funding towards advocacy in the areas of climate change, energy markets and human rights, both here and abroad. A background in finance, small business, teaching and overseas development combined with a commitment to peace and social justice, Sue is not just a funder, but an advocate and mentor who stands on the frontline with communities bearing the brunt of climate change. Within its climate change and energy focus, the Foundation has allocated funding to a range of NGOs to cover areas as diverse as core administrative costs, particular staff positions such as campaigners or economists, media and communications strategies, legal cases, research projects, collaboration, publications, training programs, equipment, community development and events as well as support via impact investments. Both Sue and husband John use their investments as much as their giving to make the social, economic, legal and political changes necessary to achieve effective climate action.

Martyn Myer AO - Businessman and philanthropist

Martyn Myer is a prominent Melbourne businessman and philanthropist with over 25 years of experience in executive and non-executive board and chair roles in private and public companies, not-for-profit organisations and philanthropic foundations.

Martyn has a long history of service to the University of Melbourne. He served on Council for 11 years from 2009 to 2019 in his final years as the Deputy Chancellor. He was a member of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management. He was the Deputy Chair of the University of Melbourne Believe philanthropic Campaign Board, having served on the Board since its inception. This campaign has raised over $1 billion.

Martyn is a founder and Chairman of Cogstate Ltd, the ASX-listed commercial company which is now the global market leader in cognitive testing software for pharmaceutical drug development. Martyn is a member of the Board of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Victorian Government’s Board for the new Fishermans Bend commercialisation and innovation precinct.

He was President of The Myer Foundation 2009-2020 and stepped down as Chairman of Myer Family Investments Pty Ltd in October 2016. From 2004 until 2007, Martyn was President of the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine after serving as Vice-President from 2000 to 2004 and Treasurer from 1992 to 2000. He was a Director of the Florey Neuroscience Institutes from 2007 to 2009.

In June 2008, Martyn was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for service to business and the community, particularly through contributions to medical research and the establishment of the Florey Neuroscience Institute and through executive and philanthropic roles with a range of organisations.

Martyn obtained a Bachelor of Engineering from Swinburne University in 1980, a Master of Engineering Science from Monash University in 1989 and a Master of Science in Management from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA in 1990.

Jane Thomas - Program Manager, The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund.

Jane has worked across the for-purpose, government and consulting sectors for 25 years. Prior to The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund, Jane was Executive Officer of Aussie Farmers Foundation, and before that worked in strategic communications and media management. During her career, Jane has worked in a range of non-profit organisations including headspace, SunSmart at Cancer Council Victoria, the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and youth homelessness charity Ladder. Jane has a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University and a Diploma of Business (Governance).