Climate change threatens to further entrench inequality in Australia, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Join us for a discussion with funders from the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network on how funding action on climate change, particularly in the economic recovery from COVID-19, can create jobs, restore the health of the land, and deliver co-benefits for a fairer Australia.

This webinar will commence with opening remarks from the CEO of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network, Amanda Martin OAM, on why climate change should matter to those who seek to reduce social inequality.

Eytan Lenko will speak about his Foundation’s commitment to spending down its corpus in 5-10 years and how funding a green recovery from COVID-19 will not only reduce our impact on the climate, but also help Australia become a more just society.

Finally, Hayley Morris, Executive Director of the Morris Group will share how funding can deliver co-benefits for people, our environment and the health of our agricultural systems.

The webinar will include plenty of time for questions from participants.

Panel:

Amanda Martin OAM – CEO of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network

Amanda Martin OAM is the CEO of the AEGN. She has worked in philanthropy for nearly a decade, having worked as Executive Officer for the Poola Foundation for four years before helping to establish the AEGN in 2009.

She has specialised in environment and Indigenous grantmaking and more recently on building the skills and knowledge of funders on environmental issues as well as building different forms of collaboration.

Amanda is a trained and skilled facilitator of groups and regularly uses this in her current role. Amanda has a background in biodiversity and protected area advocacy and management working in both the public and community sector. She was the Executive Officer of the Victoria National Parks Association, and the Head of Policy and Planning at Parks Victoria. She has a degree in Zoology, post graduate qualifications in Environment Studies.

Hayley Morris - Executive Director, The Morris Group

As Executive Director of her Family Office, the Morris Group, Hayley plays a leading role in the Group’s businesses and investments which span hospitality, tourism, aviation, technology and agriculture. Hayley also leads her family’s philanthropy by heading up the Morris Family Foundation, supporting organisations working across the areas of environment, food systems, equality, international development, and mental health.

Hayley previously co-founded environmental non-profit Sustainable Table and a software and consultancy business, Impact Sustainability. She remains the Chair of Sustainable Table and is a founding board member of the Impact Club. Hayley has previously sat on the board of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN). Through her board roles, Hayley has a strong focus on advancing regenerative agriculture in Australia.

Hayley has a Bachelor of International Business from RMIT University in Melbourne, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and a Diploma in Natural Health.

Eytan Lenko – Chair, Lenko Family Foundation

Eytan Lenko has a successful business and entrepreneurship background and is a long running advocate for strong action on climate change.

Eytan was a founder of Outware Mobile, one of Australia’s fastest growing tech companies which was acquired in 2017.

He is the Chair of Beyond Zero Emissions, an Australian-based, internationally recognised climate and energy solutions think tank that brings engineers and scientists together to research and plan for Australia’s transition to zero emissions across the economy and our regions.

He recently co-founded Infrastructure Access Managers which is a fund manager that aims to decarbonise Australian infrastructure.

Eytan is a director of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network and also sits on the board of the Climate Mobilization, a US based organisation that assists cities around America to rapidly transition to zero-emissions.

Eytan is actively involved in the startup ecosystem both as an investor and a mentor. He is currently a mentor for the 2020 Startmate climate cohort.