Leadership Oration 2026 | Leadership Victoria
Description
Join us for the Leadership Oration 2026 to hear from outstanding leaders from the Victorian community as they share their leadership experiences and insights.
This year, we are honoured to welcome Ian Bird, CEO of Community Foundations Australia, who will be delivering the Oration on the topic: “On the rise of Australian communities, and what that means for contemporary leadership”.
As communities increasingly shape solutions to complex social challenges, this Oration will reflect on what leaders are being called to do differently; from place based leadership and trust building, to collaboration across sectors and networks.
He will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ben Rodgers and including Giselle Pinto, Andrew Eales, and Ian Bird.
Speakers:
Ian Bird, CEO, Community Foundations Australia
Andrew Eales (LBWR '12), CEO, Ballarat Foundation
Giselle Pinto (WCLP ’21), General Manager, Engagement, Greater Melbourne Foundation
Moderated by Ben Rodgers (WCLP ’22), Executive Officer, Inner North Foundation
We encourage you to bring your family, friends and colleagues to hear these outstanding leaders speak, and to participate in an interactive Q&A. Light canapés and beverages will be available during networking time.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday 19 March 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Venue: Speakers Corner at Gate 8, 88 Jolimont Street, East Melbourne
Registration Information:
Please select your ticket category when registering for the event on Humanitix. Spaces are limited, so we encourage early registration.
Concession and Alumni Ticket Details:
Students: Full-time students with a valid student concession card.
Seniors: People who are 65 years old or older and have a senior card.
Pensioners: People with a valid pension card.
Health Care Card Holders: People with a health care card.
Leadership Victoria Alumni: Members of the Leadership Victoria Alumni network.
Victorian Regional Leadership Alumni: Graduates of leadership programs delivered by nine place-based organisations across regional Victoria.
Join us to hear from leaders at the forefront of community-led philanthropy and place-based change, and reflect on what the rise of Australian communities means for contemporary leadership. Places are limited, so register early!
Lineup
Ian Bird
Ian Bird is the CEO of Community Foundations Australia, leading a national network advancing community-led philanthropy. He previously served as CEO of Community Foundations of Canada and as Chair of the Global Fund for Community Foundations, with a career focused on collective action, network leadership and enabling community capability at scale. Ian is also a former Olympian, having represented Canada in hockey at the Seoul and Sydney Olympic Games. With Ian concluding his time at CFA in May before returning to Canada, this Oration is a timely chance to hear his reflections on what Australian communities are rising to do and what that asks of leaders.
Ben Rodgers (WCLP '22)
Ben Rodgers is the Executive Officer of Inner North Foundation and a Williamson Community Leadership Program Fellow, with a strong focus on community-led philanthropy and place-based impact. Ben leads a foundation serving some of Melbourne's most diverse communities, navigating complex questions about equity, voice, and who gets to shape local solutions. He will moderate the post-Oration discussion.
Giselle Pinto (WCLP '21)
Giselle Pinto is the General Manager, Community Engagement at Greater Melbourne Foundation, with extensive experience across philanthropy, partnerships and the for-purpose sector. Giselle works across a vast geographic footprint, building relationships between donors, communities, and grassroots organisations. Her role sits right at that intersection of trust-building and resourcing community leadership.
Andrew Eales (LBWR '12)
Andrew Eales is the CEO of the Ballarat Foundation, the region’s largest community-focused philanthropic organisation. Andrew’s work demonstrates how community foundations operate outside major cities, often in places where they're the only permanent philanthropic infrastructure, and where collaboration across sectors is essential.
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