Join us for this inaugural conversation event, marking the launch of the Small Giants Academy series, The Next Economy.

Small Giants Academy exists to move people and capital to the next economy. Our vision for this future is one that supports human prosperity while living in harmony with the natural world. But what does the next economy actual mean? What does it look like? What does it feel like? How will we know if we’ve arrived there? And what economic paradigm are we leaving behind?

It is worth remembering the words of Bobby Kennedy more than 50 years ago. Whilst running for President in 1968, Bobby laid out the clear limitations of our focus on economic growth as the only measure of success “... the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.”

We have known for a long time that economic growth as the sole focus of public policy has always been a horrendously narrow prism. And the severe costs of this singular measure of success are now fully apparent; including increasing inequality, a mental health crisis, the increasingly precarious nature of work, a collapse in trust in institutions of all kinds, political fragmentation, and of course our climate and biodiversity crisis.

Two things become crystal clear. First, our currently economic paradigm is at breaking point. And second, our economic history tells us that we have transitioned before. It’s time to transition again. We need to put human wellbeing and environmental sustainability at the very core of our economic philosophy. Only from this starting point can we explore the role of individuals, markets and the state.

Join CEO of Small Giants Academy Mele-Ane Havea and CEO of Impact Investment Group Dan Madhavan as they share with us their visions for the next economy; exploring the leadership transition that is being made and still needs to be made, what it means for the way we live, work and connect to each other, and how we can all become part of its design.

About Mele-Ane Havea:

Mele-Ane is the CEO of Small Giants Academy. She has a varied background, from corporate law to community and human rights law, with an Oxford MBA thrown in for good measure. At the Skoll Centre for Social entrepreneurship, Mele-Ane became enamoured by the idea of social and responsible business, and the power of story-telling.

About Dan Madhavan:

Daniel Madhavan is the CEO of Impact Investment Group and a longtime leader in Australia’s impact investing movement. He had a distinguished 12-year career at JB Were and Goldman Sachs JB Were, in roles including Chief Operating Officer, Head of NSW and Acting CEO. He was the first CEO of Impact Investing Australia.

About our host, Berry Liberman:

Berry is the co-founder and Creative Director of Small Giants, the Publisher of Dumbo Feather and a mum to the three cutest kids in the world. Berry loves the garden at work. Especially the roses. A few years back, Berry used to write screenplays in LA and directed a few short films but decided to come home, get married to Danny and start Small Giants.

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Concession Rate:

We offer concession rates to support those who are unemployed, studying or working for non-profits and B Corporations. Please check out using the concession ticketing option.

Accessibility:
If you require Auslan Interpretation, please contact us at info@smallgiants.com.au at least 2 weeks prior to the event. We will be very happy to arrange this for you.