SYDNEY FPA Keynote Series - May 2026 -In the lead-up to the NSW election, will your cause be on the agenda?

Elections don’t just change who governs. They reset power, priorities, narratives and the pathways to influence. With the NSW election due in March 2027, this keynote is about what smart not-for-profit leaders should be doing now to shape outcomes, not scrambling once the campaign formally begins.

In this timely session, political strategist Neil Pharaoh will take you beyond Government Engagement 101 and 102 and into the next layer: how to operate in a constrained, post-COVID environment where budgets are tighter, demand is rising, and government is increasingly risk-averse.

Drawing on Tanck’s latest whitepaper and real-world experience delivering reform and funding across Australia, Neil will unpack how influence actually works in the lead-up to an election: how parties form positions, how departments “future-proof”, what MPs are listening for, and how to position your organisation as credible, relevant and hard to ignore regardless of who wins.

As a former Marginal Seat Candidate, Neil will show you how to stress-test your current NSW strategy, re-map your influence landscape, and identify early, practical moves that build momentum before everyone else piles in. Whether you’re pursuing funding, policy reform, or deeper government partnerships, this session is designed to help you move early, move smart, and avoid the common traps that quietly erode credibility with ministers, MPs and departments.

Key takeaways:

1. Reading the NSW pre-election environment properly: what’s already in motion and where the real leverage sits

2. Refreshing your stakeholder map: who matters now, who will matter next, and where relationships need re-investment

3. Building relevance fast: how to cut through with decision-makers when attention is scarce and competition is fierce

Now is the moment to sharpen your strategy, not just update your contacts list. Don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead — while others are still assuming the campaign hasn’t started.

Secure your spot today!

The Sydney May keynote will be expertly facilitated by:

Neil Pharoah, Co-Founder & Director, Tanck

Neil is a campaigning guru with a depth of experience across social purpose, government, public policy, and advocacy organisations. Having led corporate affairs, business development and marketing teams, he has been the driving force behind leading social policy and advocacy campaigns, as well as philanthropic and development work.

After many years working across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors, both in Australia and internationally, Neil co-founded Tanck, a government engagement consultancy firm. In just 4 years, Tanck has helped 50+ social sector organisations build capacity and capability in government engagement and achieve over $2bn in funding, funding commitments and funding outcomes.

Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

EVENT DETAILS: 

• Date: Thursday 7 May 2025

• Time: 11.30am – 1pm 

• Location: Cliftons Event Space, Level 13 - 60 Margaret St, Sydney

PRICE: 

• FREE for FPA members (FPA Leadership HUB; Coaching; Associate Members only)

• $74 for Guests/Non-members (including lunch - following the keynote)

• $49 for Guests/Non-members (excluding lunch)

Register/purchase your tickets below. We look forward to you joining us.