Tools for Changemakers: Unlikely Allies

Make progress by working with people you disagree with. 

Creating change often requires us to work with people, organisations and institutions that do not share all of our values. This Tools for Changemakers workshop will explore how to collaborate across difference while staying clear on what matters most.

Kelly O’Shanassy and Victoria McKenzie-McHarg will help you decide when collaboration is worthwhile, find common ground and work through disagreement without losing sight of your goal. You’ll learn how to navigate compromise, criticism and competing priorities.

Drawing on the 2025 reforms to Australia’s national environment laws as a case study, Kelly will share what she learned from a process that was imperfect, contested and only moved forward once unlikely allies began working together.

Together, we will explore:

• Collaborative mindset - practical ways to approach relationships, tension and difference while staying focused on the bigger goal

• Shared interests and disagreement - finding common ground without needing to agree on everything

• Progress and compromise - working out where you can compromise and where you need to hold your ground

• Criticism and accountability - preparing for criticism and considering the perspectives of people who are not in the room

You’ll have the opportunity to chat with others, reflect on your own work and think through where collaboration could help move things forward. You’ll leave with practical approaches you can apply to relationships, projects and decisions where agreement is not guaranteed.

This is one of two special Tools for Changemakers sessions featuring guests from WELA’s There Will Be Dancing podcast. In her episode Looking Back, Kelly reflected on the hard choices, imperfect wins and strategic decisions involved in creating meaningful change. This is your chance to meet Kelly and ask your questions about what collaboration looks like when the stakes are high and agreement is not guaranteed.

You are also invited to meet Dr Yolanda Waters on Tuesday 15 September.

About the facilitators

Kelly O’Shanassy, Environmental Leader, Board Director and Executive Coach

Kelly O’Shanassy is one of Australia’s most recognised environmental leaders, having served as CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation for more than a decade. Across over 20 years of leadership spanning the not-for-profit, business and government sectors, Kelly has led transformational change through cross-sector collaboration, bringing together NGOs, businesses, unions and governments to secure policy and legislative reform, influence national conversations and create lasting impact. She now works as a Chair, Non-Executive Director and executive coach, helping leaders and organisations navigate complexity, strengthen governance and turn ambitious goals into meaningful change.

Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, WELA CEO

Victoria McKenzie-McHarg is one of Australia’s most respected and compelling voices on the critical intersection of climate action and gender equity. With nearly twenty years’ experience in climate campaigning and strategy, she has led efforts to make Australia’s response to the climate crisis more effective, inclusive, and just. Former Chair of the Climate Action Network Australia and current CEO of Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA), Victoria combines sharp strategic insight with deep experience supporting grassroots and community leaders. Her work reveals how advancing gender equity and climate justice go hand in hand, and how the leadership of women and gender-diverse people is driving the bold, collective action our planet urgently needs.

About Tools for Changemakers

Tools for Changemakers is a dynamic workshop series designed to equip you with the skills, tools and mindsets to lead with confidence, navigate change and build collective impact. Through virtual lunchtime sessions, expert facilitators guide you through practical strategies to strengthen your leadership, confidence and resilience.

• These sessions are designed for women and gender-diverse changemakers.

• For concession pricing (Volunteers/Unpaid/WELA Alum), use discount code CONCESSION for $15 off the full ticket price.

• This session is free for First Nations participants. Use discount code COMMUNITY to waive your ticket fee. If cost presents a barrier to attendance, please reach out to us at info@wela.org.au.

Please note:

• This session is designed to be interactive and participatory.

• This session is not recorded.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@wela.org.au