A 5-week hybrid program for board members and executives ready to move beyond compliance and govern with both rigour and strategic purpose.
The world has changed - the growth of AI, competing stakeholder expectations, climate, politics - and now boards need to adapt. Modern governance demands more than just focussing on compliance. It requires the strategic vision to navigate emerging risks, engage stakeholders effectively and, crucially, align performance with purpose.
Through this comprehensive program, you'll gain both the essential foundations of organisational governance and the strategic frameworks to lead with purpose.
We combine the rigour of traditional governance training with the critical perspectives needed for today's complex business landscape — elevating purpose and stakeholders as central to good decision-making.
“Having done the program, I can say if you care deeply about your work and your organisation, believe in the value of what you do, then this is the program for you. It is practical and inspirational for learning how to lead better, how to think more deeply, how to achieve purpose. – Angela, 2025
Now you can develop the governance capability expected of modern board directors.
There are limited spaces available with the next intake commencing on 11 May 2026. Have questions about the program? Book a call with our team here.
Our curriculum builds on essential foundations of governance and compliance, then extends to leading practices — integrating stakeholders, protecting purpose and leading systems change. We will help you build the skills required for purpose-driven boards.
Throughout the program you will hear from a team of highly experienced facilitators and guest speakers, led by Small Giants CFO, Chief Investment Officer and Board Member, Francie Doolan, and B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Chair of the Board, Mele-Ane Havea. Francie and Mele-Ane each have over 20 years’ experience reporting to Board Directors and Board sub-committees (Governance, Finance, Audit, Risk, Investment) of ASX listed, not-for-profit and for- purpose private companies.
Our unique program also gives you access to guest speakers speakers from around the world. Previous speakers have included Lorna Davis, former CEO and Chairwoman of Danone North America, Jay Coen Gilbert, Co-Founder B-Lab and Nicky Sparshott, Global Chief of Transformation for Unilever.
“Through exposure to B-Corp pioneers and practitioners, we were immersed in profoundly new, even radical, ways of leading. The intellectual stimulus and practical toolkit of this course will by necessity shift how I reflect on my own performance as a director. Now I can confidently realise my leadership strengths and proactively identify where I can add value to the organisations I care about.” – Jane, 2025
Have questions about the program? Book a call with our team here.
Our Governing for Purpose program is trusted by leaders from corporates, small and medium businesses, B-Corps, Not For Profit's and impact-driven organisations. It delivers practical training for participants across all industries and sectors, including:
You will have the opportunity to assess your personal boardroom effectiveness, culminating in an individualised Board Development Plan aligned to your specific organisational context and governance challenges.
“It expertly balances big ideas with practical application, offering deep insights into director duties and responsibilities. This program isn't just about professional development; it's a profound human growth experience that equips leaders to navigate the complexities of purpose-driven governance in the Next Economy. It's undoubtedly one of the most impactful investments I've made in my professional journey.” – Kate, 2024
If you're looking for governance training that goes beyond compliance to deliver genuine strategic value, reach out to our programs team to discuss how Governing for Purpose aligns with your professional development needs.
Gayle and her Global Leadership Foundation co-founder, Malcolm Lazenby, are passionate about and committed to making a positive difference to people, organisations and communities – both locally and globally. They each bring over 30 years of experience and internationally recognised expertise in developing, strengthening and transforming individuals, teams, organisations and communities.
As a ‘for purpose’ organisation and a certified B Corp, Global Leadership Foundation, uses its business as a “force for good”, placing its profit each year into a philanthropic fund for the development of leaders in community. It’s pro-bono and low bono work also strengthens and supports individuals, organisations and communities to build compassionate and sustainable approaches to leadership and life.
Global Leadership Foundation along with its Global Fellows, works with boards, and senior leaders all over the world in a range of areas, including: transformational leadership and change in individuals and organisations, strategic planning and development, emotional health and leadership resilience, leading through facilitating, strengthening collaboration, and board and executive mentoring and coaching.
Lydia is a Conscious Leadership Facilitator. Her professional background is in executive arts leadership, festival curation and producing for theatre and film, in both urban and remote communities. She was previously the dual recipient of the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship and the Australia Council for the Arts Community Arts and Cultural Development Fellowship, where she formed much of the work she does today in facilitating conscious leadership, spiritual direction and next economy transitions for both companies and individuals.
Lydia has a BA in Social Sciences and is currently undertaking post-graduate studies in theology. She enjoys a continued arts practice as a singer/songwriter and freelance writer, creating two back to back albums True North and The Narrows in 2019–21. Lydia loves to enjoy her free time either in the ocean, church or the bush, and outside of her work she enjoys a simple, quiet life with her partner and two children.
Danny is co-founder and the Executive Chair of Small Giants. Danny was the inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence at RMIT, the founder and former CEO of Engineers Without Borders Australia and is the co-founder and Chair of the Impact Investment Group. He has founded over a dozen for profit and non profit organisations, as well as non-profit boards and advisories boards including the Jewish Museum of Australia, Stand Up, Smiling Mind, The Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan and Toniic. Danny has been recognised through many awards including a Churchill Fellowship, RMIT Alumnus of the Year, EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year, UN PRI Social Investment Pioneer and the Medal of the Order of Australia.
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Kaj is the Director of the Small Giants Academy Action Labs, where he leads the incubation and development of new initiatives. This has included the creation of Regen Melbourne, launching B Corporation in our region, bringing the School of Life to Australia and co-creating the Mastery of Business and Empathy and Impact Safari. He is a guide on a number of the SGA programs including Impact Safari Scandinavia: the Future of Cities.
Dr Tim Dean is Senior Philosopher at The Ethics Centre and hold the Manos Chair in Ethics. He has a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of New South Wales on the evolution of morality and specialises in ethics, critical thinking and public philosophy. He is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney and the author of How We Became Human published by Pan Macmillan. He is the recipient of the Australasian Association of Philosophy Media Professionals’ Award for his work on philosophy in the public sphere and teaches philosophy, ethics and critical thinking to children through Primary Ethics and in high schools around Australia. He has delivered keynotes and workshops across Australia and the Asia Pacific for the likes of Facebook, Commonwealth Bank, Aesop, Clayton Utz, Art Gallery of NSW, the Sydney Opera House and the University of Sydney.
Governing for Purpose provides a comprehensive governance framework, combining essentials with strategic vision and insight to help you develop your Next Economy Board Development Plan. We'll cover a broad range of topics, including:
“I gained a great deal from participating in this course: new knowledge, insights, questions and inspiration. I will carry this with me both as a CEO supporting to and working with a Board, as well as a Board Director in my own right.’ – Zoe 2025
Download the brochure to explore the full program:
A passionate and experienced governance professional, Mele-Ane’s work explores the intersection of cultural wisdom, purpose-led business, and the “next economy,” and believes in the immense power of storytelling for change. Mele-Ane holds an MBA from Oxford, where she was a fellow of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. She also has an LLB/BA from Monash University.
Mele has over 20 years of experience reporting to Boards and Board sub-committees with over 13 years of experience as a non-executive Director of Boards. Her experience spans ASX-listed companies, not-for-profits and for-purpose organisations across a wide range of sectors.
Mele-Ane’s professional background spans the areas of corporate law, human rights and community law, leadership development, strategy, operations, investment management and media. She has worked in Australia (predominantly based in Melbourne and the Kimberley) and overseas (the Netherlands, the UK and the UAE).
Prior to taking time to care for her young children, Mele-Ane was the founding CEO of Small Giants Academy for 2 years during its establishment. Prior to that, Mele-Ane held various positions across the Small Giants impact investment family office including co-CEO, strategy and portfolio manager, and general manager of Dumbo Feather. Mele-Ane began her career in law, working at Clayton Utz in Australia in corporate law, including governance advisory work and then for international French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel, supporting their expansion into the United Arab Emirates.
Mele-Ane is currently the co-Chair of B Lab Aotearoa Australia & New Zealand and founding Board member of Regen Melbourne.
Prior to that Mele-Ane was a Director of the Impact Investment Group (impact fund manager), Tolu - Te Pae ki te Rangi, an investment fund using Maori values and principles to invest in communities, where she served as interim Chair. She also sat on the Investment Committee for Small Giants Family Office and The School of Life, a board she also chaired, finally she was also Company Secretary of the UN Principles for Social Investment.
Mele-Ane has a Bachelor of Arts (Indigenous Studies) and a Bachelor of Laws, in addition to a Masters of Business Administration from Said Business School, Oxford University where she was a Skoll Associate Fellow.
Francie is passionate about using storytelling, education, business and finance to accelerate the transition to a more socially equitable and environmentally regenerative world.
CEO and CFO with 25 years of experience reporting to Boards of ASX listed, not-for-profit and private organisations across funds management, investment management, financial services, property, mining, construction, education, health and arts and culture.
Board Chair and Non-Executive Director with 13 years of experience on Boards of not-for-profit and private organisations across funds management, retail, education, health, arts and culture.
Current Governance roles:
Board Chair - Small Giants Academy Governor - WWF Australia
Board Director and People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee - RIAA (AFSL)
Advisory Board - Good&Proper
Advisory Council - Unless Financial
Board Director - Impact Funds Management (AFSL)
Board Director - SG Catalyst Foundation
Previous Governance roles:
Chair Governance Committee - RIAA
Board Director - Sentient Impact Capital
Board Director - B Lab Australia & NZ
Board Director - Northstar impact
Board Director - TOM Organic
Finance & Risk Committee - Our Watch
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee - Our Place (St Kilda Mums)
Francie has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), and is also a Chartered Accountant (CA) and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors course and AICD Boardroom Mastery course. Francie is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and APS College of Organisational Psychologists. She is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing a Master of Psychology (Organisational).
We offer flexible pricing structures to support different individual contexts. Please get in touch with us to discuss pricing further - you can book a call with our team here.
— Gayle Hardie, Global Leadership Foundation
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Apply to secure your place in the program, or reach out to chat to our programs team about how Governing for Purpose can enhance your leadership - you can book a call with our team here.
We’re proud to be a supporting Creative Australia as a training provider for the Company Director Capability Fund, providing governance training for both individuals and organisations in the arts and cultural sector.
This initiative is designed to grow diverse, purpose-led leadership by offering:
$3,000 for individuals (artists and arts workers under-represented on boards)
$6,000 for organisations to build internal governance capacity
Participants can choose from a range of courses that build core skills in governance, financial management, strategy, and ethical leadership. At Small Giants Academy, our offering focuses on values-based, regenerative governance that supports systems change.
Together, we’re helping shape a creative sector where boards reflect the full diversity, talent and vision of our communities.
If you are interested in this opportunity, find out more here.
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Governing for Purpose is facilitated by the Small Giants Academy, led by Mele-Ane Havea, Chair of B Lab Australia And Francie Doolan, CIO, Small Giants. The program draws on a global network of guest speakers and case-studies presented by leading organisations.
Yes, although not in the traditional sense! Participants will take part in mini-projects and reflections within each module, as well as some longer projects that last across the breadth of the program. Participants will also be asked to peer-assess work delivered by their peers. Active participation in the peer-assessment process will form part of the overall assessment.
For dates and timetables compatible with your location, please sign up to the Small Giants Academy newsletter to be the first to know of new timetables and locations.
Active participation throughout the program, including attendance at sessions, and completion of reflection exercises and project work, will result in successful graduation.
The emphasis of our program is on peer-to-peer learning. Our time together will also include guest faculty sessions, case studies and group work. Participants can expect an immersive, participatory and peer-to-peer driven experience.
Our time together will include guest speaker sessions, case studies and group work. Participants can expect an immersive, participatory and peer-to-peer driven experience. As such, participation at each weekly session is required. We do not have a minimum rate of participation as such, and of program, life sometimes gets in the way! Some sessions will be recorded for catch-up viewing, however, regular participation is expected.
Yes. Prior to each module there will be some pre-reading required and projects and reflections will be completed outside our contact hours. We estimate between 2-3 hours of additional study time per week.
This governance program is a non-accredited program and does not result in the award of a qualification recognised with the Australian Qualifications Framework. it is your responsibility to ensure that the Governance program meets your requirements and has the expected recognition outcome prior to enrolment.
All of our programs note ‘continuing professional development hours and you will receive a certificate upon completion. Continuing Professional Development hours are a guide only and participants should contact their respective professional membership organisations for guidance.
General Admission: $4,500 + GST, B Corps Concession: $4,050 + GST NFPs, Registered Charities, and First Nations People $3,600 + GST
As part of our blended delivery program, we will be gathering for a three-day in-person intensive which will run from 11-13 May 2026 in St Kilda, Victoria.
Governing for Purpose is facilitated by the Small Giants Academy, led by Mele-Ane Havea, Chair of B Lab Australia And Francie Doolan, CIO, Small Giants. The program draws on a global network of guest speakers and case-studies presented by leading organisations.
Yes, although not in the traditional sense! Participants will take part in mini-projects and reflections within each module, as well as some longer projects that last across the breadth of the program. Participants will also be asked to peer-assess work delivered by their peers. Active participation in the peer-assessment process will form part of the overall assessment.
For dates and timetables compatible with your location, please sign up to the Small Giants Academy newsletter to be the first to know of new timetables and locations.
Active participation throughout the program, including attendance at sessions, and completion of reflection exercises and project work, will result in successful graduation.
The emphasis of our program is on peer-to-peer learning. Our time together will also include guest faculty sessions, case studies and group work. Participants can expect an immersive, participatory and peer-to-peer driven experience.
Our time together will include guest speaker sessions, case studies and group work. Participants can expect an immersive, participatory and peer-to-peer driven experience. As such, participation at each weekly session is required. We do not have a minimum rate of participation as such, and of program, life sometimes gets in the way! Some sessions will be recorded for catch-up viewing, however, regular participation is expected.
Yes. Prior to each module there will be some pre-reading required and projects and reflections will be completed outside our contact hours. We estimate between 2-3 hours of additional study time per week.
This governance program is a non-accredited program and does not result in the award of a qualification recognised with the Australian Qualifications Framework. it is your responsibility to ensure that the Governance program meets your requirements and has the expected recognition outcome prior to enrolment.
All of our programs note ‘continuing professional development hours and you will receive a certificate upon completion. Continuing Professional Development hours are a guide only and participants should contact their respective professional membership organisations for guidance.
General Admission: $4,500 + GST, B Corps Concession: $4,050 + GST NFPs, Registered Charities, and First Nations People $3,600 + GST
As part of our blended delivery program, we will be gathering for a three-day in-person intensive which will run from 11-13 May 2026 in St Kilda, Victoria.
Small Giants is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
With thanks to our partners
