Full program
SPEAKERS
Speaker to be announced
Speaker to be announced
Tuesday 2 September
Welcome Drinks
at Gavroche, Kensington Street, Chippendale NSW
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Wednesday 3 September
Conference Day 1
at The Refectory Hall, Science Rd, The University of Sydney NSW
Time: 8.00am - 5.30pm
Time
Session
8.00 - 9.00am
Registration
9.00 - 9.30am
Welcome to Country with Aunty Maxine Ryan and Conference Opening
Speakers
To be announced
Please note: Sessions, speakers and timings are subject to change. More details to come.
9.30 - 10.35am
The Best of Both Worlds - Indigenous Wisdom and Knowledge, and Western Science
Working collaboratively, Aboriginal wisdom, knowledge systems and western science can help save the planet.
Speakers: Professor Bradley Moggridge - Kamilaroi man and Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) at the University of Technology Sydney and Cissy Gore-Birch - Jaru/Kija woman, AEGN First Nations Wisdom Group member, Director/Owner of Kimberley Cultural Connections Pty Ltd and Co- Chair of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network.
To be announced
Morning tea and networking
10.35 - 11.15am
1.30 - 3.00pm
Break out 1: COP31 Funding Showcase
Leading organisations will share their plans and ask for our support to turn them into reality and make COP31 a truly transformational moment for our country, region and climate
Speakers: Georgia Lourandos (Boundless Earth), Denise Cauchi (CANA), Vishal Prasad (PISFCC), Kylie Turner (Climateworks Centre), Larissa Baldwin-Roberts (Common Threads), Michelle Higelin (ActionAid), James Atkinson (AYCC) and Joanne Bowen (Cricket for Climate).
11.15 - 11.55am
Democracy for Climate and Nature: Building Community Power for Environmental Justice
Achieving strong action for climate and nature relies on a robust democracy that supports community participation and maintains pressure on decision makers. A just transition will only be achieved if we're listening to experts and the voices of those most affected, not just those with the most to gain.
Join us for a lively conversation with Ellie Smith, Tina Jackson and Saffron Zomer about building community power and overcoming vested interests, government secrecy and disinformation campaigns. How can philanthropy help build a stronger democracy for climate and nature wins?
Speakers: Ellie Smith - Federal Candidate for Dickson and AEGN member, Tina Jackson - Executive Director, Community Independents Project and Saffron Zomer - Executive Director, Australian Democracy Network.
Conference MC
End of Day 1 Wrap-up and reflection
5.15 - 5.30pm
To be announced
12.45 - 1.30pm
Lunch
Break out 2: Better Off Standing - Forest Protection for Climate and Biodiversity
Join this session to exchange ideas and insights about philanthropy's collaborative efforts to end native forest logging, and the current campaigns for change. Funders will discuss the pathways to secure enduring protections and emissions reduction for nature and climate, and how you can get involved.
Speakers: Julie Taylor-Mills, Roderick Darling, Dr Bruce McGregor and Erika Hosoyama.
Break out 3: Next Gen Now - Strategies for Intergenerational Impact
With $5.4 trillion changing hands in Australia over two decades, a new generation is reshaping philanthropy. This session launches AEGN's Next Gen research exploring Gen Y and Z donor priorities—climate, equity, trust-based giving—and examines opportunities, barriers, and collective giving strategies through models like Just Futures Collab.
Speakers: Jim Philipson, Stephen Pfeiffer, Tishiko King and Sunanda Creagh.
3.00 - 3.45pm
Afternoon tea and networking
3.45 - 5.15pm
Philanthropy's Role in Building an Economy for People and Planet
Imagine an economy that heals rather than harms—where prosperity for nature and communities is prioritised. Building this economy is the next frontier of strategic philanthropy and is already underway. With opening address by Professor Larry Kramer, President and VC of the London School of Economics and Political Science, the session will be chaired by AEGN member alongside speakers Josephine Khalil and Dr Katherine Trebeck to explore how your giving can help architect the economic systems of tomorrow.
Speakers: Professor Larry Kramer - President and VC at the London School of Economics and Political Science (joining via Zoom), Josephine Khalil - Paul Ramsay Foundation and Dr Katherine Trebeck - The Next Economy.
To be announced
Wednesday 3 September
Networking Drinks & Dinner
at The Refectory Hall, Science Rd, The University of Sydney NSW
Time: 5.30pm - 9.00pm
Featuring performance by Alice Blackwood
Thursday 4 September
Conference Day 2
at The Refectory Hall, Science Rd, The University of Sydney NSW
Time: 8.00am - 5.30pm
Time
Session
Speakers
8.15 - 9.00am
Registration desk open
N/A
9.00 - 9.20am
Welcome and Reflection
Conference MC
9.20 - 10.30am
The Funding Game: Manoeuvring for Climate and Nature Wins
People care about the nature. Communities don’t want to keep cleaning up after natural disasters. They want a safe climate and a better future. So why aren’t politicians and businesses doing more?
Too often, communities and campaigners are on the back foot against a well-oiled industry, where PR and lobbying efforts are built into project planning years in advance. In the face of such seasoned opposition, what does it take to get wins for nature and climate? What can we learn from the ways that vested interests build and maintain their power?
Hosted by Julian Morrow (The Chaser) and featuring Royce Kurmelovs (Journalist and Author) and others, this session will be a fun, interactive exploration of how vested interests play the game, and what philanthropy can do to help level the playing field. Using a Geoffrey Robertson-style hypothetical, members will get insights into political, business, community, campaign and media approaches, and a chance to see how various funding strategies play out in practice.
This session is a playful opportunity to think about how to use your funding for the biggest impact, and how to arm community organisations for the fight that they’re in.
Speakers: Julian Morrow - Comedian and TV Producer, Royce Kurmelovs - Journalist and Author, Rex Patrick - Former Senator, David Mejia-Canales - Senior Human Rights Lawyer, Amy Remeikis - Journalist and Chief Political Analyst, Leanne Minshull - Strategy Director and Dr Kirsty Howey - Executive Director.
To be announced
7.30 - 9.00am
Senior Philanthropy Staff Breakfast & Principals Breakfast - register here
10.30 - 11.15am
Morning tea and networking
11.15 am - 12.30pm
Deep dive into two examples of innovative, trust-based funding, chaired by Claire O'Rourke.
Case Study 1:
William Frazer (Paul Ramsay Foundation) and Samantha Murray (Indigenous Desert Alliance) will share an innovative, trust-based funding model that prioritises Indigenous cultural values and ways of working.
Case Study 2:
A discussion with Sue McKinnon (McKinnon Family Foundation) and long-term AEGN members Therese Cochrane and Dr Bruce McGregor (Melliodora Fund - Australian Communities Foundation Subfund and AEGN Board Director), on what different approaches to trust-based philanthropy looks like when you have no staff. Whatever the size or structure of your philanthropic outlay, hear how you can have an outsized impact with your philanthropy. The conversation will cover how they make innovative funding decisions, the lessons learned and examples of their successes and failures in funding
The Power of Trust-Based Philanthropy
To be announced
12.40 - 1.15pm
Lunch
1.15 - 2.45pm
Member-led Breakout Sessions
Breakout 1: The media’s role in the democracy and environmental crises
Speakers:
John McKinnon (Facilitator), Amy Remeikis (Contributing Editor, The New Daily), Ranya Alkadamani (Founder, Impact Group International, former Press Secretary to PM Kevin Rudd) and Emma Cowdroy (CEO of AAP Ltd.)
3.15 - 4.15pm
Voices from the Frontline
Hear from the next generation on the frontline of the climate crisis with keynote speaker and 2025 recipient of the esteemed Global Citizen Prize Vishal Prasad, who has been instrumental in bringing the climate crisis to the forefront of international law, leading a youth-driven campaign that resulted in the International Court of Justice considering the obligations of states in addressing climate change.
In conversation with Anna Cerneaz, this session will explore the power of youth and Pacific leadership and the role of philanthropy in supporting transformative climate action.
Speakers: Vishal Prasad - Fijian climate activist and Campaign Director of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and Anna Cerneaz - AEGN member, Managing Director of the Graeme Wood Foundation and Chair of Groundswell Giving.
To be announced
Conference Wrap-up
Conference MC
4.15 - 4.30pm
Friday 5 September
Post-conference Field Trip: A Day in the Valley - Food, Culture, Nature, Community
The field trip will tour the amazing Winderong Farm to hear about permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable living, as well as the native foods harvesting initiative in collaboration with Waminda. Then we’ll visit the Shark Island Kangaroo Valley creative hub, learn about their residency programs and pitch initiatives, and hear about some of the environmental film projects they are supporting.
A delicious lunch will be provided by Blak Cede Catering, Waminda’s social and cultural enterprise. Blak Cede cultivates traditional bush foods and medicine and delivers a food and cultural experience that gives back to the community and puts wellbeing at the heart of their practice.
Tickets: $100
- Return bus transfer from Sydney to Kangaroo Valley – CBD collection point (please contact us if you would prefer to drive yourself)
- Welcome to Country
- Winderong farm tour
- Visit to Shark Island Kangaroo Valley
- Blak Cede morning tea and lunch
Please keep an eye out for speakers as they are announced - watch this space!
Speaker to be announced
Speaker to be announced
Speaker to be announced
Speaker to be announced
Speaker to be announced
Speaker to be announced
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now:
Not yet a member of the AEGN?
The AEGN conference is open to AEGN members, partners and grantmakers with an interest in the environment who have capacity to give $25,000 or more annually to any issue (not just environment).
You can apply for membership, or express your interest in attending the conference by providing us with your details, so we can confirm your eligibility.
© AEGN 2025
The offices of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network are on the lands of the Kulin nation and Eora nation.
Acknowledging the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia, we recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and community.
And we pay our respects to the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Elders both past and present.
Forging a Pathway for Stronger Nature and Climate Laws
There is widespread agreement that Australia's national environmental laws are fundamentally broken. The EPBC Act has failed to curb emissions, protect and restore nature, respect cultural heritage, or support a rapid energy transition. Despite election commitments, years of consultation, and clear recommendations on how to fix them, we ended the last term of parliament with national laws that were even weaker than before.
Join Kate Owens, Rachel Walmsley and more speakers to be announced for a candid conversation about the gap between political commitments and regulatory reality, and lessons learned about how to break the political impasse, build community pressure, and finally secure nature laws that will serve the environment, communities, and future generations.
Speakers: Rachel Walmsley - Head of Policy & Law Reform at the Environmental Defenders Office, Kate Owens - Associate Professor in Environmental Law at the University of Sydney, Susie Byers - Head of Advocacy at Greenpeace Australia and Damien Lawson - Campaign Director (Fossil Fuels) at The Sunrise Project.
11.55 am - 12.45pm
New(ish) member breakfast - register here
7.30 - 9.00am
Breakout 2: Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities
Speakers:
Ella Colley and Anna Demant (Facilitators), Karmen Jobling and Aunty Alice Williams (Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations.), Ann McGregor (Melliodora Fund) and Jono La Nauze (Murray Darling Conservation Alliance).
Breakout 3: The purpose and power of place-based campaigning
Speakers:
Esther Abram (Facilitator), Dr Kirsty Howey (Environment Centre NT), Martin Pritchard (Environs Kimberley) and Jacqui Mumford (Conservation Council NSW), Julie Taylor Mills (Coniston Foundation) and Beau Austin (Full Circle Foundation)
Breakout 4: Climate in the Courts - Safeguarding Justice and Powering the Next Wave of Wins
Speakers:
Therese Cochrane (Facilitator), Isabelle Reinecke (Grata Fund), Aunty Polly Cutmore, Geoffrey Watson SC (Director Grata Fund and Centre for Public Integrity), Elaine Johnson (Johnson Legal) and Kirsty Ruddock (Environmental Defenders Office)
Afternoon tea and networking
2.45 - 3.15pm
Tuesday 2 September
Pre-Conference Side Event: Funding First Nations-led Initiatives - Meet the AEGN Wisdom Group
at the Sutherland Room, The University of Sydney NSW
Time: 2.30pm - 4.00pm