Give Where You Live CEO to join NFP network

GIVE Where You Live chief executive officer Bill Mithen has been chosen as one of only 24 participants in the latest cohort of a five-year, $9.6 million capacity-building and leadership program.

The Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program was established to support not-for-profit leaders to positively influence their organisations and create a strategic network of more than 100 social impact leaders across the country.

The Myer Foundation, Sidney Myer Fund, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and Paul Ramsay Foundation combined in 2020 to fund the SILA Program, which is being delivered by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI).

Cohort two participants – made up of CEOs from Victoria and Tasmania within the climate, arts, agriculture, health, and community services sectors – will experience a series of immersive learning experiences, one-on-one coaching, dedicated capacity-building support, and a fully funded three-month sabbatical over the 10-month program.

Mr Mithen said SILA should be celebrated for its disruptive and evidence-based approach to developing leadership capability.

“I think we all inherently know that we’re at our best and most creative as leaders when we stop to consider all the angles and possibilities, but too often the daily imperatives don’t allow that.

“Getting the time to slow down, think and imagine is an exciting prospect which can only lead to greater impact.

“Leadership in smaller organisations often rests with the CEO and SILA provides a rare opportunity for us to take a breath and develop a more diverse breadth of leadership capability.”

As part of SILA, participants will have a tailored sabbatical, enabling time to reflect and apply learnings from the program, while their organisation receives capacity funding and executive support through an identified “step-up leader”.

Jo Flanagan, CEO of Women’s Health Tasmania chief executive officer, is another cohort two participant. She said she was looking forward to building not only her own capacity, but also that of her deputy CEOs and organisation.

“SILA is more than just a leadership program. It has an emphasis on organisational capability as well as individual leadership.

“It is an amazing opportunity to develop my own skills and knowledge, and those of our deputy CEO, who will be our SILA step-up leader, and to develop Women’s Health Tasmania as well.

“I’m hoping it will really help my organisation position itself strategically for the next 10 years.”

CSI chief executive officer Armine Nalbandian said SILA aimed to strengthen the entire for-purpose sector through its innovative and immersive approach..