Castlemaine for-profit CEO Fiona Davis of Farmers for Climate Action is among twenty-four not-for-profit leaders which have been selected to be part of the second cohort of the Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) Program – a five-year $9.6 million capacity building and leadership program funded by four of Australia’s major philanthropic foundations.
Built from a collective desire to support NFP 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 came together 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.
As Farmers for Climate Action’s Deputy Director between 2018 and 2021, local Fiona Davis was responsible for assisting the then CEO to meet the objectives in Farmers for Climate Action’s strategic plan and operational plan. In particular, Fiona took the lead on the organisation’s internal and external communications, operations, and people and culture.
Today as CEO of Farmers for Climate Action Fiona is excited to lead 6000-strong farmer-led movement into its next exciting phase.
Fiona told the Mail she was delighted to be selected in the SILA program.
“This is an incredibly rare opportunity to have the space and opportunity to step back and learn and reflect on how both Farmers for Climate Action and I can best evolve and grow,” the CEO said.
“I have no doubt that I will emerge from this program as a stronger and more effective leader. This combined with the training for my step-up leader and the wrap-around business support is going to put Farmers for Climate Action in the very best position possible to thrive into the future,” Fiona said.
CSI CEO Armine Nalbandian said the SILA Program aims to strengthen the entire for-purpose sector through its innovative and immersive approach – an Australian-first and fully funded offering.
“SILA is a ground-breaking way for us to bring leaders together to learn from each other, while also strengthening their personal and organisational capabilities and giving them an opportunity to refresh and re-energise their organisation’s strategic direction,” she said.
“This new cohort of SILA leaders are already driving positive social change for their communities, and SILA will take them to the next level as part of a network of 100 CEOs across Australia.”