Gem Spotlight - liza nadolski at melbourne women’s foundation
Liza was appointed CEO of Melbourne Women’s Foundation in mid-2023 after being recruited by Gembridge. She is thriving in this role, and here she shares the importance of finding a role that aligns with your values.
You can find links to MWF membership and events at the end.
Liza (centre) is CEO at Melbourne Women’s Foundation
As CEO of the Melbourne Women's Foundation, I am thrilled to have found alignment with my personal belief in doing what I can to contribute to a world in which everyone feels safe and can thrive.
I’m extremely fortunate that my role resonates deeply with my values of safety, creativity and co-creation.
Safety underpins everything we do, as we intentionally and consciously create spaces where everyone feels welcomed and supported. It is only when we feel safe that we can be truly curious, creative and democratically collaborative.
Creativity, as the lifeblood of innovation, allows us to understand and envision new ways of addressing complex, interconnected challenges.
Co-creation is the best way I know to live your creativity. My work is collaborative and the Melbourne Women’s Foundation members and volunteers are phenomenal co-creators. Magic happens when we combine our dedication to a purpose with diverse perspectives and expertise. Co-creation is also about ensuring that our strategies and initiatives are informed by providing platforms for the voices of our community.
These values are my ideals and I’m excited to have found an organisation in which I can work with my team to innovate, grow our organisation and build a reflective community. This comes through in the programs, partnerships, and initiatives we deliver so that Melbourne Women's Foundation continues to be a community of hope, support, and empowerment.
Innovation is central to our approach, as, together with the team, we explore and cultivate creative solutions. Steering the foundation towards new practices and networks that broaden our reach and consider systemic change that allows us to stay at the forefront of philanthropy, continuously enhancing our impact.
Growth is a critical aspect of this journey, as I aim to continue enriching the experience of our members and expand our membership. Forming strategic partnerships and co-creating with our stakeholders has been fantastic. My responsibility is to ensure that our growth is sustainable and aligned with our core mission, facilitating an ever-expanding circle of support.
Building a reflective community is about gathering like-minded individuals and creating a space where learning, sharing, and mutual support flourish. We encourage introspection and dialogue, fostering an environment where members and volunteers alike can reflect on their impact and grow together. This reflective practice strengthens our collective resolve and ensures that our community remains adaptive to the needs of those we serve.
Melbourne Women’s Foundation was previously called Melbourne Women’s Fund. To find information on becoming a member, click here. Or, if you are looking to attend a MWF event, click here… an exciting event is coming up in May!
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Liza!