The Snow Foundation’s Lead the Way program officially kicked off in May, bringing together 24 CEOs and senior leaders from 12 for-purpose organisations across Canberra and Sydney for an immersive two-day opening retreat in the Canberra bush.
Building the sector from within
For the Snow Foundation, investing in leadership is one of the most powerful things a philanthropic organisation can do. We believe that when the people leading for-purpose organisations are strong, self-aware and well-connected, the communities they serve benefit — and that impact compounds over time.
Capacity building sits at the heart of how we partner with organisations. Sustainable impact requires more than funding, it requires people who can navigate complexity, build strong teams, and lead their organisations with clarity and confidence. Lead the Way was created to do exactly that.
Following the success of our inaugural 2024 cohort, we are proud to be delivering the program again in 2026, building on the cross-city connections and peer learning that made the first cohort so powerful.
About Lead the Way
Lead the Way is an invitation-only leadership program co-designed with Social Impact Hub and tailored specifically for CEOs and senior leaders in the for-purpose sector. Running from May to September, the program combines individual leadership assessment and executive coaching, five expert-led masterclasses, facilitated peer learning, and two in-person retreats, opening in Canberra and closing in Sydney.
Each participant organisation is invited to send two senior leaders — ideally the CEO and another senior leader — so that the learning is embedded at multiple levels and can more readily flow back into the organisation.
Into the bush: two days at Wildbark
On Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 May, 24 participants gathered at Wildbark Nature Escape, a stunning bush retreat just outside Canberra, for the program’s opening retreat.
The two days were facilitated by the Social Impact Hub team — Rachael Wilcox and Gary Samowitz, with Vera Borsboom — alongside Snow Foundation CEO Georgina Byron and Head of Partnerships – Our Place, Carolyn Ludovici. The program was opened with a Welcome to Country by Richie Allan, grounding the gathering in place and Country.
Across the two days, participants moved through a carefully designed journey. Day one focused on connection — getting to know one another through structured conversations and participants exploring their Strengths Profile assessments. The day closed with a shared dinner that brought together participants from the 2024 cohort as guest speakers and Snow Foundation Board Members Ginette Snow and Scarlett Gaffey. Hearing first-hand what the experience meant for previous participants set a powerful tone for the weeks ahead.
Day two focused on leadership development through small group peer learning sessions. Participants shared challenges openly, offering one another practical insights, encouragement and support, a highlight for many across the retreat. The afternoon shifted to small group discussions on topics like impact measurement, revenue diversification, and systems change to directly shape the masterclass content ahead. The retreat closed with r a nature walk and paired CEO-senior leader conversations focused on goals, alignment and how to maximise the value of the program back within their organisations.
What comes next
The retreat was just the beginning. Over the next four months, participants will attend five masterclasses covering impact measurement, communications and impact storytelling, managing high-performance teams, diversifying revenue, and systems change. They will also receive individual coaching sessions with accredited Social Impact Hub coaches, supporting them to translate insights into action between sessions.
The program concludes with a closing retreat in Sydney in September, where participants will come back together to reflect on the journey, celebrate their growth, and look ahead to how they will continue leading with purpose.
We are grateful to the 24 leaders who have stepped into this experience, and to Social Impact Hub for the care and expertise they bring to every part of the program. We look forward to sharing more from this cohort’s journey in the months ahead.
2026 Lead the Way cohort organisations
Canberra: MIEACT, Doris Women’s Refuge, Care Financial and Care Consumer Law, Youth Coalition of the ACT, EveryMan Australia, Women’s Health Matters
Sydney: Pride Cup, Sir David Martin Foundation, Dress for Success NSW ACT, Weave Youth & Community Services, Hotel Etico, Community Support Services
Lead the Way is delivered in partnership with Social Impact Hub. Learn more about the program here.
