Strategy + implementation
  • Stakeholder consultation
  • Facilitation
  • Operationalisation
  • Measurement
  • Reporting
Capacity building for sustainability
  • Embedding philanthropic culture
  • Readiness assessment
  • Program gap analysis
  • Plan development
  • Training
Governance and leadership advisory
  • Board and Executive mentoring
  • Advising emerging leaders
  • Governance reviews
  • Culture audit and transformation
  • Presenter training

Sector focus

I have skills and experience across the for purpose sector and can tailor an offering to suit the needs of any organisation, with specific offerings in the following areas below. Whether a presentation on current trends and practices, leadership counsel and advice, or a transformational engagement, I look forward to working with you.

Health and Medical Research

With 20 years as CEO and leader in this sector and in collaboration with experienced practitioners I am part of a network leading health philanthropy advisory.

  • Governance review and strategy development
  • Program reviews and audits
  • Patient and clinician engagement programs

Welfare, Social Services and Aged Care

  • Governance reviews
  • Fundraising audits and strategy
  • Bequest program evaluation and advisory
  • Fundraising team mentoring

Sport and Recreation

  • Strategy development
  • Stakeholder consultation
  • Revenue audits
  • Governance reviews

An Introduction

Damian is recognised as an exceptional leader and driver of social impact. He is an experienced executive, board member and thought leader with a track record of developing organisations and embedding a strong culture of philanthropy. With over 30 years experience across sport, disability, welfare, health and medical research and advising corporates on social impact, Damian will shape strategic vision, building high-performing teams, and drive sustainable impact for any organisation he works with. Informed by the latest research in philanthropy, fundraising and organisational psychology, Damian’s practical approach aligns leadership to purpose for organisation success. Damian is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and is recognised as a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FFIA).

More about my approach

Governance and Strategy

Effective governance is the foundation of every high-performing nonprofit. I work with boards and executive teams to build strategic clarity, strengthen oversight, and create alignment between your purpose and fundraising operations. From governance reviews to complete strategy development, I help organisations move from intention to impact.

What you get

  • Complete organisational strategy development including bespoke implementation and reporting service
  • Board effectiveness reviews and governance frameworks
  • Board training and development programs

Leadership & Development Training

Great leaders create great organisations. I design and deliver leadership development programs tailored to the unique demands of philanthropy and fundraising in the social sector. Whether you need executive coaching, team development, or organisation-wide leadership capability building, I bring three decades of experience to accelerate growth.

What you get

  • Executive mentoring and advisory programs
  • Leadership team development and alignment with fundraising program
  • Emerging leader identification and cultivation
  • Organisation-wide leadership culture building

Fundraising Assessment & Planning

Sustainable funding doesn’t happen by accident. As a Certified Fundraising Executive and Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, I bring deep expertise to assessing your fundraising capability, identifying growth opportunities, and building strategies that create long-term financial resilience.

What you get

  • Comprehensive fundraising health assessments
  • Donor engagement and stewardship strategy
  • Revenue diversification planning
  • Fundraising team capability and structure review

Culture Transformation

Culture determines what your organisation actually does, not what it says it does. I help nonprofits and charities diagnose cultural barriers, build gratitude-based engagement programs, and create the conditions where people do their best work in service of your mission.

What you get

  • Organisational culture diagnostics and assessment
  • Gratitude and recognition program design
  • Change management strategy and facilitation
  • Staff engagement and retention improvement

Shift thinking

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