TALKING PHILANTHROPY SYDNEY 2026
Orchestrating Change: The Role of Philanthropy in Advancing Health & Medical Research
Hosted by Global Philanthropic at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research
In its 10th anniversary year, Talking Philanthropy comes to Australia to explore how strategic giving can unlock discovery, accelerate impact and transform health outcomes—across our region and globally.
Personalised medicine and frontier technologies are redefining the future of global health, even as health systems worldwide face mounting pressure.
Across Australia, leading scientists and clinicians are advancing research with the potential to transform lives. Yet too often, limited funding constrains the pace and scale of that progress.
At the same time, philanthropy is creating new opportunities for visionary partnerships toaccelerate access to healthcare, treatments and cures.
This forum offers a rare opportunity to join a carefully curated conversation fostering insight, connection and meaningful dialogue across the health and philanthropy sectors.
Time & Date
Location
Format
A series of presentations and panel discussions, accompanied by a networking breakfast and mid-morning refreshments.
Attendance is complimentary; however, places are strictly limited—early registration is encouraged.
Featured speakers
Our 2026 line-up brings together philanthropists, research leaders and institutes advancing health & medical research:
Philanthropists
Ms Anna Ainsworth
Businesswoman and Philanthropist
Anna led the Ainsworth family’s groundbreaking 2025 gift to endometriosis research, establishing the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute at the University of New South Wales.
Mr Geoff Cumming
Businessman and Philanthropist
Geoff is active in global philanthropy. His AUD$250 million gift to the University of Melbourne to establish the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity is the largest philanthropic contribution to medical research in Australia’s history.
Mr Michael Drapac
Businessman and Philanthropist
Property developer and philanthropist whose 2022 gift to Deakin University established the Damion Drapac Centre for Advancing Equity in Health Professional Education.
Institute Leaders & Researchers
Professor Benjamin Kile
Executive Director & CEO, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Recognised globally for his research contributions to the understanding of blood cells, cancer, and inflammatory disease.
Dr Saraid Billiards
CEO, AAMRI
Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), the peak body representing medical research institutes across Australia.
Professor Catherine Chamberlain
Head, Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne
Trawlwoolway woman (Tasmania), registered midwife and public-health researcher, advancing perinatal opportunities to improve health equity across the life course.
Professor Sharon Lewin AO
Infectious Diseases Physician and Virologist
An internationally recognised expert in infectious diseases research and clinical care, Sharon is the inaugural Director of the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics.
Wealth & Philanthropy Advisor
Ms Jayde Ward
Director, Philanthropic Services, JBWere
A Wiradjuri woman whose expertise in governance, strategic planning and collaborative partnership supports JBWere’s growing for-purpose and philanthropic client base to create sustainable change.
Panel Facilitators
Ms Allison Howell Quinton
Advancement & Philanthropy Executive
An advancement and philanthropy executive with 25 years’ international experience across medical research, higher education and health.
Ms Mara-Jean Tilley
Director, Garvan Research Foundation
Director of the Garvan Research Foundation, Garvan’s marketing and fundraising arm.
Thank you to our Morning Tea Partner, Ronald McDonald House
Key discussion themes
How philanthropy enables breakthrough science, accelerating the translation of life-changing treatments.
The intersection between medical research, philanthropy, private wealth and policy that shapes the conditions for innovation and long-term impact.
The power of philanthropy to seed and scale big ideas, addressing the world’s biggest health challenges and threats, and strengthening health access and equity across Australia and globally.
Who this forum is for
Philanthropists, philanthropic families, foundations, advisors, family offices, health-sector leaders, researchers, fundraisers and advancement professionals working across health, medical research and community wellbeing.
A curated conversation
Talking Philanthropy is an intentionally intimate forum designed to foster deeper dialogue and meaningful connection among a select group of leaders.
Attendance is complimentary, but places are strictly limited to preserve the quality of discussion.
To register
Please email australia@globalphilanthropic.com. Full programme details will be shared with registered guests in due course.
Once capacity is reached, additional registrations will be placed on a waitlist. If your plans change after registering, please let us know promptly so your place can be offered to another guest.
Selected session recordings will be published on the Global Philanthropic website and social media channels following the event.