A year long reinvention of a traditional MBA for executives, change makers and leaders to develop the skills, networks and mindset to lead purpose-driven organisations in a complex world.
The Mastery of Business & Empathy equips you to navigate this moment by expanding your horizons, building meaningful connections, and deepening your impact in the world.
Developed in partnership with global champions, the MBE extends the traditional MBA to build the leaders we need for a better world. It will equip you with the tools, strategies, networks and philosophies to successfully lead in today’s changing world.
If you’re interested in learning more about the MBE, we’d love to speak with you. Book a call with our team.
“The MBE has truly transformed my life, and I'm endlessly grateful for this experience and opportunity to be part of this community. We had the chance to see similarities and strengths, and why coming at challenges from different perspectives can be so valuable in creating innovative solutions.” – 2023 graduate
We live in an historic moment of turmoil, transition and opportunity: a climate and biodiversity emergency threatens the planet and our world remains a vastly unequal place, however history tells us that in moments of great uncertainty and pain, extraordinary progress can be born.
Our vision is to build the Next Economy – a system of leadership and governance that supports human flourishing while living in harmony with the natural world.
“The MBE has really helped me to get clear on my theory for change and what my next steps are. I've experienced so much growth this year and can really feel myself changing as a person, to reflect the authentic me. It has been a huge honour to make life long friends through the MBE and to feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself.” - 2024 graduate
We have no formal pre-requisites and base our application process on diversity, lived experience and vision for a better future. We are looking to work with leaders who are ready to guide their organisation towards a better world for people and the planet. You may be:
- A senior executive navigating complex change
- A founder building a purpose-driven company
- A leader transitioning toward impact work
- A board member shaping organisational governance
- A change maker working across business and society
- An artist, creative, or someone ready to use their influence to shepherd in a safe and just world
At the end of this 12-month transformational journey, you will:
- Develop systems thinking leadership skills
- Design purpose-driven organisational strategies
- Build networks with global impact leaders
- Better lead organisations aligned with people and planet
Danny Almagor is co-founder (with his wife Berry) and the Executive Chair of Small Giants. Danny was the inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence at RMIT, the founder and former CEO of Engineers Without Borders Australia and is the co-founder and Chair of the Impact Investment Group. He has founded over a dozen for profit and non profit organisations including The Sociable Weaver, The Impact Club, and Beyond Creative. He has served on numerous boards, including Tom Organic, The School of Life, The Cape ecovillage, Pacific Biotechnologies, Smiling Mind, The Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan.
He has studied Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration and outdoor education. He loves to cook, read, rock climb, talk about philosophy, garden, travel and jump on the trampoline with his three kids. He doesn’t like to run marathons, watch horror films, drink beer, spend time on social media, or invest in anything that isn’t impact.
Gayle and her Global Leadership Foundation co-founder, Malcolm Lazenby, are passionate about and committed to making a positive difference to people, organisations and communities – both locally and globally. They each bring over 30 years of experience and internationally recognised expertise in developing, strengthening and transforming individuals, teams, organisations and communities.
As a ‘for purpose’ organisation and a certified B Corp, Global Leadership Foundation, uses its business as a “force for good”, placing its profit each year into a philanthropic fund for the development of leaders in community. It’s pro-bono and low bono work also strengthens and supports individuals, organisations and communities to build compassionate and sustainable approaches to leadership and life.
Global Leadership Foundation along with its Global Fellows, works with boards, and senior leaders all over the world in a range of areas, including: transformational leadership and change in individuals and organisations, strategic planning and development, emotional health and leadership resilience, leading through facilitating, strengthening collaboration, and board and executive mentoring and coaching.
Dr. Julia Kim joined the Gross National Happiness Centre of Bhutan in 2013, after serving as a member of the International Expert Working Group for a New Development Paradigm. Julia brings a background in programs, policy, and research in the fields of global health and sustainable development with the UN. Julia co-hosts our safaris in Bhutan.
Nora Bateson is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and educator, as well as President of the International Bateson Institute, based in Sweden. Her work asks the question “How we can improve our perception of the complexity we live within, so we may improve our interaction with the world?”. An international lecturer, researcher and writer, Nora wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary, An Ecology of Mind, a portrait of her father, Gregory Bateson. Her work brings the fields of biology, cognition, art, anthropology, psychology, and information technology together into a study of the patterns in ecology of living systems. Her book, Small Arcs of Larger Circles, released by Triarchy Press, UK, 2016 is a revolutionary personal approach to the study of systems and complexity.
Dane O’Shanassy believes that business success and environmental stewardship don’t have to be at odds, rather, when pursued in concert with each other can lead to even greater impact. Since 2013 Dane as led outdoor apparel company Patagonia in Australia and New Zealand. A certified B Corporation, the company is recognized internationally for its product quality and environmental activism. Its unique ownership structure commits all future excess profits—all monies not reinvested in the business—to protect nature and biodiversity, support thriving communities, and to fight the climate crisis.Dane has studied in teaching, journalism, arts, and business, and spent his career learning inside global lifestyle brands where purpose, storytelling and impact are fundamental to long term success. A strategic thinker, leader and communicator, Dane believes that fostering thriving teams to value innovation, collaboration, and unconventional thinking is fundamental to solving the complex challenges of our time. He stays grounded and optimistic in the wisdom of American anthropologist Margaret Mead "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”Dane is energised by the ocean, the mountains, and music, and most of all through spending time in nature with his family.
Ali is an author, journalist and facilitator focused on bringing new ways of seeing and being from the margins of culture into the mainstream. Through writing, and by creating transformative experiences that invite us to find ways to evolve and thrive in the chaotic times we live in. Previously as Founder of Rebel Wisdom, Ali continues to explore the cutting-edge of systems change and cultural cohesion. He joins the team as Chief Sensemaking Officer, stewarding the curation of our programs.
Dr Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist and food sovereignty advocate. This is an extract from her 2018 report, The Future of Our Daily Bread: Regeneration or Collapse. Read her Dumbo Feather conversation here.
Kate Raworth (pronounced ‘Ray-worth’) is a renegade economist focused on making economics fit for 21st century realities. She is the creator of the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries, and co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab.
Her internationally best-selling book Doughnut Economics: seven ways to think like a 21st century economist has been translated into over 20 languages and has been widely influential with diverse audiences, from the UN General Assembly to Pope Francis to Extinction Rebellion.
Through an interactive blend of live virtual sessions, group work, coaching and transformative retreats we will explore the role of community and culture, the power of storytelling and communication, the magic of purpose-led operations and governance, the complexity of decision-making and strategy, the potential of finance, and the critical importance of imagination, creativity and flow. The MBE is a 12-month program running from the end of August with each content module held virtually via Zoom. Each module is split into four weekly sessions with 3 hours of contact time per week. There will also be at least one week between each module for integration, reflection and homework.
Our time together will include globally renowned and expert guest speakers, one on one coaching, case studies and group work. Participants can expect an immersive, participatory and peer-to-peer driven experience. There will be a pre-reading pack shared for each module and participants will complete projects and reflections outside our contact hours (an additional 3 hours per week). We will also come together for two experiential in-person retreats in Australia.
"My biggest takeaway and transformation through the MBE was being able to imagine and strategise as a priority, explore regenerative business practices and relationships, and taking the risk to construct a target and implement it. I feel renewed as a person, a worker and a citizen of our world.” – 2023 graduate
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With a background in organisational strategy, gender lens investing, and leadership development, Tamsin has advised the Premier of South Australia and gone on to co-create several global initiatives including the inclusive innovation hub Workshop17, TheBoardroom Africa, and The Rallying Cry—shifting capital at the intersection of gender, nature, and climate.
Tamsin holds an MBA from the University of Oxford, where she was a scholar at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. She brings a deep commitment to inner work and outer change, helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity, care, and courage.
Simon is a Leadership and Culture Specialist. He’s a coach and advisor, change agent, master facilitator and culture practitioner with 20 years of experience with small, medium, and large organisations in insurance, finance, energy, retail and philanthropic sectors.
He has an MBA, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an accredited practitioner in change methodologies.
Gayle and her Global Leadership Foundation co-founder, Malcolm Lazenby, are passionate about and committed to making a positive difference to people, organisations and communities – both locally and globally. They each bring over 30 years of experience and internationally recognised expertise in developing, strengthening and transforming individuals, teams, organisations and communities.
As a ‘for purpose’ organisation and a certified B Corp, Global Leadership Foundation, uses its business as a “force for good”, placing its profit each year into a philanthropic fund for the development of leaders in community. It’s pro-bono and low bono work also strengthens and supports individuals, organisations and communities to build compassionate and sustainable approaches to leadership and life.
Global Leadership Foundation along with its Global Fellows, works with boards, and senior leaders all over the world in a range of areas, including: transformational leadership and change in individuals and organisations, strategic planning and development, emotional health and leadership resilience, leading through facilitating, strengthening collaboration, and board and executive mentoring and coaching.
Joel is the former CEO of Roadshow Films having spent thirty years working in the film industry across distribution, development and production here is Australia as well as internationally.Joel has served on the Board of numerous arts organisations including the Australian Centre For The Moving Image, the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as a member of AMPAS (The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences).
This 12-month immersive program includes:
- Two in-person retreats in Australia (meals and accommodation included, travel costs are excluded)
- Networking and learning from industry experts and leaders from around the world
- One virtual retreat
- Ongoing coaching and support
- Peers from around the world who are ready to reshape business for the next economy
- Workbooks, reading materials, video recordings, and ongoing access to a comprehensive online learning platform
The Mastery of Business & Empathy program is offered at $25,800 (GST Inclusive).
We offer partial scholarships to ensure the program remains accessible to a diverse community of changemakers. If you'd like to learn more about the program and scholarship opportunities, we invite you to book a call with our team. We're here to support you in finding the right path forward and answering any questions you may have about the program experience.
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If you’re interested in learning more about the MBE, we’d love to speak with you.
Book a call with our team, register for our information evening, or sign up to learn more about the journey of our MBE program.
Accelerating the personal and professional evolution of your top talent builds a resilient and agile organisation that’s ready for the future.
Sponsor your employee to complete a Mastery of Business and Empathy (MBE) and join a fellowship of outstanding leaders re-imagining business for a rapidly changing world.
Completing the Mastery of Business and Empathy is just the beginning of your journey. Our Fellowship is made up of leaders who integrate wisdom and action to support each other, co-create learning opportunities and actively collaborate on impactful projects for a more hopeful future.
Small Giants is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
With thanks to our partners
