Climate Leadership Accelerator: Into the Arena

Deepen your understanding of the systems creating the climate crisis and develop a framework for your own climate action.

Start Date:
March 20, 2025
June 3, 2025
Duration:
10 weeks
Format:
2-day in person retreat, followed by weekly 3-hour online sessions
Cost:
Cost: $4,960 + GST, B Corp Concession: $4464.00 + GST NFPs, Registered Charities, and First Nations People $3968.00 + GST
Pillars
Business & Economics
Nature & Environment
Equality & Democracy

In partnership with

Do you feel compelled to influence climate leadership in your organisation or community? Learn from experts, navigate new pathways, and join an incredible network shaping this defining challenge of our times.

Join us on a transformational learning journey to deepen your understanding of the systems creating the climate crisis, extend your network with leaders across disciplines, challenge your assumptions and develop your own climate action framework.

Through an interactive combination of knowledge building across sectors, expert climate mentorship, peer learning and personal development, this program cultivates the agency we all need to bring strategic climate leadership to our communities, businesses and beyond.

‘Into the Arena’ brings unparalleled content backed by some of the most prominent international experts at the intersection of climate, business and policy.

The course will facilitate an understanding of the climate context while developing a personalised action framework that provides a pathway to making change in your sphere of influence and beyond.

Why step Into the Arena?

Lead in the next chapter and influence a better future.

Climate impacts are upon us and we are being called to respond. Temperatures are forecast to increase over 2 degrees beyond pre-industrial norms, and these projections are coming sooner than anticipated. Heatwaves and fires persist well beyond their usual cycles giving way to floods, cyclones and other natural disasters. The mounting social justice challenges, coupled with the effects of climate change demands our immediate attention.

This program invites individuals who are ready to deepen their knowledge base in order to take meaningful climate action.

Download Brochure

Who is this program for?

We are seeking people who care about the impacts of climate change and are ready to step into the arena in their spheres of influence.

This program is by application and open to people from all sectors, industries and backgrounds. The cohort is curated to expand perspectives and understanding.

Participants could include (but are in no way limited to):

  • C-suite at a large or listed company interested in their organisation pioneering climate leadership
  • SME leaders who want to take their business and industry toward climate solutions
  • A school teacher or principal wanting to engage students, families and staff buliding a climate resilient school community
  • A political incumbent or advisor curious to understand the climate movement and deepen their climate policy
  • A neighbourhood community member wanting to strengthen local climate education, preparedness and adaptation
  • First Nations leaders caring for Country and community resilience - Investors and philanthropists wanting to understand the changing economic context and the most impactful points of leverage
  • You (are you ready to bring your business or community with you to create the climate leadership we need?)

Register your interest

No items found.

The curriculum

Connect with other leaders, challenge assumptions, get curious about how the world is changing, and develop a hopeful framework for action.

Through an interactive blend of live virtual sessions, group work with expert climate advisors, coaching and a transformative retreat we will explore the role and nature of climate leadership, the power of storytelling and communication, the critical importance of systems thinking as we delve broaden our understanding through topics like infrastructure and energy transition, farming, biodiversity and natural capital and the influence of the political economy, culminating in a framework for action.

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

  • Knowledge of the environmental, social, economic, political and ethical challenges and opportunities facing the world today
  • A vision, ambition and practical action framework to effect change in your organisation, industry or community
  • New capacities to lead transformational initiatives
  • A community of like-minded peers across sectors with a shared vision
  • New collaborations that push boundaries to identify new solutions to complex challenges
  • An ability to hold the complexity of competing perspectives and apply this learning across industries
  • Access to a global community of climate leaders
  • The opportunity to join Small Giants Academy fellows community

We will explore:

  • Climate consciousness and our macro context
  • Rethinking climate leadership for the next economy
  • Business in economic transition and transformation
  • Energy – accelerating the transition
  • Farming and food systems
  • Nature and biodiversity
  • Politics, policy and power
  • Information ecosystems and ethics
  • Climate equity
  • The story and psychology of change
  • Climate leadership in action

The Program Structure

Where solutions meet action

The program starts with a two-day in-person retreat in Melbourne, where you'll delve into the foundational climate science, build a more comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis, and connect with your peers. We then transition into weekly 3 hour online sessions, where thought leaders and climate mentors will join with us as we examine specific climate systems and develop our individualised plans.

Throughout this journey, you will pin point tangible points of influence for your professional and personal leadership growth. These areas will be nurtured and refined through guided group huddles throughout the program. With the support of climate mentors in climate policy, industry, advocacy, and storytelling, and equipped with resources, you'll be poised to step into the arena - to take action within the businesses and communities you are involved in.

Program dates

Our 10-week program will commence in March 2025 and conclude in May 2025

The program will start with a two-day, in-person retreat in Melbourne, followed by online course delivery each week.

No items found.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena”

- Theodore Roosevelt Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Our Guides

Matthew Nation

Director at Nation Partners

“I grew up in Tasmania and the environment has always been important to me. I studied environmental science and have travelled the world to better understand how we interact with our natural environment.

My curiosity for better understanding our environment and how we can protect the planet, led to founding Nation Partners in 2013; a certified B-Corp, purpose-driven business that has implemented progressive Teal principles to fully unlock human potential.  I have created a business that directs its energy towards saving the planet and provides a blueprint for a new business model that recognises the importance of the environment and society, and ensures they are considered in every business decision we make.

More recently, I have been exploring my own inner-wisdom and wellbeing and considering how I can be emotionally healthy and best positioned to lead others.  At Nation Partners, we talk about wholeness and leaving your ego at the door, and I have found a place of greater contentedness through the work I have done with the Small Giants Academy in the Masters of Business Empathy and from the time I have spent in Bhutan.”

“I grew up in Tasmania and the environment has always been important to me. I studied environmental science and have travelled the world to better understand how we interact with our natural environment.

My curiosity for better understanding our environment and how we can protect the planet, led to founding Nation Partners in 2013; a certified B-Corp, purpose-driven business that has implemented progressive Teal principles to fully unlock human potential.  I have created a business that directs its energy towards saving the planet and provides a blueprint for a new business model that recognises the importance of the environment and society, and ensures they are considered in every business decision we make.

More recently, I have been exploring my own inner-wisdom and wellbeing and considering how I can be emotionally healthy and best positioned to lead others.  At Nation Partners, we talk about wholeness and leaving your ego at the door, and I have found a place of greater contentedness through the work I have done with the Small Giants Academy in the Masters of Business Empathy and from the time I have spent in Bhutan.”

Pip Wheaton

Planet & climate problem solver, systems thinker and facilitator

"I’m a social entrepreneur, perpetual questioner and aspiring systems changer. What does that mean? It means I’m curious about how to tackle the really important, sticky, complex problems facing our world today. For the past four years, that’s led to a focus on climate change and our interconnected social, environmental and political predicament.

While I grew up in a remote part of rural New South Wales, I now live in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) in Aotearoa New Zealand. My childhood consisted of planting trees and rounding up sheep, finding poisonous snakes in my bedroom and echidna in the garden, and taking solo walks to gaze at the exceptionally starry skies. Somewhere amongst that, a curiosity about the interconnectedness of all things was sparked.

I’ve worked in social entrepreneurship, local government, academia, and philanthropy across Australia, South Africa, the UK and Aotearoa. I support changemakers realise their missions, and I research and write about what makes effective climate strategy. My work is informed by systems theory and a fierce sense of justice. I recently published a playbook for how to unlock agency for collective climate action. This is based on learnings from dozens of world-leading social entrepreneurs and is a collaboration between Ashoka and the Skoll Centre of Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University."

Pip Wheaton
Planet & climate problem solver, systems thinker and facilitator

"I’m a social entrepreneur, perpetual questioner and aspiring systems changer. What does that mean? It means I’m curious about how to tackle the really important, sticky, complex problems facing our world today. For the past four years, that’s led to a focus on climate change and our interconnected social, environmental and political predicament.

While I grew up in a remote part of rural New South Wales, I now live in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) in Aotearoa New Zealand. My childhood consisted of planting trees and rounding up sheep, finding poisonous snakes in my bedroom and echidna in the garden, and taking solo walks to gaze at the exceptionally starry skies. Somewhere amongst that, a curiosity about the interconnectedness of all things was sparked.

I’ve worked in social entrepreneurship, local government, academia, and philanthropy across Australia, South Africa, the UK and Aotearoa. I support changemakers realise their missions, and I research and write about what makes effective climate strategy. My work is informed by systems theory and a fierce sense of justice. I recently published a playbook for how to unlock agency for collective climate action. This is based on learnings from dozens of world-leading social entrepreneurs and is a collaboration between Ashoka and the Skoll Centre of Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University."

Guest speakers

Through this program, you'll get the opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most prominent names in the climate action in Australia – an unparalelled opportunity to connect with people shaping the defining challenge of our times.

Rebecca Huntley

Author, How to Talk About Climate Change

Read more north_east
Rebecca Huntley
Author, How to Talk About Climate Change

Amanda McKenzie

CEO, Climate Council

Read more north_east

Richie Merzian

International Director, Smart Energy Council

Read more north_east
Richie Merzian
International Director, Smart Energy Council

Ronni Kahn

Founder, Oz Harvest 

Read more north_east

Rachel Lowry

CEO, Bush Heritage Australia 

Read more north_east
Rachel Lowry
CEO, Bush Heritage Australia 

Ed Coper

Author, Facts & Other Lies

Read more north_east

Emma Bacon

CEO, Sweltering Cities

Read more north_east

Tishiko King

Climate & Torres Strait Islander Advocate

Read more north_east
Tishiko King
Climate & Torres Strait Islander Advocate

Erin Coldham

Chief Development Officer, Star of the South

Read more north_east
Erin Coldham
Chief Development Officer, Star of the South

Alison Kelly

Agriculture Victoria

Read more north_east

Advisory Group

Richie Merzian

International Director, Smart Energy Council

Read more north_east
Richie Merzian
International Director, Smart Energy Council

Hasmukh Chand

Climate Energy, Policy and Politics, Climate Network

Read more north_east
Hasmukh Chand
Climate Energy, Policy and Politics, Climate Network

Your investment

What does the program cost?

AUD $4,960 + GST* ( Bcorps Concession: $4464.00 + GST NFPs, Registered Charities, and First Nations People $3968.00 + GST)

Upfront and interest-free monthly payment plans are available.

Partial scholarships are based on financial need and will be allocated after acceptance into the program.

* Accomodation and travel not included for the in-person retreat

The Fellows Community

Into the Arena connects you to a rich community of fellows – a network of thinkers and leaders building a better future together.

Completing this program is just the beginning of your journey with Small Giants Academy. 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.

Register your interest

FAQs and Details

No items found.
No items found.

Are you ready to activate your climate leadership?

If you’re interested in learning more about Into the Arena, we’d love to speak with you.
Book a call with our team, or apply now.

Invest in transformational climate leadership development that makes real difference to your organisation

While the focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles remains imperative for businesses, accelerating the personal and professional development of your top talent in climate leadership including an action plan to integrate learning into your business will help build a resilient and agile organisation that is ready for the future.

Sponsor your employee to complete our Climate Leadership Accelerator and join a fellowship of outstanding leaders re-imagining business for a rapidly changing world.

Business & Economics
Nature & Environment
Equality & Democracy