AS

LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship

The inaugural LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of Sydney Business School in alliance with The Pinnacle Foundation was held between 25 and 29 September 2023 in Sydney.

As Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, the Fellowship contributes towards realising our vision for a more diverse and inclusive society with visible LGBTQIA+ role models. A Pinnacle Foundation alumnus will be awarded a Fellowship place in each cohort. We congratulate Pinnacle Foundation alumnus, and volunteer company secretary, Ben Henry, who attended the inaugural Fellowship.

The Fellowship delivers transformative leadership growth through an overarching theme of “unlearning” which challenges traditional managerial wisdom and adapts it to one’s context and lived experience. Feedback from participants was exceptional.

Thank you to everyone who made the program possible including the incredibly passionate and talented team at The University of Sydney Business School, Herbert Smith Freehills, Pinnacle patron, the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, Pinnacle founding chair, Paul Zahra, former Pinnacle board member, Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, Equality Australia CEO, Anna Brown OAM and the many Pinnacle partners and supporters who sent representatives/ attended.

Applications for the second LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, to run between 3 and 7 June 2024, are now open. Please visit: LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship – The University of Sydney Business School.

Sujin Jang

Sujin Jang

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

MEDIA RELEASE

Launch of Project Pronoun Only two chief executive officers of Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – NSW

Last Monday night, the Sydney Committee hosted a spectacular End Of Year Cocktail fundraiserOur incredible…

Midsumma Pride March 2023

The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…

Odette Maher

Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…

Picnic For Pinnacle – VIC

Scholars in Victoria gathered with members of the Victorian Committee for a Picnic for Pinnacle,…

First Nations Voice to Parliament

As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle…

Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC

The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…

Dylan Lloyd

Dylan Lloyd

I want to share with you some of the ways in which Pinnacle has empowered…

Picnic For Pinnacle 2022

Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…

Georg Tamm

Georg Tamm

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Lewis McFarlane

Lewis McFarlane

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Louise Fisher and Peter Maher

Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – WA

Our WA Committee recently hosted a Scholar Welcome Event, a night filled with gratitude, warmth,…

Scholar Welcome 2023 – ACT

The Pinnacle Foundation would like to thank our Gold Partner – Maddocks for their generosity…

young men at the beach

Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)

Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….

TasPride 2023

So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…

Picnic For Pinnacle

Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…

Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT

As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – VIC

This week in Melbourne, KPMG set the stage for a heartwarming evening as they hosted…

Midsumma Pride March 2024

Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian Committee joined with scholars, alumni and partner reps…

Penny Wilson

Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…

Nathan Li

Nathan joined the Pinnacle family in 2012 as one of our scholars and his journey…

Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award

Congratulations!   We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…

Power of words – King & Wood Mallesons

Pinnacle Foundation gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons believes that responsible business is everyone’s business,…

Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride

The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…

Anu Francis

Anu Francis

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Andy Tran

In 2019, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed Andy Tran as one of our scholars. During his…

ben

Ben Bjarnesen

What inspired you to become involved with The Pinnacle Foundation? Growing up I didn’t have…

rhian

My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt

Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…

Caitlyn Georgeson

Caitlyn Georgeson

Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…

Nathan Cappelluti Photo

Nathan Cappelluti

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Hannah Worsley

Hannah Worsley

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Benjamin Law

‘Yield!’: Former High Court judge Michael Kirby’s surprising relationship secret

By Benjamin Law (article appearing in Good Weekend ) Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – SA

Last Thursday night the SA Committee hosted our Scholars Welcome event at the Treasury, generously…

Profile: Audrey Crémer – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Bronte Charles

Bronte Charles

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary

South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…

Beyond the Rainbow

Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…

young men at the beach

Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes

Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….

Scholar Welcome 2023 – QLD

On 23 March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – NSW

On Thursday 7 March the Pinnacle family in NSW welcomed the 2024 NSW Pinnacle Foundation…

Mardi Gras 2022

If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…

TasPride 2024

Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation family in Tasmania proudly marched at TasPride. Our Tasmanian…

Mardi Gras 2024

The Pinnacle family proudly danced its way up Oxford Street in the 2024 Mardi Gras…

Brayden’s Story

Brayden cannot remember exactly what he put in the note to his mum. It was,…

Jennifer Westacott AO, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation

Jennifer Westacott AO shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.

Connor Allen

Connor Allen

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria

On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…

Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023

Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…

WA Pride March 2023

The Western Australian Committee stood strong and recently marched at the WA Pride March. With…

The History of The Pinnacle Foundation

The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…

Brenda Appleton

Trans Day of Visibility

Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…

Mardi Gras 2021

The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…

Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021

After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…

Rose

Renae Papalexiou

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation

Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.

Profile: Han Worsely – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Hayden Moon

Hayden Moon

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

End of Year Event 2023 – TAS

Last Wednesday, the Tasmanian Committee lit up the night at our End of Year event,…

A message from the Governor of Victoria (Patron-in-Chief of The Pinnacle Foundation): Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

On behalf of the people of Victoria, I extend my sincere condolences to His Majesty…

IDAHOBIT 2022

Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – QLD

Last week, the QLD Committee hosted a heartwarming End of Year charity fundraiser, weaving together…

rhian

Rhian on Studio 10 – Wear It Purple Day 2022

The Pinnacle Foundation scholar Rhian Mordaunt appeared on Channel 10’s Studio 10 with Sarah Harris…

Mardi Gras Fair Day 2023

On 19 February our NSW committee had a stand at Mardi Gras Fair Day and…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – QLD

Last week, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at a…

David Edwards Photo

David Edwards

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Scholar Welcome 2023 – WA

On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning  scholars and their mentors in Western…

MEDIA RELEASE

Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…

Coming out as gay to my parents: Brayden’s story – SBS

Brayden wrote a note to his mum, walked away and started to cry Noongar man…

Caiti Galwey

We have just welcomed our new scholars for 2022 and we are so inspired by…

Her Excellency the Hon Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria

Pinnacle Foundation Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency the Hon Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, hosted a…

Nic Steepe

Nic Steepe

Nic’s journey with The Pinnacle Foundation has come full circle – he began as a…

Rhian Mordaunt

Rhian Mordaunt

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Cameron Tirendi

BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…

Gabin Soosaipillai

We have just welcomed our new scholars for 2022 and we are so inspired by…

Lorraine Hall

Lorraine Hall

Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…

Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Sydney

Last night in Sydney, at our annual partners’ dinner, we thanked our corporate and philanthropic…

Arthur Forrest

Arthur

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

“The art of changing lives”

A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…

Cornerstone Members & Patrons Dinner

On Tuesday 8 August we held our annual Cornerstone members and patrons dinner. The event,…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – ACT

The Pinnacle Foundation’s ACT Committee recently held the 2024 Scholar Welcome event. A special shoutout…

Brisbane Pride Festival 2022

This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…

Alastair Lawrie

Alastair Lawrie has been a valued mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation for the past three…

A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark

PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…

Dr Glen Lo

Dr Glen Lo

What inspired you to become a mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation? My inspiration is to…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – TAS

Last night the Tasmanian Committee held the 2024 Scholar Welcome Event, graciously hosted by Hydro…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – ACT

The ACT Committee’s End of Year Cocktail Fundraiser was an absolute blast, filled with joy,…

Georgie Stone OAM

Congratulations to Georgie Stone OAM, a Pinnacle Foundation ambassador and alumnus, who was last night…

The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley

The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…

Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Melbourne

On Wednesday night, The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, hosted its annual partners’ dinner…

James Holland

James Holland

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Picnic For Pinnacle – SA

All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…

Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Lili Murtagh

Lili Murtagh

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – WA

As we bid farewell to another incredible year, the Western Australian Committee celebrated in style…

Picnic For Pinnacle 2023

Picnic for Pinnacle featured as a Pride Amplified event, part of Sydney WorldPride, and we…

Jacinta Clark

Jacinta Clark was welcomed into the Pinnacle family in 2018 as one of our scholars….

Profile: Anthony Copeland (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Murray Gatt

Murray Gatt

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – VIC

Recently, the Victorian Committee gathered in Melbourne for a truly special occasion – the annual…

Isabella Kotasek

Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Oliver McGrath

Oliver McGrath

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Angel St. James

Angel St James

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….

Hayden Moon

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Caitlyn Georgeson

Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…

Scholar Welcome 2022

The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…

Laura Cripps

August 2019

Laura Cripps What was it like for you to be part of The Pinnacle Foundation…