Human catalyst of transformational change
Be bold, authentic and instinctive – keys to effective leadership
Michelle Berriman, Fundraising Nest CEO, and a leadership trailblazer, is making waves with her bold, authentic, and instinctive approach to leading teams. With a career marked by innovation and a commitment to inclusivity, Michelle champions the importance of boldness, authenticity, and trust in effective leadership.
According to Michelle, when it comes to leadership, embodying boldness involves several key actions:
Engage, listen and trust: Foster open communication channels within your team. Encourage dialogue, actively listen to diverse perspectives, and trust your team members’ expertise.
Allow risk taking: Embrace innovation by encouraging your team to explore new, untested ideas and initiatives. Risk-taking is essential for growth and progress.
Challenge the status quo: Take a stand on advocacy issues, even if they are controversial. Leaders should not shy away from challenging prevailing norms or systems that perpetuate inequity.
Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Encourage a culture where trying, failing, and learning are celebrated. Failure is not a setback but a steppingstone toward improvement and innovation.
“In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, being bold is essential for driving progress and fostering innovation,” says Michelle Berriman. “Leaders must be willing to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and encourage open communication to inspire meaningful change.”
From Michelle’s perspective, authentic leadership involves being genuine, transparent, and empathetic.
Humanise leadership: Maintain an open-door policy and treat everyone with equal respect. Embrace vulnerability and show that you are not infallible, fostering trust and connection within your team.
Bring your whole self: Be authentic in every aspect of your life, integrating your personal values and identity into your professional endeavours. Authentic leaders are consistent across work and personal spheres.
Prioritise inclusivity: Create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Authenticity is about being real, not conforming to traditional standards of professionalism.
Lead by example: Avoid placing yourself above others or delegating tasks you wouldn’t do yourself. Demonstrate a willingness to roll up your sleeves and engage in the work alongside your team.
Authenticity builds trust and connection within teams. By bringing our whole selves to the table
and prioritising inclusivity, we create environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Michelle says that instinct plays a crucial role in decision making and leadership.
Develop self-trust: Understand and trust your own basic instincts. Authentic leadership stems from a deep connection with oneself and the ability to trust one’s intuition.
Learn from experience: Experience refines instinctual responses. Reflect on past decisions where you trusted your instincts, both personally and professionally.
Embrace professional instinct: Apply the lessons learned from personal experiences to professional settings. Trust your instincts in decision-making, even in the absence of concrete evidence.
Fight for your beliefs: Stand by your instincts, even in challenging situations. Authentic leaders prioritise integrity and intuition over external pressures or expectations.
“Instincts are a powerful tool in decision-making. By trusting our intuition and learning from past experiences, we can navigate challenges with confidence and integrity,” Michelle adds.
“By engaging with teams openly, embracing authenticity, and trusting intuitive decision-making, leaders can inspire confidence, foster innovation, and drive meaningful change in both personal and professional spheres.
“My commitment to these principles serves as inspiration for leaders
striving to make a positive impact in their organisations and communities.”
A trailblazer in fundraising advocacy, generosity culture and authentic leadership
Known for her bold, unconventional style and impactful journey from adversity to triumph, Fundraising Nest CEO, Michelle Berriman, is urging more Australians to embrace authenticity, generosity, resilience, and fearless spirit, while breaking free from societal expectations, embracing your true self, and becoming a catalyst for transformation.
With more than 25 years career experience in inspiring leadership, advocating for generosity and highly-successful fundraising advocacy, Michelle is determined more Australians to join the movement, embracing a wave of authenticity that changes lives by challenging the status quo and making a real impact together.
From grassroots to global impact
Known for her bold, unconventional style and impactful journey from adversity to triumph, Fundraising Nest CEO, Michelle Berriman, is urging more Australians to embrace authenticity, generosity, resilience, and fearless spirit, while breaking free from societal expectations, embracing your true self, and becoming a catalyst for transformation.
With more than 25 years career experience in inspiring leadership, advocating for generosity and highly-successful fundraising advocacy, Michelle is determined more Australians to join the movement, embracing a wave of authenticity that changes lives by challenging the status quo and making a real impact together.
Forging relationships and raising millions
Michelle’s impact extends beyond her role as CEO, demonstrating an intuitive sense of character and a knack for forging lasting relationships. Through successful relationship fundraising, Michelle has raised more than $10 million for various organisations, including Child Cancer Foundation and Fundraising Institute of New Zealand in the past decade. Michelle emphasises, “Impact takes more than actions, formulas, or textbook strategies. It starts with inspiration and ends in trust.”
Michelle’s impact reverberates not only in the substantial funds she has raised but also in her commitment to nurturing the next generation of fundraisers. Her advocacy for professional development and mentorship has empowered a multitude of individuals within the fundraising sector. Michelle is an avid proponent of the ripple effect of success, emphasising that when fundraisers are equipped with inspiration, motivation, and authenticity, they become catalysts for transformative change.
Fundraising is about more than financial transactions; it's about building genuine connections.
When you inspire and motivate individuals, you create a network of change-makers who, in turn,
inspire others. It's a ripple effect that extends far beyond the initial act of fundraising.
Michelle’s unconventional style
Known for her distinctive pink Mohawk, Michelle embraces her uniqueness as an integral part of her journey. Reflecting on her unconventional style, Michelle shares, “My hair plays a part in my journey; it allows me to be confident, self-identify, and be at peace with myself after a long time of the complete opposite.”
She further reflects on her life-changing decision at the age of 15, stating, “The reason I am here started more than 25 years ago in the Scottish city of Aberdeen, when, at the age of 15 and after a failed suicide attempt, I decided to take destiny into my own hands and place myself in the care of the state.”
Michelle’s journey from adversity to empowerment during her time in the care of the state has been instrumental in shaping her resilient spirit and unwavering determination. Faced with personal challenges at a young age, Michelle made a courageous decision to redefine her path and seek support. This pivotal moment not only marked a turning point in her life but also laid the foundation for her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others facing adversity. Michelle’s authenticity and unconventional style are not just expressions of personal identity; they are symbols of triumph over challenges, resilience in the face of adversity, and a testament to the transformative power of self-determination.
Michelle’s advocacy spans a wide array of topics, each reflecting her profound commitment to fostering positive change. She is passionate about dismantling barriers to success, advocating for mental health awareness, and empowering individuals facing adversity. Michelle says, “In breaking down these barriers, we create a more compassionate and understanding world. It’s about recognising that everyone has a unique journey, and by embracing diversity, we amplify the strength of our collective voice.”
Her passion for creating impactful communities is complemented by her advocacy for diversity and inclusion within the fundraising sector. Michelle is determined to ignite conversations on the power of authenticity, resilience, and the pivotal role fundraisers play in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.
Michelle also advocates for generosity as an overarching principle in shaping the society we envision for future generations and firmly believes that society would thrive by embracing a culture of generosity.
Michele highlights the historical divide between the haves and have-nots, emphasising the importance of ensuring everyday Australians have the opportunity to be generous, especially in an increasingly digital and cashless society.
A passion for change
Michelle also underscores the significant of generosity not only in philanthropy and fundraising but also in everyday interactions, urging us to embody ‘be kind’ philosophy.
Fundraising Nest’s vision
Michelle’s dedication to building meaningful connections in a virtual society aligns with Fundraising Nest’s mission. With the launch of the Fundraising Nest community hub, the organisation aims to provide professional fundraisers with a neutral stomping ground. This vibrant space facilitates learning, support, and collaboration, embodying the core values of reliability, relevance, refreshment, responsiveness, resilience, and resonance.
Elaborating on the vision of Fundraising Nest, Michelle states, “Fundraising is a bit like cooking; you can be inspired by other people’s ‘recipes.’ If you don’t already know – remember that there is not an idea that has not already been thought of! BUT making basic recipes taste different and delicious by adding your own flare and flavours is the key to innovation, creativity, growth, authenticity, and success.”
– YMCA Equal Pay Awards 2019 – Judge of Community Category
– NZ Charity Technology Awards 2019 – Judge and event MC
– Champions Lunch 2015- 2018 – MC, Co Host, Producer, and content creator
– Shaping our Futures Rotary District Conference 2022 – Speaker
– Change the World 2021 – Headline Speaker
– Individual Giving Virtual Summit 2020, Fundraising Everywhere – MC and Australasian Host
– Resource Alliance FRO 2021 – Creating Unity in a Diverse World – MC and Co-host.
– International Woman’s Day 2021 #choosetochallenge – Guest panel presenter joining two international woman leaders to discuss resilience.
– Association Influencer 2020 Nominee Association Influencer 2020 Nominee issued by https://www.ausae.org.au/AI
-Announced-2020 · Feb 2021
– Global Change Accelerator Awards Global Change Accelerator Awards – Issued by https://resource-alliance.org/2020-global-fundraising-awards/vote/
· Oct 2020 Issued by https://resource-alliance.org/2020-global-fundraising-awards/vote/
· Oct 2020. Finalists. One of 8 Global Finalists
If you’re in the Melbourne area we can meet in person or otherwise let’s chat online!
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Fundraising Nest – Brought to you by Michelle Berriman. Supported by Cory Hall and Precision.
