The Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation (VFELF) was established by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation with the particular aim of developing ‘ethical leadership’ in Australia.

Through funding a number of programs in leadership development, the VFELF seeks to support the development of high standards of ethics in leadership so that outstanding young Australians can expand their capacity to make a significant impact for the good of the Australian community.

Sir Vincent Fairfax was an outstanding leader in Australian business and the community. He was Chairman of the AMP Society for 16 years, a director of the Bank of New South Wales and John Fairfax Limited, publishers of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and other newspapers. A man of Christian principle and integrity, Sir Vincent had a sense of purpose and responsibility in the way he lived his life. This was reflected in his work in business, his rural interests and his many charitable and voluntary commitments, as well as his family life.

During the latter part of his life, Sir Vincent was particularly keen to encourage the development of good leadership. He envisaged that the landscape of leadership in Australia would be shaped by people who would lead their communities and organisations with their thoughts, beliefs, decisions and actions grounded in a sound ethical framework.

VFELF-funded programs aim to equip participants with the insights, conviction, behaviours, skills and knowledge to make considered ethical decisions and actions, having regard to those affected and treating others as they themselves would wish to be treated.

Directors
The VFELF is governed by a board of Directors including members of the Fairfax family as well as independent directors appointed for their particular areas of expertise and experience.

The Hon. Robert Cartwright (Chairman)
Rob Cartwright is Senior Deputy President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and immediate past President of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal from 2004 to 2009.  Previously, he held senior positions in industry as a Group Managing Director of Telstra Corporation Ltd and over 15 years in the CRA group of companies. He has been a Director and Deputy Chairman of the Australian Graduate School of Management and Commissioner of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.  

Geoffrey V. Kells
Geoff Kells has been a Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation since 1999 and served as Chairman from 2004 until November 2009. He is a non executive director of a number of organisations including Opportunity International in Australia, Hong Kong and China. Previously, he was the Managing Director and CEO of CSR Limited and has served on corporate and non-profit boards in Australia, Asia, North America and Europe for more than 25 years.

James M. Millar
James was the Area Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer for Ernst & Young, a Professional Services firm.  He was also a member of the Global Board of Ernst & Young. James’ career has been as a Corporate Reconstruction professional prior to his leadership roles at Ernst & Young.

James was a member of the Business Council of Australia. He is currently a Director or Trustee of other for profit, not for profit and charitable organisations.

Debby King-Rowley, PhD
Debby is Director of Burlington Group, a firm specialising in leadership development, change management, and instructional design for corporate and government clients. She is an Associate of Duke Corporate Education, MESA Research Group, the Institute of Knowledge Development (IKD), Mt Eliza Executive Education, and The Leadership Consortium.  She was previously global Director of Executive Education at Motorola and General Manager of the Telstra Centre for Leadership.

Michael Murray
Michael Murray is Senior Portfolio Manager with the Sustainable Funds Team at AMP Capital. Previously, he worked as a management consultant with Bach Consulting and as a portfolio manager with UBS Brinson. In 2002, he was the recipient of a Vincent Fairfax Fellowship and helped develop the CowFund initiative to raise funds for microfinance projects throughout South East Asia.

Angus D. White
Angus has held roles as Case Worker for the Red Cross Tracing Agency and Refugee Service, Case Manager for the Asylum Seekers' Assistance Scheme and State Coordinator for the Breakfast Club program at Australian Red Cross NSW. He is a qualified teacher and has a background in outdoor education in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Angus is a Director Mlima Investments, Mundango Abroad Private Ancillary Fund and is Chairman of The Mundango Charitable Trust. He served as Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation from 2002 to 2006