Leading with Purpose: Gaia Grant Joins the For Purpose Alliance (FPA) to Support Innovative Leadership in the NFP Sector
Gaia is now collaborating with the FPA as a Leadership Hub Chair. Below is an Interview with Gaia originally published by FPA about the perspective she will bring to this role.
The For Purpose Alliance (FPA) is welcoming Dr. Gaia Grant as the newest Chair of its Leadership Hub. With a remarkable career spanning over 30 countries, Gaia brings a depth of academic research, practical leadership experience, and a visionary approach to innovation that will greatly enrich our leadership community.
An Interview with Gaia Grant – our new FPA Leadership Hub Chair
We’re delighted to welcome Gaia Grant as a new Chair for the FPA Leadership Hub Program. Gaia brings a rare combination of deep academic insight, hands-on leadership experience, and a passion for innovation and purpose-driven change. Get to know Gaia (pronounced Jaya) below.
Q: Gaia, Welcome! What drew you to the For Purpose Alliance and the role of Hub Chair?
Thank you! I was immediately drawn to FPA’s mission to cultivate strong, purpose-led leaders. With decades of experience working across grassroots and executive roles in the for-purpose sector and consulting with NFP Leaders I see this as a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of an inspiring leadership community. FPA’s commitment to learning, connection, and sector impact strongly aligns with my own values and professional focus.
Q: You’ve worked with organisations in over 30 countries and led leadership programs for global organisations. How does that experience translate to supporting leaders in the Australian for-purpose sector?
Across every context whether it’s a large global organisation or a small community initiative leaders face similar challenges: balancing long-term vision with short-term demands, navigating uncertainty, and inspiring others through change.
I’ve worked closely with leaders in refugee advocacy, rural development, education, and health, and what I’ve learned is the power of grounded, purpose-led innovation leadership and culture development. My goal as a Chair is to help FPA leaders step back, identify core tensions, recognise patterns, and navigate these tensions with fresh insight and confidence.
Q: Your recent work at the University of Sydney focused on executive leadership in the for-purpose sector. What insights have come from that?
The research was incredibly rich. Through a series of studies I interviewed 66 senior leaders, conducted two in-depth longitudinal case studies, and surveyed thousands. What emerged was the importance of developing what I call Purpose-Driven Innovation Leadership, or the capacity to lead with clarity in the face of complexity and ambiguity. From this, I developed two tools: the Innovative Change Leader Inventory (iCLi) and the Purpose-Driven Innovation Radar (PDIR), both of which are designed to help leaders assess and strengthen their strategic readiness for innovation and change management.
I’m excited to bring this thinking into the FPA space in practical ways.
Q: What can members expect from you as a Hub Chair?
I’ll bring energy, structure, and a deep commitment to ensuring each session is both meaningful and actionable. My approach is facilitative, supporting peer exchange and shared learning while also offering frameworks that help reframe challenges and unlock new opportunities.
I also love integrating tools, insights, and stories from across sectors to spark fresh thinking. Most of all, I care about building trust and creating a space where members can reflect, challenge, and grow.
Q: And finally, what keeps you inspired?
I’m endlessly energised by working with people who are driven by purpose. Helping leaders do their best work in service of something bigger, that’s what keeps me motivated.
Also, my appetite for learning never stops. Whether it’s through research, travel, or conversations, I’ll always be curious and will always enjoy extending my learning.
I’m especially excited to learn more about my FPA Hub members!
🔗 Read the full interview on the FPA site
🔗 See what the FPA does
