Michael Dwyer Leadership Scholarship

About the scholarship
The Michael Dwyer Leadership Scholarship was established in 2019 to support the development of an aspiring superannuation fund executive in Australia. The scholarship enables an outstanding executive to attend the Executive Colloquium at Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.

FEAL welcomes applications from senior executives who are members of FEAL.

Where ethics and practicality meet
Discover your capacity as an ethical leader: one who can apply clarity, reason and a long-range view to those grey areas that keep you awake at night. Explore the ethically challenged decisions you are often expected to make, where the tension between policies and fairness pulls in opposing directions. Using the Cranlana distinct model of shared intellectual enquiry and drawing from the wisdom of ancient philosophers to contemporary innovators, Cranlana’s expert moderators help participants connect theory to their everyday reality.

In responding to each of the criteria, applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate the way in which they will benefit from attending the Executive Colloquium. Applications must be accompanied by a reference or endorsement from their Chief Executive or Senior Manager, and a brief resume.

Every effort is made to preserve the integrity and rigour of the scholarship selection process. Further information about this process can be obtained at www.feal.asn.au.

Executive Colloquium Program details
A five-day intensive program for 20 participants

The Executive Colloquium explores and questions ethical frameworks and dilemmas raised in selected philosophical, economic and cultural texts; from ancient classics to contemporary news.

Is the Executive Colloquium Program right for me?
You may wish to consider applying for this program if:

• You have proven technical management and leadership skills
• You have enjoyed great success in your career and worked tirelessly to achieve your goals
• You have experienced how pragmatism, power and the pressures of time can result in decisions you’re not entirely comfortable with
• You think your next move could define your career

What will you leave with?
The five-day Executive Colloquium will help you:

• Develop clarity about your ethical decision-making practices
• Hone ethical leadership and critical reasoning skills
• Develop a moral scaffolding to help make ethical judgments
• Enrich your understanding of the factors that lead to a more ethical workplace culture
• Reconnect to your professional purpose and personal values-based goals
• Connect to peers facing similar challenges and gather a support network

Please outline how attending the Executive Colloquium will enable you to contribute to your fund/organisation and/or the industry by responding to each of the following questions. To assist the scholarship selection panel in the assessment of this application, please provide clear examples that illustrate how you have achieved each criteria. Please limit your responses to the space provided (max character limit of 1000 characters).

Please upload a copy of your most recent resume to demonstrate the responsibilities in your current position, experience in the financial services industry and tertiary education (maximum 2 pages).

Alternatively, if you're unable to upload your resume, please email it to katrina.bacon@feal.asn.au and Cc renee.villasanti@feal.asn.au.

Your application must also be endorsed by the individual you report to. Please provide their details and upload an email or letter with their endorsement of your application. The endorsement should support your application including why they think that you are worthy of being awarded the scholarship and how the opportunity will support your leadership development.

Alternatively, if you're unable to upload their endorsement, please email it to katrina.bacon@feal.asn.au and Cc renee.villasanti@feal.asn.au.

Terms and Conditions

• Applications received after the specified deadline will not be considered
• The decision of the selection panel is final and no subsequent correspondence will be entered into
• The Michael Dwyer Leadership Scholarship is open to FEAL members only
• Applicants must be employed with their fund/organisation at the time of the scholarship
• Successful applicants may be called upon to deliver a report to FEAL members
• FEAL Directors are not eligible to apply
• This scholarship covers tuition only

Applications close 5pm AEDT, Friday 20th February 2026.


This scholarship is sponsored in partnership with: