Gayle Hardie (Nee Henderson)

MAC.ROB student, 1965-1969
PORTRAIT GALLERY INDUCTEE, 2026
DIP.M.K.T.C.; B.SC (HROB); M.A.
Co-Founder, Facilitator, Board Director

Gayle was born in Melbourne in December 1951 and grew up in Richmond with her parents and her sister Vicky (Mac.Rob 1966-1970).  At Mac.Rob, Gayle thrived in anything connected to music – madrigals, musicals and as Dryad’s House Conductor. She was also successful in obtaining an American Field Service Scholarship that took her to Vermont, USA for a year.

Gayle then attended Melbourne Kindergarten Teacher’s College, realising early in her career that while she enjoyed working with children, supporting their parents and families was of most interest.  After a time living and studying in California, Gayle returned to take up the role as Pre-School Adviser for the Northern Mallee in Victoria. There she also obtained her unrestricted Private Pilot’s Licence, something she never imagined she would be capable of achieving given her experience with science and maths at school.

Moving to North-East Victoria, Gayle became the Divisional Manger, People and Culture at Brown Brothers Wines, supporting the organisation at a time of significant expansion. This subsequently enabled Gayle to take her experience into the broader field of consulting, where executive leadership, organisation strategy and culture change became her focus.

In 2003, Gayle and Malcolm Lazenby co-founded Global Leadership Foundation, a ‘for purpose’ organisation with a vision to raise the emotional health levels of people on the planet. An international group of Fellows and Friends undertake this work with Gayle and Malcolm. The Foundation conducts substantial pro bono and low bono work, and annual profits are placed into a philanthropic fund for the development of leaders in community.

Gayle has significant experience and capability as a facilitator, Master Trainer, coach, mentor and trusted adviser with recognition of this being acknowledged in her role as co-facilitator for the Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016).

Gayle lives in Melbourne with her husband, Jim, whom she met at Melbourne High School when they were both in the chorus of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado’. Whilst Global Leadership Foundation is the continuous source of inspiration for her, she and Jim also enjoy their vineyard at Whitlands in North-East Victoria, as well as travelling, both within Australia and across the world.