When you unite a team around purpose, anything is possible.
Annabelle Chauncy OAM is a force for good—driven by vision, grounded in action, and relentless in her belief that education can transform the world.
As the Co-Founder and CEO of School for Life Foundation, she has spent more than 15 years building what many only talk about: real, sustainable change in some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities.
What began as a three-month volunteer trip to East Africa at age 21 has become a lifelong mission. Today, School for Life operates and supports 10 thriving schools across East Africa (primarily in rural Uganda), providing education to over 4,500 students—many of whom are the first in their families to attend school. But the impact goes far beyond classrooms. Through community outreach, vocational training, clean water programs, medical support, and employment, Annabelle and her team are building ecosystems that lift entire communities out of poverty.
Her leadership spans three continents, a team of over 130, and partnerships with governments, global businesses, and generous individual donors who believe in her vision. Annabelle has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia, named in AFR & Westpac’s Top 100 Women of Influence, and awarded for innovation, business leadership, and service to humanity.
Raised on a sheep and cattle farm in rural NSW, Annabelle blends humility and hard-won wisdom with formidable intelligence and clarity of purpose. Whether she’s on the ground in Uganda or on stage inspiring the next generation of leaders, she brings the same energy: bold, brave, and deeply human.
Talking Points
Authentic leadership
Annabelle's shares insights into how to build, motivate, and nurture a team from a founder with a mission to a staff of 130 over three continents. This presentation covers: ensuring your team is aligned on strategy, purpose and values, developing self belief, getting mentors, lifelong learning, pivoting faster and loving it all - the highs, lows and everything in between.
Authentic leadership
Building and scaling a business in a crowded market
In this presentation Annabelle will unpack:Building and scaling a business in a crowded market
- How to find your unique selling proposition
- Developing a tribe of loyal customers/clients who will do anything for you (even climb Mount Kilimanjaro!)
- How to build authentic, long lasting relationships
- The power of storytelling for engagement and how storytelling deeply connects people to your brand
Video
Annabelle Chauncy on the challenges facing women in business
Annabelle Chauncy OAM is the CEO and Founding Director of School for Life Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the foundation has built a team of more than 120 staff, built 3 schools in rural Uganda that Annabelle knows how to drive effective change in, navigating fast growth developing a national brand and engaging thousands of supporters to raise more than $6M in 5 years.Annabelle Chauncy: How important is technology in development aid?
Annabelle Chauncy OAM is the CEO and Founding Director of School for Life Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the foundation has built a team of more than 120 staff, built 3 schools in rural Uganda that Annabelle knows how to drive effective change in, navigating fast growth developing a national brand and engaging thousands of supporters to raise more than $6M in 5 years.Annabelle Chauncy: Purpose, empowerment and trust are everything
Annabelle Chauncy OAM is the CEO and Founding Director of School for Life Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the foundation has built a team of more than 120 staff, built 3 schools in rural Uganda that Annabelle knows how to drive effective change in, navigating fast growth developing a national brand and engaging thousands of supporters to raise more than $6M in 5 years.Annabelle Chauncy | An Introduction to School for Life
Annabelle Chauncy OAM is the CEO and Founding Director of School for Life Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the foundation has built a team of more than 120 staff, built 3 schools in rural Uganda that Annabelle knows how to drive effective change in, navigating fast growth developing a national brand and engaging thousands of supporters to raise more than $6M in 5 years.Annabelle Chauncy | School For Life
Annabelle Chauncy OAM is the CEO and Founding Director of School for Life Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the foundation has built a team of more than 120 staff, built 3 schools in rural Uganda that Annabelle knows how to drive effective change in, navigating fast growth developing a national brand and engaging thousands of supporters to raise more than $6M in 5 years.Annabelle was early to her presentation and well prepared. She was delightful to work with and very friendly. Her presentation was engaging, funny, heartwarming and motivating which she al ... keep reading Tertiary Access Group
One of the points that Annabelle Chauncy made during her address to the delegates to the 2018 Strata Community Association (NSW) annual convention was that it's important to excite people. This is certainly what Annabelle does during her address. She excites, inspires and challenges her audience with the story of her experience establishing schools in Uganda. Annabelle also shows that with determination you can achieve anything and the results can be spectacular. She also recommended sharing your vision which is something she clearly practices. SCA (NSW) challenges others to find a reason not to hear from Annabelle because we believe she is impossible to resist.
Annabelle was the keynote speaker for the 2018 AOA Emerging Leaders Forum. The Forum is aimed at surgical trainees, junior consultants and consultants within their first 10 years of practice who have demonstrated leadership skills within the community. Annabelle was an absolute pleasure and joy to deal with. Her presentation in combination with her warm, engaging and authentic nature, was well-received by our attendees. Annabelle's personal and professional journey was such an inspiration to all those present and this was reinforced following the results of our post event evaluation.
Annabelle gave an enthusiastic, well-rehearsed and insightful presentation from her perspective as the founding director of the School For Life foundation. Annabelle brought fantastic warmth and integrity to our program, deftly balancing humour, personal experience and education throughout her plenary. As event organisers, we were thrilled at the response to Annabelle, with our delegates providing plenty of positive feedback. Furthermore, Annabelle was happy to personally interact with our delegates after our presentation, which helped further validate and consolidate the ideas and insights she provided. Finally, Annabelle and the team at Saxton were a pleasure to work with leading up to and during our conference, as they were readily contactable, responsive and friendly. We more than happily recommend Annabelle as a presenter for any future event.
Annabelle was friendly, accommodating and professional. She was great to work with and delivered a presentation that resonated with our audience. She set the tone for the rest of our conference and energy, passion and enthusiasm was inspiring.
