Meet our team

Leigh Cleave

Director
B.Mus. Grad Dip Teaching MBA CFRE FFIA

Leigh Cleave is a strategic advisor to for-purpose organisations, with more than 25 years’ experience in fundraising, executive leadership and governance.

She has led fundraising and marketing teams across Australia, North America and Southeast Asia, working in healthcare, medical research, the arts, international development and community welfare. Her expertise spans major gifts, capital campaigns, endowment growth, corporate partnerships and institutional giving.

With over 20 years’ experience as a board director, Leigh brings a strong governance lens to her advisory work. She works with boards and executives to clarify purpose, align values and strategy, and develop disciplined plans that enable sustainable growth.

Leigh is Chair of Act for Peace, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA), a Member of AICD, and a Senior Associate of Giving Architects Australia.

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  • Headshot of Stephanie Wise

    Stephanie Wise

    Consultant
    B.Des, Dip, MFIA

    Stephanie is a fundraising, communications and project management professional with experience supporting not-for-profit and arts organisations to strengthen fundraising activity and supporter engagement. Her work brings together strategic advice and practical delivery—across appeals, community fundraising, capital campaigns, events, volunteer engagement, digital fundraising, supporter communications, and hands-on CRM expertise.

    At Cleave Consults, Stephanie supports organisations through end-to-end project and appeal delivery, including developing philanthropy and supporter programs, case for supports, supporter communications, website updating as well as CRM onboarding and uplift. Stephanie genuinely enjoys collaborating with purpose-driven teams—bringing structure, care and creative polish to help clients maximise philanthropic potential and deliver campaigns with confidence and consistency.

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  • Headshot of Bridget Brown

    Bridget Brown

    Consultant
    BSc, BA, GradCertBus, MFIA

    Bridget is a strategic communications and fundraising professional with experience across not-for-profit organisations and hospitals within Australia and the UK. Her background spans communications, marketing, events, project coordination and public relations, supporting organisations to tell their stories with clarity and purpose.

    At Cleave Consults, Bridget develops and implements funding strategies targeting State and Federal Government, high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners. Her work includes crafting tiered gifting proposals, developing campaign messaging, website content and capital campaign collateral and prospect research - to drive informed engagement and funding outcomes. 

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  • Headshot of Peter Cleave

    Peter Cleave

    Director
    B.Edu, MPropertySt

    Peter Cleave is Co-Director of Cleave Consults, bringing a values-driven approach shaped by careers in education, property, and fundraising. He spent 17 years as a secondary teacher, developing strong foundations in leadership, mentoring, and community engagement—experience that continues to inform his principled and people-centred perspective. After completing a Master of Property Studies, Peter worked as a property valuer, strengthening his analytical skills, commercial insight, and understanding of governance frameworks. He later moved into fundraising, contributing to community campaigns, corporate partnerships, donor development, and major gift stewardship.

    In 2025, Peter stepped back into teaching, reflecting his lasting passion for educating and supporting young people. At Cleave Consults, he focuses on governance, long-term strategy, and business oversight, working alongside Leigh Cleave to steer the firm’s direction and sustainability.

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