Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic.

This weeks episode features Monica Briggs CEO of Child Cancer Foundation, where she shares;

Why she joined Child Cancer Foundation as CEO

Her approach to leading a nonprofit and having clarity around mission and purpose 

Importance of gaining a deep understanding of the organisation you are leading

The importance of people and money

Welcoming Lori Abert Luke, CEO of the Acorn Foundation, to Purposely, she shares their charitable mission to grow generosity across Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty of New Zealand. An American who now calls New Zealand home, Lori's passion for philanthropy and giving is deeply rooted in her heritage and strengthened by witnessing firsthand the transformative impact it has on people and communities.

A Vision for Community-Driven Philanthropy

Established in 2003, the Acorn Foundation is one of 18 community foundations across Aotearoa New Zealand pioneering a unique approach to charitable giving. Lori explains their innovative model: "We pool and collectively invest our donors' funds, ensuring the capital remains intact while distributing a portion of the income annually to the local community."

This strategic approach has enabled the foundation to support hundreds of vital charitable organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, social services, and environmental conservation. The impact is far-reaching and continues to grow year after year.

"Our model allows donors' gifts to keep giving back to causes close to their hearts, forever," Lori emphasizes. With over 400 donors, the foundation offers flexible contribution options, from posthumous endowments to opportunities for donors to witness their generosity in action during their lifetime.

The Genesis of Acorn Foundation

The Acorn Foundation's story begins with Bill Holland, who, inspired by the community foundation model he encountered abroad, joined forces with committed local trustees to establish the organization in 2003. Their vision was clear: to create a platform connecting generous individuals with meaningful causes in the Western Bay of Plenty region.

Lori, who also serves on the Board of Community Foundations Aotearoa New Zealand, underscores the power of legacy giving. "It's an opportunity to make a lasting impact, extending one's generosity well beyond their lifetime," she notes.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Community Philanthropy

As she looks to the future, Lori sees boundless potential in the community foundation model. "We're not just managing funds; we're fostering a culture of generosity that can transform communities for generations," she explains with enthusiasm.

The Acorn Foundation's success serves as a compelling blueprint for effective, sustainable philanthropy. By providing a versatile platform for individuals to contribute to causes they care about, both during their lifetime and beyond, the foundation is cultivating a legacy of giving that continues to flourish and evolve.

Reflecting on the Acorn Foundation's effectiveness, Lori concludes, "Through our work, we're not only changing lives today; we're laying the groundwork for a more compassionate and supportive society for years to come." It's this forward-thinking approach that positions the Acorn Foundation at the forefront of community-driven philanthropy in New Zealand.

Welcoming Catherine Ind Head of the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation to Purposely where she shares their charitable mission as well as her personal journey.

Catherine's career path took an unconventional route, starting as a ski resort representative in France before transitioning to charity fundraising, ultimately leading to her current role at the helm of one of the UK's largest corporate foundations.

 

A proud Northerner Catherine, originally from Burnley now resides in the Cotswolds living minutes from the St. James's Place Headquarters. After earning an honours degree in business from De Montfort University in London, Catherine started in PR and marketing before transitioning to charity fundraising. Her experience includes roles at Meningitis Trust and a three-year stint at children's grief charity Winston's Wish, where she also served as acting CEO for a year.

 

Since its establishment in 1992 by SJP founders Mike Wilson and Sir Mark Weinberg, the St. James's Place (SJP) Charitable Foundation has become one of the leading corporate foundations in the UK. Over three decades, it has donated more than £130 million to hundreds of worthy causes, supporting transformational change in lives across the UK and overseas.

 

Appointed as Head of the Foundation in 2018, Catherine brings both expertise and passion to her role. In her Purposely Podcast conversation, she offers valuable insights into the Foundation's unique model and its far-reaching impact.

 

The SJP Charitable Foundation concentrates its efforts on four core areas: supporting disadvantaged children and young people, hospices, cancer support charities, and mental health. What distinguishes it from other corporate foundations is its deep integration with the company culture. As Catherine explains, "Unlike other corporate foundations, it's not an endowment fund. It's very much an integrated part of the business."

This integration is evident in the remarkable participation of SJP's community of over 10,000 partners and employees. An impressive 80% contribute through regular payroll giving, accounting for a third of the Foundation's annual income. This collective approach has enabled the Foundation to directly support 3.5 million people, with 66% reporting substantial or transformative change in their lives.

 

The Foundation's success stems from its ability to harness the collective power of the SJP community. From company-wide fundraising events to skills-based volunteering, it fosters a shared sense of purpose that extends beyond financial contributions. Catherine emphasises the importance of this approach: "By pooling those monies, we can really invest in some smaller charities who are phenomenal, those grassroots charities that we all know in wherever we live."

 

Under Catherine's leadership, the Foundation continues to evolve, adapting to changing needs while remaining true to its core mission. The team focuses on maximising impact through multi-year funding, supporting core costs, and maintaining open dialogues with grantees. Recent evaluations show that 79% of beneficiaries report substantive or transformative change, a testament to the effectiveness of their approach.

 

Case Study: The Foundation's Support of Onside Youth Zones

 

One shining example of the Foundation's impactful work is its support of Onside Youth Zones. Catherine shares her enthusiasm for this partnership:

 

"Onside are really transforming youth provision in communities and disadvantaged communities. Us partnering with them to really help them deliver their goal, which is to have a youth zone in all communities across the UK, we are seeing absolutely that transformation, changing lives for the better for the youngsters who use these facilities."

 

Jamie Masraff, CEO of Onside Youth Zones and a previous guest on Purposely (Episode #151: 'Stepping up to the role of CEO')

Welcome to Purposely with Stephen Brandon, Manager of the Whanganui Community Foundation. Stephen's path to charity leadership is truly extraordinary, characterised by a rich tapestry of experiences. In our conversation, Stephen shares how his faith, deep empathy for others, and unwavering dedication to his local community fuel his relentless pursuit of excellence in leading the foundation. Alongside obtaining a master's degree in music, he developed a passion for technology and coding, enabling him to create software solutions. He has also ventured across various countries, including Japan, Scotland, Eastern Europe, and his native region of Whanganui in the North Island of New Zealand. In his current role, Stephen draws on these diverse experiences to make a meaningful impact on the local community while also supporting community trusts nationwide.

One of 12 community trusts in New Zealand the establishment of the Whanganui Community Foundation traces back to the sale of Trust Bank shares, specifically Trust Bank Whanganui. Initially, their primary focus was on benefiting the community through charitable work. However, in recent years, their purpose has evolved to adopt a more strategic approach, targeting specific areas of need and deprivation.

The foundation is deeply committed to creating a significant impact within the community using the available funds. They give away approximately a million dollars each year, and these funds are distributed among numerous organisations, often in smaller amounts. While these contributions make a meaningful difference to many organisations and are critical for some, the foundation aims to avoid becoming the sole source of funding for any organisation. They strive to foster a diverse funding landscape where organisations have access to a variety of resources.

To increase their impact the foundation is actively exploring avenues to raise additional funds and expand their endowment. It is hoped that this transition from an endowed trust to a foundation that pursues growth opportunities and additional funds will mean they can give more. The foundation is engaged in discussions with other funding organisations regarding potential partnerships for grant-making although no decisions have been made. Leveraging their efficient systems, strong community relationships, and sound decision-making, they aim to include additional funds within their processes.

Stephen also highlights the positive changes implemented by the foundation. Previously, there was no public face to the foundation, resulting in minimal feedback provided to applicants other than a standard rejection letter. However, they have now begun collaborating with local funders and exploring possibilities of co-funding, which holds great potential for supporting other organisations.

Welcoming Anna Josse to Purposely to share her mission to empower and inspire giving in the UK and Globally.

Join us as we delve into the world of purpose-driven giving with Anna Josse, co-founder, and CEO of Prism the Gift Fund. Anna's remarkable story as a founder and her unwavering commitment to social entrepreneurship have paved the way for one of the largest donor-advised funds in the UK.

In the early 2000s, Anna's curiosity led her to explore trust structures in America, igniting a passion to understand and revolutionize the UK market with her unique approach to giving. This drive to make a difference laid the foundation for Prism the Gift Fund (Prism). At the core of Prism’s mission is the empowerment of organisations, individuals, and groups to contribute to meaningful causes without the burden of establishing their own charitable foundations. By increasing the flow of funds into the charitable sector, locally and globally, Prism strives to create lasting impact and positive change.

Since its inception in 2005, Prism has experienced remarkable growth, fuelled by referrals from clients and private client intermediaries such as banks, law firms, and accountants. This organic expansion has meant that in financial year end June 2022, they received £115 million in donation income, distributed £60 million worldwide, and have assets valued at approximately £250 million.

Anna's pursuit of excellence extends beyond philanthropy. She believes in creating memorable experiences, whether engaging with others or hosting a dinner party. Every interaction is infused with a commitment to value and comfort, reflecting her dedication to making a difference in all aspects of life.

The success of Prism can be attributed to multiple factors. Anna highlights the growing acceptance of donor-advised funds in the sector, providing major donors with a solution to fill funding gaps left by the government. Moreover, navigating the complex regulatory landscape has been instrumental in Prism’s achievements.

Anna emphasizes Prism’s focus lies in distributing funds into the sector, not just in accumulating money. Their success is measured by the impact of funds donated to causes promoting social and environmental well-being, making a tangible difference in the world.

Collaborating with Prism offers numerous advantages, including their expertise in tax-related matters, such as maximizing the value of donations through Gift Aid. They also embrace diverse forms of contributions, from cash and shares to property, art, and even crypto currencies, ensuring flexibility for donors.

Anna's commitment to fostering positive change is at the forefront of Prism’s endeavours. With each step forward, they amplify the flow of funds into the charitable sector, ensuring vital resources reach those who need them most. Anna challenges major donors to reflect on their giving capacity and consider expanding their contributions, as the rewards of giving extend far beyond the act itself.

‘We encourage a paradigm shift towards the concept of ‘warm money’ — giving during one's lifetime, when the impact can be directly felt and experienced.’

Welcome to Purposely with Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change (DSC). Established in 1988, DSC has been a trusted resource in the non-profit sector, providing vital research, high-quality training, and ongoing support to charity leaders and volunteers. In addition, DSC advocates on behalf of organizations facing tough challenges, from economic crises to the recent global pandemic.

With over two decades of leadership experience at DSC, Debra has played a crucial role in empowering charities to fulfil their missions despite limited resources and frequent obstacles. She proudly emphasizes DSC's position as a sector leader, offering unique resources that remain relevant, even as competition has emerged. Debra also discusses the evolving nature of the sector, highlighting shifts in attitudes and approaches.

One example of this shift is the increasing transparency in funding practices. Debra recalls a time when DSC faced criticism from trusts and foundations for publishing their information in directories. Nowadays, organizations inquire why they haven't been included, indicating a sector-wide move toward openness.

DSC operates as a self-sustaining charity, generating revenue through resource sales. By reducing reliance on grants, Debra explains how DSC maintains the freedom to express its views and remain critical without concerns about offending funders or losing support. This financial independence enables DSC to stay true to its purpose.

Debra underscores the importance of staying connected to the core purpose of the work rather than becoming fixated on specific methods. This mindset has allowed her and the DSC team to continuously find innovative ways to support charities. Their agility and responsiveness to emerging needs have resulted in valuable services.

Throughout our conversation, Debra candidly shares her experiences as a leader at DSC. She openly acknowledges that she didn't have all the answers when she first joined the organization and describes how her leadership approach has evolved over the years.

Debra believes that people tend to emulate what they observe as effective. She points out that traditional leadership and management followed a predominantly male and patriarchal paradigm, emphasizing growth and similar metrics. However, she highlights the success of alternative leadership styles that have emerged, challenging the old norms.

In leadership, the primary objective is to ensure team members are aligned with the vision. Authenticity lies in supporting and enabling individuals to bring out their best to achieve that shared vision. Debra emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between being authentic to the leadership role and simply proclaiming, "This is me, take it or leave it," which is unsuitable for effective leadership.

Drawing from a powerful analogy, Debra passionately addresses the need for charities to go beyond providing temporary solutions and address the root causes of societal issues. She highlights the duty of charities to not only rescue people from the river but also go upstream and fix the source of the problem. While acknowledging that complete eradication of issues may be unattainable, she emphasises the importance of advocacy and voice in driving preventive measures.

The responsibility to lead the sector in the right direction is significant, but DSC's unwavering commitment to empowering organizations and fostering positive change has guided them for the past 20 years.

"Our focus has always been on helping organizations improve their practices and achieve their goals, whether it's fundraising, governance, leadership, or other vital areas."

 

Welcome to Purposely with Loredana Fyffe, CEO of the Sydney Community Foundation (SCF). Established in 2004, the foundation has been connecting philanthropy with Sydney communities in need for over a decade. Loredana recently celebrated her first year in the role and shares her experiences thus far, along with her vision for the future. This includes building upon the positive impact achieved so far while focusing on growing the foundation's managed funds to ensure long-term and significant impact.

Loredana also discusses her family dynamics and the inspiration she draws from her parents and grandparents. As the daughter of Italian immigrants to Australia, she admires her parents' bravery in moving to a country where they didn't speak the language, as well as their strong work ethic and selflessness, which has deeply influenced her.

Initially starting her career as a product designer, Loredana was fortunate to become involved in a workplace giving initiative that ignited a passion within her for the for-purpose sector. From that point forward, she dedicated herself to making a difference.

Operating as a charitable trust, the foundation pools donations from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create a lasting positive impact on the lives of Sydneysiders. SCF is one of 40 community foundations based in Australia, collectively managing funds totalling $500 million. Over a two-year period leading up to 2022, they donated $145 million to various good causes across the country.

The foundation's most prominent sub-fund is the Sydney Women's Fund, which was established shortly after its inception, reflecting the priority placed on promoting gender equity from the beginning. Like women's funds in New York, Washington, and London, the Sydney Women's Fund is supported by women who come together to make a collective impact. They utilize their profiles, ideas, skills, and resources to ensure that all women and girls in Sydney thrive.

Notably, the Women's Fund was initiated by influential figures such as Wendy McCarthy AO and Lucy Brogden AM, with Georgina Byron AM currently serving as its dedicated chair, channelling their expertise into research, advocacy, program funding, fundraising, and raising awareness about gender equity in the city. Together, their efforts aim to drive positive change and foster a more equitable society.

Loredana highlights the numerous grassroots programs that the foundation has funded over the years. Many of these programs have become deeply embedded in their communities, particularly addressing the challenges faced by women and families in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Sydney.

Last year, the foundation mourned the loss of its former chair, Rosalind Strong AM, whose unwavering belief in Loredana led her to join the foundation. Rosalind played a significant role in shaping the foundation and its impactful initiatives. Among her many accomplishments, she organized flagship events celebrating the remarkable women of Sydney. In memory of Rosalind, she generously contributed to the foundation.

Loredana is genuinely enthusiastic about expanding the foundation's reach and fostering even greater generosity across the city of New South Wales.

Welcome to Purposely with Greg Millar, a leading fundraising professional who has successfully raised millions for important causes and prominent charities globally. Greg currently serves as the National Fundraising Manager at IHC, New Zealand's leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Greg shares his journey, starting with his formative years growing up overseas before moving to New Zealand at the age of 9. As the son of Salvation Army Missionaries, Greg witnessed his parents' dedication to promoting their faith while helping people in need in Mumbai, India.

Tragically, Greg's mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in her early thirties, and he reflects on the challenges of losing her at a young age. However, he cherishes fond memories of her, particularly from their time in India. After his mother's passing, Greg's father brought the family back to New Zealand. As the eldest child, Greg became aware of the cultural differences between his experiences and those of his New Zealand peers. Additionally, being raised by a sole parent for 25 years, Greg deeply admires his father for his role as both a wonderful father figure and for his work assisting marginalised individuals, many of whom faced addiction issues. Greg vividly remembers weekends spent weeding gardens for the people his father supported, experiences that laid the foundation for his career in the charity sector and his commitment to purpose.

In the early 1980s, Greg pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and education at the University of Auckland. He then embarked on an Overseas Experience (OE) to the UK, where he secured a position in the press and publication relations department of NSPCC, one of the largest charities in the country.

Since then, Greg has built a successful career in charity fundraising, working in the UK, New Zealand, Geneva, Switzerland, Washington, USA, and Rome, Italy. He has held senior fundraising roles with international development agencies such as UNICEF Global, UNHCR, and WWF. Greg has also made significant contributions to organisations like the Auckland City Mission, leading award-winning fundraising and marketing campaigns. He began his fundraising journey at Presbyterian Support, where he gained valuable experience.

Greg shares his fundraising secrets and acknowledges that his early decision-making was guided by intuition rather than solely relying on data or testing ideas and approaches. This approach, learned during his experiences abroad, has given him and his teams the confidence to be bold and aim for ambitious targets.

While Greg finds fulfilment in making a difference by raising more income for frontline services, he recognises that direct work with individuals in need may not be his strong suit. Instead, he utilises his skills and knowledge to raise funds and ensure greater reach and impact.

As a passionate proponent of fundraising, Greg has resisted the temptation to transition into general charity leadership. He is a living example that fundraising can provide a long, fulfilling, and impactful career option, both in NZ and across the world and presenting endless meaningful challenges.

Welcome to Purposely with Maree Sidey, CEO of the Australian Communities Foundation. As a unique donor-advised fund with total funds of over £150 million, the foundation aims to activate a nation of givers. It was established in 1997 by Marion Webster OAM and Hayden Raysmith AM, with the assistance of the late Peter Hero from the highly successful San Francisco Community Foundation. They pioneered the community foundation model in Australia, initially establishing the Melbourne Community Foundation, which later became the Australian Communities Foundation in 2011. Maree has been leading the foundation since 2015, and under her leadership, the organisation has doubled in size, reach, and impact over the past eight years. In this episode, Maree discusses a wide range of topics and issues, both professional and personal. She shares her personal journey as the daughter of a minister, her passion for social justice, and the significance of values-based leadership and authenticity in the workplace (as well as at home as a mother to teenagers!). It's a fascinating conversation that showcases one of the success stories of people-powered philanthropy. ‘Social justice runs through my veins. As the daughter of a social worker and a Baptist minister, the values of justice, equity, privilege, inclusion, and giving voice to the marginalised were deeply ingrained in our family and shaped the way we perceived the world’. Initially, Maree pursued a career as a social worker, developing a deep passion for a systemic approach to understanding the world. She analysed underlying dynamics and sought ways to intervene and create a fairer system. This focus has remained constant throughout her career, whether she was working in Child and Family Services, Youth Mental Health organisations, or even in the realm of drug and alcohol services and community sports clubs. Her goal has always been to promote social justice and effect positive change. Maree also explains how this commitment led her to her current role in philanthropy. Maree is passionate about Australian generosity and is well-positioned to discuss it, comparing the local approach to that of the United States. ‘We tend to be less public about our contributions, which can pose a challenge in fostering a culture of giving. Peer-to-peer conversations play a crucial role in encouraging others to give by openly discussing the reasons behind our own philanthropic choices and the organisations or causes we support passionately.’ She also delves into the future direction of the foundation and its main areas of focus. The foundations aim is not simply to promote giving for the sake of it, but rather to address pressing issues such as climate change and advocate for First Nations self-determination. Maree discusses the referendum that aims to change the Australian Constitution, acknowledging and embracing First Nations people to create a fairer Australia. Granting them a voice in Parliament is seen as an essential step towards formalising a treaty or reconciliation process, acknowledging past injustices, promoting healing, and moving forward together while honouring the wisdom and knowledge of the worlds oldest living culture. In addition to her role as CEO of the Australian Communities Foundation, Maree serves on the boards of Philanthropy Australia, Community Foundations Australia, and the Centre for Australian Progress.

Welcome to Purposely with Stacey Thomas, a highly regarded philanthropy leader who is making a significant impact in the field of philanthropy. Stacey is the CEO of one of Australia’s oldest private foundations which is embracing its past and its history at the same time ensuring it puts it resources to work for a more equitable future for the people it helps.

Stacey serves as a trustee for two philanthropy peak bodies who have recently pledge their commitment to the Voice, a campaign to change the constitution of Australia to ensure a better future for First Nation people. She is also part-time CEO of a start-up community foundation that she is growing and scaling in addition to her other responsibilities.

Stacey's primary role is as CEO of The Wyatt Trust, a private charitable foundation established in1886 by Dr. William Wyatt. The Trust has a $100 million endowment and donates approximately $4 million each year to good causes across South Australia, with a focus on supporting South Australians in need in areas such as employment, education, housing, and financial literacy. Dr. Wyatt was a prominent figure in South Australia, involved in numerous social purpose activities, including serving as a justice of the peace, magistrate, surgeon, state coroner, and founder and board member of several private schools.

He was also on the board of many institutions that still exist today, including the Botanic Gardens, the History Society, State Library, Adelaide Hospital RSPCA, and the Adelaide Zoo.

Despite its unique history, The Wyatt Trust continues to use Dr. Wyatt's interests and beliefs in doing good around poverty and medicine to guide its grant-making. The Trust allows people experiencing financial hardship to determine what support they need most and works within the framework of what people need most at their time of need.

However, The Trust faces challenges in working within South Australia because it is a large state with a relatively small population. The main city, Adelaide, is on the southern boundary of the state, but there are also many regional and remote communities in the state.

Stacey's passion for social justice and community development has helped shape The Wyatt Trust's vision and strategy for improving the lives of vulnerable communities in South Australia.

Stacey grew up in Victoria and earned a degree in Social Work from the University of South Australia. Later, she pursued a master’s degree in Business Administration and began her career in the non-profit sector, working for various organizations focused on community development and poverty reduction. She also gained valuable experience in the private sector, working for companies in the finance and insurance industries.

Welcome to the Purposely Podcast with Fiona Ellison, Director of the Unite Foundation. In this episode, Fiona shares insights into the foundation's impactful work and her personal journey in the third sector.

As the corporate foundation of Unite Students, one of the major providers of student accommodation in the UK, the Unite Foundation focuses on providing scholarships to individuals, with a specific emphasis on students who are estranged from their families or have been in the care system. Fiona highlights the transformative power of these scholarships, which offer not just financial support, but also a sense of community and belonging.

During the conversation, Fiona also shares her personal experience as an army wife and the unique challenges that come with frequent moves, underscoring the importance of finding a supportive community in each new location. She describes how she consciously chose to keep her job and commute from Salisbury to London three or four days a week, despite the four-hour round trip. This experience motivated her to join the board of the Army's Family Federation almost 19 years ago, with a focus on challenging the outdated narrative of army wives being stay-at-home moms.

The Unite Foundation addresses the needs of students who are often overlooked by other scholarship programs. Shockingly, only 13% of young people who have been in care pursue higher education, while the number is in the high 40s for those who have not been in the care system. Financial barriers, a lack of role models or support, and other obstacles can make higher education seem unattainable for many students who have experienced care. Even if they do manage to attend university, they may face additional challenges and may not have the necessary support structures in place to help them succeed.

The foundation's research, conducted over a decade, shows that having a safe and stable place to live greatly increases the chances of students not dropping out between their first and second years, which is when the highest dropout rates typically occur. Safe and secure housing enables students to focus on their studies and engage in university life, creating social connections through clubs and societies. By addressing this fundamental need for safe and secure housing, universities can achieve a bigger ambition of widening access to education and enabling young people who have experienced care to access the same opportunities as their peers.

This episode is sponsored by Benevity.

Welcome the Purposely Podcast with Kerryn Thrupp, CEO of Woven Earth, a New Zealand charity that transforms empty houses into homes for survivors of domestic violence. In this episode, Kerryn shares her founder story and vision for the future.

Kerryn knows that the fear of losing homes and possessions can prevent people from leaving violent relationships. Woven Earth works with frontline domestic violence agencies to furnish homes for survivors and help them rebuild their lives. They work with over 31 agencies across Auckland, New Zealand including Victim Support Auckland, the police, homeless accommodation providers, and refuge agencies, who identify families that need help.

Woven Earth furnishes approximately 20 homes a month and positively impacts the lives of thousands of women and children in the Auckland region. Kerryn and her team pay close attention to detail, considering each family member's likes, hobbies, interests, and what they have lost as part of their journey.

There is a growing demand for their services and Kerrynis excited to have recently hired her first operations employee, allowing her to delegate responsibilities and expand the charity's reach. Until now, Woven Earth has relied on volunteers and support from charitable foundations, individuals, and businesses.

 

Meet Alastair Rhodes, CEO of the Bay Trust and Chairperson of the Impact Investment Network, New Zealand.

Alastair had a childhood that was strongly influenced by his parents. His father, a well-known figure in New Zealand for his work with the dairy board, was passionate about the environment and the outdoors. Meanwhile, his mother was a public health nurse, and both of them instilled in him a sense of social responsibility and environmentalism.

After completing a law and commerce degree, Alastair worked for large American companies like General Electric and Specsavers, as well as in the airline and airport industry. While he learned the value of money and building partnerships in the commercial sector, he found his true calling in the not-for-profit sector, where his values aligned with the purpose of the organisations he worked for.

As the chair of New Zealand’s Impact Investment Network, Alastair is a firm believer in the power of impact investing and its ability to help deliver social and environmental change. He has a passion for enterprise and commercial deals that can lead to direct impact and more obvious social and environmental outcomes.

Alastair’s current role as CEO of the Bay Trust has allowed him to continue his mission to make a positive and meaningful difference for future generations.

The Bay Trust is an endowed foundation that benefits from investments, which are then used to support the Trust's grant-making activities to benefit all people living in the Bay of Plenty with a specific on those who need it most.The Bay Trust focuses on being equitable across these beneficiaries, who have diverse challenges and needs. The region has pockets of wealth, such as Mount Maunganui, but the most deprived parts of New Zealand are also in the area. The Trust aims to grow equitably, in line with population increases and inflation, to meet the needs of both current and future beneficiaries.For Alastair, leadership is all about aligning an individual's personal values with the organisation's purpose. By doing so, people and organisations can create a culture that promotes success and meaningful change. This philosophy has driven him throughout his career, and he hopes to continue making a positive impact in the not-for-profit sector for years to come.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic.

This weeks episode features Denise Cosgrove CEO of Selwyn Foundation.

Meet Benjamin Janes, founder and CEO of the Trust Partnership, a UK based social enterprise that manages charitable trusts and foundations through a unique model around shared resources and services. Benjamin explains how he started his career as a fundraiser and launched his own company.  

The Trust Partnership 

Established in 2004, The Trust Partnership, provides a full suite of services that medium-sized endowed charitable foundations might need, including administration, grant-making support, bookkeeping, management, accounting, and annual accounting.  

They also work closely with Alms House charities, which are ancient forms of social housing, established in the 10th Century in Britain, that still endures to this day.  

Headquartered in rural Cirencester in the South West of England Benjamin and his 50 strong team at The Trust Partnership work with 45 endowed charitable foundations and 10 Alms House charities with approximately 300 residents. They aim to solve day to day challenges of their clients as well as helping their clients develop and deliver their longer-term strategies.  

How they are structured 

The Trust Partnership is a social enterprise, not a charity or non-profit, and recently recertified as a B Corp which means they measure their success by their ability to make a positive impact to society and the environment alongside their ability to make a profit. Benjamin outline how the certification process helped to solidify their business model principles and be better in their decision-making. Benjamin discusses the challenges of balancing purpose and profit. The unique challenges presented by helping organisations to deliver on their charitable mission at the same time they are running a commercial business that needs to be profitable that can pay its people competitive rates.   

Benjamin’s early career 

Benjamin started his career in the charity sector as a commission-only sales job selling door-to-door. He then went on to work as a fundraiser for various organizations such as Farm Africa, the British Red Cross, Missing People, and WellChild. His longest stint was at Farm Africa, which was about three years long.  

Benjamin's entrepreneurial spirit was evident even in his early years. He had a desire to do his own thing and started Trust Partnerships to provide services for endowed foundations. He could see the organisations which needed the help, and he was able to deliver a solution for the trustees of these organisations freeing them up to focus on strategy and delivering societal impact.   While it was a bold move for Benjamin to make, especially considering the existing commitments he had to his family at that time as the main earner. However he had real conviction about the move and he was passionate about the charity sector and knew that he wanted to test himself in this way and he also wanted control over his destiny.  

19 years on Benjamin is proud of what he and his team have achieved and despite the challenges presented by economic downturns and the recent pandemic they have build a successful for purpose business that has helped charities deliver impactful services

Meet Alex Day, Managing Director of the UK-based charity Big Give, the organisation multiplies generosity through its match funding campaigns.

Founded in 2007 by Sir Alec Reed, founder of Reed Recruitment, Big Give has raised over £233 million in its 16-year history. The charity encourages donors to give to causes and charities and runs match funding campaigns throughout the year to make an extraordinary difference to the world's big challenges. Its largest campaign, The Christmas Challenge, raised an impressive £28 million for over 1,000 charities in 2022.

Match funding is a concept that is particularly popular with entrepreneurial and business-minded individuals who want to get the biggest bang for their buck. Big Give commissioned research in 2016 that showed as income brackets increase, the propensity to give by a match funding campaign also increases. 

Alex discusses the power that match giving can have on increasing generosity, however, he is also aware of the possible limitations. Alex and his team at Big Give view matching as a force for good. They are particularly proud of the fact that their campaigns have benefited smaller grass roots charities who do not have the same ability to raise funds.  

Alex's path to his current role at Big Give was not a straight one. Initially aspiring to be a professional footballer, typical of children his age in the UK, he pursued a degree in business management and geography from Exeter University. After university, he took time to travel and reflect on what he wanted out of life. He realised that he wanted to contribute something positive to the world through his career, which led him to pursue a role in the international development and humanitarian response sector.

Alex’s interaction with Big Give began during his time at Medair, a Swiss-based NGO where he led the UK office. He experienced the power of match funding first-hand through the organisation's first match funding campaign with Big Give. A donor who would typically give £1,000 every September donated £2,000 in December to maximize the matching offer, even telling his friends and networks about it.

Alex joined Big Give in 2015 and he has played an instrumental role in its growth and ensured millions of pounds have been donated to hundreds of great causes.

Meet Sarah Green, CEO of the Katie Piper Foundation, a UK-based charity that provides support and advocacy for burns survivors. With a career that started in finance, Sarah transitioned to the charity sector in 2003 as a fundraiser for a small international development charity. She later focused on event-based fundraising for the St Elizabeth and St Helena hospices before joining the Katie Piper Foundation. 

Sarah's passion for the health sector was inspired by the care and support her late father received, along with her family. She was determined to lead an organisation one day, so she invested in relevant qualifications, successfully completing a Master’s degree in Voluntary Sector Management. 

In October 2018, Sarah was appointed CEO of the Katie Piper Foundation, realising her dream of leading an organisation. While this was an exciting opportunity for both Sarah and the foundation, she faced unforeseen challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic disruption. These challenges have led to a cost-of-living crisis, which may negatively affect the charities' ability to raise funds. 

The Katie Piper Foundation, established in 2009 by burns survivor Katie Piper, is proud to be survivor-led, providing in-person and virtual rehabilitation services. They support adult survivors of burns and those living with severe trauma scarring, addressing both their physical and mental health. 

Katie started the foundation from her parents' house a year into her recovery from a horrific acid attack outside a North London internet café. The attack caused third-degree burns to her face and chest and blinded her in one eye. Prior to the attack, Piper had a career in modelling and TV presenting, planning a future in the media. Though her life changed forever that day, Katie remained determined to fulfil her potential and not let the attack define her. While Katie's journey to recovery has been long and difficult, requiring surgery to clear blockages caused by scar tissue, she has become an inspiration for other burns survivors, both personally and through the foundation's work. 

Today, the Katie Piper Foundation provides rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy and emotional support, and advocates for survivors, helping to connect them to the services and interventions they require. The foundation's work is a testament to the strength and resilience of burns survivors and the dedication of Sarah and her team. 

Katie remains heavily involved in the charity and, as one of nine skilled volunteers, serves as a trustee. In addition, the charity has two notable ambassadors: celebrity music guru Simon Cowell and businessman Simon McCabe. 

Welcome Sarah Vibert, the CEO of the National Council of Volunteer Organisations (NCVO), a charity that has been supporting thousands of voluntary and community sector charities and non-profits in England for over 100 years. Sarah joined NCVO in January 2020 as director of membership and engagement and was later appointed as Chief Executive in early 2022.

As a child, Sarah always aspired to lead an organisation, and now she is living her dream. She strives to be a relatable CEO who leads with empathy, transparency, and openness. This is evident in NCVO's commitment to publishing the salaries of its senior leadership team, along with an explanation of why they are paid that amount. According to Sarah, transparency is a critical value for NCVO, as it helps the organisation build trust with its donors and the public.

Sarah's personal experience growing up with a younger sibling who was disabled was a driving force behind her decision to work in the charity sector. She feels a strong connection to the mission of organisations like the Epilepsy Society and The Neurological Alliance, which she previously led, as they go beyond her professional responsibilities.

Before joining NCVO, Sarah held various roles in the charity sector, including advising the now King of the United Kingdom, then HRH Prince of Wales, on his charitable entities, as well as working for In Kind Direct. She began her career in local government management, including working for the Mayor of London.

Despite her busy schedule, Sarah finds time to volunteer for the Parent Teacher Association at her son's primary school. She has also previously served as a trustee for National Voices and The Brain and Spine Foundation.

Sarah's unique background and experience make her an asset to NCVO and the wider charity sector. Her leadership style, which emphasizes transparency, empathy, and relatability, sets a positive example for other leaders to follow.

Welcome Crispin Truman OBE, Director of The Rayne Foundation. This grant-making charity supports a wide range of organisations including young people’s mental health, carers of the elderly, providing opportunities for refugees, as well as the arts. Crispin has been dedicated to making a positive difference throughout his career and volunteer work. He held several leadership roles for leading non-profits in heritage, mental health, the countryside, and voluntary roles on the board of a school and charities before joining the foundation as their Director in October 2022.

Crispin's academic background includes studying PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics BA), and Applied Social Studies (MSc) at Oxford University before starting his professional career as a social worker in London. Crispin did not let personal challenges stop him from achieving academically. He lost his father at a young age and moved to Bristol, where his new school, Ashton Park Comprehensive, did not have a history of Oxbridge entrance. Modestly, Crispin attributes his success at winning a place at Oxford to one of his inspirational teachers, along with the support and encouragement he received from his mother.

Alongside his passion for the charity sector, Crispin is also an avid cyclist, riding into work each day in central London. He is a firm believer in the positive impact cycling can have on individual health and reducing our impact on the environment. He Chaired the London Cycling Campaign at the turn of the century, fighting for cyclists' rights and safety. His dedication to the voluntary sector and Civil Society saw him awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List.

The Rayne Foundation was founded in 1962 by Lord Rayne, a successful property developer operating in post-war London. The foundation was established with the mission to enhance communities and build bridges that connect people and communities. With a large donation from Lord Rayne's commercial dealings, the foundation has an endowment of close to $100 million today, and each year the charity donates the interest plus any additional increase in capital to causes that match their themes.

Crispin's previous roles include CEO of CPRE, the countryside charity, CEO of the Churches Conservation Trust and Revolving Doors Agency. He has chaired and been a trustee of several organisations, including UK and European heritage networks, Rethink Mental Illness, the London Cycling Campaign, and was chair of governors at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in London.

Welcome to Derek Bardowell, CEO of Ten Years’ Time, an agency focused on racial justice and social transformation. Derek is also an author, philanthropy commentator, and charity trustee. He has written and published two books, his first book, "No Win Race," explored racism in sport and his second book, "Giving Back: How To Do Good Better," published in 2022, critiqued philanthropy. The book explored new ways of giving that can bring about real and meaningful change, and dramatically increase positive impact.

One reader described "Giving Back" as "Important and timely... Deeply felt and illuminating... Essential reading for everyone committed to fairness and equality in life."

In this episode of Purposely, Derek shares his career journey that started as a music journalist and his experiences growing up in the UK, where he faced aggressive and direct forms of racism like being spat at in the street, as well as more subtle but damaging forms that affected his confidence and self-esteem.

Derek discusses how being a young black man limited his career options, but at the same time, it made him more determined to succeed as a freelance music journalist and work for himself. He transitioned his career to one of purpose and helping young people to reach their full potential, initially in his own area of East London, where he grew up by delivering a 'get into' journalism course.

Derek has held various roles in charities, including direct service delivery programs aimed at empowering people and making their lives better. He also worked for the Stephen Lawrence Foundation, a UK charity set up and named after 18-year-old Stephen who was brutally murdered in a race-motivated act of violence in April 1993.

Derek's frustration with the funding experience during his years of delivering services led him to switch to the funding sector.  He moved to a charitable foundation and began making decisions about who should receive the funds and for what charitable project. He discusses the disconnect that often exists between those with money and those working to bring about change, and how the scarcity and fragility of funding can negatively impact vulnerable young people who have been bounced around from different social services and arrive at a charity looking for support.

Derek's life journey and his professional experiences in the charity sector have informed his writing as well as his thought leadership. He challenges the philanthropy sector, individuals, and organisations to consider their roles and how their behaviours and ways of working may be maintaining or furthering injustice.

Welcome to Purposely with Lucas Patchett co-founder and Executive Director of OrangeSky. OrangeSky is a non-profit organisation founded in October 2014 by two friends Lucas and Nicholas Marchesi in Brisbane, Australia. The organisation provides practical support and help to people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing conditions, including showers and laundry services. Their distinctive orange and white vans provide a non-judgmental space for people to talk and connect with others, and they also invite other service providers to give support. OrangeSky has helped over 30,000 "friends" in 9 years and currently has 36 mobile units, run by a blend of professional staff and volunteers. The mission of OrangeSky has evolved from delivering practical support to one focused on connecting communities to people who are homeless or experiencing unstable housing conditions. Lucas stresses that homelessness could happen to anyone and points to the importance of experienced mentors and advisors, including their parents, in the establishment and growth of OrangeSky. He also emphasises the generosity of people in supporting their cause, whether with their time, money, advice, or wisdom. Overall, OrangeSky is a testament to the power of collaboration and the generosity of people in helping those in need. OrangeSky's services go beyond just practical help. They provide a safe and non-judgmental space for people experiencing homelessness to connect with others and access support. The conversations that occur while using the laundry and shower services can lead to valuable connections with other people going through similar experiences or with other service providers who can provide additional support. OrangeSky has been successful in attracting funders who are tired of backing vague and hard-to-measure engagement projects. Lucas outlines the future for OrangeSky, including better use of technology to deliver positive impact and a specific focus on reducing isolation and loneliness. He also has an eye on organizational stability and the future of OrangeSky being less reliant on him and Nicholas on a day-to-day basis. Lucas emphasises that anyone could experience homelessness and that without a support network, it can be easy to fall on tough times. It is truly remarkable to see young people like Lucas and Nic dedicating their time and energy to helping others in such a meaningful way. It takes a lot of courage and determination to step outside of one's own comfort zone and take action to address a pressing social issue like homelessness. Their commitment to providing practical help and creating connections between homeless individuals and support services is truly inspiring. It just goes to show that even a small group of motivated individuals can make a big difference in their community.

Welcome to Purposely Podcast with John McCarthy, John shares his career journey and his approach to giving as the Manager of the Tindall Foundation. The Foundation was set up by Margaret and Stephen Tindall, the founders of the Warehouse Retail Group, and has donated over $200 million to good causes in New Zealand since its inception in 2004.

During the podcast, John also shares details from his past, including the tragic loss of his mother, father and sister. Despite these overwhelming challenges, John is quick to refute any idea that we should feel sorry for him, saying that he has been fortunate in many ways. He believes that his past experiences have helped him to be independent and resilient and have given him a deep desire to make a difference.

John's career has focused on social services and philanthropy, and he believes that his past experiences have helped him to empathize with other people's life experiences and challenges. As the Manager of the Tindall Foundation, John is responsible for deploying the funds earned on an annual basis from the endowment that was set up using Margaret's shares. The Foundation focuses on strengthening families and communities, as well as the environment, and uses a wide range of approaches to deploy its funds including direct donations, donations through partners and impact investing and lending.

‘The approach that we take is to try and be as collaborative and as responsive as possible. We recognise that we don't have all the answers and we're always learning from the communities and the organisations that we work with.’

John stresses how open and flexible they try to be as a funder, seeing themselves as a partner rather than just a funder. They are also focused on measuring the impact of their work, both in terms of the outputs that they achieve and the longer-term outcomes that they’re seeking to support.

‘Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a stronger and more equitable New Zealand, and we're committed to working towards that goal in a way that is responsible, transparent, and accountable.’

John began his career as a social worker focused on improving health outcomes, primarily in Auckland but also spending time in London. Throughout his career, John has tackled challenging and sensitive issues, such as drug and alcohol addiction, as well as sexual abuse, with a particular focus on working with perpetrators. Despite the difficult nature of his work, John remains dedicated to making a positive impact in these areas, and his expertise and experience have proven invaluable in improving the lives of those affected by these issues.

Overall, John's story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep desire to make a positive impact on the world. His approach to giving is grounded in his own experiences, and he believes that everyone has the power to make a difference, no matter their past or present circumstances.

Episode sponsors:

Sponsors:

Benevity https://bit.ly/3k4FTE2

The Giving Department https://bit.ly/3KdYWWU

Brian Cavanagh joins Purposely to share what it takes to be an impactful and effective trustee on a charity board or a governance committee.

Brian has decades of experience leading Boards in the UK and Ireland that helped him write the book, Governing With Purpose: How to lead a brilliant board.

His inspiration for the book came when he unsuccessfully tried to find useful resources for existing or prospective trustees. He found lots of books on corporate governance of the private sector but very little for trustees of 'for purpose' organisations and charities. This obvious gap in the market motivated Brian to write this book so that he could help others to be effective and impactful non-profit trustees.

Brian outlines what it takes to be a 'brilliant board' as well as an effective trustee and he describes his ethos around governance. Explaining that the Chair of the Board is responsible for the Board while the CEO is responsible for performance and leadership of the organisation.

'Chairs, trustees and CEOs need to understand each other's roles, respect each other's responsibilities and work together towards a common and agreed mission.'

He also gives thoughts on where boards and organisations go wrong and rather than being overly concerned about those headline-hitting organisations, he is more concerned about Boards that are detached from the mission or are in 'cruise mode'.

Brian points to organisations that stumble along, doing quite good work and because nothing has gone wrong there seems no need to intervene at Board or exec levels.

'It's about ensuring the culture of performance of ambition for the board for itself. I think the danger is we focus on crisis and we actually need to support our boards to do the right thing'.

Brian outlines what is most important for charity boards and the people that operate on them.

'It needs to be led by skilled, committed individuals who also good at governing the organisation.'

Brian talks about the intangibles and how important the culture and the day-to-day behaviour of the board, the executive team and the employees is in supporting the vision and the purpose of the charity.

'Do board members challenge each other to be better and how often do they contest opinions, how often do they disagree or debate about the purpose, direction and performance of the charity'.

Brian also calls out 'bad behaviour', pointing to people not turning up, not reading the Board papers and people not asking questions or challenging decisions. Brian believes that a strong sense of purpose combined with a solid structure will provide an effective antidote that will stop any bad behaviour, or at least ensure it is stamped out quickly. A strong sense of purpose for why the Board exists, why it includes the people it does and what role will it be performing and what responsibilities will it be taking on in the future.

'So it’s imperative trustees ask themselves, why was the charity set up in the first place?, what is trying to achieve and what is the purpose of the Board they have been asked to join?'.

Brian also stresses that it is fundamentally important that people join Boards for the right reasons, 'not just as a favour to a friend’, but rather because they believe in the cause, believe they can contribute by utilising their skills and experience and they have the time and space to commit to the meetings and actions.

Brian's book Governing with Purpose is an essential resource for people on Boards or those considering joining a Board.

Sponsors: 

Benevity https://bit.ly/3k4FTE2

The Giving Department https://bit.ly/3KdYWWU

Rhodri (Rhod) Davies joins Purposely Podcast to share his passion and knowledge on philanthropy and how he started the ‘Why Philanthropy Matters’ a free online platform helping to shape the sector. Rhod is a well-known thinker and commentator on philanthropy and civil society as well as an author and host of the popular Philanthropisms podcast. He is also a Pears Research Fellow in the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent, United Kingdom. He was working as an academic researcher when he stumbled across philanthropy, suddenly seeing the sector in a new light full of ‘drama and interest’ and a plausible career option. Since then Rhod has become a defender and advocate of philanthropy and has gone on to play an important role in shaping the movement. ‘One of the things that bugged me is that philanthropy is often written off as if it's some sort of weird, niche concern, even within the wider nonprofit world. To me, it's something that's kind of pretty fundamental to how society works’. One of the things that characterises Rhod’s thought leadership on philanthropy is his skill and willingness to draw on history and what has happened in the past to make sense of the future. ‘History is an endlessly useful resource, when it comes to thinking about philanthropy in the present’. He describes this as a ‘cheap trick’, he uses to try and ensure that people in the sector do not get carried away with one particular approach to giving. He describes how those seemingly, ‘never been thought of before’, ways of doing philanthropy are in fact developed using lessons from the past. One example he points to is the current focus on purpose driven companies, organisations and businesses who are prioritising a combination of purpose, profit and commercial returns. The tendency is that people pass this off as completely new and highly innovative, despite the fact that people have been doing this for centuries. The same can be said for other forms of doing good or delivering impact today. ‘When you look back to history, and how people kind of combined, making money and giving money away, there's all kinds of interesting lessons and useful warnings about things that we might want to make sure that we avoid in the future’. In 2016 Rhod published Public Good by Private Means: How philanthropy shapes Britain, a book tracing the history of philanthropy in Britain and what it tells us about modern generosity. Since then he has been a self-confessed history of philanthropy nerd, and tweets about it far too much at @Philliteracy. A further characteristic of Rhod’s philanthropy thought leadership is his strongly held belief that there is no right or a wrong way of giving and that philanthropists have the ability to draw on different influences as well as their own beliefs and preferences. Rhod is happy to outline his personal preferences and the approach he would take if he had a windfall and was able to be a large scale philanthropist, ‘I would set myself a target of spending it all in 20 years or something like that and I'd make sure I thought about where I invested the money as well as where I gave it. I would also lean towards using a trust based approach that somebody like MacKenzie Scott is taking’. Rhod was formerly Head of Policy at the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), where he created and led the in-house think tank Giving Thought, and also hosted CAF’s popular Giving Thought podcast for over 100 episodes. Rhod graduated from Oxford Uni with a first-class degree in Mathematics and Philosophy.

Sponsors:

Benevity https://bit.ly/3k4FTE2

The Giving Department https://bit.ly/3KdYWWU

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic.

This weeks episode features Yann Roux CEO of Disability Sport Auckland, discussing leadership his passion for disability sport.

Julia Jackson joins Purposely Podcast to share her career journey and travel experiences that shaped her vision. Time living and working in South America led her to a career focused on sustainability and purpose. Julia also explains her role at Kiwibank and what it means to lead a purpose strategy for a major bank and play a significant role in their B Corp certification. Aged just 22 Julia announced to her parents that she was leaving New Zealand and heading to Latin America to travel and live there. A one-way flight to Buenos Aires was booked and, despite not speaking a word of Spanish, Julia set off on her big adventure. ‘It wasn’t easy, and it was quite hard to make friends. It was quite lonely at times, and I wondered what on earth I was doing there. But it helped to build my resilience and up my tenacity, the experience was absolutely life changing’. Julia talks about the motivations behind the trip, citing her desire to breakout from her bubble and her ‘middle class privilege’ after completing a degree in International Relations at Victoria University in Wellington, NZ. ‘Growing up I had a privileged childhood and I think I was always very conscious of that. My awareness influenced what I studied and my decision to go overseas and travel across Latin America. I wanted to use my privilege to give back and help the community in some way’. Her International Relations degree and the focus on international development was a motivating factor in choosing to travel in Latin America, over the more traditional England and Europe. Her fascination centred on two trends that were developing at the time, the first around environmental sustainability and the second on the self determination of communities, including initiatives like fair trade and the empowerment of people to choose their future direction. ‘I really wanted to see the theory in action, and I could see the potential to revolutionise things for the better’. Julia’s travels coincided with the 2008 global financial crisis, and she found getting employment challenging. After travelling around Chile, Bolivia and Peru she would eventually go on to work in hospitality. However, first she took a volunteer role in Ecuador working in a hostel, initially in the Capital Quito and then in out of the way volcanic regions where they were building a new eco-resort. This was motivated by her desire to put her degree into action particularly the study she had done on sustainability. ‘So, I was building a greenhouse and helping them get the composting systems up and running, and all that sort of stuff. I absolutely loved seeing those systems really come to life’. Julia would eventually move on to Panama and then settle in Guatemala where she met her now husband who immigrated to New Zealand with her in 2011. ‘I met all these amazing indigenous communities that lots of people would never have had the opportunity to meet’ Landing back in New Zealand Julia secured a role working in sales for an insurance company, however, it wasn’t long before she joined a mission focused charity called Sustainable Business Network and she was able to put her studies and her life experiences into action professionally. Julia then joined Kiwibank in 2016 as a corporate social responsibility lead, seven years on she is Head of Purpose and Sustainability. Kiwibank, as far as banks go is in a unique proposition, it is a B Corporation which means it works hard to meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. ‘It has been amazing to see the number of customers that are choosing Kiwibank because of the (B Corp) certification

Sponsors:

Benevity https://bit.ly/3k4FTE2

The Giving Department https://bit.ly/3KdYWWU

Alice Montague joins Purposely to share her journey from fundraiser to philanthropy leader.

Alice was appointed CEO of the Clare Foundation in May 2022, following three years leading the Nikau Foundation, one of seventeen community foundations based in New Zealand.

Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Anna Stuck, the Clare Foundation will use a ‘spend down’ approach to giving and plans to donate more than $35 million over a ten-year period to charities and initiatives that match their themes and deliver impact.

‘We have four strategic focus areas, amplifying opportunities for women, youth wellbeing, the environment  and oral health. All areas that Anna is particularly passionate about’

Anna chose the name of the Foundation, inspired by women in her family who all share the same name, she wanted the foundation’s name to provide a legacy.

While relatively new into the role Alice is clear about the mission and purpose of the foundation, describing their interest in long term transformative change and the ‘complex world of system change’.

The challenge for Alice is that the foundation will only exist for 10 years, or at least that’s the plan. They will look to spend down the funds and deliver positive impact as quickly and as effectively as possible.

‘We are looking at that timeframe and the resources we have, trying to work out where that sweet spot is for us and where we can make the greatest change with the resources we have.’

Alice has worked in the charity sector for the last two decades and this wealth of experience is helping to shape her approach and how her team will carry-out their charitable giving.

‘We plan to be a high trust funder and we want to have good relationships with the organisations and people that we fund’

We look back and delve into the reasons why Alice chose the non-profit sector and why a career focused on purpose was always likely.

‘I had a real strong sense of social justice and wanting to contribute.’

Alice also describes herself as an activist and she is constantly looking at how she can do things differently and bring about lasting change.

‘I was always a bit of an activist, and at 17 I remember standing outside of McDonald's in Northridge (UK), handing out flyers to people about the destruction of the rainforest’

We also discuss leadership; she explains her style as collaborative and how she works hard to get the best from her teams. We also discuss how she approaches her relationships with trustees and governance boards of the charities she leads.  Her ‘honesty first’ approach was particularly evident when she interviewed for the role of Executive Director at the Nikau Foundation.

‘I remember them asking me in my interview, one person said… how long do you think you will be here for? and I responded by saying probably about three to four years. One of the Board members looked horrified and another nodded and said that sounds about right. I said look… I will do everything in my power to achieve what you want in this timeframe’

Alice has held a range of high-profile roles with organisations such as the Red Cross, Experience Wellington, Creative New Zealand and most recently in her role as Executive Director at the Nikau Foundation before taking the reins at the Clare Foundation.

Episode sponsor: https://benevity.com/ - Powering purpose driven business 

Frances Benge joins Purposely to share her journey from corporate to nonprofit leadership as CEO of Cure Kids.

Frances started her career as a nurse then worked for 30 years in the pharmaceutical sector before being appointed as CEO of Cure Kids in 2015.

‘It wasn't an easy transition, there was a perception that I was this big international bigwig that didn't have any fundraising experience, I had to really prove myself to the team before I think they gave me any credibility’.

Frances shares her experience moving from corporate to the charity sector and provides a candid account of the challenges she faced in her first months in the role.

‘Everybody believed in what we were doing, and they were passionate about the cause, but underneath the purpose, there was a lot of dysfunction.’

Did she have any doubts about what she had taken on? At first Frances worried that she may lack the necessary fundraising experience or skills to successfully run a charity. She found her lack of experience ended up being a positive and helped her develop a fresh strategy for the charity. She improved income generation and fundraising capacity and reviewed how the charity used their resources - taking this opportunity to cut costs.

‘We were able to carve at least half a million dollars’ worth of costs, which sounds incredibly mercenary, but at this stage, the balance between our income and our expenses needed urgent attention. I couldn't hand on heart go to donors and say this huge percentage of your donation is going towards operating costs.’

While the move was challenging at times, Frances was able to successfully make the changes and set the charity on a path to success. Despite those initial doubts, she always fundamentally believed that she was in the right role.

Established in 1971, Cure Kids is a registered charity that invests millions of dollars every year into child health research. They find cures and better treatments for serious illnesses and health conditions that are affecting children in New Zealand, and around the world.

Their work has positively impacted health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of people. These include cystic fibrosis at birth, maternal outcomes (like sleeping on your side in pregnancy), and the prevention of sudden unexpected death in infancy.

Cure Kids also advocate for children and children’s health, so that greater resources and focus is placed on services and health outcomes. Frances has developed a strong public voice when it comes to children’s health and regularly speaks to the media, to government and at key events.

A good example is how she shone a light on children’s health both during and after the global pandemic.

For more than a year, an extraordinary public spotlight has been cast upon the incredible work of health scientists, epidemiologists, and vaccinologists in the face of a global pandemic. While Cure Kids and Frances agreed that this level of focus has been necessary, she stressed that we were not doing enough for children and that this was reflected by poor health outcomes for children, especially in New Zealand where we have some of the worse statistics relating to mortality.

‘I would just love to see New Zealand child health stats be turned around so that we aren’t ashamed of the statistics that we've got. I think the only way that we can do that is by really addressing the core issues that prevent our children from having lived healthy lives with bright futures’

Frances is looking forward to leading Cure Kids into the future and she is determined to ensure better outcomes for children.

Bill Murphy joins Purposely to share his founder story starting Purpose Capital.

Originally from Boston Massachusetts, he is an American that calls New Zealand home, having moved here in the 1980’s with his wife Rose, a New Zealander.

Based in the Bay of Plenty, on New Zealand’s North Island, Purpose Capital is an investment fund on a mission to drive social and environmental change. Having raised $22 million so far it is described as a collaboration between the New Zealand business, investment, and philanthropic sectors, bringing capital and expertise to find social and environmental solutions.

Bill talks about his determination to make a positive difference to Society and the Planet, formed by his diverse life journey. A range of experiences shaped him to go on and play an active leadership role in spreading and growing impact investing.  Before he launched his own investment fund Bill started out as an accountant and also founded Enterprise Angels, helping start-up entrepreneurs.

He launched Purpose Capital in 2019 and has plans to grow the fund significantly and create a legacy for future generations. Bill shares details of the fund’s investment in renewable energy, as well as funding circular business models that embrace a sharing economy. Some interesting projects include, build to rent housing for long-term tenants, solar farms to provide renewable energy and iwi-led open ocean aquaculture.

Bill is a proponent of Degrowth, a recent phenomenon that provides an alternative approach to ‘growth at all costs’ capitalism. Bill explains its potential benefits to Society and the environment. The relentless search for growth comes at the expense of more important things. As economies grow, consumption grows, and the earth’s resources are depleted more rapidly than ever. Degrowth is the planned reduction of resource consumption and energy use until it reaches a point where our resources can sustain everyone.

In the podcast Bill looks back at his early years and explains how his background was never going to fully define him or limit his ambition.

‘I'm an Irish Catholic archetype from Boston, my father was a policeman and my father's two brothers were firemen so joining the civil service was strongly encouraged. But early on I knew that this path was not for me. For a start I went to University, I started doing yoga and meditating and I became a vegetarian when I was hitchhiking out to California.’

Inspired by the cultural revolution happening in the 1960’s Bill travelled from the Northeast of the United States to California. This period of his life had a profound effect on him and would lay the foundations of his approach to life and his desire to bring about change.

‘Seeing the failure of the 60s protest movements to affect real change informed me. A realisation that we weren't going to be able to achieve change through purely political protest means, we needed to change hearts and minds.’

This led him to want to use finance to make significant change.

Bill is excited about the future of Purpose Capital and the part they will play in a more sustainable future. While he clearly loves doing what he does he is looking for someone to succeed him ‘eventually’, someone with the right skills and experience and strong sense of purpose.

Camille Socquet-Clerc joins Purposely to share her journey from digital marketing executive to green investment entrepreneur.

Camille, along with Bertrand Caron, are the founders of BLOOM, an online platform helping Australian investors make a financial return and a positive difference to the environment. Camille and Bertrand are also husband and wife, recently returning home to France to tie the knot following the launch of the company.

Launched in 2022, BLOOM provides people access to a diverse range of climate solution investments. These include solar and wind farms, energy storage, plus previously difficult-to-access assets like unlisted alternatives, green bonds, clean energy loans and infrastructure projects. Their vision is to make climate investing easy and accessible to all Australians, so that they can own and benefit from the clean energy transition.

'We're dreaming about a world where a carbon free economy allows both people and the planet to thrive.'

Camille started work on BLOOM in her spare time in 2019, predominately a side hustle to start with, she describes the different stages of development. This included coming up with the idea, really falling in love with the problem and carrying out research. She diligently studied reports about climate finance, understanding the potential problems and solutions. They formed a community of would-be investors, people who pledged a total of $3 million purely based on the concept.  Amazingly this all happened in less than six months and gave them the confidence to build the platform and take the first steps to applying for a license. Two years on BLOOM has three full time employees, one part time investment manager, an investment committee as well as advisors and mentors. They have close to 200 customers who have invested over $1.6 million AUD and they are now in the running for several industry awards. '

'I would read about how clean tech was performing and what companies were driving this new sector. I then started to formulate the solution, I interviewed people and did a lot of customer research.'

The launch of BLOOM hasn't been straight forward though, with volatile financial markets and the value of green investments hit by the effects of the pandemic and geopolitical events including the war in Ukraine. Despite the challenging financial situation BLOOM has performed better than their benchmark in the short term. Camille, however, is quick to point out that investing with them is a long-term proposition with investors balancing purpose, positive climate impact as well as making a return on their capital.

‘We state very clearly that our investment horizon is seven years because that's how long we believe it will take for the companies and sectors we invest in to deliver impact and positive change'

Incredibly, neither Camille or Bertrand had any prior experience working in investment or finance and they learnt on the job. They moved from France, adjusted to living in a foreign land and learnt a new language and culture. Camille is the CEO of start-up and Bertrand is the technology lead.

'I think Australia is a wonderful country, one of the wealthiest countries in the world and somewhere that can have a significant impact on positive climate action.'

Camille and Bertrand have been together for over a decade and Camille points to the benefits of launching a company with someone you love, including their ability to communicate effectively, a deep understanding of each other and real trust.

'Overall it is great to be in business together, however, it raises some questions around boundaries. How do we maintain a healthy relationship outside of work?! How do we make time for us as a couple?! Sometimes we worked too hard, and we didn't have enough boundaries when we started.'

Exciting times for these two green entrepreneurs!

End of Year Wrap - Episode 119 ­Taking a break from our normal interview format for the latest episode of Purposely and sharing a few insights from our guests. These include; the power of purpose and defining your personal mission The importance of non-linear careers as well as diverse experiences The great post pandemic re-set, purpose first! In 2022  we published 48 episodes with listeners tuning in from across the globe. The first interview of the year was with the CEO of the Wolfson Foundation Paul Ramsbottom OBE in the UK and the last with philanthropy doyenne Jenny Gill who is on the Boards of Vodafone NZ and MAS foundations as well as Prince’s Trust. Our episodes are published weekly (every Monday) along with a related blog (on www.purposelypodcast.com) and newsletter. Massive thank you for listening and sharing, please do not hesitate to reach out if you know someone who would be a good fit for Purposely and don’t forget to hit subscribe on whatever platform you are listening! All the best from Mark & Jon - Team Purposely

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Jenny Gill joins Purposely to share her career journey leading New Zealand’s largest and most respected charitable foundations as CEO, advisor and Board member.

Jenny is one of the pioneers of philanthropy in New Zealand, from her first role in the eighties to now she has led the way for wealthy and generous individuals, foundations and companies, helping them to give more effectively and ensure they make a positive and lasting difference.

In 1985 Jenny took on her first role in philanthropy as Executive Director of a private foundation to give away all of its funds over a set period of time. A fairly rare phenomenon in the eighties this type of philanthropy is described as ‘spend down’. The theory being that you donate all of the money you have to a good cause/s as quickly as possible to ensure you make a transformative difference as fast as possible. The organisation or the Foundation is merely a means to an end to deliver effective philanthropy during a specific time period. The Roy McKenzie Foundation with Jenny at the helm donated a total of $7 million over 9 years. “I went to meet him in his office in Wellington and I came out with a job offer, with no job description, no discussion about salary (however) an agreement that I would start work the next day. Well, I went to his office the next day and he handed me a blank pad of paper, a pencil, a copy of the trust deed, a check for a million dollars and said okay, let's go” Jenny describes the role she had as her becoming a ‘philanthrocrat’, a profession helping the generous and wealthy to give effectively and efficiently, in fact she was one of the very first professionals working in this way in New Zealand. Jenny continued to play an instrumental role in philanthropy and in 1990 Jenny and Roy used their experience to start the Association of Grant Givers (now Philanthropy New Zealand). Based on similar organisations overseas it helps to encourage others to give and provides a forum for individuals and organisations to share their experiences with others. Sharing know how and experience at the same time helping people to collaborate on projects to have greater impact. Roy McKenzie was the only surviving son of John McKenzie, two members of one of New Zealand’s richest and most generous families. They owned a chain of general stores in Australia and New Zealand before they were taken over by LD Nathan in 1980. The funds they have donated to good causes over the years come from the wealth generated by those stores as well as through investment firm Rangatira Ltd which was founded in 1937. In 2004 Jenny moved further north to Auckland to take on the role of CEO of Foundation North, known then as the ASB Charitable Foundation it is the largest of the 12 community foundations in New Zealand with almost $3 billion in an endowment with the interest benefitting people and causes in Auckland and across Northland. Jenny and her team were responsible for granting over $50 million to good causes on an annual basis. Jenny enjoyed 16 successful years in charge of Foundation North, deciding to step down in 2019 to spend more time with her family. This proceeded the arrival of the global pandemic and a crucial period for all funders as they responded to the crisis. This was certainly the case for Foundation North and the other community trusts as they responded to COVID-19 and the significant impact the pandemic was having on people living in poverty and on the margins. Jenny talks about being less optimistic these days compared the 'heady days of the 70's' particularly around the effects of climate change and what this will mean for her five grand children. Pointing out that it is much harder for individuals to influence meaningful change compared to past generations. As Jenny's attention shifts to the future of philanthropy and charitable giving she makes it clear that she would like to see more philanthropic money going into addressing climate change and environmental

Kate Markey joined Purposely to share her career journey, becoming one of the most talented and respected leaders in the UK charity sector. As CEO of the London Community Foundation (LCF) she has led the philanthropic response to two major disasters. 

Kate led the foundation in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire and through COVID-19, playing a key role in raising and deploying millions of pounds of vital funds, ‘I am so proud of our response and our ability to get donated money to the right causes and people’.

We explore Kate's career path and her motivation for swapping journalism for leadership roles, those in the ‘for purpose’ sector. Kate cites her parents as an inspiration, in particular her late mother as a reason why she dedicated her professional life to purpose. ‘I was brought up with a real sense that how I choose to live life will have a positive impact on society’ Kate’s mother had experienced kidney failure as a teenager, but despite the health challenges, she went on to be a parent and have a successful teaching career, eventually becoming a deputy head teacher. ‘The example my mother set made it very clear that we are put on this earth to make a difference’ Kate developed a love for storytelling and the power it has to motivate people to act. A love she developed during her early career as a journalist. As editor of her university newspaper and then as editor of The Big Issue she realised the power it had to influence people to do good. Born in Liverpool Kate went to her home university so that she would be close to her home and her mother. Studying a Bachelor of Arts in communication Kate went on to mainstream journalism and then a career as a social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader. Kate travelled, spending a year living in Venezuela and then developed a love for London. This would see her eventually taking on the role of CEO of the Cities Community Foundation. Kate was first choice for the role based on her unique skills and experience. ‘What excited me about the foundation is the unique role it plays. We are not like traditional foundations, we have an entrepreneurial and ‘fleet of foot’ approach to making a difference’ As we look to the future Kate is keen to understand more about giving in the capital. Specifically how much is donated by Londoners but ends up leaving the city, either by individuals or businesses versus how much stays in the capital to do good. Kate pays tribute to her team and points to their brilliance as the main reason for her success as a leader. ‘I really believe in my team, they have dealt extremely well with every challenge thrown their way in a professional way and with empathy’. LCF is one of 47 community foundations in the UK. Combined they have an endowment of £500 million, they perform the role of fundraiser and grant maker. Originally a North American phenomenon Community Foundations are connectors between local philanthropy and community needs and opportunities. Many convene impactful projects and all are building long-term, reliable funding streams for their local communities by investing and growing the gifts they receive.

Welcoming Maria Ramsay to Purposely to share her career journey from nurse to non-profit leader. Maria shares her innovative approach to philanthropy and the evolution of the Toi Foundation under her leadership.

Maria joined the Toi Foundation in 2006, appointed as manager to what was known as the TSB Community Trust. The organisation had evolved from the community bank as one of 12 trusts formed in the 1980's with the aim of supporting communities.  Like many trusts at the time, Toi relied on a transactional and passive approach to grant making. They were often characterised by invisible grant committees approving funding applications behind closed doors, with a simple letter to the unsuccessful applicants.   

'This organisation has evolved so much, we've gone from two employees to sixteen, we now have a huge connection into our community that just didn't exist previously. We didn't have very strong relationships with Maori and local iwi, mainly because we just weren't engaging - we do now.'   'While we still fund in a traditional 'mail box' philanthropy way by supporting small grassroots organisations across the region we have evolved and we now do a lot more strategic grant making'.  

The change in approach followed an assessment of needs that existed across the region, with a bigger focus on helping people on the margins of society. Maria and the Board hired an external company to carry out some independent research and this lay the foundation for a new strategy and a new way of working. One that was much more focused on working with the community rather than just delivering grants in a passive removed way. The Trust identified those who were in most need of their financial support.    Maria describes the move away from a 'master and servant model' to something very different that she believes will bring about social positive and lasting change. '

It's about walking alongside an organisation and being prepared to fund them over multiple years if required. We will look to form a truly authentic and trusted relationship with the organisation doing the work.' Maria also talks about the move to community building that is becoming more common amongst the 12 community trusts in New Zealand. 'We increasingly look to help with capacity and capability building as well as the service delivery.  

Their latest giving initiatives are both intentional as well as strategic; including supporting children in their first 1,000 days of life as well as a participatory form of philanthropy and community support.   'On that theme of engaging with the local community, we will allocate some funds and bring together a group of people to advise and help design a solution to an issue or a problem. The big difference is that they will be the decision makers, so if in the example it is a committee of young people, they will decide what is best for them. So it's about power sharing, really, and putting that back into the hands of the community.

They also focus on the environment as stated in their new strategy. 'Supporting the protection, care and resilience of our natural environment to ensure the long-term survival and care of Taranaki whenua.'

What is a Community Trust?

Ostensibly they are grant making charities that exist to help communities thrive.

There are 12 of them across New Zealand covering all regions country including Toi Foundation which covers Taranaki, most western part of the North Island. Combined  they have assets of approximately $3.9 billion and make grants for the benefit of their local communities of over $100 million each year.

Josh Hickford joins Purposely to share his story from chartered accountant to app creating cancer survivor and foundation leader.

Taranaki, where Josh was born, is on the western side of New Zealand’s North Island. Set on the coast, it has a strong farming industry alongside a talented creative fraternity with its fair share of artists and galleries. Its people are generous and community minded and inspired by the work of a worldwide network of community foundations, the founding trustees wanted to create an endowment for the region and boost charitable giving locally.

Established in 2016 as the Te Karaka Foundation the Board were looking to hire their first CEO in the middle of 2020, someone who would connect with people locally and work with them to superpower the foundation. Enter Taranaki born and bred Josh, a chartered accountant and social entrepreneur, Josh was encouraged to apply for the role by his wife citing his passion for the region as well as his recent experiences of doing good. Josh was the co-founder of Ripple, an online platform that helps to facilitate tailored support for people with cancer.

Shortlisted for ‘New Zealander of the Year’, Josh was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2017, it was his own cancer experience that inspired him to set up the platform.

‘I didn't come across anyone my age with same type of cancer. I also wanted to help those sitting alongside the person with cancer who often get forgotten or don’t receive the support they need’.

Five years on from his cancer diagnosis Josh was given a clean bill of health. During those years Josh kept pushing his boundaries, entering ironman competitions and featuring on the New Zealand version of the hit reality series Survivor.

He applied for the role of CEO of the Te Karaka Foundation. ‘I didn't really have a background in charity apart from the Cancer Society. I've been a chartered accountant, but the whole purpose and why of the job just aligned so much with what I'm about. It was vital that I was able to get in front of the trustees and share my passion’.

Bravely Josh delivered some ‘home truths’ to the trustees at the interview and this has led to the rebranding of the Foundation, from Te Karaka to Taranki, a name they believe connects well with the people of the region. ‘I paused and took a deep breath and I told them that the website was pretty mediocre and that the branding was confusing and not that inspiring, but that there was a big opportunity to flip that around and really ramp it up and go from there! What followed was silence and a pause but thankfully the trustees agreed. Everyone just probably relaxed a little bit after that as well and they gave me the role.’

The Foundation is embracing its new vision and looking forward to attracting more philanthropic funds to support the communities of Taranaki.

Welcoming Stephanie Wheen CEO & founder of Gympanzees to Purposely Podcast where she shares her founder story as well as life journey. ‘How her relationship with her brother and the challenges faced by her physio clients led her to start a charity. Gympanzees provide play and exercise for disabled children. ‘Founder journey, overcoming the challenges to provide play, exercise and fun for disabled children’, Listen here: www.purposelypodcast.com and Apple Podcast, Spotify as well as all other platforms

Ryan Modjeski, Executive Director of Empatico, joins Purposely Podcast to share his leadership journey.

Californian Ryan Modjeski heads up a non-profit that helps children connect and make friends with their peers globally. Described as an online pen-pal service for primary/K-9 aged children Empatico helps them experience other cultures. The organisation provides new ways of seeing and connecting with the world, all from the safety of the classroom.

‘We want kids to meet and communicate with people who they think might be different from them. In our experience it shows them that they have a lot more in common than they thought they did. Our mission is to prepare the next generation for this increasingly connected world. Helping them to navigate cross cultural relationships with empathy and what we believe is a core component for success in life and in business.'

Ryan's path to non-profit leadership is unique, following completion of an Arts degree in creative writing, he ended up designing online games for a living. A good move for Ryan, combining his love for gaming with his creative writing ability.

His work involved the 'Gamification' of television programmes, from Beavis and Butt-Head to Criminal Minds and everything in between.

Ryan enjoyed his career in ‘gaming’, however he felt unfulfilled and wanted to make more of a positive difference to the world utilising his varied knowledge and skills. He points to Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami who featured a character who wrote articles for travel magazines that were never meant to be read.

‘He called it shovelling cultural snow and it really resonated with me, in some ways I was shovelling cultural snow for a job. I had learned how to build technology, how to write stories, how to work with artists and engineers and all of that was fantastic. But I also knew that it wasn't really what I wanted to do with my career’.

Ryan made the decision to start his own business, switching from making games purely for entertainment value to creating educational content that engaged children. His target was 7–10-year-olds who had stopped reading. Eventually this led him to a role working in the non-profit sector for UNICEF focused on building technology to empower children across the globe.

‘I had built this really incredible programme where we empowered kids who typically didn't like to learn or had difficulty learning, they also didn’t understand that they had the power to make the difference in the world’.

The UNICEF Kid Power platform, also described as ‘streaming for good’ provides hundreds of activity videos and self-driven content for children, families and educators to access.

Following five successful years at UNICEF, Ryan applied for the role as Executive Director at Empatico and started in mid-2021 during the global pandemic. The role was a perfect fit for Ryan, but he had joined during challenging times. He had to convince the Board, who had just hired him, that they would need to redevelop the platform to meet the new demands of Covid-19.

‘The pandemic threw a 'monkey wrench' into our goals and we have just now re-launched the service’.

Despite the challenges the organisation continues to go from strength to strength. Empatico now has nearly 60,000 educators from over 166 countries accessing the service and 100,000 children have experienced live exchanges with kids from around the world.

Empatico was founded by social entrepreneur Daniel Lubetzky and The KIND Foundation.

https://blog.empatico.org/

Bill Kermode joins Purposely to share his story as inaugural CEO of the NEXT Foundation. His mission to give away a hundred million dollar fortune on behalf of a family committed to making a positive and lasting difference to the planet and people of New Zealand. NEXT is a privately funded charitable foundation which is relatively unique for New Zealand. Rather than being a long-lasting foundation, set up to exist forever using an endowment model, NEXT has a mandate to ‘spend down’ $100 million over 10 years. The money is committed to environmental and educational projects that will benefit future generations of New Zealanders. Bill has led NEXT’s investments as well as providing guidance to the previous philanthropic commitments made by Neal and Annette Plowman. 'They had an ambition for NEXT to leave a legacy of environmental and Educational Excellence for the benefit of future generations of New Zealanders. They wanted to show a way of giving that they hoped would be a model that some others would choose to follow'. The Plowmans made their fortune from a laundry business, founded in 1910 by George Plowman. They successfully grew the business and listed it on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, before privatising the company in 1986, and selling to US firm Alsco in 1998. Bill was appointed NEXT CEO in 2014 by the NEXT Board chaired by Chris Liddell, a successful businessman and advisor to the Plowmans. Bill spent the previous two decades as a founding Director of Direct Capital, New Zealand’s most experienced private company investor, and Director of a number of private companies, including Ryman Healthcare, PF Olsen, NZ Pharmaceuticals, and EziBuy. We discuss Bills move from the investment sector to philanthropy running a charitable foundation and the differences between the two worlds. ‘The biggest difference is around evaluation and measurement, knowing whether you're contributing and making a difference. In the commercial and financial world, there are well established norms and ways of measuring success. However, in the ‘for purpose sector’ it is not so clear and not so clearly defined.’ 2024 will see the end of the ten-year giving term, with currently 80% of the $100 million committed to a number of initiatives and causes focused on the environment and education. We discuss what next for the Plowmans philanthropy and what next for Bill himself. ‘The Plowmans plan to continue their giving and the next iteration of the foundation will be focused specifically on the environment - although I will not lead this, instead I will focus my efforts on the development of a Centre of Strategic Philanthropy.’ Bill and the NEXT team have had approaches from others wanting to learn from their journey and he describes how they have always tried to be supportive of others’ giving.This has led Bill and his team to launch the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy aimed at complementing the work of Philanthropy New Zealand. Helping New Zealand individuals, organisations and families who ‘want to do their giving in a strategic or a business-like way’. ‘It's about bringing likeminded people together to explore how they can make a significant difference to the issues they are passionate about with the potential to collaborate or if not then learn from each other and experts.’ In his spare time, Bill was also the Director of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship from 2016 until 2020, offering global social change-makers a path to New Zealand citizenship through New Zealand’s Global Impact Visa. He is currently Chairman of the Palmerston North BHS Educational Foundation Trust, and a graduate of Massey and Oxford Universities.

Podcaster, author and comedian Rhea Wong joins Purposely to share her fascinating story. Rhea Wong grew up in the Bay Area of San Francisco, relocating to the East Coast of America to start her first non-profit leadership role at 26. Thrown in at the deep end, without experience, Rhea had to learn fast. 'I was like, what? My first two Google searches in the job were, ‘what does an executive director do?’ and the second was, ‘how to fundraise’. I like that I was that clueless.' Fast forward to today, Rhea is one of the leading voices on fundraising for non-profits globally. Her teaching focuses on developing the right mindset, rather than just teaching income generation tactics. Rhea has caught the attention of the fundraising sector for her insightful thinking around mindset, in particular her theory on 'scarcity and abundance' as a common block for any non-profit fundraiser. 'When we come from a place of confidence and expectation that there is enough money out there for us to do our work, and to feel the change that we've seen in the world, we operate on a different level' At first Rhea struggled with fundraising, she was good at it but found it 'joyless'. She examined the mental blocks and negative outlook to try and understand her resistance to fundraising . Rhea reflected on her childhood experiences around money and charity. She remembers vividly an experience that helped shape her, ' I gave a homeless guy a quarter in front of my father and he goes, Oh, so you're so rich. now you can just give money away.' The moment impacting her psyche deeply, the idea that money is scarce and that we have to hold on to it and guard it. Her grandparent’s experience leaving communist China and arriving in the United States with very little money had a significant impact on her parent’s mindset. This had also shaped her own outlook to giving and charity. 'Money stood for stability and security, because that's what they needed when they came to this country, all they had was $20 in their pocket when they arrived.' Over time and following a period of reflection and introspection Rhea developed a for her profession, the joy of making the ask and raising vital funds for good causes started to make sense. This clarity led her on a new career path, from being a fundraiser herself to helping others be better fundraisers. Rhea shares her move from non-profit executive to launching her own business helping others to reach their full potential as fundraisers. Rhea works with individuals and organisations, and she has particular expertise in institutional, corporate and major donor fundraising. Importantly she knows what it’s like to be a successful fundraiser herself raising millions for good causes and she is well placed to coach and advise others. In 2022 Rhea Wong published the book 'Get That Money! The No B******t Guide To Raising More Money For Your Non-Profit'. The book, despite its relatively racy headline, is focused on the importance of relationship-based fundraising and the antithesis of the transactional approach so often used. 'The name of the book was really about getting people's attention. I think it's very aligned with my brand which is pretty irreverent. I'm not a very formal person and I like to make jokes, obviously. I like to not take it so seriously. But it is about how do you really build relationships such that you can get that money honey?' Rhea has also published over 200 episodes of her Podcast Non-profit Lowdown reviewing and recommending the best ideas, resources, tools and tricks to run a non-profit, using her own lived experiences as well as her guests. We delve into her approach to work, her confidence, her drive and how she doesn't take herself too seriously.

‘Wild card hire’, balancing legacy and a focus on the future, Sufina Ahmad MBE, Director John Ellerman Foundation Sufina Ahmad MBE joins Purposely to share her story and her role at the John Ellerman Foundation. John Ellerman was a 20th century shipping magnate and was once the richest person in the United Kingdom. When he died, he left his £35 million fortune, (£1.5 billion in today’s terms) to his two children, John and Winifred. It was his son John who, despite his intense shyness and private demeanour, decided that the family would create a legacy and deliver impact through more formalised philanthropy. Following wildly different pursuits to his father, John Jr. was a renowned zoologist specialising in the study of rodents. He put a significant amount of money into trust in 1971, a move aimed at making a difference to society and the environment. John Jr. died two years later however, the funds were made available through two charitable trusts. The trusts did not carry the family name and were administered by the City of London Corporate under the name Moorgate. Fast forward to today and the two trusts have been merged into a single entity - a charitable foundation named the John Ellerman Foundation. The broad themes haven’t changed much from inception but the look and feel of the foundation most definitely has. Rather than being hidden away and private, it is in full view of the public. The Foundation has a website, celebrates its heritage, and favours an open brand of ‘relational philanthropy’ that may not have entirely suited its private founder. Today, the foundation is a charity led by a volunteer trustee board made up of qualified men and women who represent a cross sector of society. On a day-to-day basis the foundation is run by a highly respected charity exponent Sufina Ahmad. Sufina, a young, thoughtful and innovative charity leader is in many ways the antitheses of the shy founder. Instead, she is open and willing to share her journey and that of the foundation. As a Muslim and daughter of Indian immigrants she is fully aware that her selection as Director of a foundation was not predictable. In 2019, a few months prior to the COVID pandemic, Sufina Ahmad beat off competition from three hundred other candidates to land the role of Director of the Foundation. ‘The recruiter described me as a wild card, akin to a wildcard at Wimbledon, based on my race, age and gender. I was fortunate that the trustees were open to first time CEO’s or directors and bringing someone in who had potential rather than the exact same experience in another organisation’ While embracing the Foundation’s heritage Sufina talks about ensuring its relevance and delivering impact through their support of modern-day issues and causes. Despite only being with the Foundation for a short period Sufina has led the development of the new strategy as well as a restructure of the organisation. She is continuing that theme of openness and a willingness to share the foundation’s recent journey and approach. Sufina credits the whole team for its efforts during COVID-19, they all, including the Trustees, played a crucial role in adapting their giving to the significant need at the time of crisis. Sufina’s own leadership through these tough times saw her awarded an MBE. ‘There were different points in various lock downs, where I just had those moments of thinking, are we doing enough? Are we being effective enough? Are we doing the right thing at a time when there is no clear route map that tells you if you are. I look back now. And I think that we were affective during that time’ Sufina is positive about the foundation’s future and her role in it. ‘There are lots of things making me smile right now, a new team and new structure and we are developing and evolving our approach to grant making through the different strategic strands of work. I can’t wait to get really stuck in and seeing where John Ellerman Foundation can go next.’

Brianne West joins Purposely to share her founder story starting Ethique and most recently the Ethique Foundation.

Ethique is a for-profit company, driven by purpose. A highly successful beauty and lifestyle brand with products sold in 22 countries and a valuation of over $100 million - a real success story. However, talking with Brianne, it is clear it that profit is not the only metric they use to judge their success. As one of New Zealand’s founding B Corps, the company is living wage accredited, works with cooperatives around the world to source ingredients and donates 20% of profit to charity. Brianne and the Ethique team put even more value on how they impact people and the planet. Brianne loves the products she creates but is very clear that having a positive impact is her primary motivation,

‘I truly believe we can have a healthy, beautiful and awe-inspiring environment, with fairly shared equity amongst all, sustainable economic growth and that no one needs to be left behind. We just need to do things a little differently.’

Founded in 2012 from Brianne’s kitchen table, Ethique, initially named Sorbet, was the result of her entrepreneurial curiosity, an understanding of science plus learnings from some failed start-ups… including a Pet Detective Business she set up as a child. Originally from the Isle of Man in the UK, Brianne and her family migrated to New Zealand in the mid-nineties. Brianne talks about a happy childhood and loving parents although things just didn’t click for her at school, ‘I was good at doing just enough to get by’ pointing to her dislike of maths, a subject she despised, but something that made more sense to her later in life.

Fast forward to her 20’s and while she was studying towards a science degree, Brianne started to focus on particular issues, important issues that she could solve that might also present a business opportunity. She had a real focus on plastic and the damage it was causing to the environment. The other was the significant amounts of water found in our bathrooms in the likes of shampoo, conditioners, moisturisers, household cleaners and cosmetics, which are usually 60-95% water. Ethique was born and Brianne started to think about the possibility of making these products solid and simply sending the active ingredients direct to consumers, removing the plastic containers.

‘My first solid products were formulated in my kitchen, along with the idea of helping eliminate plastic from the global beauty industry. The overarching goal is to put a bar in every shower and to change consumers' behaviour’.

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Brianne is best known for being a successful ‘for purpose entrepreneur’ , however, she also describes herself as an, ‘animal-obsessed, science-loving scuba diver with a love for exploring slightly unusual places’.  Brianne is also straight talking, willing to share her time and resources and is committed to helping other entrepreneurs who share the same values.

A promise she has delivered on in is the formation of the Ethique charitable Foundation, which will  make donations on behalf of the company to organisations that make a positive and lasting difference to people and the planet. Over the next four years the Ethique Foundation aims to donate $10 million to support regenerative business practices and ‘ help those with outstanding, scalable ideas create the change we need’.  A key part of the strategy is the launch of the Ethique Fellowship, it will support conservation and rewilding efforts and will work with organisations to support biodiversity and champion those defending indigenous peoples rights. Since its beginnings in 2012, the company has donated at least 2% of annual sales to non-profit organisations protecting animal welfare, and biodiversity, and promoting conservation and human rights around the globe.

Ethique is proof that this is possible.

Kelvyn Eglinton joins Purposely to share his leadership journey, straddling sport and community sectors alongside corporate and government. Kelvyn thrives in pressure situations, adept at sensitively working with groups of people who do not necessarily share the same views and carefully managing high stake situations. Kelvyn points to his ability to empathise with other people's perspectives. He works hard to truly listen to their side of the story, the fears they may have in any given situation.  He has significant experience working through conflict to find resolution for business and social outcomes. A unique capability to navigate complex governance, management and political relationships and retain stakeholders at the table progressing on issues. Kelvyn has had a wide-ranging career that has included international mining, local government, urban growth strategy, central government roles and the sport industry provide a platform to showcase these skills. ​We explore Kelvyn's approach to life and how his upbringing helped shape who he is today. He lives by his Dad's advice,  "If you can shake hands and laugh with the workers and the Mayor in the same day, you will do well in this world." We go deep into his current role as CEO of Momentum Waikato, co-ordinating generous donors with transformative projects. Kelvyn has played an instrumental role in raising the funds for a new theatre project in Hamilton. Beyond just raising the funds, more than $80 million, he has coordinated all stakeholders in the project to ensure that everyone is in agreement with the plans and the whole community will benefit. Before returning to NZ, Kelvyn was the Chief of Staff in the Jakarta office for Newmont Mining Corporation and oversaw the renegotiation of the contract of work with the Government of Indonesia and the social responsibility programmes of the operation on Sumbawa Island and North Sulawesi. For six years Kelvyn was based in Perth as Asia Pacific Director for External Affairs overseeing government, communications, and development programmes across operations in five countries and prior to that was the External Affairs Manager for Newmont Waihi Gold in NZ. Kelvyn is a Registered Independent Commissioner for RMA hearings alongside his roles on social performance panels for resource companies. He sits on the Boards the Waipa Communities Facilities Trust, Surf Lifesaving NZ and is a Trustee for the NZ Surf Lifesaving Foundation and Hospice Waikato.

John O'Brien MBE is founder of Anthropy a gathering of leaders planned taking place at The Eden Project, UK. Inspired to act and counter the negativity that exists post COVID John will open ‘the UK Davos’ on Wednesday 2 November 2022. “A unique moment in time, to change the national narrative, consider the qualities we live by and build a positive, equitable, sustainable, successful future.” Anthropy will feature 300 speakers, 1200 participants attending 160+ sessions over 3 days across 12 stages and John and the team believe that it will provide a ‘launch pad for change’. To find out more visit anthropy.live John O'Brien joins Purposely Podcast to share his career story from life as a soldier, working for the current King of Britain to life as an entrepreneur focused on doing good. John has led the way 'beyond CSR' to a more impactful, meaningful alternative for businesses wanting to make a positive difference. He did this as a best-selling author, leader and advisor, helping businesses to put purpose at the centre of their action. Prior to John's intervention many businesses in the UK had corporate responsibility as a peripheral activity, offsetting their negative impact. John is an expert in helping individuals and organisations to find their purpose. He wrote “The Power of Purpose”, which combines experience with insights around ethical purpose in business from interviews with over sixty renowned leaders. As part of his journey John worked hard to define his own purpose; “Often, when you talk to people about purpose you will get a bland statement along the lines of 'I want to make the world a better place', and there is not anything wrong with that, but it doesn't necessarily give guidance to what you want to do or provide meaning. Realising this fact helped me to find my own purpose and want to help people and companies to find their purpose - so helping others find meaning”. Alongside his business advisory work, he has supported many social impact and charitable initiatives and created several philanthropic initiatives across the UK himself. He has a portfolio of interests including leading a consortium of Omnicom agencies in EMEA, part time, whilst using his remaining capacity on writing books on ethical purpose and communications and other philanthropic activities. John is a former British Infantry Officer and graduate of The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, who retired as a Captain after ten years in various roles around the world. Leaving the Army, he spent seven years creating his own ethical purpose agency and a decade before that as director of The Prince of Wales’s Business in the Community initiative. There, alongside various UK responsibilities, he created programmes covering twenty countries. John is a philanthropist in his own right having founded the Jubilee Hour, recognised by the UK government as the largest mobilisation of volunteering since World War 2, with over 2 million participants. He also co-founded the Remember WW1 volunteering campaign, and is supporter of a variety of UK charities. John has received numerous awards in his career and was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2017 Birthday Honours list for various charitable endeavours in the UK and overseas. John is based between his London office and his home in Shropshire.

David Downs joins Purposely to share his story. David is an optimist, driven by purpose who is dedicated to serving others. Nominated for 'New Zealander of the Year' he is the ultimate multi-tasker and over achiever. 

David is a cancer survivor who overcame the odds to beat a form of blood cancer that had affected his lymphatic system. A terminal prognosis from his doctor had given him only a year to live, however, ‘a series of lucky breaks’ gave him access to a drug trial in the USA. The treatment, revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy, saved his life . David has always talked freely about his cancer and wrote a column in a newspaper sharing details of his journey. It was this publicity that helped him to access the life-saving drug trial. He has written a book on his cancer (A Mild Touch of the Cancer - now a documentary film) and he spends many hours supporting and advocating for people with the disease.

We look back at the start of his career and how his Irish roots played a fundamental role in shaping his beliefs and values, as well as his career. Humour and performing played a significant role in his household growing up, he starting out as a comedian, then actor and eventually opened his own venue, The Comedy Club in Auckland.

David is now CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious government-funded organisation marketing New Zealand to the world. Previously, David was a General Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) for 10 years, working with the Technology sector to help fast growing tech companies grow internationally. 

At the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, David co-founded sosbusiness.nz - a not-for-profit initiative to help bars, cafes and other small businesses sell vouchers. It quickly became a huge hit and to date has sold over $2 million in vouchers for over 2500 small businesses. All the money goes to the businesses. Based on that experience, he published a book about the innovation that happened during Covid-19 in New Zealand, ’Silver Linings’, published by Penguin Random House.

David studied at Massey University, the University of Auckland and Stanford University, and regularly presents and gives talks on his cancer journey and on the power of positive thinking and optimism.

Linn Araboglos joins Purposely to share her career journey spanning corporate, Government and charity sectors.

Linn found her calling in the middle of the COVID pandemic becoming the leader of one of twelve of the largest grant making charities in New Zealand. Chief Executive of the Wellington Community Fund is a role Linn really wanted, partly because of where she grew up. She had also experienced the joy of philanthropy as interim Head of the Vodafone Foundation and wanted more.

Linn started her role when New Zealand was in that first COVID lockdown, an online welcome from her trustees and team kicked off her first day in the job. Undoubtedly a tough time to start in a leadership role, particularly, as there was a lot of fear across both the New Zealand and global charity sectors. Charities weren’t sure if they were going to survive themselves let alone be able to respond to the significant level of need out there. Funding was crucial and Linn and her team a crucial role to play.

‘We actually took the opportunity to change things and turn everything on its head. (as a funder) We went from having complex criteria for applications and deadlines for funding rounds to no deadlines and a simple process. Twelve criteria down to three very simple criteria that were really about meeting community need, plus the self-determination and community aspirations.’

Their primary purpose is granting, a strategic funder focused on delivering equity and inclusion for communities across the Wellington region. As a ‘local’ Linn is personally invested in seeing the region and its people and communities thrive.

Linn has lived her whole life in Wellington. This includes where she went to University. She secured a Batchelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminology degree at Victoria University and she was the first member of my family to ever go to university. ‘it was a bit of a big deal for me and my family’.

Completing her studies she was unsure of what she wanted to do next, she describes stumbling into the corporate sector, a role in insurance working as a claims manager. Working in a corporate environment was a new experience for her, however, starting in a call centre suited her. ‘It seems like a world away from where I am now but the more I heard about people’s circumstances, trauma’s and challenges the more I wanted to help’

This experience led Linn to a role in Government (for almost two decades), initially as a project manager and then as Director, Ministry of Youth Development, a role she had for 3 years.

‘I was sitting in a building looking out at the Beehive, where our government is housed, and I remember staring at the building and thinking that I really wanted to contribute to a lot of the good work that the government were doing. I guess I made a values based decision. I ended up working there for, gosh, 17 odd years, before making the leap to the philanthropic sector’.

In addition to her professional career and new leadership role she is mother to three children who she describes as ‘proud of what I do, although now life is back to some sort of normality they complain I am at the office a lot’. A significant part of Linn’s career has been driven by her passion to improve the lives of people, those most vulnerable and particularly children and young people. Linn has extensive experience working with community organisations, funding partners, governance boards and Ministers and she looking forward to putting this experience to good work to help her community in the future.

Gill Whelan joins Purposely to share her story as the inaugural Head of fashion label DECJUBA’s charitable foundation. Gill swapped corporate sales for a career focused on purpose, combining skills learnt from business and experience with the charity ‘St Kilda Mums’ in her new role, leading a corporate foundation. DECJUBA is a private company and was bought by former Cotton On founder Tania Austin in 2008. A women and girls apparel brand with 140 stores across Australia and New Zealand it has gone from strength to strength. Tania had envisaged setting up a foundation when the time was right. Formally established in 2021, the motivation to start a foundation was partly driven to provide some structure and strategy to their existing charitable giving. Gill Whelan joined as inaugural General Manager of the foundation in July 2022. DECJUBA had been a supporter of the charity St Kilda Mums, and this is where Tania got to know Gill. Gill impressed as someone with knowledge and passion for the charity sector as well as a long-standing love for fashion. Leaving St Kilda Mums was not an easy decision for Gill, she had been with them for over a decade and had grown close to their clients, staff, and supporters. Established in 2009, St Kilda Mums, based in Melbourne Australia, raise funds, and redistribute pre-loved items to children to ensure a safe start to life. Instead of being discarded, prams, cots, clothes, and essential items are donated to St Kilda Mums to then be rehomed to families in need. Gill’s gateway into the charity sector was through volunteering, she had spent a ‘fun’ five years living in New York with her family and had arrived back in Melbourne Australia at a ‘bit of a loose end’ but determined to re-engage with her community and make use of the spare time she had. She started volunteering at St Kilda Mums, performing several roles over the first few years but ended up falling in love with the organisation. Inspired by the founder and CEO Jessica Macpherson (a former guest of Purposely), ‘she was an incredibly inspiring and ambitious woman, she can draw people in and take them on a journey. it was a fantastic organisation to be involved with and ultimately provided me with opportunities in terms of my career.’ Gill outlines the DECJUBA Foundation’s ambitious goal to positively impact 25 million lives by 2025. ‘It's wonderful to have that big ambition, we're really committed to transforming lives and helping those in need and ultimately creating real sustainable change.’ DECJUBA, like other brands trading in the ‘fast fashion category’ is under pressure to lessen their impact on the environment and ensure sustainable practices in everything they do, from sourcing materials to the manufacturing process, and how they deal with waste. There is also pressure on brands to do the right thing by their employees and suppliers to ensure there is no exploitation. This pressure is coming from customers who want to buy sustainable fashion items and who will not buy from a brand if they exploit workers. Employees are also only willing to work for companies who are focused on positive world impact. Gill is very aware of this, and she talks about their approach to sustainability. ‘We don't shy away from the fact that we're a fast fashion brand and that has environmental impact. We're sort of fronting up to that as much as we can and trying to go even further than I guess is expected of us and the foundation goes hand in hand with that’ Gill is looking forward to growing and scaling the work of the foundation and ensuring it has a positive and lasting difference on people’s lives as well as the environment. ‘at the moment it is just me although I have loads of support from all parts of the business to help the foundation’ We are excited to see where Gill will take the foundation and how she will use her experience to help shape the direction of the foundation as well as the company. You can find Gill on Instagram @gill_at_work

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic.

This weeks episode features Thomas Smith CEO of Halberg Foundation discussing his approach to leadership and his passion for sport and helping people disabilities to reach their full potential through sport.

Charlie Bresler joins Purposely to share his story as co-founder of the charity, The Life You Can Save. In 2013 Charlie started the charity with Peter Singer, widely recognized as one of the world’s most influential contemporary philosophers. He wanted to advance the ideas that Peter layed out in his 2009 book, The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty. In it, Peter argues that if we can provide immense benefit to someone at minimal cost to ourselves, we should absolutely do so.

Charlie was inspired by the book and reached out, offering to help to bring his skills in business, online marketing and initial seed funding to super charge the mission.  Charlie and his wife, Diana, provided funding for The Life You Can Save to become a registered 501c3 charity, and Charlie began serving as the organization’s non-salaried Executive Director.

Their overall vision is to create a world where everyone has an opportunity to build a better life and where there’s no suffering or death due to extreme poverty. The charity’s mission to make ‘smart giving simple’  continues today. They curate a group of nonprofits online that save or improve the most lives per dollar. It helps donors to access and give to good causes with the knowledge that each dollar will have a big impact.

‘We can, each of us, do our part in ending extreme poverty. But we won’t reach our goal unless many more contribute to the effort.’

While Charlie is no longer leading the organisation on a day to day basis he is still involved as a donor and as an active ambassador and spokesperson.

A former professional tennis coach and psychologist Charlie earnt a  PhD in Social and Clinical Psychology from Clark University, he became Director of Behavioural Medicine for The California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno (CSPP-F), where he was a full-time professor and founder of a teaching clinic for treating anxiety & stress disorders.

James Palmer joins Purposely Podcast to share his founder story starting Community Finance and Positive Capital. James founded Community Finance in 2019 on a mission to significantly grow the community housing sector.  He formed Positive Capital in 2021 to provide an investment vehicle to help scale their mission. ‘seventy percent of renters in New Zealand require financial support from the State, billions spent propping up the low-income housing industry each year’. Currently a safe, warm affordable home is out of reach for many in New Zealand. Community Finance connects investors and organisations who have the means and desire to help make that dream a reality. ‘Our aim was to build a bridge between philanthropists, Government, and impact investors to help solve the housing crisis affecting low-income families’ Just getting started James and his team have already raised over $40 million and on target to deliver 118 new affordable quality homes to marginalised and low-income New Zealanders. James has a strongly held belief that finance can be a force for good, he also has a passion for impact investment and believes it can play a vital role in solving social and environmental issues working alongside Governments, charities, and foundations. James was previously Chief Executive of Christian Savings, New Zealand’s only charity that is also a licensed non-bank deposit taker, managing almost $250m. Prior to that he was a commercial lawyer, following in his father’s footsteps he made the difficult decision to walk away from the family firm and launch a career in finance. ‘Delivering that message to my father was tough, although he was a better lawyer than me and I knew that I wanted to do something else. I had a strong desire to be part of a purpose driven business that’s focus was to make a positive and lasting difference to people’s live at scale’ James is the 2021 INFINZ University of Auckland Business School Emerging Leader.

Afam Onyema joins Purposely to share his founder story starting the GEANCO Foundation.

Afam is a high achiever on a mission, a graduate of both Harvard and Stanford Universities, he is also the co founder and CEO of a charitable foundation helping to transform lives in Africa. Headquartered in Los Angeles it receives support from Hollywood stars including Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt and David Oyelowo to name just a few.

Formed in 2005, the GEANCO Foundation’s mission is to save and transform lives in Nigeria. The charity's team perform complex surgical missions and deliver innovative programmes. To date the organisation has led an initiative to fight anemia and built modern maternity clinics to help vulnerable pregnant women deliver healthy babies.

We dive into the charity's founding story and how Afam, inspired by his father, Dr. Godwin Onyema, set up the American Foundation to raise vital funds with the hope of having more of an impact as well a legacy.

Afam was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1979. He graduated from Harvard University and worked for Hill & Knowlton, a global public relations firm. Afam entered Stanford Law School in September 2004. During his time there, he served as Vice President of the Black Law Students’ Association and a two-time Public Interest Fellow. In January 2006, Afam traveled to Ghana as part of the law school’s International Community Law Clinic.

On graduating from Stanford Law School, Afam had a number of lucrative job offers, however he turned them down in order to help co-found the Foundation.

GEANCO’s supporters include, among many others, Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daisy Ridley, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Rock, Forest Whitaker, Djimon Hounsou, Jimmy Kimmel, Chris Rock, David Oyelowo, Bryan Cranston, Steven Soderberg, Whoopi Goldberg, civil rights legend Rev. Jesse Jackson, United Airlines, Google, Disney, The Oscars, Showtime Networks and Netflix.

In 2020, Afam was named one of the Top Ten Most Influential Africans in the Diaspora.