In this episode of Purposely, I’m joined by Jake Bailey, speaker, author, and now General Manager of Inspire Foundation, a charity backing the next generation of exceptional young New Zealanders.

Jake first captured national attention as a teenager, delivering a heartfelt speech at his school prize-giving just days after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. That moment, and his remarkable resilience, inspired people around the world. But Jake is determined to be known for more than that chapter.

Today, through his leadership at Inspire Foundation, Jake is focused on helping 15–23 year old's with outstanding talent across sport, arts, culture, and academia. The charity has supported more than 600 young people over the past 14 years, providing financial support, mentoring, wellbeing resources, and a community to help them thrive.

We talk about:

The lessons Jake learned from his own journey and why he’s focused on moving forward.
The importance of authenticity and clarity in leadership and communication.
How Inspire Foundation is making a difference for young New Zealanders and the vision for its future growth.

This is a conversation about resilience, leadership, and purpose, an inspiring listen for anyone interested in how charities can unlock potential and create lasting impact.

#268 'Resilience, Leadership and Empowering Talented Young People', Jake Bailey, GM at Inspire Foundation