People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

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.

Welcoming Ben Horwitz to Purposely where he shares his 'for purpose' founder story as well as his life journey. Ben and his co-founder Reed Rosenbluth started Causeway in 2022, an online platform aimed at revolutionising charitable giving. Causeway allowed users to create personalised giving portfolios, like exchange-traded funds in the investment world. This approach made it easier for individuals to support multiple causes with minimal effort, even with small monthly contributions. The platform enabled impactful micro-donations, facilitated the flow of funds from donor-advised funds, and simplified the decision-making process for donors.   Ben and Reed bootstrapped Causeway, intentionally avoiding venture capital to maintain their focus on social impact rather than rapid growth. Their commitment to solving real problems for a dedicated user base paid off when Charity Navigator, America's largest nonprofit rating platform, acquired Causeway in 2023. The acquisition transferred Causeway's intellectual property and other assets, including its brand, to Charity Navigator. This merger was made possible through generous support from the O'Shea Family Foundation and an anonymous donor.   Now serving as VP of Business Development & New Ventures at Charity Navigator, Horwitz continues to pursue his mission of making impactful giving easier for all. Charity Navigator evaluates over 220,000 nonprofits across four key areas: impact and results, leadership and adaptability, culture and community, and accountability and finance. The platform provides free access to this information, helping donors make informed decisions about their charitable contributions.   In his role, Horwitz is focused on exploring new revenue opportunities, fundraising, and product development. His immediate priorities include growing Charity Navigator's API, exploring corporate giving initiatives, and expanding list-based giving options. Horwitz's philosophy that "You don't need a million dollars to make a difference; $5 can also make a difference" drives both his work and the mission of Charity Navigator. Ben has had a mesmeric journey from startup founder to a key player in America's largest charity evaluator. Ben and his co founder Reed have gone a long way to show the potential for tech-driven solutions to address social challenges and improve philanthropy. ABOUT CHARITY NAVIGATOR Founded in 2002, Charity Navigator is a 501(c)(3) organization that guides intelligent giving with the nation's largest, most comprehensive charity evaluation tool. The organization helps donors easily identify U.S.-registered charities making a difference on the issues they care about most while helping charities better understand their donors, deliver on impact, and increase awareness and funding. Learn more at charitynavigator.org.

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 Jon Tanner founder of Coach for Life Foundation discussing his love for sport, and the import role coaches play in helping people reach their potential in sport and in life.

Welcoming Rahul Watson Govindan, CEO of Philanthropy New Zealand, to Purposely where he shares his organisation's mission to inspire generosity and grow and celebrate effective giving across New Zealand. A membership organisation representing philanthropists and foundations, they bring people together to learn and to collaborate with each other. Rahul's journey to New Zealand began with what he calls "the scam that brought me to New Zealand." Born in Kerala, India, Rahul spent his early years traveling the world due to his father's job with a multinational corporate. At age four, he faced the prospect of taking a scholarship exam for an English-medium school in India, which would have set him on a path for international opportunities. However, just as he passed the exam, his father was transferred to New Zealand. Initially reluctant to leave, young Rahul's mind was changed by a postcard showcasing New Zealand's natural beauty and the promise of seeing the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra perform in a golden glow amidst emerald green native bush. This idealised image sparked his excitement for the move, though he notes that to this day, he has yet to see the orchestra perform in such a setting! After initially settling in Whanganui, Rahul's family moved to Wellington, where he attended Victoria University, completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. His early years in 1980s New Zealand were challenging as he adjusted to the cultural differences, but he remains acutely aware of the privileges this move afforded him compared to the poverty many of his family members in India experienced. With nearly three decades of global work experience, Rahul has worked with Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, public sector organisations, and Not-For-Profits. He is the co-founder of five companies in three different countries and is a globally recognized strategy and governance professional. In his role at Philanthropy New Zealand, Rahul is inspired by the volume, depth, and breadth of amazing work being done in New Zealand communities by everyday citizens. Rahul envisions a future where the various missions of philanthropic organisations are united to create a comprehensive vision for Aotearoa. This vision encompasses areas such as sustainable food production, environmental conservation, healthcare, education, and the arts. He aims to inspire hope and positivity by showcasing the collective impact of the $4 billion annually invested in these initiatives. Ultimately, Rahul's goal is to participate in creating a future for New Zealand that everyone can be proud of and aspire to, one that he can proudly hand over to his two sons. With a touch of humour and humility, he reminds us that while individuals may not be special, the collective work we do can be truly impactful and transformative.

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 Helen Robinson CEO & City Missioner discussing her approach to leadership as well as purpose.

Welcoming Denise Cosgrove, CEO of Selwyn Foundation, to Purposely where she shares her organisation's mission to help vulnerable older people as well as her career and life journey. Denise's leadership journey began early, as she navigated a successful career while raising two daughters as a young single mother. Theonly one of six siblings to attend university, Denise ventured to Otago University in New Zealand's South Island. There, she discovered a passion for acting and debating, which she credits for building the confidence that would later serve her well in business leadership roles. Denise maintains a strong commitment to health and wellness, exercising twice daily, abstaining from alcohol, and following a clean eating regimen. Her career has spanned corporate, public, and charitable sectors in both New Zealand and Australia. In October 2022, Denise took the helm of The Selwyn Foundation, a well-established provider of retirement villages and aged care services in New Zealand. This appointment coincided with a significant shift in the Foundation's operational model, aimed at better supporting vulnerable elderly populations nationwide. Central to this transformation was the sale of a substantial portion of the Foundation's retirement village capacity, including six villages and a commercial laundry. The proceeds from this sale, amounting to $200 million, formed an endowment fund that will enable the Foundation to dramatically increase its charitable giving. Under Denise's leadership, the Foundation has set an ambitious goal of $100 million in charitable contributions over the next decade. This expanded support will reach beyond their retirement villages into the wider community, addressing critical issues affecting older people such as loneliness, social isolation, financial hardship, and lack of affordable housing. The organisation is committed to incorporating Tikanga Māori, Tikanga Pasifika, and Tikanga Pakeha principles to ensure culturally appropriate support. While divesting some retirement village operations, the Foundation has retained ownership of its historic Selwyn Village in Auckland and Hansen Close in Birkenhead, continuing to provide innovative and affordable housing solutions for seniors. Looking forward, the Selwyn Foundation aims to establish new partnerships targeting high-risk communities, including Māori and Pasifika populations. They also plan to leverage their expertise to influence policy decisions and advocate for issues crucial to older people's wellbeing. Denise's impressive leadership career spans over three decades, with extensive CEO experience in large, complex operational businesses across New Zealand and Australia. Her focus has consistently been on achieving both social and commercial outcomes in the government and not-for-profit sectors. Prior to joining Selwyn Foundation, Denise served as CEO of Presbyterian Support Northern (PSN) for five years, overseeing social, health, and disability services in New Zealand's upper North Island, including well-known brands such as Lifeline, Shine, Family Works, and Enliven. Beyond her executive responsibilities, Denise serves on the boards of various NGOs and social enterprises. She is also a passionate advocate for New Zealand's contemporary art and design sector, with a particular interest in fostering new and emerging talent.

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 Ezekiel Raui Head of One New Zealand Foundation discussing purpose.

Welcoming Yann Roux, CEO of Disability Sport Auckland (DSA), to Purposely, where he shares his organisation's mission and his remarkable life journey, from France to New Zealand, and from a fitness coach to leading a charity and the disability sport network. Yann is also the Manager of the Wheel Blacks, New Zealand's wheelchair rugby team, and Chair of the national disability sport network. Hailing from northern (French Alps)France near the Swiss border, Yann dreamed of becoming an astronaut or a fighter pilot when he was young. In fact, he applied for pilot school. Growing up, Yann developed a passion for sports, firstly Karate, then Table Tennis then American Football American Football, which is a minority sport in his native France, and then Judo. He soon discovered CrossFit, a high-intensity fitness regime that also encourages lifestyle changes. It was a perfect fit for Yann, aligning with the technical elements he loved to apply himself to, and his clean-living habits. Yann is happy to suffer and work hard, which is evident in his impressive physique, fuelled by the two CrossFit sessions he does daily. The charity he leads daily, Disability Sport Auckland, provides sport, recreation, and play opportunities for people living with disabilities in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. They offer access to a range of different sports, from traditional athletics and swimming to wheelchair rugby and basketball, as well as rock climbing, table tennis, and Boccia, a ball sport like pétanque and bowls. What began as the Auckland Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Association in 1966 had a simple yet profound goal: to foster games, sports, and recreation for paraplegics and individuals with disabilities, while catering to their general welfare. That very year, the Association sponsored and organized a national team of wheelchair athletes to compete at the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Jamaica, showcasing their pioneering spirit. Two years later, the Auckland Association joined forces with fellow organisations, sending a team to the Paraplegic Games in Israel. This collaborative effort paved the way for the formation of the New Zealand Association, now known as Paralympics New Zealand. At a time when sports for individuals with physical disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs, were considered radical, high-profile athletes like Pompey Heremaia worked tirelessly to overcome stereotypes and serve as role models for younger athletes. A milestone moment in the organization's history was the construction of the recreation Gym at the Otara Spinal Unit in 1977. This not only provided a permanent home for our athletes and teams but also proved to be a catalyst for disabled sports, as patients in the unit were often recruited to join the activities taking place. Yann is a purpose drive leader that is passionate about sport and the power participation in sports has to transform lives and help people reach their full potential.

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 Wayne Howett CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities sharing how he approaches his organisations mission and how he draws on his own lived experience.

Welcoming Fiona Luth to Purposely, where she shares her founder story and charitable mission to transform literacy in Fiji. We discuss her motivations for starting and scaling the charity as well as plans for the future. Fiona Luth founded Fiji Book Drive in 2012, following the loss of her second parent. While in Kadavu, Fiji, she experienced a moment of clarity, realising her desire to create as much positivity in the world as possible. Inspired by Peter and Margaret Long, who run the charity 'Children of Fiji', and conversations with her friend Lavenia Tamani about the lack of books in schools, Fiona became acutely aware of the challenges faced by Fijian students. With English being the compulsory language of instruction in Fiji, Fiona saw an opportunity to make a significant impact. Upon returning to Australia, Fiona shared her vision of a book drive with her friend Laura Hahn. Laura embraced the idea, offering crucial support through her family's freight forwarding business for the first five years of the initiative. Since its inception in 2012, Fiji Book Drive has made a remarkable impact, donating over 300,000 books to 194 schools and kindergartens across Fiji. The charity's mission is rooted in the belief that education empowers students and communities, with access to proper resources being key to a quality education. Recognising the abundance of educational materials in Australia, Fiji Book Drive aims to redirect these resources to under-resourced schools in Fiji. The organisation's primary goal is to improve educational outcomes and life opportunities for Fijian students by increasing access to educational resources, with a focus on literacy. They strive to repurpose books, computers, and other educational materials, transferring them from those who no longer need them to those who do. Additionally, Fiji Book Drive is committed to operating sustainably, keeping resources out of landfills and prioritizing the distribution of durable goods. Fiji Book Drive is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.