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 Rupert Abbott Executive Director of GiveOut a community foundation supporting LGBTQI communities. How? They pool donations from donors to provide grants to LGBTQI organisations around the world, ensuring that they have more of the resources they need to defend communities, tackle inequalities and campaign for lasting change. Rupert shares their approach and the practical steps they take to deliver their mission. Episode Highlights Funding the right causes and organisations - their approach to due diligence and how they choose the causes they fund. Building the fund - how they have had success attracting support + donors to build and maintain the fund. A qualified lawyer Rupert has over 15 years’ international human rights and social impact experience. Rupert is also a trustee of the Association of Charitable Foundations UK.

Ah-Leen Rayner, the CEO of Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand, proudly hails from the western suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city - a proud 'Westie!' She stands as the sole member of her family to pursue higher education, successfully completing a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology and an M.B.A. Ah-Leen's illustrious corporate career spans three decades across diverse sectors. In early 2021, Ah-Leen made a transition to the charity sector, assuming the role of CEO at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Her appointment perfectly aligned with the trustees' vision of having a leader with robust business and commercial experience. Ah-Leen joins Purposely to share her organization's vision, mission, and her personal career journey, from her remarkable tenure at 3M to the unique challenges of leading a charity reliant on fundraising and donations. She emphasises the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis, the significance of data in the fight against cancer, and the pressing need to reach underserved communities. The foundation's vision is clear and concise: "zero deaths from breast cancer." However, achieving this vision remains a formidable challenge, despite the remarkable advancements in breast cancer research, treatments, and medicine. Encouragingly, there has been a 43% decrease in the breast cancer mortality rate over the past two decades, signifying tangible progress towards the foundation's vision. The charity's approach revolves around continuously pushing the boundaries of early detection, treatment, and support.   Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in New Zealand and the third most common overall. Approximately one in nine New Zealand women will face breast cancer in their lifetime, with two men diagnosed each week. Most women diagnosed (70%-75%) and those affected by mortality (80%) are aged 50 years or older. While some women face a higher risk due to family history, most cases occur in women without relatives affected by the disease. Even among those with a family history, the majority will never develop breast cancer.   As Breast Cancer Foundation NZ strives for zero deaths from breast cancer, they play an active and vital role in providing education, support, and resources to all New Zealanders, including those in remote areas and ethnic groups with poorer outcomes. Their comprehensive offerings encompass breast awareness, screening, risk assessment, and overall health. The foundation also extends crucial support services to individuals and families affected by breast cancer. Collaborating with healthcare professionals, they provide resources, education, and training to ensure optimal patient care. Additionally, the foundation actively engages in research, funding impactful studies, and advocating for breast cancer treatment issues.

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 Angus Crowther co-founder of Tanck. Angus shares how they help nonprofits and 'for purpose businesses' to communicate effectively with government officials. How ability to do this can positively effect your ability to make a positive impact and increase their reach. Episode highlights: - 'Providing technical details as well as a compelling narrative and a narrative arc is important' - Data important and can grab the attention of politicians Quote: 'Remember politicians are competing with the Kardashians for eyeballs on twitter' Based in Australia... although still relevant in other parts of the world Tanck's mission is to empower purpose-led organisations by providing the know-how and the strategy for impactful government engagement. Tanck is B Corp certified consultancy firm is on a mission to level the playing field by countering the influence of lobbyists and private interests that often shape policy decisions. United by their shared dedication to positive change, Angus Crowther and (co founder) Neil Pharaoh are reshaping the dynamics of government engagement for nonprofits.

Welcoming Daniel McGowan to Purposely, where he shares his organisation's mission and his career journey from research fellow to charity CEO. Daniel's extensive experience as a neuroscientist, health writer and editor, and company director make him the ideal leader for Cure Parkinson's NZ. As CEO, he is on a mission to cure Parkinson's disease and drive significant advancements in translational research for early diagnosis and disease progression prevention. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects various neurological functions. Cure Parkinson's NZ is dedicated to raising and disbursing funding to accelerate research leading to new therapies that can stop or slow progression. The history of the charity is rooted in the personal experience of its founder, Bernie Crosby, ONZM, and his wife Kaye Crosby, also ONZM. After Bernie's diagnosis with Parkinson's, they established the Neuro Research Charitable Trust (still the official name of the charity) to raise one million dollars for Parkinson's research. Bernie's positive mindset and determination have transformed his diagnosis setbacks into opportunities to support others. In 2005, Bernie received his Parkinson's diagnosis. In 2010, Bernie and Kaye crossed paths with Dr. Maurice Curtis of the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at the University of Auckland. Driven by his passion and energy for understanding the brain and its disorders, Bernie decided to raise funds for the CBR. In 2013, the Neuro Research Charitable Trust was established with the goal of raising one million dollars in five years. By the end of 2022, the Trust had successfully raised $2.3 million dollars to support CBR research. Prior to founding the trust, Bernie and Kaye built Prolife Foods into one of New Zealand's largest privately owned food businesses. Their commitment to fostering strong relationships and their support for numerous educational and recreational grants have left a lasting impact on the Hamilton community. In recognition of their contributions, they were both awarded an ONZM in 2014 for their services to business and philanthropy. Bernie and Kaye remain dedicated to ongoing fundraising efforts to support research towards finding a cure for Parkinson's disease. In late 2022, the Neuro Research Charitable Trust made the strategic decision to hire a full-time CEO to drive fundraising and research initiatives, leading to the rebranding of the organization as Cure Parkinson's NZ. Daniel McGowan assumed the role of CEO, bringing with him the expertise and vision needed to propel the charity's future work and fundraising efforts. Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurological condition globally, and its prevalence is projected to double in the next 10-15 years. While current treatments provide symptom relief, a cure remains elusive. However, promising drug candidates and advancements in early diagnosis offer hope. Thorough research is crucial to ensure that the right treatments are administered at the right time to improve patient outcomes. Daniel and the organisation he leads are dedicated to shaping and fuelling research leading to disease-modifying treatments; namely, treatments that can slow, stop, or perhaps even reverse the progression of Parkinson's.

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 Philippa Charles on what a charity needs to succeed as well the value she puts on fundraisers. Since its inception in 1958, the Garfield Weston Foundation has donated close to a billion pounds to good causes in the UK, granting between seventy and hundred million pounds annually. Despite the size and importance of the foundation's financial resources, Philippa Charles, its leader, is known for her accessibility, humility, and empathy. She is renowned for being a straight talker and has a desire to keep things simple. The foundation was set up by the Weston Family to benefit from the proceeds of their successful businesses, which include well-known brands in the food industry. These brands range from high-end retail, such as Fortnum and Mason, to household staples like Tip Top Ice Cream in New Zealand.

Around 150 kids under 13 get diagnosed with cancer each year in New Zealand. The good news is that more kids are surviving, with an 85% success rate after five years. Monica's charity, Child Cancer Foundation, steps in where the medical journey gets tough, acknowledging the challenges during treatment and the heartbreak of families who lose a child to cancer. Their mission is clear – supporting these families through the full journey and to improve the cancer care that future families experience. Monica, is driven to make a positive impact, she is happy to lead the way and she knows firsthand what these families are going through. The Foundation is all about pushing for better outcomes, ensuring fewer parents have to face the devastating loss of a child. They work closely with New Zealand's top-notch paediatric oncology professionals who tailor treatment plans for the unique cancers that affect kids. Monica points to the success had by New Zealand's paediatric oncologists and clinical teams who are involved in international clinical trials, bringing in treatments all without breaking the bank. Child Cancer Foundation works across the two treatment centres and all the shared care and regional centres nationwide alongside NGOs and puts Tamariki and families at the heart of all their activity. Their team of Family Support Coordinators meet families where they are at, ensuring tailored support is delivered from hospital to home. Monica and the Foundation understand that no two families face this journey the same way. They're not just focusing on the sick child; they're there for the whole family. Whether it's emotional, practical, or financial support, they've got it covered. The goal is simple: let families focus on what truly matters – loving and caring for their child. Child Cancer Foundation has a vision – to step up the game in child cancer care while being a support for every child and family on their cancer journey. Their to-do list includes supporting kids with cancer, helping families who've lost a child, boosting the skills of healthcare pros in pediatric oncology, delving into research, and advocating for better support for kids with cancer. Monica Briggs joins Purposely to talk about her current role and charity leadership more generally. She also talks about her own cancer diagnosis and how this has helped her with her current role. Monica has been a force for good in the for-purpose sector for almost three decades in both New Zealand and the UK. In her spare time, she sits on the board at the Grief Centre.

Welcome to "SHORT," a weekly episode designed for brevity. These concise episodes aim to distill important content and offer listeners a focused opportunity to delve into specific topics. Each week, we feature inspirational nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs, both familiar faces from previous episodes of Purposely and newcomers to the podcast. Episodes typically range from five to 15 minutes in length, released every Thursday. This week's SHORT episode features Jennifer Belmont, CEO of the Wakatipu Community Foundation and founding trustee for Youth Philanthropy New Zealand and Generation Give. Jennifer shares insights into her successful journey in building the foundation, highlighting the incredible generosity within her community. Since its inception in 2017, the Wakatipu Community Foundation has experienced rapid growth, leveraging its work with young people in philanthropy and the power of Giving Circles. This growth in funding has enabled the foundation to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals locally, contributing to community growth and development. In addition to discussing the foundation's achievements, Jennifer explores the broader landscape of philanthropy, noting the increasing acceptance of the term "kiwis" and the adoption of various global methods. Jennifer's extensive involvement in nonprofits spans across different regions, including the establishment of various organizations such as a California local school foundation, tennis association, and a Utah community foundation.

Introducing Sarah Manley, CEO of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, who joins Purposely to share her organisation's mission. Sarah is a confident and motivated leader who is passionate about the potential of young people. Born in Chile, Sarah was adopted by her antipodean parents and grew up in the outback of Australia before moving to New Zealand at age 11 where she now resides with her son Lachie and partner Andrew. Although Sarah is relatively new to her role, having spent months rather than years in the hot seat, she brings a wealth of experience as the former Deputy CEO of Hato Hone St. John. After a decade at the same organisation, she now leads a small but high-profile mental health charity founded by her famous Chairman, Sir John Kirwan (JK). For Sarah, this is an exciting move and a unique challenge. Previously, she held a key leadership position in one of New Zealand's largest health organisations, where her team focused on motivating and organising a large volunteer army with significant financial and human resources. Today, she leads a small organisation with relatively limited resources, reporting directly to the invested and motivated founder, JK. Their mission is to educate children about mental health. If you're middle-aged and a rugby enthusiast, you're likely familiar with John Kirwan, an All Black and one of the sport's greatest wingers. He is renowned for scoring one of the best tries in the history of the game, single-handedly defeating the Italian rugby team at the 1987 World Cup. However, if you're from New Zealand, you may know John Kirwan for something entirely different – his advocacy for mental health. Contrary to many sportsmen of his era, John Kirwan openly discusses his own battles with depression, referring to it as the "black dog." His willingness to share his experiences has not only helped him personally but has also played a significant role in normalising conversations around mental health, particularly for men. Growing up in a culture where men were expected to be strong and silent, John's openness has undoubtedly saved lives and lifted the stigma surrounding mental health issues. After retiring from international rugby, JK became the spokesperson for the New Zealand government's mental health awareness campaign, bringing mental health into the public arena. His contributions to both rugby and mental health earned him a knighthood. Since then, JK has continued to lead public awareness campaigns and has written books on his experiences with depression. Sir John Kirwan, or JK as he is affectionately known, is now a globally recognised mental health advocate, author, entrepreneur, and rugby legend. He co-founded Groov, a leading workplace wellbeing platform with a mission to improve the daily wellbeing of 100 million people. In 2012, JK was knighted for his services to mental health, an honour he strives to live up to every day. Through their school's program called Mitey, the Sir John Kirwan Foundation has developed an evidence-based approach to teaching mental health education to children in New Zealand. Recognising the alarming number of children experiencing mental health issues, the foundation aims to equip future generations with the skills and knowledge to navigate the pressures of life. By embedding mental health education in teaching and learning through primary and intermediate schools, the foundation believes it can make a significant impact on New Zealand's mental health statistics. Their goal is to provide schools with the necessary resources and support to nurture the mental wellbeing of both students and teachers.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide.   People living in countries affected by conflict and war, as well as those in politically, socially, and economically fragile countries, experience worse cancer outcomes compared to more stable regions. Conflict and war result in displacement, destruction of physical infrastructure and supply chains, and the breakdown of healthcare systems. As a result, preventive measures and crucial health screenings often do not take place. For example, Sudan, which was once a hub for cancer care, has seen its healthcare facilities and access to treatment disrupted due to war and conflict.   One individual working to address this issue is Dr. Susie Stanway, a cancer specialist and guest of the Purposely Podcast. After a successful career as a consultant oncologist, Susie shifted her focus to becoming a cancer advocate and activist for countries affected by conflict. She has played a crucial role in connecting fragile countries to funding and cancer resources, including treatment, doctors, and research.   Motivated to bring about global change, Susie co-founded London Global Cancer Week, a series of meetings that provide a comprehensive understanding of the rising global incidence of cancer, the challenges posed by the cancer pandemic, and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on existing cancer treatment and research. These meetings also focus on strengthening cancer prevention and control in emerging countries, with a particular emphasis on the UK's contribution. Susie recognised that to bring about real change, she needed to go beyond the cancer world and influence people worldwide to understand the issue and help solve the problems. As a result, she collaborated with musicians to create a single titled 'More Than Fairy Tales,' which aims to raise funds for cancer care in war-torn Ukraine and Sudan. The money raised will be directed to the Challenge Fund, which supports organizations working on the ground to provide cancer care in these countries. Musicians from around the world, including Sudanese and Ukrainian singers, as well as English singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner, 19-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Jasmine Foxall, and British rapper Blackk Chronical, have come together to release this single as part of a campaign to support those in need of cancer care in war zones.   More about Dr. Susie Stanway:   Dr. Susannah Stanway is a consultant medical oncologist in London, specializing in breast cancer. She founded and chaired the steering group of the “Cancer control in low- and middle- income countries” conference held annually since November 2016 that in 2019 became London Global Cancer Week. She has co-founded the UK and Ireland Global Cancer Network. She teaches in the UK on global oncology (for example on the ICR MSc Course, UCL Global Health MSc and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on the Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Course) and internationally. She has received awards from the Global Challenges Research Fund to collaboratively contribute to research projects in sub-Saharan Africa. She sits on the ECO inequalities network and has historically been on the ESMO global policy committee. She is currently working with colleagues in several low- income countries and conflict zones to contribute to capacity building. She has recently studied Public Policy Analysis at the London School of Economics. Alongside reducing between-country cancer outcome inequalities she has interest in reducing within-country inequalities in the UK for example sitting on Breast Cancer now Inequalities Funding Committee, contributing to the recently published Health Policy Partnership toolkit (Inclusion by design: building equity in clinical trials through the lens of metastatic breast cancer) and advocating. She sits on the Development Board of Breast Cancer Now.   Source: London Global Cancer Week website

Philanthropy Impact, led by CEO John Pepin, recently joined Purposely to share their mission of inspiring generosity and impactful philanthropy. The organisation has cultivated a diverse network, including philanthropists, impact investors, trust foundations, and charities. Through training, advocacy, thought leadership, and networking opportunities, Philanthropy Impact strives to create a collaborative space for individuals with different perspectives to foster a deeper understanding. Despite its small core team of four members, Philanthropy Impact leverages volunteer support and operates remotely. It produces content, specialised training, advocacy, and networking events, It also publishes a magazine, maintains a website, and organises specialised dinners for high-net-worth individuals.  The organisation origin story traces back to 1998 as the European Association for Planning and Giving, Philanthropy Impact emerged in 2012 from the merger of three organisations with a primary focus on philanthropy. Over time, its scope expanded to encompass the broader spectrum of capital, addressing the convergence of philanthropy, social investment, ESG, and impact investing. John Pepin joined the organisation in 2014 having previously served as a consultant for various charities. Philanthropy Impact aligned with his values and passion for creating a positive impact, the organisation's focus on bringing about change and influencing cultural behavior resonated with him. Previously John Pepin founded Aperio, a for-purpose company centered on enterprise readiness and support for for-purpose organisations. Operating in Toronto and later expanding to the United States and the UK, Aperio provided consultancy services to strategically enhance organisations and explored innovative approaches, including social investments in Thailand and Indonesia. John and Purposely's host Mark Longbottom explore blended finance, where philanthropy and social investments come together. Highlighting that although some methods may seem new, similar principles have been around for centuries, showcasing the changing landscape of strategic planning and social investments. John gives his view on current trends including increasing amounts of funding without restrictions, aligning investments with values, and embracing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He points out that we're witnessing a growing awareness of the impact paradigm—weighing harm versus good—and positive developments in the sector. He also stresses the pivotal role of professional advisors—philanthropy advisors, wealth managers, and legal experts. Philanthropy Impact offers training to seamlessly integrate philanthropy into their services, assist clients on their donor journeys, and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of impact investing. Understanding the shifting dynamics of philanthropy, there's a rising emphasis on consumer duty in the finance industry. Aligning investments with values is becoming more important, especially as millennials and Gen Z expect advisors to support their values in financial decisions. Addressing challenges in philanthropy, we talk about the necessity for unrestricted funding, tackling inequities, and handling the complexities of impact investing.  'I'm optimistic, noting a positive movement, increased awareness, and a change in the giving approach.' Looking ahead, John is excited about the future of philanthropy. Key developments include a shift towards unrestricted funding, addressing inequities, and evolving perspectives among younger generations. He also emphasize the importance of trust, intuition, and maintaining a balance between rationality and logic.