People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

Welcoming Joanna Simon, CEO of Starship Foundation, toPurposely PodcastIn this episode of Purposely, we speak with JoannaSimon, Chief Executive of the Starship Foundation—a charitable organisation that supports paediatric healthcare across New Zealand and the South Pacific.Joanna moved from a background in corporate marketing and communications into the not-for-profit sector, where she now leads one of the country’s most established healthcare foundations.The Starship Foundation exists to support the work ofStarship Children’s Hospital, New Zealand’s national children’s hospital. With over 100,000 patient visits each year and more than 1,000 outreach clinics, the hospital provides specialist care to children both in Auckland and across thewider region. One of its key programmes is the Starship National Air Ambulance, which transports critically ill or injured children to Starship for urgent care—on average, every 48 hours.The foundation is currently focused on raising funds toexpand and upgrade New Zealand’s only dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), with the aim of meeting increasing demand and improving care for children with complex needs.Joanna’s involvement with Starship began as a parent. During hospital visits with her sons, she saw the level of care and support provided by the staff. These experiences led her to support the foundation well before she stepped into the leadership role. While working as Chief Operating Officerat international law firm DLA Piper, Joanna also developed a professional relationship with the foundation, which was a pro bono client of the firm. She supported fundraising efforts and gained a closer view of the organisation’s work.In her current role, Joanna describes her leadership styleas inclusive and open. She values clear communication, encourages initiative, and focuses on ensuring her team has the resources and structure they need to deliver on their goals. She sees collaboration and alignment around sharedgoals as key to achieving effective results.Since taking on the role, Joanna has been encouraged by thelevel of support the foundation receives. Donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups make it possible to fund hospital upgrades, outreach services, and specialised care programmes.Away from work, Joanna leads an active life. She oftencycles to work on her e-bike, enjoys walking and Pilates, and spends time with her husband Greg and their sons, Oliver and Alex—especially at Matapouri Beach. She’s also a keen reader and has a strong interest in the arts. Her past involvement with the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation Board and current position on the Mercy Healthcare Auckland Ltd Board reflect her wider interests in both healthcare and culture.Joanna Simon’s career reflects how skills developed in thecorporate sector can be applied to support the not-for-profit world. Under her leadership, the Starship Foundation continues to play a key role in supporting services that help deliver healthcare to children across New Zealand and thePacific.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, who shares the story of how she transitioned from being a fitness entrepreneur to becoming a passionate advocate for period equity.Known affectionately as the ‘Pad Lady’, Rochelle has led a movement that has collected and distributed millions of period products across Australia.It all began in March 2015, when Rochelle learned that many homeless women were going without basic sanitary items. Instead of asking, “Why isn’t anyone doing something?”, she asked, “What’s stopping me from doing something?”—and took action.Starting with a grassroots collection in her local community, Rochelle founded Share the Dignity, a charity that now boasts over 6,000 volunteers nationwide. The organisation runs multiple initiatives dedicated to restoring dignity to women, girls, and all people who menstruate.

Ruth Morse, Chief Executive of the Well Foundation, recentlyjoined Purposely to share her personal and professional journey, as well as the vital work her organisation does to support healthcare across Auckland’s North Shore and Waitākere regions.The Well Foundation is dedicated to improving healthoutcomes for over 580,000 people—the population served by the Waitematā District Health Board (DHB), New Zealand’s largest. The Foundation exists to raise additional funds for high-priority projects and initiatives that falloutside the scope of government funding. Its mission? To enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and help deliver world-class healthcare for the community. Every dollar donated is carefully allocated to agreed initiatives, ensuring it’s used where it’s needed most and kept entirely separate from the DHB’s core government funding.During her interview, Ruth highlighted the criticalimportance of community support, saying, “We’re here to bridge the gap—to make a tangible difference in people’s healthcare experiences.” This could involve anything from purchasing state-of-the-art medical equipment to fundinginitiatives that improve patient comfort and wellbeing.Ruth’s personal story is as compelling as the Foundation’smission. Having qualified and briefly worked as a midwife, she soon transitioned into roles in management and communications. Her husband jokingly refers to her career pivot as her “midwife crisis.” After practising midwiferyfor a short time, Ruth moved into communications, marketing, fundraising, and events—eventually discovering her passion for leadership within the charitable sector. Today, she combines her professional expertise and deep sense ofpurpose to guide the Well Foundation towards meaningful and measurable impact in Auckland’s healthcare landscape.As a parent, Ruth also juggles the demands of herprofessional role with family life. Originally from the UK, her husband’s roots mean the family regularly travels back to England to stay connected with loved ones. Her life, much like her work, is a delicate balance of purpose, passion,and connection.The Well Foundation plays a crucial role in helping theWaitematā DHB realise its vision of “best care for everyone.” With more than 30 community healthcare sites and two major hospitals under its umbrella, the DHB depends on the Foundation’s ability to harness community generosity. Recent projects have included equipping hospitals with new technologies and funding initiatives that directly enhance patient experience.Ruth’s leadership at the Well Foundation is grounded in agenuine commitment to creating positive change. Whether it’s fundraising, building partnerships, or inspiring a shared sense of purpose, her approach is both pragmatic and deeply human. As Ruth puts it, “At the end of the day, it’sabout people helping people.”To hear more from Ruth Morse and learn about the impactfulwork of the Well Foundation, listen to the full interview at www.purposelypodcast.com. 

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Peter Hugh Smith, CEO, at CCLA. he discussion centers on CCLA's stance on Shein's potential London Stock Exchange listing, citing concerns over labor practices and raw material sourcing. Despite potential investment, CCLA decided not to invest due to ethical reasons. The conversation highlights CCLA's approach to aligning investments with client values, assessing sustainable impacts, and engaging with companies to drive change. A notable example is CCLA's corporate mental health benchmark, which rated UK companies post-pandemic, leading to HSBC improving its global mental health policies. CCLA also engages with governments to influence policy, complementing their company engagement efforts.

Guy Horne: Building Homes and Changing LivesWhat if buying a single property could mark the beginning ofa mission to support thousands of people? That’s what happened when Guy Horne and his co-founder David Searle purchased their first home in Manchester in 2015. More than a typical investment, it became the foundation for a businessfocused on meeting housing needs and offering stability to vulnerable people.As the co-founder and CEO of HSPG (HP Property Group), Guy has led the development of a company that combines business goals with a strong social mission. With a focus on “building partnerships, creating homes, and supporting communities,” HSPG has become a key player in the social housing sector. The organisation works closely with local authorities, businesses, and charities to achieve a balance between profit and purpose. Since its launch, HSPG has provided housing for over 10,000 people across England.Their journey wasn’t without its hurdles. In the beginning,Guy and David navigated tight financial constraints, gaining hands-on experience in communication, resilience, and building trust.Guy recalls moments that brought home the real impact oftheir work—such as supporting a refugee to reconnect with their family—illustrating that their mission is as much about people as it is about property.Outside of his role at HSPG, Guy channels his creativity asa recording artist whose music has reached thousands of listeners on Spotify.Sharing his passion for songwriting and performance, he brings energy and depth to his work, crafting melodies that resonate far and wide. Guy thrives on the thrill of connecting with his audience, whether through a carefully composedtrack or an intimate live performance with friends. Looking ahead, HSPG aims to broaden its impact. Over thenext five years, the company plans to increase the number of people housed to between 20,000 and 30,000. This will involve a continued focus on delivering good-quality, affordable homes and forming new partnerships across the sector.Guy is passionately committed to wellness and becoming thebest version of himself every single day. Infusing his life with energy and purpose, he embraces daily practices like movement, meditation, and yoga, whichfuel his focus and creativity. Drawing inspiration from transformative mentors andimmersive experiences, Guy has travelled extensively to every corner of the world—whether exploring the vibrant cultures of India and New Zealand or finding serenity in local retreats and conversations that spark new perspectives. His journey reflects a mix of personal growth and dedicationto leading a purposeful and healthy life.Guy’s work shows just how powerful it can be to combinebusiness with making a real difference. Whether through HSPG or his personal projects, he proves that focused efforts can change lives and strengthen communities, one home at a time.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Susanne Ritzenhoff Director of Toi Ora Live Art Trust. In this bonus episode of Purposely, Suzanne discusses her experiences with dyslexia, which she inherited from her father. She recounts the challenges she faced as a child, such as writing words in multiple ways, and how her mother struggled to understand. Suzanne emphasises the importance of resilience and using technology to aid in learning. She highlights the role of supportive family members, particularly her father and older siblings, in maintaining her self-esteem. Suzanne also notes the unique perspective and problem-solving skills that dyslexia can bring, suggesting it might be a superpower rather than a disadvantage.

In 2015, Rochelle Courtenay came across an article that exposed the reality faced by many women experiencing homelessness or living in poverty in Australia. It described how some were forced to use socks, newspapers, or toilet paper to manage their periods due to a lack of access to essential products. Reading this, Rochelle felt she couldn’t ignore the issue.At the time, she was running a personal training and photography business, but the idea of doing something practical to help took hold. She started small, asking her clients to donate period products, using her gym as a collection point. The response was immediate, and what began as a local effort soon grew into a nationwide movement- Share The Dignity.The charity’s goal is simple: to ensure no one in Australia goes without the basic products needed to manage their period. It provides pads and tampons to people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or crisis, ensuring they can manage their periods with dignity.Beyond distributing products, Share The Dignity pushes for better menstrual health education and policy change. The organisation has installed dignity vending machines across Australia, offering free period packs in schools, community centres, and other accessible locations. It also played a key role in the campaign to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on period products, a classification that unfairly labelled them as luxury items.In its first year, Rochelle encouraged her clients to donatea pack of pads or tampons for every glass of wine they drank in March. The support she received confirmed the willingness of people to help. As the initiative expanded, Rochelle faced the logistical challenges of building a charity—securing legal status, obtaining permits, and managing distribution networks. Volunteers, whom she calls “sheroes and heroes,” played a crucial role in overcoming these hurdles.Rochelle’s motivation came from a mix of personal experience and the stories she encountered. She had faced struggles of her own and could imagine the additional burden of managing a period without proper supplies. One story stuck with her—a young girl in a domestic violence shelter who resorted to using stolen socks because she had no other option.Share The Dignity is more than a charity; it’s a movement for change. While providing immediate support, it also challenges the systems that have allowed period poverty to persist. Its success in removing the GST on period products is a testament to the power of public action and advocacy. The charity’s vision is simple: menstrual products should be as readily available as toilet paper, with long-term solutions embedded in policy, not just charity.For those looking to support this cause, there are many ways to get involved—donating products, volunteering, or simply raising awareness about period poverty. Share The Dignity is proof that small actions, when combined, can create lasting change.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic and life or career experience.This week's episode features Susanne Ritzenhoff Director of Toi Ora Live Art Trust talking growing up in Germany before migrating to New Zealand. Susanne shares her upbringing in a large family with anentrepreneurial father, who instilled a sense of responsibility and philosophical outlook. Growing up in post-war Germany, she reflects on her identity and the impact of her country's history. A pivotal moment occurred when her father, a war veteran, sang the national anthem in both English and TeReo at her children's school, inspiring her to learn Te Reo - Maori Language - to connect with New Zealand. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of learning from the past, empathy, and finding common ground to avoid negative outcomes. The episode is sponsored by Benevity and Trust Management.

Izzy Horrocks joins Mark Longbottom on the Purposely Podcast to discuss the Aotearoa Lifecourse Fund, a new charitable foundation she has co-founded with Jimmy McLaughlan. The fund aims to find, fund, and scale evidence-based programmes that help children and young people develop essential lifecourse skills. Over the next five years, the foundation plans to invest $10million, raised from individuals, foundations, and businesses that share their belief in the importance of life skills for young people. While they are still in the early stages of fundraising, they have already secured a lead investor committed to making a difference. The fund will act as a grant-maker, supporting charities and organisations working with children and young people. It follows a venture philanthropy model, combining funding with hands-on support for social enterprises and charities. Izzy’s experience spans both delivering and funding programs that create social and economic impact. Her perspective was shaped early on by time in Ethiopia and Kenya, where she witnessed the power of local trust and community-led initiatives. This continues to influence her work in New Zealand, where strong partnerships with local charities and leaders are at the heart of the fund’s mission.While Izzy and her team draw inspiration from global initiatives, she emphasises that the new foundation will be deeply rooted in New Zealand’s unique bicultural identity. Integrating both Pākehā and Te Ao Māori—the Māori worldview and its practices—will be central to their approach, shaping how they engage, support founders, and drive meaningful change. With $5 million already secured and discussions ongoing with potential donors, the fund is progressing towards its target.  Izzy’s message to potential supporters is simple: by investing in effective programmes, the Aotearoa Lifecourse Fund will give New Zealand’s next generation the opportunities they need to succeed.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Clive Pedley, Co Founder & CEO at Giving Architects. Clive’s experience provides useful guidance for fundraisers, consultants, and nonprofit leaders. His understanding of donor engagement, strategic fundraising, and business resilience offers practical advice for those working in the sector.Key Topics Discussed:Fundraising Skills: Clive outlines the key skills fundraisers need, including communication, strategic thinking, and relationship management.Direct Conversations with Donors: He discusses the importance of face-to-face donor engagement, having had over 4,500 such interactions.Professional Development: Clive explains why joining the a network or a related peak representative body can help fundraisers improve their approach and stay informed.Meeting Fundraising Targets: He talks about the challenges of meeting financial targets and the persistence needed.Moving into Consultancy: Clive shares advice on ensuring a solid client base before transitioning to consultancy and preparing for fluctuations in income.Reputation and Resilience: He highlights the importance of maintaining a good reputation, engaging consistently with clients, and managing rejections professionally.Winning Consultancy Work: Clive provides insights on the competitive nature of securing contracts and the need for adaptability.