People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

Margi Mellsop, CEO of the Middlemore Foundation, recently joined Mark Longbottom on the Purposely Podcast to talk about her career and the charity she now directs. From her early days founding the International Comedy Festival in New Zealand to leading marketing efforts for the Auckland Museum and World Vision, Margi's journey shows her ability to adapt and contribute in different fields. In the podcast, Margi explained the mission of the Middlemore Foundation, which works to improve healthcare and wellbeing for the people of South Auckland both inside the hospital and outside in the community. The foundation provides essential resources and runs initiatives to help the community. Under Margi’s leadership, the foundation has grown its reach and made a real difference in people’s lives. Margi talked about the importance of working with local leaders, celebrities and organisations to meet the foundation’s goals. By partnering with others, the foundation can address the specific challenges faced by South Auckland communities. “Partnerships are key to sustainable success and meaningful engagement,” she said. Margi’s career has been varied. She started out by founding the International Comedy Festival in New Zealand, an event that brought entertainment to many and gave her valuable experience in event management and fundraising. These skills have been useful in her later roles. After her time with the Comedy Festival, Margi moved on to the Auckland Museum. There, she led marketing campaigns to increase visitor numbers and membership and support the museum’s work in preserving and sharing New Zealand’s history and culture. Her efforts brought people together and secured funding for important initiatives. She then joined International Development charity World Vision playing a key role marketing their New Zealand fundraising and campaigning efforts. For the future, Margi aims to further raise the profile of the Middlemore Foundation and expand its impact. She discussed the need for sustainable fundraising approaches to ensure the foundation’s continued success. Balancing work with her personal life is also important to her. Outside of her professional role, Margi values spending time with her family, enjoys sailing, and supports her son’s equestrian interests. She believes that having a balance between work and personal life is essential. Margi'S career shows how skills and experiences from different areas can come together to help others. Her leadership at the Middlemore Foundation continues to benefit the South Auckland community and shows the importance of working together to create change.

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 Jenni Giblin founder & CEO FundingHQ on fundraising. Jenni Giblin, a fundraising consultant, identified disparities in New Zealand's nonprofit sector, where larger organisations flourish while smaller and medium-sized ones struggle. This observation led her to develop FundingHQ, a software-as-a-service platform initiated just before COVID-19 and launched after three years of development during the lockdown. The platform offers content and coaching to help organisations navigate fundraising. Jenni emphasised the need for nonprofits to think strategically about their impact and effectively communicate their evidence to funders. She noted that funders' expectations have risen, requiring nonprofits to present clear, sophisticated plans and outcomes.

Shae Ronald ONZM, CEO of Youthline, has dedicated her career to supporting others and with a real focus the mental health and wellbeing of young people. With nearly 30 years' experience in the mental health sector, Shae has led Youthline since 2018, guiding the organisation through a transformative period of challenges, growth, and innovation. Shae’s commitment to youth wellbeing is deeply personal. Having faced profound loss at a young age, she understands the transformative power of support. After losing her father to cancer at the age of 23, she experienced immense grief and a period of deep emotional struggle. Seeking counselling for the first time at 24 proved to be life-changing, igniting a passion in her to ensure that every young person has access to the support they need. For over 50 years, Youthline has provided vital services to young people aged 12–24 across New Zealand. Its offerings include a free helpline available 24/7 through text, phone, webchat, and email, free face-to-face counselling services, youth mentoring programs, and school and community initiatives focused on leadership and personal development. Youthline serves as a critical resource for young people navigating mental health challenges, seeking personal growth, or simply looking for someone to listen. Under Shae’s leadership, the organisation has expanded its services to meet the changing needs of today’s youth, with a focus on accessibility and relevance. The challenges facing New Zealand’s young people have grown significantly over the past decade. Youthline has seen a 78% increase in mental distress among young people in recent years. Social media pressures, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and climate-related adversities have all contributed to this surge. Shae is particularly focused on addressing the inequities that exist within this crisis. Certain communities, including the Rainbow, neurodiverse, Māori, and Pasifika populations, have been disproportionately affected. Shae emphasizes the need for tailored, inclusive approaches to ensure these young people receive the support they need. Youthline has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. Under Shae’s leadership, the organisation has expanded its digital capabilities, introduced 24/7 support services (thanks to funding from ASB), and strengthened its training, supervision, and clinical safety measures for staff and volunteers. These innovations ensure that Youthline remains a trusted and effective support system for young people, regardless of where they are or what challenges they face. Shae’s approach to leadership is deeply influenced by her own experiences of personal growth and resilience. She prioritises self-care, incorporating mindfulness meditation and time in nature into her routine to maintain her wellbeing. Reflecting on transformative experiences, such as a four-week silent retreat, Shae underscores the importance of resilience and reflection in sustaining her commitment to Youthline’s mission. In 2023, Shae was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to youth. This honour reflects her contributions to mental health advocacy and her dedication to improving the lives of young people across New Zealand. Shae is committed to ensuring Youthline’s financial sustainability and adaptability as it continues to serve New Zealand’s youth. She recognises the importance of securing funding to maintain the organization’s high-quality services while remaining innovative and responsive to new challenges. Youthline continues to make a transformative impact on countless lives. For more information about Youthline and how you can support its mission, visit www.youthline.co.nz.  

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 Richard Spackman CEO at Aoraki Foundation. Richard and host Mark Longbottom discuss the Community Foundation Movement and their potential for long-term sustainable impact. Richard emphasises the importance of scaling a community foundation start-up to a certain size to ensure its self-sustaining growth, he shares that Aoraki Foundation is aiming for an endowment of $30 million by 2030. He also shares how he has used his commercial mindset in philanthropic leadership setting, advocating for investment in the organisation for growth rather than focusing solely on expenses. Richard shares how he has set up a fund with Aoraki Foundation promoting financial literacy for children and young people and the importance of integrating financial education into the school system.

Introducing Richard Spackman, the CEO of the Aoraki Foundation, who recently shared his journey and the foundation’s mission on Purposely Podcast. Richard grew up in an entrepreneurial environment, with his parents managing various businesses, from service stations to ostrich farming. This upbringing instilled in him a strong understanding of business and a passion for innovation. Richard has demonstrated his leadership and entrepreneurial skills both in his business ventures and in his philanthropic endeavours, where he now strives to deliver greater impact through the foundation. The Aoraki Foundation is one of 18 Community Foundations in New Zealand. Their main goal is to provide “a simple and lasting way for people to support charitable causes in the South Canterbury Community,” Richard explains. The foundation’s model of smarter giving ensures that every donation has a significant impact now and in the future. The foundation manages over 20 separate endowment funds, including the South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund, Miller General Impact Fund, and Fraser Ross Environmental Fund. These funds support numerous community groups and charities, addressing various needs within South Canterbury. Donors can make one-time contributions or leave gifts in their will. Richard proudly shares the foundation’s role in major fundraising efforts, such as those for the CBay Aquatic Centre and the MRI Scanner. With guidance from dedicated volunteer trustees, the Aoraki Foundation is committed to strengthening the district. Richard’s path to the Aoraki Foundation leadership began in 2012 when he moved from Christchurch to manage a business. His family fell in love with South Canterbury, and after traveling New Zealand and the Cook Islands in 2020, they decided to focus on community engagement upon their return. Richard’s natural ability to connect with people and his belief in the power of giving make him a perfect fit for the foundation. Balancing his role with coaching local businesses and spending time with his family, Richard also enjoys sports, often attending rugby and cricket matches or cycling through Timaru’s beautiful rural landscapes. Aiming to distribute $1 million annually by 2030 and manage $30 million in assets, Richard emphasises the role of community foundations in fostering local philanthropy and the importance of storytelling to engage donors. His background in business and coaching informs his leadership, focusing on growth and sustainability. He highlights the Eric and Queenie Miller fund, a significant legacy supporting local transport businesses, and his vision for the foundation to become a major community asset by 2050. Richard’s story is one of dedication, community spirit, and a relentless pursuit of meaningful impact. His interview on Purposely Podcast offers valuable insights into the power of community foundations and the incredible potential they hold for positive change.

Ian MacQuillin MCIoF(Dip) is the director of Rogare, which he founded in 2014. He’s recognised as a leading thinker on fundraising ethics Ian featured on Episode #220 of Purposely and was asked about the future of fundraising:  Ian emphasised the need for professionalisation in the sector. He highlighted the importance of transforming fundraising into a fully-fledged profession with structured entry routes and proper training. Ian reflected on the current state where many fundraisers accidentally fall into the profession and stressed that this should change by 2050. He believes that by addressing structural issues and creating a clear path for entry, the profession can attract diverse talent and ensure that individuals are well-prepared and knowledgeable. Ian concluded that the future of fundraising lies in becoming more like a profession, which will enhance its perception and effectiveness. https://www.rogare.net/

In this episode of Purposely, we were delighted to welcome Christie Stuart, the Joint Chief Executive of Big Buddy, a charity dedicated to matching boys without fathers in their lives with positive male role models. Christie shares her journey from sports marketing and communications to leading a charity, driving the mission and services of Big Buddy NZ. One of the standout points from our discussion was the co-leadership model adopted by Big Buddy. Christie and her co-leader, Steve Sobota, have structured their leadership roles to complement each other’s strengths, ensuring that the organisation benefits from their combined expertise. Steve brings two decades of institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of Big Buddy’s delivery programmes, while Christie contributes her marketing and commercial acumen and fresh perspective. This co-leadership approach is focused on helping Big Buddy to thrive, balancing the demands of running a charity with the need to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances. It’s a model that other organisations might find worth exploring, especially in sectors where diverse skill sets can enhance overall effectiveness. Christie’s path to her current role is noteworthy. With a background in sports marketing and events management, she brings a range of experience to Big Buddy. Her career reflects a readiness to embrace new challenges and a dedication to making a difference, both in professional sports and in the not-for-profit sector. Christie candidly discussed how personal experiences and a desire to make a substantial impact drove her to transition from her consultancy work back into a full-time leadership position. Her story underscores the importance and value placed on aligning one's career with personal values and the impact of strong mentorship and community support, a common theme in the charity sector. Big Buddy has been making a profound difference in the lives of boys across Auckland, the Waikato, Tauranga, and Wellington for over two decades. The charity’s core mission is to provide boys without a father or male role model in their lives with a caring and positive male mentor. The charity operates through a meticulously structured process, ensuring that each match between a Big Buddy and a Little Buddy is safe, supportive, and beneficial. Volunteer mentors go through a rigorous screening process, including police checks, interviews, and psych assessments, to ensure they are well-suited to provide guidance and companionship. In addition to the one-on-one mentoring program for boys aged seven to fourteen, Big Buddy has recently introduced a group programme for teenage boys. This new initiative brings together groups of boys with multiple mentors and includes both indoor and outdoor activities, culminating in a camp experience designed to build resilience, confidence, and a sense of community. Christie describes the future of Big Buddy as being guided by a continued focus on its mission and the needs of the communities it serves. The organisation plans to expand its successful group programme to more regions, continually adapting to meet the increasing demand for its services. Through careful planning and the dedicated efforts of its team, Big Buddy aims to broaden its reach and make an even greater impact.

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 Lachlan Keating CEO Deaf Aotearoa. Lachlan discusses his approach to leading a Deaf organisation, emphasising the importance of pushing Deaf representatives to the forefront in media to increase awareness and visibility of sign language. He highlights the need for mission focus, ensuring that fundraising directly benefits the community rather than sustaining the organisation. Keating aims to evolve the organization to the point where it is no longer needed, as Deaf people become self-sufficient. He stresses the importance of leadership, character over skills, and creating an environment where mistakes are learned from and not repeated. Keating also advocates for increasing Deaf representation in leadership roles and maintaining a strong, supportive team Episode transcript sample: Mission creep is something we must be careful about. Our mission is breaking down barriers, which could be broad, so we need to be disciplined in ensuring we stick within our boundaries. Some organisations raise money almost just to fund their own existence. They raise all this money, but what are they achieving for their constituents and community? Transcription link via Otter.ai https://otter.ai/u/mMI-fqi72PywXxhoMrZkQ4pyRyY?utm_source=copy_url

Angela Meyer: Driving Radical Positive Change for Women Welcoming Angela Meyer on Purposely, where she discusses her mission to empower women and build socially conscious businesses that align with her values. Angela Meyer has been a strong advocate for women's empowerment promoting gender equity and financial stability. Raised in a feminist Catholic household in Palmerston North, Angela's early life was rooted in social justice and community involvement. She co-founded Double Denim, a creative agency focused on gender equity, conducting research on women's economic and emotional lives. This led to the creation of Project Gender, addressing safety concerns and advocating for systemic change. One of Angela's key initiatives is Hi Money!, an online course developed with therapist Rachel Davies, aimed at improving women's financial literacy. Angela’s personal journey underscores the importance of economic stability in advocating for change. Angela's work spans consultancy roles in London, Melbourne, and Tokyo, and she co-founded the Ace Lady Network, the Gender Justice Collective, and Project Gender. She led 'Trade Careers' to increase women's participation in trades, reflecting her commitment to gender equity and financial empowerment. Angela talks about having developed clarity about her life and career. Her work continues to emphasise collaboration, humour, creativity, and systemic change, all aimed at empowering women and challenging the status quo. Angela Meyer’s story is an inspiring testament to how passion and purpose can drive meaningful change.

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 Malindi MacLean CET at Outward Bound NZ.