In this episode of Purposely Podcast, Simon Fulford, Executive Director at Parrott Creek in Oregon, talks about leadership, community, and making change that lasts.
Parrott Creek supports young people facing tough circumstances, combining therapeutic care with community-based programmes. Simon’s approach is shaped by years of working with youth and families in the UK, New York, and now the Pacific Northwest.
He believes leadership is about staying steady when things get hard and making sure purpose shows up in everyday work. The new $29 million residential campus is a major milestone, but Simon says the real test lies in delivering programmes that match the promise of the space.
He also talks about the realities nonprofits face - funding cuts, mergers, and the challenge of holding on to identity through it all. His focus is on keeping Parrott Creek nimble, learning from other sectors, and protecting the relationships and trust that make the work possible.
Simon’s story crosses continents, but his focus remains constant: do the work, stay connected, and keep improving.
A really warm welcome to Purposely Short , short as in not, long - a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Jake Bailey, author, speaker, and cancer survivor, who shares his evidence-based approach to building resilience.
Jake introduces the 4S Model - four key practices proven to help people get through tough and challenging times:
Slowing down, Salvaging, Streamlining, and Standing alongside. He explains how resilience isn’t fixed - it’s something we can learn, train, and strengthen - and why the ability to get back up after adversity is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success and wellbeing.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway you can apply to your life or leadership, especially in the challenging world of charitable and for-purpose work.
This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments .
In this episode of Purposely Podcast, we are joined by Seumas Fantham (Ngāti Porou, Whakatōhea), Chief Executive of the Todd Foundation.
We talk about how philanthropy can move beyond forms, reports and checkboxes — towards something built on trust, honesty, and shared learning.
Seumas is clear that effective giving isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about building real relationships, being open to challenge, and making it safe for partners to be upfront when things don’t go as planned.
At the Todd Foundation, that thinking has shaped their approach to funding. Since 2009, they’ve supported community-led initiatives through long-term, high-trust partnerships — untagged funding that gives organisations the space and confidence to lead their own work. Seumas explained that this approach recognises the natural ups and downs that come with running a community organisation — leadership changes, internal challenges, or times when things simply feel tough. Rather than stepping away, the Foundation looks to stand alongside their partners and, when needed, work with other funders to help them through.
We also talked about the culture change required for funders — to move from being grant-makers to genuine partners. It takes humility and a willingness to listen. For Seumas, that’s the real heart of effective philanthropy.
Away from the office, Seumas stays grounded through whānau and the small moments that bring perspective — like sharing a chocolate fish with his daughter. It’s a reminder, he says, of what truly matters and the kind of presence he brings to his work.
Seumas’s reflections are a timely reminder that good funding is built on trust, not control — and that lasting impact starts with genuine partnership.
A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT - short, as in not long. This is a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Nicola Coom, CEO of Cancer Society NZ. Nicola opens up about her personal connection to the cause and how that lived experience shapes her leadership. She reflects on the balance between empathy and objectivity, the importance of listening to every unique cancer journey, and why creating space for patient and family voices leads to better decisions.
Nicola also shares a heartfelt message about trust — ensuring that every donation, whether $20 or $20,000, is used wisely and with respect for the people and communities who make it possible.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway you can apply to your own charitable mission.
This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society — and by Trust Investments, trusted stewards of capital helping charities grow their impact.
Welcoming Geneva Loftus, Executive Director of Move92, to Purposely Podcast.
Geneva leads Move92 — a global philanthropic organisation on a mission to help local changemakers lead their own development. Their approach challenges traditional models of international aid by putting resources and decision-making power directly in the hands of those closest to the challenges.
The organisation takes its name from a striking statistic: of the $10 billion in global gender equality funding, only 8% goes to organisations based in the countries where the work happens. Move92 exists to help shift that remaining 92% to the local leaders who know their communities best.
In our conversation, Geneva shares her refreshing perspective on international development — what real impact looks like when it starts from the ground up, and how philanthropy can achieve more by doing things differently. We talk about shifting power, trust-based giving, and the importance of listening and learning from local partners.
Now based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Geneva reflects on her multi-country life and career, from living with refugees on the Thailand–Burma border to advising funders and corporates across the US, Australia, Singapore, and beyond. With over 20 years’ experience spanning both large NGOs and grassroots organisations, she understands the subtle dynamics of both worlds — and what it takes to connect them effectively.
At Move92, Geneva and her team connect philanthropists, family foundations, and corporates with grassroots organisations that align with their core values. Together they build purpose-driven portfolios that spark real-time impact and drive lasting change.
Move92 also takes a wide view of gender equity, recognising that supporting girls and women includes working with boys and men too. Guided by their local partners, they focus on what communities need most — because when women thrive, communities thrive, and so does our planet.
It’s an open, thoughtful conversation about rethinking philanthropy, following non-linear paths, and finding balance and purpose closer to home.
Welcoming Mark Weatherall, CEO of Life Education Trust, to Purposely.
Mark Weatherall’s reflections on how New Zealand prepares young people for life are refreshingly down to earth. He talks openly about a familiar gap — that many young people, and even adults, haven’t built the knowledge, confidence or habits needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. “We got pocket money, we spent it, that was it,” he says, recalling his own upbringing. Today, with more pressures and distractions than ever, the challenge is helping the next generation make thoughtful choices that shape their futures for the better.
Mark leads Life Education Trust, one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable and long-standing charities. After 37 years and reaching over 86% of schools, the Trust continues to evolve its mission of helping tamariki develop the life skills they need to make positive choices. Mark is realistic about what’s required to keep that work strong — supporting volunteers, maintaining local connections and securing sustainable funding are all priorities. “We need that local input,” he says. He believes centralising some functions, like fundraising or HR, could ease the pressure on volunteers, freeing them to focus on what matters most: supporting children and communities directly.
Before joining Life Education Trust, Mark spent years leading some of New Zealand’s top sporting organisations, including canoeing and rowing. These are sports where success is measured in milliseconds, medals and the pride of representing Aotearoa on the world stage. He speaks candidly about the intensity of leading at that level, where every decision can influence an Olympic or Commonwealth campaign, and where legacy matters as much as performance.
Mark also brought his leadership closer to home, heading Surf Life Saving New Zealand, a movement that combines competition, community service and coastal safety. It’s a cause close to his heart and reflects his lifelong love of the ocean, as well as his belief in sport’s power to build resilience, teamwork and purpose.
Outside of work, Mark’s story is one of reflection and renewal. After a double hip replacement kept him from his usual pursuits — diving, fishing and time outdoors — he’s been rethinking what matters most. “How many useful summers have you got left?” a friend recently asked him. For Mark, it’s not about counting down, but about making the most of what’s ahead: staying active, enjoying family and finding balance between purpose and personal wellbeing.
Mark’s approach isn’t about slogans or grand gestures. It’s about practical support, honest conversations and small decisions made well — both in leadership and in life. In a space often clouded by buzzwords, his clarity stands out: help young people build real skills, support those doing the work and keep the mission grounded in reality.
A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT — short, as in not long. This is a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Rod Baxter, CEO of King’s Trust. Rod shares why collaboration between charities is essential for creating greater social impact, and how putting ego aside can unlock new forms of partnership. He also reflects on the power of identity, purpose, and mana in helping young people make positive choices about their lives.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway you can apply to your own charitable mission.
This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society — and by Trust Investments, trusted stewards of capital helping charities grow their impact.
In this episode of Purposely, I’m joined by Joy Morozov, founder and director of Philanthropower, a consultancy that helps philanthropists and NGOs build trust-based partnerships that turn good intentions into real impact.
Joy’s story is anything but ordinary. Born in Lebanon and raised across the Middle East, she grew up switching effortlessly between languages — now speaking more than five — and moving between cultures that didn’t always make space for women to lead. From a young age, she knew she wanted more than the life expected of her — so she pushed back, questioned limits, and carved her own path. That determination and curiosity have become her trademarks ever since.
Her early career with the Financial Times and Thomson Reuters taught her the value of trust, brand integrity, and genuine connection. But after years in the corporate world, Joy felt an undeniable pull toward purpose. That calling led her to Light for the World, where she launched its UK chapter and learned first-hand that good intentions aren’t enough — real change comes from understanding what communities truly need and how to support them sustainably.
Through Philanthropower, Joy now helps philanthropists and charities do exactly that. Her “MUST” framework — Mindset, Understanding, Strategy/Soft Skills, and Trust — captures her philosophy that effective giving starts with clarity, empathy, and relationships built to last.
She speaks openly about what it takes to break into new markets, build credibility, and lead with conviction. Her success in the UK wasn’t luck; it was persistence, strategy, and an unshakeable belief that people give to people.
Outside of work, Joy recharges through live music, travel, and the occasional off-grid retreat. Her journey — crossing cultures, sectors, and expectations — is a reminder that meaningful change takes both heart and rigour.
A warm welcome to Purposely SHORT.
SHORT, as in not long — a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a specific topic. The goal? To give you a useful insight you can action, helping you deliver on your charitable mission.
In this episode, Tina McCafferty, CEO of Tōtara Hospice, shares her perspective on coaching, leadership, and building strong teams. Tina discusses why coaching and mentoring should be accessible to everyone, not just senior executives, and how a blended approach of coaching and mentoring can spark genuine insight and growth.
She also reflects on her own leadership style, shaped by her Glaswegian roots — straight-talking, fair, firm, and supportive. Tina believes the best teams are made up of people who challenge each other, offer honest feedback, and contribute diverse strengths, not “mini-me” versions of the leader.
This episode highlights how purposeful coaching and inclusive leadership can unlock potential, foster resilience, and create environments where people truly thrive.
This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Trust Investments NZ and Benevity an all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits, and society.
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.
A warm welcome to Purposely SHORT.
SHORT, as in not long — a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a specific topic. The goal? To give you a useful insight you can action, helping you deliver on your charitable mission.
In this episode, successful entrepreneur Annette Presley shares a bit about her life journey, business success and her determination to help young women to overcome barriers and thrive.
In this episode we speak with Pablo Berrutti, Analyst at Stewart Investors and Co-founder of Altiorem, a nonprofit library created to strengthen the finance sector’s response to sustainability.
Pablo shares how Altiorem grew from a simple idea into a living, evolving knowledge hub that pairs students with finance professionals to produce fresh insights. We talk about the challenges of building a sustainable funding model, the importance of keeping resources free and accessible, and why independence and integrity matter in financial education.
We also touch on his interest in bringing Indigenous perspectives into financial thinking, recognising the value of wisdom from cultures that have cared for their environments for generations.
For anyone working in finance, philanthropy, or the nonprofit world, this episode is both practical and inspiring. It’s about how knowledge, when shared openly and built with community, can drive real change.
A warm welcome to Purposely SHORT.
SHORT, as in not long — a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a specific topic. The goal? To give you a useful insight you can action, helping you deliver on your charitable mission.
In this episode, James Stewart shares a compelling vision for the future of housing, investment, and community in New Zealand. He tackles the hard questions:
What happens when home ownership rates continue to fall?
How do we shift capital from unproductive property gains into businesses, jobs, and innovation?
Why mixed-tenure housing developments can transform communities and create long-term social benefits.
How progressive home ownership models can provide hope to young New Zealanders priced out of the housing market.
James also explains how rethinking KiwiSaver, investment flows, and housing models could create a more productive, fair, and sustainable economy for the next generation.
This episode is brought to you by Trust Investments and Benevity — the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits, and society.
Welcoming Annette Presley to Purposely Podcast, we hear how a career defined by entrepreneurship has evolved into a focus on philanthropy, with a commitment to creating opportunities for young women and communities.
In this conversation, Annette shares:
Her early experiences in business, when female role models were rare and breaking through as a woman was a significant challenge.
The influence of her grandmother, whose belief in her became a driving force, and why support and encouragement are essential for young women to thrive.
Her views on education reform, including the need to equip young people with practical skills such as financial literacy, resilience, and public speaking.
Why she launched the Dream Foundation and how she applies her entrepreneurial mindset to set measurable goals, build strong partnerships, and ensure accountability.
Annette’s story is one of hustle, determination, disruption, and a belief that lasting change requires more than good intentions. Through her foundation, she is working to open doors for others and create practical, measurable impact in communities across New Zealand.
Welcoming Nicola Coom to Purposely.
Nicola Coom has just stepped into the role of CEO at the Cancer Society New Zealand. For her, cancer is not just a cause but a lived reality, her own BRCA1 gene diagnosis, her family’s history with the disease, and the choices she’s made to protect her health all shape the urgency she brings to leadership.
Every day in New Zealand, 77 people are diagnosed with cancer and around 10,000 die each year. Access to medicines lags behind most OECD countries, and Nicola is determined to change that. She wants donor dollars to deliver real impact, patient voices to drive health policy, and investment in research and clinical trials to accelerate progress.
In this episode, Nicola shares how personal experience has shaped her vision for the Cancer Society, why innovation and technology must be part of the solution, and how she plans to keep cancer at the top of the national agenda.
Tune in to hear Nicola’s story, her bold plans for the future, and why urgency and lived experience are essential to reshaping cancer care in Aotearoa.
Welcoming Aisha Daji Punga, CEO of Toitū, to Purposely.
Aisha is an experienced leader whose career has taken her across industries and sectors, from FMCG and telecommunications to health and wellbeing. She’s led major organisations, including her time as CEO of the Starship Foundation, and now heads Toitū, one of New Zealand’s most recognised names in sustainability and environmental certification. In our conversation, she shares how clarity, connection, and purpose shape her leadership—and why she’s energised by the toughest parts of the job.
Her path to Toitū has been anything but linear. Alongside her executive leadership roles, she also ran her own consultancy. But what ultimately pulled her back into a CEO role was people. “I love being around people. I love being connected. I love teams,” she says. Consulting provided stimulation, but lacked the shared purpose and momentum that come from leading a group with a common mission. Returning to that environment was about aligning “head, heart, and soul”—the combination she says fuels her best work.
That philosophy is clear in how she leads. Progress happens when teams move together. Alignment matters more than hierarchy, and clarity is the means to get there. “You have to be clear to be kind,” she notes—a mantra that underpins how she handles everything from strategy to day-to-day conversations. Feedback from her board reinforces that clarity and decisiveness are already shaping Toitū’s direction.
From her first day, Aisha set out to listen. She spent months in conversation with clients, staff, and industry partners—not just to surface what was working, but to hear the harder truths. Those insights became the basis for resets and pivots, with a willingness to say, “this is where we need to go now.” For her, listening and alignment aren’t delays to action; they are what make action possible.
Sustainability wasn’t her specialist field, but that has never been a barrier. She’s surrounded herself with scientists and subject experts who, she says, “astound and inspire me every day.” Her role isn’t to know everything, but to connect people, scale impact, and make Toitū’s purpose resonate widely. “I don’t need to be an expert,” she says. “I need a certain level of understanding, but I don’t need to be all things to all people.”
What comes through in conversation is a style of leadership that avoids jargon and pretence. She doesn’t claim mastery of every detail; what she offers is authenticity, focus, and a commitment to the purpose at the centre of Toitū’s work. Success, for her, isn’t defined by accolades. It’s found in the energy of her team, the trust of stakeholders, and the impact Toitū can deliver in a rapidly changing world.
Looking ahead, Aisha remains grounded: listen deeply, adapt quickly, and never lose sight of purpose. It’s a simple formula, but one that offers a powerful model of leadership for complex times—clear, connected, and unapologetically purposeful.
Thank you to our sponsors Trust Investments
In this episode of Purposely Podcast, we sit down with Rod Baxter, CEO of Kings Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, to explore how the Trust is helping 17- to 30-year-olds build confidence, enterprise, and opportunity.
Rod shares:
Why listening to young people is the starting point for meaningful change
The challenges young people face as traditional entry-level jobs disappear
How the Trust’s enterprise programme and Hikano seed funding scheme are sparking new ventures with a 94% survival rate
The importance of “radical collaboration” in New Zealand’s crowded non-profit sector
Inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs building businesses and giving back to their communities
Kings Trust Aotearoa is part of a global network with roots in The Prince’s Trust, but its approach is uniquely local—grounded in the voices, aspirations, and realities of young people across Aotearoa.
Tune in to hear Rod’s journey, his vision for youth development, and why purpose sits at the heart of lasting impact.
Tina McCafferty, CEO of Tōtara Hospice, talks with Purposely Podcast about the meaning of hospice care and the work her organisation does to support people across South and East Auckland.
Tina shares her personal journey from Glasgow to leading one of New Zealand’s most inclusive hospices. She explains why hospice care is about more than medical treatment—it’s about respecting people’s wishes and helping them live well in their final days.
She also discusses Tōtara Hospice’s role in navigating assisted dying laws, emphasising the importance of supporting people’s choices with respect and care.
Most hospice care happens in people’s homes, with thousands of visits each year. Tina highlights how connection, compassion, and respect are at the heart of their work.
The episode also covers the recent documentary Hospice Heroes, which brought honest stories from patients and families to a wider audience. Tina reflects on the impact of the show and the ongoing need for secure funding and fair pay for hospice staff.
This conversation offers insight into the challenges and rewards of leading a hospice and shows why Tina believes hospice care deserves greater recognition and support in New Zealand.
Listen to the episode: purposelypodcast.com
Learn more about Tōtara Hospice: totarahospice.co.nz
James Stewart, CEO of Home Capital Partners, joins Purposely Podcast to talk about housing, purpose-driven leadership, and creating pathways to home ownership in Aotearoa New Zealand.
James shares how his team at Home Capital is working to address one of the country’s most urgent social issues: access to safe, secure, and affordable homes. The conversation explores the full housing continuum—from social housing to affordable rentals and ownership—and the real-world impact of helping families find stability and hope.
James reflects on his personal journey, including formative experiences in Christchurch and international development, and how his faith and values now shape his leadership. He also speaks to the importance of balancing financial sustainability with mission, building strong partnerships, and designing housing models that serve communities long-term.
Themes discussed:
The link between housing, health, and opportunity
Purpose and profit: why both matter
Faith and values in leadership
The power of patient capital and long-term thinking
Building homes, building hope
Learn more about Home Capital Partners:
https://homecapital.co.nz
Live from Changing Face of Philanthropy event in Auckland July
This episode explores how corporate foundations can move beyond brand-building into genuine community impact. Ezekiel Raui shares how One NZ Foundation is unlocking corporate resources—from access to elite sports environments to financial expertise—for the benefit of community partners.
He unpacks the “healthy tension” between purpose and profit, and how internal company culture plays a crucial role in sustaining philanthropic focus—even through economic pressure.
Key insight? Real partnership isn’t transactional—it’s relational. Charities should align with funders who share their values, rather than chasing every opportunity. And, looking ahead, Ezekiel offers a bold alternative to traditional philanthropy: community-owned businesses with profits flowing back to the people, permanently.
Big idea: Philanthropy at its best is not about giving back—it’s about sharing power.
