The Engaged Volunteer Podcast

We sit down with Jess Brain, Head of Operations, Mental Health Workforce at Place2Be, to explore the crucial work her organization does in providing mental health support to children. Jess shares her insights on the unique challenges and rewards of working with children, and why children's counseling is more important than ever. We dive into Jess’s passion for working in a cause-driven environ...

In this episode of The Engaged Volunteer Podcast, we sit down with Talia Holloway-Roden, the Statewide Volunteer Manager at Parks Victoria, to delve into the intricate world of managing over 20,000 volunteers. Talia shares her insights on the significance of being passionate about your work and the delicate balance required to run a national program while maintaining a local touch. You'll gain...

In this episode of the Engaged Volunteer Podcast, we sit down with Bianca Berenguer, Senior Operations Manager at Event Lab. Bianca shares her journey from working with the Rio Olympics to her current role at Event Lab, where she excels in managing large-scale events. Tune in to hear Bianca's insights on what it takes to launch the Olympics, her deep passion for the Paralympics and Special Oly...

Join us as we talk with Sally Breton, Head of Volunteering Delivery at St John Ambulance. At St John Ambulance, first aid isn't just a skill; it's a lifeline woven into the fabric of communities and workplaces across England. From first aid training to out-of-hospital patient care, St John Ambulance stands as a beacon of hope in critical moments. Sally Breton leads the charge in harnessing...

Join us as we sit down with Claudia Marazita, Head of Workforce Engagement for Golf Australia. With a passion for fostering vibrant workplace cultures and enhancing employee experiences, Claudia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the green. She is passionate about the idea that "all golf is golf" and getting past the idea that you have to be playing 18 holes of golf to be a go...

Join us as we sit down with Angele Tilly, the dedicated Volunteer Manager at Literacy Pirates, to explore how to enhance your volunteers' engagement and amplify their impact. At Literacy Pirates, the mission to empower children aged 9-12 to navigate the seas of literacy with confidence and enthusiasm is introduced to volunteers from the very beginning. This early introduction not only aligns v...

This week we sit down with Marian Casey, Deputy Commissioner of Volunteering for St John NSW. With a background in forensic biology and psychology, coupled with an MBA, Marian's journey has been nothing short of diverse. But her impact extends far beyond the classroom. Marian's entrepreneurial spirit led her to venture into event management and corporate team building, showcasing her versa...

Join us for an electrifying episode with Emma Peat, Event Workforce Manager at Formula E. Emma takes us on a thrilling ride behind the scenes of the international electric car racing series, offering unparalleled insights into the recruitment, training, and coordination of volunteers that make Formula E events possible. Emma shares her firsthand experiences navigating the fast-paced world of Formu...

Join us as we talk to Ruth Leonard, Head of Volunteering Development for Macmillan Cancer Support. Ruth is the author of the recent book “Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice,” which offers a broad and balanced background picture of thinking about volunteer involvement, to encourage all those who want to work with volunteers to think and act together collaboratively and re...

Join us as we talk to Kylie Elliott, the Volunteer Lead at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. Kylie's journey into volunteer management is not just a career path; it's a calling fueled by her passion for making a difference in the lives of others. At SCHF, Kylie plays a crucial role in overseeing a volunteer program that has become the lifeblood of the organization. The foundation...

Join us for a captivating journey into the dynamic world of sports events and volunteerism with Olivier Chovin, the Event Workforce Specialist at UEFA. In this episode of the Engaged Volunteer Podcast, we peel back the curtain to reveal the meticulous planning and execution involved in orchestrating some of the world's most prestigious sporting spectacles, such as the UEFA Champions League. Wi...

That was Matt Lynch, Founder of MoonShot. Have you ever wondered why some live experiences capture our hearts better than others? Consider places like Disney Land, where a commitment to exceptional service excellence sees them described as the happiest place on earth. MoonShot works with organizations to engage and train frontline staff and volunteers to live and breathe brand ethos through progra...

Meet Matt Doherty, City Volunteer Manager for Greater London Authority. Having worked alongside some of the world’s largest events including The European Championships, Commonwealth Games, The Australian Open and now the Euros, Matt is no stranger to engaging with volunteers in a large capacity. In this episode of the podcast we get an in-depth look at Greater London Authority’s legacy project fro...

Meet Andy Newman, Director of Workforce and Operations for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.   Working alongside some of the world’s biggest workforce programs including London 2012, Tough Mudder, The Houston Super Bowl and now, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Andy draws on his experience to discuss the true value of volunteering. While most organizations focus on the financial contribu...

Meet Anne-Catherine, Senior Volunteer Manager worldwide at FIFA. Having just implemented a global volunteer management program at one of the world's largest sporting federations, Anne Catherine (also known as AC) knows a thing or two about volunteers. In this episode of the podcast, AC takes us behind the scenes, with an in-depth look at FIFA’s global volunteer management program which is using te...

For the first episode of this season, we’re thrilled to be joined by Jenny Betteridge, Strategic Lead for Volunteering at Sport England and Shruti Saujani, City Programme and Volunteer Manager at the England and Wales Cricket Board, otherwise known as ECB. With over 10 million people in the UK choosing to volunteer their time through sport and physical activity last year, this episode of the podca...

Meet Elena Laguna  - Head of Volunteering at Oxfam Great Britain. After a chance opportunity to lead a youth volunteering program in Nicaragua, Elena has firmly cemented a career in helping others, working with some of the UK’s leading charities to manage their volunteer programs. In this episode of the podcast, Elena discusses the importance of treating your volunteers as individuals (even a...

That was Jenne Myers - CEO and ‘Professional Do Gooder’ at Chicago Cares. After kick starting her career working for The City of Chicago and Mayor Daly, it was an opportunity to work with the Mayor’s wife Maggie that opened the doors to the ‘heart’ of Chicago and a new philanthropic career in public service. In this episode of the podcast, Jenne generously shares her journey from volunteer to CEO,...

That was Corina Sadler CVA - Volunteer Resources Supervisor at City of Plano. After experiencing the joys of volunteering as a teen herself, Corina Sadler has cemented a career enriching the lives of teenagers through the creation of the Teen Volunteer Program for the City of Plano. In this episode of the podcast we discuss the stigmas that exist when it comes to young volunteers and why they shou...

Meet Tom Bowkett. A specialist freelancer in volunteer and workforce management. Recorded in amongst the thick of UK COVID lockdowns, 2020 has presented it’s fair share of challenges for a freelancer, who specializes in events. While many would dwell on a tough year, Tom shines with optimism about the future and how important events and volunteering will be in uniting communities. In this episode...

Meet Karina Herold, Vice President of Events at the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission. With the city of Los Angeles set to welcome some of the biggest events worldwide over the next 10 years including The Super Bowl and The Olympic Games, there are no shortages of volunteer opportunities for Angelino’s - as Karina refers to them. In this episode of the podcast we take a look at the unique nat...

Meet Mike Nishi! COO of Chicago Event Management responsible for delivering one of the cities most beloved events - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Mike’s love for the Chicago Marathon dates back to 82, where he first volunteered for the event back in high school. In a tough year for all, but particularly the mass participation industry, Mike shares with us the highs and lows of 2020 includi...

Today, we are joined by the fantastic Amanda Jenkins, Senior Manager of FIBA Oceania. Her passion for sport and some great initial volunteer opportunities kick started Amanda’s journey in sports and event management, which has seen her work for some of the most prestigious events within Australia. During this podcast, Amanda and I chat about what it's like to work for one of the world’s most popul...

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by the passionate, Elke Koehnke - Volunteer turned Head of Volunteers and Workforce for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games. After volunteering at the FIFA World Cup in Germany and having a once in a lifetime experience managing VVIPs in her hometown of Hamburg, Elke decided to start a new career in the sports and events arena, following some of t...

Meet Chris Randle! Regional Director of IRONMAN in New Zealand. Not many event professionals can say they kick started their career at the Olympic Games but after a leap of faith and a impromptu career change, Chris did just that. Since his first role as a project manager at the London Olympic Games in 2012, Chris has gone on to experience and enjoy the ‘events buzz’ at some of the world’s premier...