People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

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 r...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 c...

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 certificatio...

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 enterpris...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode of Purposely Podcast – People Inspired By Purpose , host Mark Longbottom is joined by Sydney Straver, founder and CEO of &BLOOM Sustainability, a values-led business supporting organisations on their sustainability journey. Sydney launched &BLOOM just two years ago in Aotearoa New Zealand with a clear belief: that business can and should create positive outcomes beyond prof...

Purposely SHORT with Lani Evans MNZM What if communities made the funding decisions that affect them? In this SHORT episode, Lani Evans unpacks the power of participatory philanthropy—more simply, community-led giving—and why it offers a better way to fund impact and build long-term trust. Key insights from Lani: Participatory philanthropy shifts power to where it matters most Community-led proces...

Welcoming Arian Ataie and Dion McDougall to the Purposely Podcast —two of the driving forces behind dmtr , a volunteer-led organisation working to end hunger by backing local solutions to food system challenges. Arian and Dion come from different parts of the world and different professional backgrounds, but they share a clear goal: to support the people and ideas creating long-term change in comm...

Purposely SHORT with Martin Rohner Executive Director, Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) What if your bank did more than just hold your money? In this SHORT, Martin explains how values-based banks differ from the mainstream—and why intentional, community-grounded finance matters now more than ever. From microfinance in the Global South to renewable energy in the North, he makes the case...

The Changing Face of Philanthropy – Impact Lunch Highlights In this special live-recorded episode of Purposely , we take you inside our recent Impact Lunch at The Grid in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, where 50 PLUS leaders from across Aotearoa’s charity, philanthropy, and investment sectors came together to explore the future of giving. Host Mark Longbottom is joined by three returning guests— Lani Ev...

A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT —short, as in not long—a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their insights on a focused topic to help you deliver on your charitable mission. In this episode, Dean Hegarty reflects on a critical tipping point for New Zealand’s financial system and the broader responsible investment movement. With clarity and urgency, he makes the case for l...

In partnership with Science Alliance We’re pleased to welcome Dr Jacqueline Orian , Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University, to a conversation exploring her work on a new approach to autoimmune disease—along with the habits and values that help sustain a career in scientific research. While medical research is often associated with labs and data, Dr Orian sees value in slowing down and stepp...

Welcoming Martin Rohner, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), to Purposely Podcast to share how finance—when aligned with purpose—can drive lasting, positive change for people and the planet. Martin and his team lead a global network of independent banks committed to using money to support social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. His...

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 certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. This week, Shaun Greaves, CEO of Presbyterian Support Northern , shares his refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, self-awareness, an...

Dean Hegarty became Co-CEO of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) to help grow the role investment plays in tackling social and environmental challenges. As the first New Zealand-based CEO of the organisation, he brings a different viewpoint-shaped by his background outside traditional finance and by a strong belief in collaboration. Alongside Co-CEO Estelle Parker, Hegarty i...

Jenny Horst, Chief Executive at Upside Mentoring Aotearoa, joined Purposely Podcast to talk about the pressures facing young people in Aotearoa—and how mentoring can help build stability and confidence in uncertain times. She spoke about the challenges of leading a charity as economic uncertainty puts more pressure on funding and growth plans. Despite this, the focus remains clear: supporting cons...

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 certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. This week, Gwen Green, General Manager – Engagement & Fundraising at Blind Low Vision New Zealand , shares her perspective on dismantling...

We’re joined on Purposely Podcast by Gwen Green, General Manager of Engagement and Marketing at Blind Low Vision New Zealand. Gwen talks openly about her leadership approach, her career shift from the UK to New Zealand, and the ongoing work to strengthen the organisation’s connection with the people it serves. Gwen first joined Blind Low Vision NZ on a short-term contract to lead fundraising durin...

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 certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. This week, James McCulloch, CEO of Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support, shares the importance of owning your story in order to live and lead wit...