SHORT: Returns, Risk and Purpose - Samuel Richards, MD, Brightlight Impact

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Kirsten Kilian-Taylor, Head of Philanthropy at Perpetual Guardian.Kirsten reflects on how giving in New Zealand is evolving, from traditional, tightly controlled models of trusteeship to approaches that allow more experimentation, partnership, and trust. Using the growth of Give A Little as an example, she explores peer-to-peer giving, donor choice, and what it really takes to back new ideas while still protecting donor intent.The conversation also digs into what funders look for in strong applications: clarity of purpose, honesty about need, evidence of impact, and the human story behind the numbers. Kirsten shares why unrestricted funding is still challenging, how professional trustees weigh up risk, and where tools like AI can help or hinder when charities are seeking support.This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits, and society.

This episode of Purposely is a little different.Instead of hosting the conversation, Purposely host Mark Longbottom is the one being interviewed — joining Azoora Ali on her podcast Care Beyond Profits. It’s a generous, wide-ranging conversation that gives listeners a chance to hear more about the story behind Purposely, the experiences that shaped Mark’s work, and the values that continue to guide him.Azoora takes Mark back to his early years growing up on Auckland’s North Shore, his long stint in the UK charity sector, and the journey that eventually led to the creation of Purposely Podcast. They talk about why Mark believes motivation is often overrated, and why consistency - especially when it’s scheduled - matters far more than waiting to feel inspired.The conversation also touches on health, wellbeing, leadership, and the balance between empathy and accountability. Mark reflects on what more than 260 interviews with purpose-led leaders have taught him about service, happiness, and the importance of clarity, even when leaders don’t have all the answers.Mark also shares insights from his role as Head of Community Engagement at Trust Investments, and his work connecting charities and for-purpose organisations with investment solutions that align financial performance with social and environmental impact.This episode offers an honest look at the thinking behind Purposely, the disciplines that sustain purpose-led work over time, and why serving others often brings deeper meaning to both leadership and life.A big thank you to Purposely sponsors Benevity and Trust Investments for supporting the podcast, and to Azoora Ali.

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Samuel Richards, exploring the role capital plays in creating social and environmental outcomes.Samuel makes a clear distinction between what we do with money and why we do it. Rather than seeing investors, philanthropy, and government as separate or competing forces, he frames them as parts of the same marketplace, each with a role to play.He talks about the importance of aligning capital with purpose and values, not just chasing labels like “impact”, “ethical”, or “sustainable”, which can distract from the real work. At its best, capital becomes an enabler, quietly connecting the system, supporting those closest to the problems, and helping solutions scale.Samuel also challenges the assumption that returns are the hard part. In his experience, it’s often perception, power dynamics, and language that get in the way, not performance.This episode is a thoughtful reflection for funders, investors, and advisors who want to think more clearly about how capital shows up in the world, and how it can support change without trying to own it.This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society, with thanks also to Trust Investments for their ongoing support.

This episode is a little different.I recorded it while away at the beach with my family, fitting it in between swims, time with the kids, and the usual holiday chaos. Instead of the usual interview, this is just me taking a moment to reflect on the past year of Purposely Podcast and some of the themes that kept coming up.2025 was a big year for the podcast. We recorded 49 episodes and are closing in on 300 in total since Purposely began in 2020. This episode is a pause rather than a performance. A chance to share what stood out, what I have learned, and what feels worth carrying forward.One of the questions I ask in every interview is about mission and purpose. It has become increasingly clear to me that organisations with real clarity on why they exist tend to do better. They raise funds more effectively, motivate their teams more strongly, and stay focused on the impact they are trying to have. That clarity acts as a north star, especially when things get tough.I also share some thoughts on what it has meant to hear from listeners and see the podcast grow. The feedback, messages, and ongoing engagement really matter to me and help shape where the podcast goes next.A strong theme this year was the value of lived experience in leadership. Two conversations that stayed with me were with Nicola Coombe, CEO of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, and Shaun Robinson, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation. Both spoke openly about how their own experiences shape the way they lead and the empathy they bring to their roles.Another recurring topic was shared leadership and the rise of co-CEO models. Conversations with Alison Goodman from Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and Dean Hegarty from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia showed how well these arrangements can work when there is trust, complementary skill sets, and very little ego.I also reflect on the growing interest in venture philanthropy. In a difficult funding environment, conversations with Mary Rose Gunn from The Four and Izzy Horrocks from the Aotearoa Life Course Fund highlighted new ways of supporting early-stage organisations and social entrepreneurs, and why understanding how funders think is becoming increasingly important.This year I also hosted a number of in-person events, bringing together people from the investment world and the for-purpose sector. One thing I have become more convinced of is that as technology and AI make information easier to access, human connection becomes more valuable, not less. Meeting in person, learning together, and building relationships still matter.Towards the end of the episode I share a personal story about discipline and consistency. It is a reminder that change does not usually come from big gestures, but from small actions repeated over time.Thank you for listening and for supporting Purposely Podcast through 2025. I am really looking forward to what is coming in 2026, with more conversations, live events, and some new formats as the podcast continues to evolve.Some reflections from the yearThemes that stood out in 2025Connection still mattersA personal reflectionLooking ahead

Revisiting the Story of Benevity with Founder Bryan de LottinvilleIn this revisited episode of Purposely Podcast, Mark Longbottom returns to a 2021 conversation with Bryan de Lottinville, founder of Benevity.Bryan is a purpose-led founder whose work has had a significant influence on how companies think about employee engagement, giving, and corporate responsibility. In this conversation, Bryan reflects on the ideas that led to the creation of Benevity, the decisions that shaped its growth, and the belief that business can play a meaningful role in enabling social good.Benevity went on to scale globally and was ultimately sold for around a billion dollars, but this episode focuses less on the outcome and more on the thinking behind the journey — from reimagining corporate giving to building a platform designed around employee choice and participation.Bryan’s background and the origins of BenevityThe limitations of traditional corporate giving models, and why change was neededDesigning technology that enables and encourages employee participationLeading and scaling a purpose-driven businessMaintaining culture through growth, disruption, and CovidReflections on leadership, wellbeing, and long-term impactWhere purpose-led business is heading nextWhy purpose was always central to Benevity’s modelHow democratising giving changes behaviour and cultureThe realities of founder leadership at scaleLessons for leaders working at the intersection of business and impactBenevity has supported the Purposely Podcast as a sponsor for the past three years. Thank you to Bryan de Lottinville for the conversation and for his ongoing contribution to the corporate purpose movement.Follow Purposely Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform to stay connected with future episodes.

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Simon Fulford, Executive Director of Parrott Creek Child & Family Services, based in Portland, Oregon.Simon explains why rebuilding self-esteem and identity sits at the heart of working with young people who have experienced trauma, and why care can’t stop at programmes and therapy alone. If the physical environment, daily routines, and adult behaviours send the opposite message, the work can be undermined.He shares how Parrott Creek takes a holistic approach. From unconditional positive regard and mindfulness, to staff self-awareness, food, learning, and intentionally beautiful spaces. All of it is designed to communicate one consistent message to young people: you are worthy, you belong, and you can grow.This is a practical reflection on how environment, care, and values need to align if we’re serious about helping young people heal and thrive.This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society, with thanks also to Trust Investments for their ongoing support.

Revisited Episode (Recorded April 2021)A Tribute to Lea MilliganThis revisited episode of Purposely is shared as a tribute to Lea Milligan, who passed away unexpectedly in April 2024.From Purposely host Mark LongbottomBefore returning to this conversation, I wanted to pause and honour someone truly special. I first met Lea in London in 2016 when he was working at Mercy Ships UK, and I was at the St James’s Place Foundation. He reached out in a fundraising role, but it quickly became clear that Lea was far more than that - a phenomenal relationship-builder, a deeply human leader, and someone you always enjoyed talking with. He was a natural connector of people, with an unwavering focus on mission and purpose.Lea would go on to become an impressive leader in the mental health sector, serving as CEO of MQ Mental Health Research. News of his passing came as a real shock, and with great sadness. Re-sharing this conversation feels like a meaningful way to honour his impact and leadership.In this episode, Lea shares:The mission of MQ Mental Health Research and why it was establishedWhy mental health research remains chronically underfunded compared to other health areasThe parallels between the journey of cancer research and where mental health research is todayThe role of stigma in slowing progress — and why research is the first step toward real system changeWhy research may not deliver quick returns, but offers extraordinary long-term impactThis conversation captures Lea’s clarity of thought, humility, and deep commitment to improving mental health outcomes globally.

This episode of Purposely was recorded live at a CEO roundtable in Auckland, bringing together leaders from across Aotearoa’s charity and for-purpose sector to explore one of the biggest questions facing organisations right now: how to use AI well, without losing the human heart of the work.Hosts Dr Kirsty Agar-Jacomb and Mark Longbottom is joined by Dr Megan Blakely from the University of Canterbury, whose research focuses on human-centred AI. Rather than talking about technology for its own sake, Megan challenges leaders to think about AI as a tool for augmentation, not automation, and to stay focused on people, trust, and wellbeing as adoption accelerates.The conversation moves beyond theory into the practical realities charity CEOs are facing. Megan discusses how AI is already showing up in areas like fundraising and health data, and why leadership matters more than ever when it comes to transparency, ethical decision-making, and psychological safety. She also unpacks the tension many organisations feel between legal compliance and ethical responsibility, and why meeting the rules is only the starting point.This live discussion is part of a series of impact lunches hosted by Mark Longbottom, designed to create space for honest, off-the-record conversations among charity leaders about emerging issues shaping the sector.A big thank you to Foundation North for hosting the roundtable and bringing together CEOs from across New Zealand’s charity community.Thanks also to Trust Investments and Benevity, the ongoing sponsors of the Purposely Podcast, for supporting conversations that sit at the intersection of purpose, leadership, and impact.

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we hear from Seumas Fantham, Executive Director of the Todd Foundation, on what happens when a funder realises their well-intentioned model is actually holding communities and charities back.Seumas explains how the foundation used to fund 60–70 groups a year, which meant most staff time went into processing the 89% who didn’t receive funding. It wasn’t strategic, and it unintentionally encouraged competition between community groups rather than collaboration.So they changed course.Instead of spreading funding thin, the foundation stepped back, listened, and focused on a smaller number of areas where they could genuinely shift outcomes. Staff spent a year talking to communities, understanding the landscape, and mapping where the real gaps were before committing any funding.One of those areas was youth employment. Seumas shares how they looked beyond “getting young people work-ready” and started asking a bigger question: How do we help employers become youth-ready too? By speaking with schools, employers, parents, youth organisations, training providers and more, they uncovered a fragmented system where no single group saw the whole picture. The foundation’s new approach aims to bring these parts together so young people are supported from leaving education right through to settling into a job.Purposely SHORT is brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments.

In this episode of Purposely Podcast, Mark Longbottom talks with Georgina Camp, co-founder of Huber Social, and Michelle McCaskill, the organisation’s CEO in Aotearoa. Both are leading voices in the move toward social impact measurement that actually helps communities instead of adding more admin.Georgina starts by explaining Huber Social’s purpose: to help people live well, and to support organisations to understand what truly makes a difference. Instead of counting outputs or filling in forms for the sake of it, their work focuses on listening to people’s experiences and keeping wellbeing at the centre. Good measurement should guide decisions, shape funding, and change as communities change.Mark raises a familiar tension for charities: proving impact versus understanding it. Georgina and Michelle talk about how a well-designed measurement approach can reduce workload rather than increase it. They work with the people affected, the funders, and the teams delivering services to create frameworks that reflect what matters most, not just what is easy to collect.Huber Social’s framework blends how people feel about their lives with practical indicators like health, resilience, relationships, and access to resources. It is flexible, grounded, and often uncovers issues that sit outside an organisation’s direct control but still influence whether someone can thrive.Michelle shares what it is like to lead Huber Social in New Zealand. She talks about building a remote team and forming partnerships around the country. She also highlights the Hauraki Opportunity, a recent project involving several communities coming together to define wellbeing on their own terms. It is a good example of measurement turning into real action instead of just another report.Both guests describe a shift happening in the sector. There is less emphasis on admin ratios and more interest in whether organisations genuinely improve people’s lives. Funders are also becoming more open to supporting wider issues that appear in the data, even when they fall outside an original project scope.The episode finishes with Michelle’s personal journey into social impact. She moved from innovation-focused business roles into work driven by purpose and community. She encourages anyone who wants to learn more to reach out through Huber Social’s platforms and be part of the wider conversation about measuring what matters.