#201 ‘Dream role, power of sport to change lives', Thomas Smith CEO of Halberg Foundation

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 Wayne Howett CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities sharing how he approaches his organisations mission and how he draws on his own lived experience. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

Welcoming Fiona Luth to Purposely, where she shares her founder story and charitable mission to transform literacy in Fiji. We discuss her motivations for starting and scaling the charity as well as plans for the future. Fiona Luth founded Fiji Book Drive in 2012, following the loss of her second parent. While in Kadavu, Fiji, she experienced a moment of clarity, realising her desire to create as much positivity in the world as possible. Inspired by Peter and Margaret Long, who run the charity 'Children of Fiji', and conversations with her friend Lavenia Tamani about the lack of books in schools, Fiona became acutely aware of the challenges faced by Fijian students. With English being the compulsory language of instruction in Fiji, Fiona saw an opportunity to make a significant impact. Upon returning to Australia, Fiona shared her vision of a book drive with her friend Laura Hahn. Laura embraced the idea, offering crucial support through her family's freight forwarding business for the first five years of the initiative. Since its inception in 2012, Fiji Book Drive has made a remarkable impact, donating over 300,000 books to 194 schools and kindergartens across Fiji. The charity's mission is rooted in the belief that education empowers students and communities, with access to proper resources being key to a quality education. Recognising the abundance of educational materials in Australia, Fiji Book Drive aims to redirect these resources to under-resourced schools in Fiji. The organisation's primary goal is to improve educational outcomes and life opportunities for Fijian students by increasing access to educational resources, with a focus on literacy. They strive to repurpose books, computers, and other educational materials, transferring them from those who no longer need them to those who do. Additionally, Fiji Book Drive is committed to operating sustainably, keeping resources out of landfills and prioritizing the distribution of durable goods. Fiji Book Drive is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

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 Emma Brown CEO of Duke of Edinburgh's International Award New Zealand. Emma talks about her leadership journey and how she values resilience over everything else when it comes to thriving as a CEO. Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer and decided to keep on working through treatment. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

Welcoming Thomas Smith, CEO of the Halberg Foundation, to Purposely, where he shares his organisation's mission to empower young people with disabilities through sport. The foundation also hosts an annual awards ceremony, a premier event in New Zealand, recognizing and honouring outstanding achievements in sports. Thomas, or Tom as he is known, offers insights into his life and career journey, which includes his upbringing in the UK and his relocation to New Zealand with his Kiwi wife. The Halberg Foundation, founded by middle-distance runner and Olympian Sir Murray Halberg ONZ, MBE, has its roots in a transformative moment. Murray's attendance at a sports reporters' function in Canada in 1962 inspired him deeply. As a guest speaker, the Olympic champion runner was moved by the event's true purpose: to help disabled children realise their sporting potential. Murray Halberg's own athletic achievements, despite facing personal challenges, are remarkable. From winning the gold medal for New Zealand in the 5000 meters at the 1960 Olympics to clinching gold medals in the 3 miles events at the 1958 and 1962 Commonwealth Games, his journey embodies resilience and determination. Despite a severe injury during his youth rugby days that left his left arm withered, Murray's transition to running only seemed to fuel his motivation. Under the guidance of coach Arthur Lydiard, he broke through, winning his first national title on the senior level in 1954. Tom's upbringing in Cirencester in the Cotswolds and his education in sports management at Hallam University in Sheffield, England, laid the foundation for his career in sports. Reflecting on his early experiences as a personal trainer, Tom underscores how they shaped his approach to disability sports and the limitless possibilities for individuals in this realm. Prior to his move to New Zealand with his wife and young family, Tom held notable positions in the UK, including involvement in the 2012 Paralympics and roles such as National Partnership Manager for Special Olympics Great Britain, Senior Manager Disability at Sport England, and National Growth Manager Disability at the England & Wales Cricket Board. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

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 Ian Bird CEO of & Community Foundations of Australia (current) & Canada (formerly). Ian dives into secrets of successful Network Leadership. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

Welcoming Ezekiel Raui, the new Head of the One New Zealand Foundation, to the Purposely Podcast. Ezekiel shares his organisation's mission as well as his remarkable journey from Head Boy to social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader.Even before his university days, Ezekiel Raui had already stacked up a lifetime's worth of achievements. As head boy at Taipa College in the Far North of New Zealand, he pioneered a leadership academy and a peer support program, showcasing his early passion for innovation, purpose, and community impact. His initiatives even caught the attention of policymakers, leading him to share his ideas at the Beehive. Not stopping there, Ezekiel was part of a youth delegation to Washington DC, where he attended the historic Tribal Youth Gathering at the White House and had the honor of meeting President Obama. These early accomplishments set the stage for a series of accolades, including the prestigious Young Achiever of the Year at the 2016 Matariki Awards and the Ngārimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship. Ezekiel has also been voted into the Forbes 30 under 30. At the tender age of 26, Ezekiel's dedication to purpose and helping others is palpable. His inspiration stemmed from a profound experience where he discovered that two of his friends were involved in drug activities during school hours because that is what they thought they were destined to do and had no other options in life. This revelation fuelled Ezekiel's determination to make a difference.  Driven by this conviction, he co-founded Tūkotahi, a social enterprise dedicated to providing comprehensive peer support for young individuals navigating mental health challenges. His commitment to social good was further underscored by his selection as one of four New Zealand Māori ambassadors to attend the 2015 Inaugural White House Tribal Leaders Conference, hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.Now at the helm of Te Rourou - One New Zealand Foundation, Ezekiel's vision is clear: to continue the foundation's vital work in supporting marginalized and disadvantaged young people across New Zealand. Established in Aotearoa in 2002, the foundation, the corporate arm of One NZ (formerly Vodafone), operates as a grant-making charity, guided by its own Board of Directors. Over the years, One NZ has invested more than $48 million to support the foundation's initiatives, funding over 1,000 community organisations. Proudly one of the largest corporate philanthropic funders in Aotearoa, the foundation leverages the resources and skills of the One New Zealand team to drive sustainable and measurable change through digital investment, corporate partnerships, operational and communications support, advocacy, and mentoring.Their primary focus thus far has been on empowering young people in Southland, situated at the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island. This strategic approach to philanthropy, initiated before Ezekiel's tenure, reflects the foundation's commitment to making a tangible difference in communities where it matters most and where funding partners were harder to find.Looking ahead, Ezekiel's overarching aspiration for the foundation is ambitious yet grounded in pragmatism. He envisions a future where the foundation serves as a catalyst for lasting change, empowering charities and social impact partners to be effective and sustainable. Regardless of shifts in business dynamics or funding sources, Ezekiel remains steadfast in his belief in the symbiotic relationship between business and philanthropy. By equipping communities with the necessary skills and resources to thrive independently, the foundation ensures that its impact endures long after its direct involvement ceases. In our conversation with Ezekiel Raui, we glimpse not only the remarkable achievements of a young leader but also the profound impact of purpose-driven initiatives in transforming lives and communities.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

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 Sarah Dann-Hoare CEO of Project Employ. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

Welcoming Kylie Wallace, co founder and CEO of Seedling Giving to Purposely Podcast where she shares their founder journey and her personal career highlights. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

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 Sarah Manley CEO of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message

Welcome Robyn Scott to Purposely, where she shares her organization's mission and her career and life journey focused on purpose. Robyn serves as the Executive Director of J R McKenzie Trust, a grant-making foundation established by retailer John McKenzie. John, hailing from Australia, first visited New Zealand in 1909 during a motorcycling holiday. Enchanted by the country's charm and its promise of opportunity, he made the bold decision to relocate his business. His inaugural store in Dunedin marked the genesis of his vision. Driven by the belief that a business should reciprocate its success with those integral to its prosperity, John swiftly founded the J R McKenzie Trust in 1940. Initially, the Trust extended its support to disabled servicemen, the Plunket Society, and children in need. Fast forward to the present day, the Trust, functioning as a private family foundation with an annual donation of approximately $4 million, remains steadfastly dedicated to social justice. It endeavors to foster a fair and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand while bolstering charities, 'for purpose' entities, and community-based organizations in effecting positive change. The sustenance of the trust's funding stems from yearly dividends received from Rangatira Investments, a venture established by John McKenzie, renowned for its pioneering contributions to private investment in New Zealand. Robyn's illustrious career spans over two decades across various sectors, including government, charity, and philanthropy. Her inaugural foray into leadership manifested as the CEO of Fertility New Zealand, a six-year tenure motivated by her personal struggles with infertility. Throughout her stewardship, Robyn spearheaded campaigns advocating for enhanced public funding for fertility treatment and broader access to support services. Subsequently, Robyn assumed the helm of New Zealand's premier philanthropic institution for nearly a decade, playing an instrumental role in consolidating philanthropy as a formidable and impactful movement in Aotearoa. Philanthropy New Zealand, established in 1990 by the late Sir Roy McKenzie to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the J R McKenzie Trust, serves as a testament to the enduring legacy now overseen by Robyn. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mark-longbottom2/message