People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from a past guest working at the intersection of financial advice, ethics, and values-led investing.
She reflects on the decision to formally position her firm as an ethical investor, not because clients demanded it, but because it reflected who they already were. What surprised her most was how many clients moved quickly once the option was clearly explained. Many assumed investing was value-neutral and didn’t realise they were allowed to ask for more alignment between their money and their beliefs.
The conversation explores what ethical investing looks like in practice, from screening for human rights issues to using simple tools that help clients express what they do and don’t want in their portfolios. One clear theme emerges: people are far more aligned on values than the industry often assumes.
She also shares the firm’s unexpected journey to B Corp certification, discovering they were already operating well beyond the required standard thanks to years of careful governance, systems, and culture.
The episode closes with practical advice for advisors and professionals wanting to bring values into their work, including where to start, how to build confidence, and why conversations about ethics don’t need to be complicated to be effective.
This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments.

In this episode of Purposely, Mark Longbottom sits down with Tilda Bostwick, founder of Fundraising Talent, to unpack what fundraising really looks like as a profession. How getting the right people into the right roles matters more than ever for charities. Tilda lifts the lid on how fundraising has evolved in New Zealand. While many people still picture fundraising as street appeals or bucket collections, she explains how modern charities rely on highly specialised teams. From data and donor care to major gifts and strategy, fundraising today is complex, skilled work and it needs to be treated that way. Tilda shares her own path into the sector, starting with volunteering and grant writing, before moving into senior fundraising roles and eventually spotting a major gap. Charities were struggling to recruit well, often because fundraising roles were misunderstood or poorly defined. That challenge is what led her to launch Fundraising Talent.
Starting a recruitment business just before COVID was not ideal timing. Tilda talks openly about the pressure that put on charities and on recruitment itself, and why many organisations later realised that not hiring, or hiring the wrong person, often costs more in the long run.
A big part of the conversation focuses on expectations. Tilda regularly sees fundraisers hired with unrealistic KPIs, limited support, and the hope they will somehow “fix” income overnight. She explains why this leads to burnout and high turnover, and what charities can do differently. Clear roles, realistic targets, strong leadership, and a culture that values fundraising all make a difference.
Tilda also shares what she looks for in top fundraisers. It is not just about personality or passion. Track record matters, as does strategic thinking, the ability to work with others, and staying power in roles. She also calls out common hiring mistakes like underpaying, vague job descriptions, and failing to invest in professional development.
The episode touches on the changing shape of the sector, including more men entering fundraising roles, growing professionalism, and the use of AI tools in areas like grant writing. Tilda is clear that while technology can help, relationships and good storytelling are still at the heart of successful fundraising.
For people considering a move from the corporate world into fundraising, Tilda offers practical advice on transferable skills, but also a reality check. Fundraising is rewarding work, but it demands resilience, commitment to purpose, and an understanding of the pressures charities operate under.
The conversation closes with Tilda reflecting on why she stays in the sector. For her, it is about the people, the causes, and seeing what becomes possible when charities are properly resourced with the right talent.

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.