People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This week's episode features Ian MacQuillin MCIoF(Dip), the director of Rogare, which he founded in 2014. He’s recognized as a leading thinker on fundraising ethics. Ian discusses Face-to-Face Fundraising, its effectiveness, and the powerful ongoing support it generates. Initially opposed to this type of fundraising, he has since developed a fondness for it. Ian was previously featured on Episode #220 of Purposely.

Margi Mellsop, CEO of the Middlemore Foundation, recently joined Mark Longbottom on the Purposely Podcast to talk about her career and the charity she now directs. From her early days founding the International Comedy Festival in New Zealand to leading marketing efforts for the Auckland Museum and World Vision, Margi's journey shows her ability to adapt and contribute in different fields. In the podcast, Margi explained the mission of the Middlemore Foundation, which works to improve healthcare and wellbeing for the people of South Auckland both inside the hospital and outside in the community. The foundation provides essential resources and runs initiatives to help the community. Under Margi’s leadership, the foundation has grown its reach and made a real difference in people’s lives. Margi talked about the importance of working with local leaders, celebrities and organisations to meet the foundation’s goals. By partnering with others, the foundation can address the specific challenges faced by South Auckland communities. “Partnerships are key to sustainable success and meaningful engagement,” she said. Margi’s career has been varied. She started out by founding the International Comedy Festival in New Zealand, an event that brought entertainment to many and gave her valuable experience in event management and fundraising. These skills have been useful in her later roles. After her time with the Comedy Festival, Margi moved on to the Auckland Museum. There, she led marketing campaigns to increase visitor numbers and membership and support the museum’s work in preserving and sharing New Zealand’s history and culture. Her efforts brought people together and secured funding for important initiatives. She then joined International Development charity World Vision playing a key role marketing their New Zealand fundraising and campaigning efforts. For the future, Margi aims to further raise the profile of the Middlemore Foundation and expand its impact. She discussed the need for sustainable fundraising approaches to ensure the foundation’s continued success. Balancing work with her personal life is also important to her. Outside of her professional role, Margi values spending time with her family, enjoys sailing, and supports her son’s equestrian interests. She believes that having a balance between work and personal life is essential. Margi'S career shows how skills and experiences from different areas can come together to help others. Her leadership at the Middlemore Foundation continues to benefit the South Auckland community and shows the importance of working together to create change.

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 Jenni Giblin founder & CEO FundingHQ on fundraising. Jenni Giblin, a fundraising consultant, identified disparities in New Zealand's nonprofit sector, where larger organisations flourish while smaller and medium-sized ones struggle. This observation led her to develop FundingHQ, a software-as-a-service platform initiated just before COVID-19 and launched after three years of development during the lockdown. The platform offers content and coaching to help organisations navigate fundraising. Jenni emphasised the need for nonprofits to think strategically about their impact and effectively communicate their evidence to funders. She noted that funders' expectations have risen, requiring nonprofits to present clear, sophisticated plans and outcomes.

Shae Ronald ONZM, CEO of Youthline, has dedicated her career to supporting others and with a real focus the mental health and wellbeing of young people. With nearly 30 years' experience in the mental health sector, Shae has led Youthline since 2018, guiding the organisation through a transformative period of challenges, growth, and innovation. Shae’s commitment to youth wellbeing is deeply personal. Having faced profound loss at a young age, she understands the transformative power of support. After losing her father to cancer at the age of 23, she experienced immense grief and a period of deep emotional struggle. Seeking counselling for the first time at 24 proved to be life-changing, igniting a passion in her to ensure that every young person has access to the support they need. For over 50 years, Youthline has provided vital services to young people aged 12–24 across New Zealand. Its offerings include a free helpline available 24/7 through text, phone, webchat, and email, free face-to-face counselling services, youth mentoring programs, and school and community initiatives focused on leadership and personal development. Youthline serves as a critical resource for young people navigating mental health challenges, seeking personal growth, or simply looking for someone to listen. Under Shae’s leadership, the organisation has expanded its services to meet the changing needs of today’s youth, with a focus on accessibility and relevance. The challenges facing New Zealand’s young people have grown significantly over the past decade. Youthline has seen a 78% increase in mental distress among young people in recent years. Social media pressures, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and climate-related adversities have all contributed to this surge. Shae is particularly focused on addressing the inequities that exist within this crisis. Certain communities, including the Rainbow, neurodiverse, Māori, and Pasifika populations, have been disproportionately affected. Shae emphasizes the need for tailored, inclusive approaches to ensure these young people receive the support they need. Youthline has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. Under Shae’s leadership, the organisation has expanded its digital capabilities, introduced 24/7 support services (thanks to funding from ASB), and strengthened its training, supervision, and clinical safety measures for staff and volunteers. These innovations ensure that Youthline remains a trusted and effective support system for young people, regardless of where they are or what challenges they face. Shae’s approach to leadership is deeply influenced by her own experiences of personal growth and resilience. She prioritises self-care, incorporating mindfulness meditation and time in nature into her routine to maintain her wellbeing. Reflecting on transformative experiences, such as a four-week silent retreat, Shae underscores the importance of resilience and reflection in sustaining her commitment to Youthline’s mission. In 2023, Shae was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to youth. This honour reflects her contributions to mental health advocacy and her dedication to improving the lives of young people across New Zealand. Shae is committed to ensuring Youthline’s financial sustainability and adaptability as it continues to serve New Zealand’s youth. She recognises the importance of securing funding to maintain the organization’s high-quality services while remaining innovative and responsive to new challenges. Youthline continues to make a transformative impact on countless lives. For more information about Youthline and how you can support its mission, visit www.youthline.co.nz.