James is the CEO of Mission Australia, a national charity that operates a diverse range of community services throughout the country. James has held various roles with Mission Australia since 2010 and has an extensive background in community services. Under his leadership, the organisation established its 2020-25 Strategy with the goal to end homelessness, and ensure that people and communities in need can thrive. 

In this conversation, we discuss James' experience in the social services sector across Australia and the United Kingdom, the importance of social and affordable housing in addressing homelessness and how technology is disrupting the not-for-profit sector. If you would like to learn more about Mission Australia, please visit their website.

Timestamps:

[1:18] - James' career in the UK

[5:34] - Structural drivers of inequality in the UK and Australia

[9:58] - The social and affordable housing context in Australia

[12:41] - Why Australia is currently experiencing a shortfall in social and affordable housing

[16:01] - Homelessness and the political context

[20:02] - Response to homelessness in the UK

[22:35] - Surprises from working in the Australian social services sector

[24:39] - Changes in the not-for-profit space

[27:54] - Relationship between the not-for-profit and private sectors

[30:23] - Dangers of competing to get a share of the problem rather than competing to solve the problem

[35:09] - Challenges facing Mission Australia

[39:06] - Adapting to the COVID-19 work-life-balance challenges on an organisational scale

[43:23] - Innovation in service delivery (e.g. VR)

[46:38] - Accessibility and the digital divide

[52:10] - Things university students can do to make a difference

[58:26] - The power of acknowledging people that are experiencing homelessness