Revisiting the Story of Benevity with Founder Bryan de Lottinville
In 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 Benevity
The limitations of traditional corporate giving models, and why change was needed
Designing technology that enables and encourages employee participation
Leading and scaling a purpose-driven business
Maintaining culture through growth, disruption, and Covid
Reflections on leadership, wellbeing, and long-term impact
Where purpose-led business is heading next
Why purpose was always central to Benevity’s model
How democratising giving changes behaviour and culture
The realities of founder leadership at scale
Lessons for leaders working at the intersection of business and impact
Benevity 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.
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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 Milligan
This revisited episode of Purposely is shared as a tribute to Lea Milligan, who passed away unexpectedly in April 2024.
From Purposely host Mark Longbottom
Before 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 established
Why mental health research remains chronically underfunded compared to other health areas
The parallels between the journey of cancer research and where mental health research is today
The role of stigma in slowing progress — and why research is the first step toward real system change
Why research may not deliver quick returns, but offers extraordinary long-term impact
This 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.
A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT, - short as in not long - a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
Geneva Loftus, who works with funders and grassroots organisations around the world. Geneva breaks down one of the biggest shifts happening in philanthropy right now: moving decision-making power closer to communities.
She explains why donors must let go of the instinct to design solutions themselves, even with the best intentions, and instead create space for local leaders to bring forward ideas grounded in lived experience. And when funders do that? The results can be extraordinary.
Geneva shares one of her favourite examples: a young Sherpa leader in Nepal who rejected more school-building and instead proposed something funders would never have imagined, a mountain bike training facility to keep youth in school and create new income opportunities. A small, unrestricted grant set off a ripple of positive change that transformed the whole community, sparked local business investment, created leadership pathways for girls, and even launched an international race series… all for under USD $30,000.
Takeaway: trust the people closest to the problem. Their ideas will surprise you. Every time.
This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments NZ.
We’re revisiting one of the early Purposely episodes, a conversation with Steve Wickham, founder of The Giving Department (which is till going strong) and a long-time leader in philanthropy, corporate responsibility, and social impact.
Steve has spent more than two decades helping companies and philanthropists connect their resources with the people and organisations that need them most. Before launching The Giving Department in 2010, he held senior roles at Macmillan Cancer Support and The King's Trust (then the Prince’s Trust), shaping programmes that enabled businesses and donors to support young people and communities across the UK.
How he made the jump from major national charities to starting his own social-purpose business.
Why he built The Giving Department as a for-profit impact company, and what that model makes possible.
The early projects that put the business on the map, including corporate partnerships that changed how companies think about doing good.
His belief that generosity starts with people, not campaigns and why personal connection still drives most giving.
Lessons from his time at The King’s Trust and Macmillan, including what strong partnerships look like behind the scenes.
The influence of his family, particularly his late father, on his approach to work, kindness, and community.
The pressures charities face today and why some organisations will adapt while others won’t survive.
Steve’s blend of experience, honesty, and practical insight still lands today. The conversation strips philanthropy back to what really matters: relationships, trust, and people showing up for each other.
In this episode of Purposely, we sit down with Carey Church, Managing Director of Moneyworks, for a conversation about what ethical financial advice looks like in practice. Carey has been quietly shaping this space in New Zealand for nearly three decades, focusing on understanding people’s lives and values before talking about their money. Her approach is practical, people-centred, and built on years of working closely with clients as their needs and expectations have changed.
We talk about:
How Carey built Moneyworks around holistic, values-aligned financial planning
Why ethical investing isn’t about purity, but about informed decisions
The role of trust and mutual respect between adviser and client
The practical process Moneyworks uses to personalise ethical investment portfolios
The increasing importance of financial literacy and intergenerational planning
Why Moneyworks became a B Corp, and what it actually means in practice
How Carey is approaching life and leadership in her 60s, including a four-day work week and tighter focus on what really matters
Whether you're curious about ethical investing or simply want to understand what good financial advice looks like, Carey offers a candid, grounded perspective shaped by real-world experience.
A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT , short as in not long, a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode, we revisit insights from Mark Weatherall, CEO of Life Education Trust. Mark reflects on discovering his why , creating environments where people can be the best they can be, and how that purpose has shaped his leadership across sport, community organisations, and now the for-purpose sector.
He shares the story of one of the toughest periods of his career: shifting a high-performance sporting culture from individualism to a team-centred, community-rooted model. It led to resistance, legal challenges, and moments of deep self-doubt - but ultimately transformed the sport and reinforced his belief in backing yourself when you know you're doing the right thing.
Mark also speaks to the heart of his motivation: empowering young people, championing participation over medals, and ensuring sport, like charity, delivers broader life outcomes.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway about purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and staying true to your values even under pressure.
This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments .
Welcoming Kirsten Kilian-Taylor, Head of Philanthropy at Perpetual Guardian, to Purposely Podcast. Kirsten oversees more than $40 million in grants each year, working with hundreds of donors and charities to help drive meaningful change across Aotearoa. Her role is all about careful stewardship, not just managing funds, but making sure legacies, some over a century old, are still supporting real needs today.
Philanthropy can be daunting when so many people and organisations need support. Kirsten says the key is to stay true to what donors care about while making sure their giving works in today's world. “Our mission is wrapped around stewardship,” she explains. Perpetual Guardian started with wills and estates, but now it works with people who want to give while they’re still here to see the difference it makes.Kirsten encourages people to start giving while they're still able to experience the impact firsthand. “Nine times out of ten, people already have a passion they want to support,” she says. Her role is to help that spark grow, whether it’s through scholarships, community projects, or less visible support like covering transport or uniforms to remove practical barriers.
Perpetual Guardian’s sustainability is built on careful investment of capital funds, with grants powered by income. The organisation has shifted from solely managing funds to providing broader philanthropic advice, using sector insights, networks, and technology to make giving more effective. “We handle the compliance and administration so our donors can focus on what matters to them,” Kirsten says.
In 2020, Perpetual Guardian brought Givealittle under its wing, a move Kirsten describes as a natural fit. The platform has so far generated more than $300 million in crowdfunding for causes across New Zealand. “Givealittle provides an entry point to generosity,” she says. “Anyone can give directly to a cause that speaks to them, and that’s powerful.”
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Kirsten highlights the increasing pressure facing charities: rising demand for services, more competition for funding, and a government funding model that hasn’t kept pace. “We’ve seen application numbers double in some areas while funding stays the same,” she notes. Her advice for organisations seeking funding: stay true to your mission, build strong governance, and be adaptable.
Kirsten also points to a shift in philanthropy—toward supporting capacity-building and operational needs, not just projects. Funders are moving cautiously, but there’s growing recognition that organisations need support to thrive long-term.
Her personal journey into philanthropy started in Gisborne, shaped by community values and a formative student exchange in the Canadian Arctic. Now based in Wellington, she sees her role as creating space for people to connect with causes that matter. “My job is to make people feel comfortable pursuing their philanthropic goals,” she says. “I’m a connector at heart.”
As philanthropy continues to evolve—driven by changing values, emerging generations of donors, and increasing interest from corporates, Kirsten stresses the need for authenticity. “If corporates want to offer philanthropic services, they need to back it up with real engagement—not just a PR strategy.”
Kirsten sees huge potential in New Zealand’s philanthropic landscape: a mix of deep generosity and a small, agile system. “We’re small enough to test new ideas and see results quickly,” she says. She also calls for stronger collaboration between government and philanthropy to address big issues like health, housing, and education.
A big thank you to episode sponsors Benevity and Trust Investments
This special live episode of Purposely Podcast was recorded in Auckland at a Place-Based Impact Investing event co-hosted by Brightlight and Trust Investments.
Samuel Richards, Managing Director at Brightlight, joins me to discuss how purpose and investment can come together to deliver better outcomes for people and places. He talks about Brightlight’s journey, how it began, the challenges along the way, and what it takes to build an organisation that’s both commercially strong and values-driven.
A central theme of the conversation is the Te Puna Hapori Community Infrastructure Strategy - Te Puna Hapori meaning “spring of wellbeing.” The strategy aims to help create safe, warm and healthy communities where people can live, learn and thrive. It focuses on the types of essential community assets — social, educational and health infrastructure — that are often underinvested in across regional Aotearoa New Zealand.
Developed through a partnership between Trust Waikato and Brightlight, Te Puna Hapori seeks to unlock opportunities for wellbeing and resilience through targeted investment. The approach allows capital to flow into projects that deliver tangible, long-term benefits for communities, with investment options available through both fund and bond structures.
Samuel is joined by:
Dennis Turton, CEO of Trust Waikato
Simba Marekera, Head of Global Private Assets, Brightlight
Tim Symons, Brightlight NZ
Together, they explore how global impact investing ideas can take root in Aotearoa, New Zealand and how capital, partnerships and community can work together to achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes.
In this episode of Purposely Podcast, Simon Fulford, Executive Director at Parrott Creek in Oregon, talks about leadership, community, and making change that lasts.
Parrott Creek supports young people facing tough circumstances, combining therapeutic care with community-based programmes. Simon’s approach is shaped by years of working with youth and families in the UK, New York, and now the Pacific Northwest.
He believes leadership is about staying steady when things get hard and making sure purpose shows up in everyday work. The new $29 million residential campus is a major milestone, but Simon says the real test lies in delivering programmes that match the promise of the space.
He also talks about the realities nonprofits face - funding cuts, mergers, and the challenge of holding on to identity through it all. His focus is on keeping Parrott Creek nimble, learning from other sectors, and protecting the relationships and trust that make the work possible.
Simon’s story crosses continents, but his focus remains constant: do the work, stay connected, and keep improving.
A really warm welcome to Purposely Short , short as in not, long - a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Jake Bailey, author, speaker, and cancer survivor, who shares his evidence-based approach to building resilience.
Jake introduces the 4S Model - four key practices proven to help people get through tough and challenging times:
Slowing down, Salvaging, Streamlining, and Standing alongside. He explains how resilience isn’t fixed - it’s something we can learn, train, and strengthen - and why the ability to get back up after adversity is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success and wellbeing.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway you can apply to your life or leadership, especially in the challenging world of charitable and for-purpose work.
This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments .
In this episode of Purposely Podcast, we are joined by Seumas Fantham (Ngāti Porou, Whakatōhea), Chief Executive of the Todd Foundation.
We talk about how philanthropy can move beyond forms, reports and checkboxes — towards something built on trust, honesty, and shared learning.
Seumas is clear that effective giving isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about building real relationships, being open to challenge, and making it safe for partners to be upfront when things don’t go as planned.
At the Todd Foundation, that thinking has shaped their approach to funding. Since 2009, they’ve supported community-led initiatives through long-term, high-trust partnerships — untagged funding that gives organisations the space and confidence to lead their own work. Seumas explained that this approach recognises the natural ups and downs that come with running a community organisation — leadership changes, internal challenges, or times when things simply feel tough. Rather than stepping away, the Foundation looks to stand alongside their partners and, when needed, work with other funders to help them through.
We also talked about the culture change required for funders — to move from being grant-makers to genuine partners. It takes humility and a willingness to listen. For Seumas, that’s the real heart of effective philanthropy.
Away from the office, Seumas stays grounded through whānau and the small moments that bring perspective — like sharing a chocolate fish with his daughter. It’s a reminder, he says, of what truly matters and the kind of presence he brings to his work.
Seumas’s reflections are a timely reminder that good funding is built on trust, not control — and that lasting impact starts with genuine partnership.
A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT - short, as in not long. This is a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Nicola Coom, CEO of Cancer Society NZ. Nicola opens up about her personal connection to the cause and how that lived experience shapes her leadership. She reflects on the balance between empathy and objectivity, the importance of listening to every unique cancer journey, and why creating space for patient and family voices leads to better decisions.
Nicola also shares a heartfelt message about trust — ensuring that every donation, whether $20 or $20,000, is used wisely and with respect for the people and communities who make it possible.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway you can apply to your own charitable mission.
This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society — and by Trust Investments, trusted stewards of capital helping charities grow their impact.
Welcoming Geneva Loftus, Executive Director of Move92, to Purposely Podcast.
Geneva leads Move92 — a global philanthropic organisation on a mission to help local changemakers lead their own development. Their approach challenges traditional models of international aid by putting resources and decision-making power directly in the hands of those closest to the challenges.
The organisation takes its name from a striking statistic: of the $10 billion in global gender equality funding, only 8% goes to organisations based in the countries where the work happens. Move92 exists to help shift that remaining 92% to the local leaders who know their communities best.
In our conversation, Geneva shares her refreshing perspective on international development — what real impact looks like when it starts from the ground up, and how philanthropy can achieve more by doing things differently. We talk about shifting power, trust-based giving, and the importance of listening and learning from local partners.
Now based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Geneva reflects on her multi-country life and career, from living with refugees on the Thailand–Burma border to advising funders and corporates across the US, Australia, Singapore, and beyond. With over 20 years’ experience spanning both large NGOs and grassroots organisations, she understands the subtle dynamics of both worlds — and what it takes to connect them effectively.
At Move92, Geneva and her team connect philanthropists, family foundations, and corporates with grassroots organisations that align with their core values. Together they build purpose-driven portfolios that spark real-time impact and drive lasting change.
Move92 also takes a wide view of gender equity, recognising that supporting girls and women includes working with boys and men too. Guided by their local partners, they focus on what communities need most — because when women thrive, communities thrive, and so does our planet.
It’s an open, thoughtful conversation about rethinking philanthropy, following non-linear paths, and finding balance and purpose closer to home.
Welcoming Mark Weatherall, CEO of Life Education Trust, to Purposely.
Mark Weatherall’s reflections on how New Zealand prepares young people for life are refreshingly down to earth. He talks openly about a familiar gap — that many young people, and even adults, haven’t built the knowledge, confidence or habits needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. “We got pocket money, we spent it, that was it,” he says, recalling his own upbringing. Today, with more pressures and distractions than ever, the challenge is helping the next generation make thoughtful choices that shape their futures for the better.
Mark leads Life Education Trust, one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable and long-standing charities. After 37 years and reaching over 86% of schools, the Trust continues to evolve its mission of helping tamariki develop the life skills they need to make positive choices. Mark is realistic about what’s required to keep that work strong — supporting volunteers, maintaining local connections and securing sustainable funding are all priorities. “We need that local input,” he says. He believes centralising some functions, like fundraising or HR, could ease the pressure on volunteers, freeing them to focus on what matters most: supporting children and communities directly.
Before joining Life Education Trust, Mark spent years leading some of New Zealand’s top sporting organisations, including canoeing and rowing. These are sports where success is measured in milliseconds, medals and the pride of representing Aotearoa on the world stage. He speaks candidly about the intensity of leading at that level, where every decision can influence an Olympic or Commonwealth campaign, and where legacy matters as much as performance.
Mark also brought his leadership closer to home, heading Surf Life Saving New Zealand, a movement that combines competition, community service and coastal safety. It’s a cause close to his heart and reflects his lifelong love of the ocean, as well as his belief in sport’s power to build resilience, teamwork and purpose.
Outside of work, Mark’s story is one of reflection and renewal. After a double hip replacement kept him from his usual pursuits — diving, fishing and time outdoors — he’s been rethinking what matters most. “How many useful summers have you got left?” a friend recently asked him. For Mark, it’s not about counting down, but about making the most of what’s ahead: staying active, enjoying family and finding balance between purpose and personal wellbeing.
Mark’s approach isn’t about slogans or grand gestures. It’s about practical support, honest conversations and small decisions made well — both in leadership and in life. In a space often clouded by buzzwords, his clarity stands out: help young people build real skills, support those doing the work and keep the mission grounded in reality.
A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT — short, as in not long. This is a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.
In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Rod Baxter, CEO of King’s Trust. Rod shares why collaboration between charities is essential for creating greater social impact, and how putting ego aside can unlock new forms of partnership. He also reflects on the power of identity, purpose, and mana in helping young people make positive choices about their lives.
This bite-sized episode is designed to give you a practical takeaway you can apply to your own charitable mission.
This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society — and by Trust Investments, trusted stewards of capital helping charities grow their impact.
In this episode of Purposely, I’m joined by Joy Morozov, founder and director of Philanthropower, a consultancy that helps philanthropists and NGOs build trust-based partnerships that turn good intentions into real impact.
Joy’s story is anything but ordinary. Born in Lebanon and raised across the Middle East, she grew up switching effortlessly between languages — now speaking more than five — and moving between cultures that didn’t always make space for women to lead. From a young age, she knew she wanted more than the life expected of her — so she pushed back, questioned limits, and carved her own path. That determination and curiosity have become her trademarks ever since.
Her early career with the Financial Times and Thomson Reuters taught her the value of trust, brand integrity, and genuine connection. But after years in the corporate world, Joy felt an undeniable pull toward purpose. That calling led her to Light for the World, where she launched its UK chapter and learned first-hand that good intentions aren’t enough — real change comes from understanding what communities truly need and how to support them sustainably.
Through Philanthropower, Joy now helps philanthropists and charities do exactly that. Her “MUST” framework — Mindset, Understanding, Strategy/Soft Skills, and Trust — captures her philosophy that effective giving starts with clarity, empathy, and relationships built to last.
She speaks openly about what it takes to break into new markets, build credibility, and lead with conviction. Her success in the UK wasn’t luck; it was persistence, strategy, and an unshakeable belief that people give to people.
Outside of work, Joy recharges through live music, travel, and the occasional off-grid retreat. Her journey — crossing cultures, sectors, and expectations — is a reminder that meaningful change takes both heart and rigour.