People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast Mark Longbottom

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.






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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 Ah-Leen Rayner CEO of
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

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Welcome Wayne Howett to Purposely, where he shares his organisation's mission and his career and life journey. Wayne is the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® New Zealand (RMHC NZ), an organisation dedicated to providing practical help and compassionate care to families of hospitalised children.



Wayne has experience of having a sick child and this lived experience led him to the work he does today. His daughter, Claudia, was just eight weeks old when he noticed something amiss while playfully lifting her in the air. Prompted by a concerning observation in her eyes, Wayne's wife took her to the doctor, leading to a swift referral to a specialist. Within a day, they were in consultation with medical experts, indicating the severity of the situation. Two days later, Claudia underwent surgery to remove her right and to treat cancerous tumours in her left eye, diagnosed with bilateral Retinoblastoma.



This marked the beginning of Wayne and his family's challenging medical journey. In their thirties, Wayne and his wife found themselves travelling overseas in pursuit of the best treatment for Claudia. Their journey took them to Miami in the United States, where Wayne, facing the challenge of lacking insurance, ingeniously found ways to cover the mounting medical expenses. This included securing local employment and juggling work responsibilities with caring for their daughter. Despite the immense challenges, the treatment proved successful, and Claudia, now 23, leads a vibrant life. Though she lost her sight due to the treatment, Claudia remains active and joyful, particularly enjoying horse riding, often accompanied by her father, who acts as her guide on the trails.



When presented with the opportunity to lead the Auckland branch and then the combined RMHC nationwide, Wayne recognised himself as an ideal candidate. His firsthand experience of caring for his daughter, combined with his professional expertise honed during his tenure as an audit professional, uniquely positioned him for the role.



The charity Wayne leads supports parents and families navigating the challenges of medical treatment for their children. Wayne has drawn from his own experiences of both domestic and international medical journeys to lead the mission locally in Aotearoa NZ and his lived experience really helps him to empathise with the parents going through their own journeys.

"I've been in that situation personally. And so I know that the day-to-day challenges suddenly become monumental. They're not trivial matters that you can easily brush aside; they become significant hurdles in your mind because you're dealing with this trauma."



Ronald McDonald House Charities worldwide are dedicated to providing practical help and compassionate care to families of sick children. The RMHC team know the importance of empathy, support, and involving families in paediatric healthcare, and this was particularly relevant amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.



RMHC New Zealand operate on a $12 million annual budget, employs over 130 staff and relies on the dedication of around 400 volunteers. Its facilities, spanning across the country, include Houses in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, alongside Family Rooms in Auckland, Invercargill and Christchurch, and a Family Retreat in Rotorua. This retreat, situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua, serves families whose journeys have been particularly challenging.



Wayne's journey with RMHC began in June 2010 when he was appointed CEO of RMH Auckland Trust. He assumed the role of CEO of RMHC NZ in early 2015, overseeing the amalgamated trusts of RMH Auckland and RMH Wellington, and later the amalgamation of the South Island trust (RMHSI). His tenure includes four years as the first New Zealand representative advising RMHC Global on expansion and network strengthening and latterly on Global Impact Strategy.


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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 philanthropy expert and author Peter Winneke.


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Welcoming Emma Brown, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, to Purposely, where she shares her organisation's mission and her career journey, from public relations executive to non-profit leader.

Emma shares details of her recent cancer diagnosis, how she coped with the news, and how she has navigated work while leading an organisation and receiving treatment.



Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Emma moved to the UK in 2007. Marrying a Brit, they had three boys and settled into London life. In the first decade in London, Emma put her PR skills to work for several top brands, including Debenhams, Weight Watchers, Heineken, and others. In 2017, Emma swapped the corporate world for a role focused on purpose. Partly inspired by her children, she joined The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation as their Head of Communications, later being promoted to Director of Brand and Communication. The Foundation is an international charity supporting young people to find their purpose, place, and passion in the world. The accredited program is active in more than 120 countries, available to all 14 to 24-year-olds with the aim of being inclusive of all backgrounds, locations, cultures, and abilities. The aim is that each young person becomes part of something special while developing their individual interests, skills, and helping them to reach their potential and realize their dreams.



Founded in 1956, the Award highlights the value of Non-Formal Education and Learning. Today, there are consistently over a million young people taking on the Award’s challenge to believe in the power of their potential, make a difference in their community, and take control of their future.

In New Zealand, the International Award was launched in 1963, later rebranded as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, reflecting the impact Sir Edmund Hillary had on the Award in New Zealand. Locally, as it is globally, the focus is on helping young people to develop a skill, get physically active, give back to their communities, and take part in an adventure. The Award challenges young people to leave their comfort zones.



Emma has the unique position of having been involved in the Award in both the UK and New Zealand, although she quietly confesses to having started the Award herself as a young person but not completing it. She is passionate about the work they do and the difference they try to make in young lives. Emma points out that they are essentially an education framework that relies on their partner organisations to provide the Award's participants with a quality experience, one that is going to help add value and, in some cases, transform lives. Emma also talks about the uniqueness of the New Zealand Award, particularly in their commitment to biculturalism and upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.





Leading the Award in her country is a huge privilege for Emma, and her passion for the organisation she leads and her team is palpable. Despite all she has been through since taking on her first CEO role — moving countries, starting afresh in a new city, settling children in schools and buying a house, organising a Royal visit, dealing with breast cancer treatment — Emma is resilient and full of energy, and excited about the future of her organisation and the work they do to help young people reach their full potential and realise their dreams.








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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 Kate Brown CEO of Westminster Foundation




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