For Love & Money

Ep 86 - Leading with Love: Peter ter Weeme on Purpose, Inclusion and Courage


Listen Later

In this powerful episode of the For Love & Money Podcast, Carolyn Butler-Madden speaks with Peter ter Weeme, a lifelong activist and global leader in values-based business.

Peter’s career has spanned corporate, government and nonprofit sectors across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. From his early awareness of apartheid in the 1980s to his leadership in the social purpose movement, Peter has always believed business must be about more than profit — it must also serve people and society.

In this conversation, Peter shares how love, inclusion and courage have shaped his journey. He speaks candidly about living as a gay man, raising a child with disabilities, and navigating a terminal cancer diagnosis — experiences that have deepened his philosophy of curiosity over judgment and his perspective on leadership and legacy.

This episode is both inspirational and practical — an invitation to reflect on what it means to lead with courage, authenticity and love.

Highlights from this episode:

  • The role of love in business and leadership (02:09)

  • How apartheid sparked Peter’s early awareness of consumer activism and purpose (03:33)

  • Reflections on meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the lessons that stayed with him (08:20)

  • Why shifting people’s thinking about the role of business is his proudest achievement (11:00)

  • Tackling complex industries with courage and curiosity (16:30)

  • Living with authenticity through a terminal cancer diagnosis (36:00)

  • The power of inclusion and belonging in workplaces (24:00)

  • Peter’s perspective on legacy, leadership and purpose (54:00)

    👤 About Peter ter Weeme

    Peter ter Weeme is a lifelong activist for purpose and a global leader in values-based business. His career has spanned corporate, government and nonprofit sectors across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. With an MBA in environmental management and a deep commitment to social change, Peter has designed campaigns and initiatives addressing issues from public health and climate action to environmental conservation, diversity and inclusion.

    In his most recent role, Peter serves as GM, Safer Gambling at a hospitality and entertainment company, where he leads strategy and programs focused on embedding social purpose at the heart of business. Prior to this,Peter was the Chief Social Purpose Officer & Vice President Player Experience at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. There he had responsibility for marketing, communications, safer gambling, sustainability and stakeholder relations.

    At the core of Peter’s work is his personal purpose: to give people the community and confidence required to solve the world’s social and environmental challenges. This commitment has shaped his career and continues to inspire the many people he has worked with around the globe.

    👉 If you’re inspired by this conversation, subscribe to the For Love & Money Podcast and explore more resources at thecauseeffect.com.au.

    Connect with Peter

    On Linkedin

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    For Love & MoneyBy Carolyn Butler- Madden


    More shows like For Love & Money

    View all
    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

    1,869 Listeners

    Background Briefing by ABC

    Background Briefing

    71 Listeners

    The Mentor with Mark Bouris by Mentored.com.au

    The Mentor with Mark Bouris

    51 Listeners

    All In The Mind by ABC

    All In The Mind

    785 Listeners

    Life Matters - Full program podcast by ABC

    Life Matters - Full program podcast

    60 Listeners

    Mamamia Out Loud by Mamamia Podcasts

    Mamamia Out Loud

    652 Listeners

    Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin by Seth Godin

    Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin

    1,756 Listeners

    Inside the Strategy Room by McKinsey & Company

    Inside the Strategy Room

    169 Listeners

    The Morning Edition by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

    The Morning Edition

    75 Listeners

    The Quicky by Mamamia Podcasts

    The Quicky

    100 Listeners

    7am by Solstice Media

    7am

    123 Listeners

    She's On The Money by Victoria Devine

    She's On The Money

    149 Listeners

    The Imperfects by Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg

    The Imperfects

    405 Listeners

    Full Story by The Guardian

    Full Story

    163 Listeners

    The Fin by Australian Financial Review

    The Fin

    18 Listeners