Alex Vynokur arrived in Australia aged 16 and unable to speak English. He went on to co-found leading ETF manager, Betashares, where he is currently CEO. After initially feeling shock and anger in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Alex helped to establish the United Ukraine Appeal, a registered Australian charity providing humanitarian aid to people affected by the conflict. Alex tells an amazing story as he charts his life’s journey and his efforts as a founder, funder and Director of the United Ukraine Appeal.

Kristy Muir is CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation and a Professor of Social Policy in the Business School at UNSW Sydney. In this episode Kristy’s passion for evidence-based social justice is on full display. Kristy talks about her belief in the power of culture and how her values shape her work as a leader. We also examine how the Paul Ramsay Foundation works to break cycles of disadvantage by enabling people and places to thrive.

Susheela Peres da Costa is a leader in the field of responsible investment. Purpose sits at the heart of her work with organisations like The Stewardship Centre, Beyond Zero Emissions and the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. In this episode, Susheela talks about different approaches to investing responsibly, the relationship between risk, return and impact and the ever-growing opportunity for long term investors to generate financial, social and environmental value.

Daniel Petre AO has spent his career at the cutting edge of business. He’s particularly well known for his achievements in tech and venture capital. A long-time philanthropist, Daniel talks about his belief that financially successful people should be giving more and giving thoughtfully, something he learnt first-hand from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. This episode was recorded using Zoom and you may notice some minor audio distortion.

Vicki Condon AM is the founder and CEO of Raise, the youth mentoring foundation. In the midst of a destabilising global pandemic, Vicki explains how mentoring builds resilience and how the benefits can be felt across a whole community. This episode was recorded using Zoom on 31 August 2021

Warren McFarlan is a legend of the Harvard Business School. Over the last 50 years he has made major contributions to the work of the School at home in Boston, in Switzerland and in China. A former Chairman of the Advanced Management Program, he is best known in Australia for his work teaching governance and leadership development to non-profit directors and executives. Warren’s latest book is ‘Effective Fundraising – The Trustee’s Role and Beyond’. Here, he covers the book’s main themes, reflects on non-profit governance and leadership in Australia and provides an update on the American fundraising climate. This episode was recorded using Zoom on 22 June 2021.

Orange Sky is the world’s first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness – an idea founded in a Brisbane garage by two 20-year-old mates, Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett. In recognition of their achievement in founding and leading Orange Sky, Nic and Lucas were subsequently named 2016 Young Australians of the Year and in 2020 they were each awarded an Order of Australia Medal. In this very frank and revealing conversation, Nic and Lucas talk about the magic of Orange Sky, the value of learning from your own mistakes and the importance of ‘just giving it a go’.

Few people know the communities of our wide brown land as well as Natalie Egleton, CEO of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. In this episode, Natalie shares her experience of inequality, resilience, disaster recovery and the vital role philanthropy plays in uniting people across Australia. This episode was recorded using Zoom on 7 December 2020.

You find time for the things you love, says Cav. Simon Mordant AO, in a conversation that shines light on a life of purpose and achievement. Starting with little more than a pair of cuff-links, Simon has fashioned a rich philanthropic and cultural life from a career as one of Australia’s top corporate financiers. As Simon prepares to step down as Chairman of the Museum of Contemporary Art, he reflects on the amazing contribution he has made to Australian cultural life and the philanthropic journey he has been on with his wife, Catriona.

In this episode we speak to Malcolm Turnbull, the 29th Prime Minister of Australia. Malcolm talks about philanthropy, impact investing and the merits of choosing a purposeful life. Along the way, we discuss the importance of the non-profit sector and Malcolm offers tips to charities seeking government support. There is even a guest appearance from Malcolm’s wife, Lucy. This podcast was recorded on 7 May 2020. Consequently, it includes Malcolm’s assessment of Australia’s COVID-19 response and the outlook for Australia, as its people grapple with the effects of a global pandemic.