Boards with Purpose

In this episode, Phil sits down with Rachael McLennan, co-founder of People for Purpose, for a thoughtful and practical conversation on succession planning in the not-for-profit sector. Together, they explore how rising community expectations, increased regulation and greater scrutiny are driving a more intentional approach to board and executive succession. Rachael highlights the shift from informal, relationship-based appointments to strategically aligned recruitment grounded in purpose, skills, diversity of perspective and future needs. She emphasises that effective succession planning is not a moment in time, but a continuous, forward-looking discipline embedded in strategy.
The discussion also examines what high-performing boards are doing well — from setting clear term expectations and aligning director "superpowers" to strategy, to using robust board reviews and nominations committees to drive accountability and improvement. Rachael reflects on the importance of strong chairs, healthy board culture, and honest conversations about CEO succession, internal bench strength and risk appetite. Looking ahead, they consider the impact of AI, remuneration pressures, evolving workforce expectations and the growing complexity of leadership in the sector. The episode offers practical insights for boards and executives committed to building sustainable, future-ready governance in an increasingly demanding environment.
Learn more about People for Purpose: https://peopleforpurpose.com.au/

In our debut episode of Board with Purpose, we sit down with Zoe Black, Founder & CEO of Happy Paws Happy Hearts, and Mark Osborn, the organisation's chair, for a powerful conversation on the challenge of measuring impact in a not-for-profit organisation. 
Authentic, candid and full of practical insight, we delve into: 
How impact data informs governance, board decision‑making and strategic planning 
The importance of CEO wellbeing, including Zoe's transformative three‑month sabbatical 
Balancing impact and sustainability in a changing NDIS landscape 
Scaling a purpose‑driven model across diverse communities 
Building board capability and culture for long‑term success 
Zoe and Mark generously take us inside the Happy Paws Happy Hearts organisation and board, sharing its journey of impact measurement so far. 
Here are just a handful of many noteworthy takeaways:
Traditional output metrics fall short. A robust Theory of Change fundamentally reshaped how Happy Paws Happy Hearts understands and delivers impact. 
Measuring impact requires trauma‑aware approaches that avoid retraumatising participants while still capturing meaningful outcomes. 
Thoughtful impact reporting can strengthen participant agency, giving beneficiaries tools to advocate for themselves in complex support systems. 
Embedding impact into organisational strategy demands board commitment—integrating it into dashboards, conversations and decision‑making processes. 
Purpose‑driven organisations must carefully balance scale and sustainability without compromising the integrity of their mission. 
Effective governance requires navigating shifting NDIS reforms, regional growth pressures, and a clearly defined risk appetite. 
Leadership wellbeing is critical; conversations about burnout, sabbaticals and "healthy compassion" reveal what it takes to sustain impactful work over the long term. 
Learn more about Happy Paws Happy Hearts: https://www.hphhfoundation.org/ 
Thank you to Impact Culture Australian for their assistance in this episode of Boards With Purpose. https://impactcultureaustralia.com.au/

Mergers have added complexity in a sector that is driven by purpose. NFP Sector Leader, Phil Butler is joined by Verity Hawkins GAICD and Graeme Innes AM GAICD to discuss their own experiences in leading mergers in the sector, and the challenges that that lie ahead.

Aged Care & Community Services CEO Pat Sparrow talks about the role of aged care in society, how the sector is coping with the challenges of COVID-19, the board/CEO relationship, emerging models of care, and the urgent reform needed in the sector.

Charitable giving is evolving. How do you stand out in a crowded funding environment?
Katherine Raskob, CEO of Fundraising Australia, and Rick Millen, UNHRC director, discuss how boards can support the fundraising function in the evolving NFP landscape.