Doing Good Looks Different Here

Last week, we had the privilege of taking part in the University of Otago’s Business for Good speaker series – a brilliant initiative spotlighting organisations that are rewriting the rules on what business can look like when people and purpose are put first.

Our Strategic Wellbeing Manager Olivia took the stage to share Givenwell’s story, along with a few personal reflections on the journey that brought her here. It was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do – and why now, more than ever, the future of work needs to centre around trust, care and genuine wellbeing.

At Givenwell, we believe that work should be a place where people can thrive, not just survive. Our approach to employee wellbeing is rooted in flexibility, inclusion, and respect for the individual. Whether it’s through our no-disclosure wellbeing allowance, our 4-day work week, or our autonomy-first culture, we’re committed to building a model where trust isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a way of working.

The session covered a range of themes we’re deeply passionate about:

• Why we need to stop measuring people by their productivity and start focusing on their potential
• How autonomy and trust lead to healthier, higher-performing teams
• The importance of resilience in purpose-led work
• What actual flexible wellbeing support looks like
• The tangible ROI of doing good, including fresh insights from our recent Member Impact Survey

We’re grateful to Otago Business School for creating a platform for these conversations, and for the warm, thoughtful energy in the room. It was a privilege to speak to future leaders who are clearly hungry to challenge the status quo and reimagine what a good business looks like.

If you were there – thank you. We’d love to keep the kōrero going. Reach out to Olivia at olivia@givenwell.com.