Welcoming Craig Hudson to GivenwellWelcoming Craig Hudson to Givenwell

At Givenwell, our mission is simple: empower employees to take charge of their mental and physical health on their own terms. That mission just gained a powerful new champion. We’re thrilled to welcome Craig Hudson as our new Chief Customer Officer – a move recently featured in the Sunday Star Times, and the Otago Daily Times. 

Craig brings a unique blend of startup grit, corporate leadership, and personal advocacy for mental health. His career includes leadership roles at Xero and NZTE, where he championed initiatives that made a measurable impact on employee wellbeing.

A Career Built on Purpose and Impact

Craig’s professional journey is driven by a commitment to aligning work with values. After leading Xero’s New Zealand and Pacific operations and spearheading wellbeing programs like the Xero Assistance Programme, he took a sabbatical to rebalance and reflect.

“I’ve built businesses, led teams, and taken time to reflect. What I wanted next was purpose, flexibility, and a chance to reconnect with the coal face,” he says.

“But I also didn’t want to be just the wellbeing guy. I wanted to reconnect with the commercial hustle – without losing the heart.”

That search for alignment led him to Givenwell, where empowering employees through choice and confidentiality is at the heart of our approach.

Why Craig Chose Givenwell

When it comes to workplace wellbeing, one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work. Craig was drawn to our model because it flips the script:

• Choice – Employees decide what wellbeing means to them.
• Confidentiality – No one else sees how they use their allowance.
• Impact – Customers report dramatic improvements in wellbeing, engagement, and retention.

“That moment when an employer says, ‘We’ve got you — spend this on yourself’ can be life-changing,” Craig notes.

Proven Results in Year One

In our first year, customers have reported:

• 100% increase in staff reporting “great” wellbeing
• 30% increase in staff motivation and engagement
• 33% increase in staff rating their employer as a great place to work
• 99% utilisation of wellbeing allowances (compared to ~5% for traditional EAPs)

These numbers highlight the real ROI of giving employees meaningful, confidential support.

Looking Ahead

As Chief Customer Officer, Craig will help us scale locally and globally, deepen customer relationships, and ensure every employer who partners with Givenwell sees tangible results in wellbeing and performance.

“When you prioritise wellbeing for your team, you see better engagement, fewer sick days, stronger retention, and improved performance. It’s a win for everyone,” says Givenwell founder and CEO Jonny Mirkin.

Learn more about how we at Givenwell can help your business support employee wellbeing with choice, confidentiality, and measurable results at givenwell.com.