The legends:

JENNY KENDRICK

Have you ever walked into Pequeño for their Thursday eve Jazz night and been swept off your feet by a badass transgender woman named Jenny? Well friends, if you haven't you’re missing out. An artist, comedian, dancer, Buddhist, ambassador, wedding celebrant (to name a few!), Jenny is making the world a better place one beam of kindness at a time. Jenny’s message was one of being brave and bold in your own uniqueness. Her personal story of embracing her own uniqueness was filled with very tough moments, teaching us that many leaders are seeds planted in dark soils but who grow and flourish in the face of adversity.

"If you leave this space and start being your authentic self then you are a leader" - Jenny B

MISSY PARATA

Sometimes you have to play the game to change it. Missy is an unapologetic young Māori wāhine who is using her voice to change conventional ‘leadership’ spaces. Missy works alongside the Dunedin Youth Council on its TUIA kaupapa, is a full-time Youth Justice Worker at Te Hou Ora Whānau Services, and host of the podcast ‘The Loud Silence’ - creating space for people who are tired of screaming without being heard, guided by Māoritanga and human connection. Missy’s message was about using her platform to shift systems for the people around her, and how stepping in to her own power enabled her to do that.

"I wanted to be at the table so I could help the people that always got left behind... I'm the rain to water your seeds to help them grow." - Missy

On Purpose 2021

Back for it’s second year, challenging mainstream conceptions about Leadership and Social Impact, On Purpose 2021 got powerful and personal.

We continued our collective realisation that a leaders and social impact doesn’t always look the way we’re told it should. On Purpose 2021 was a night to celebrate the many shapes and forms social change takes: badass, disruptive, unexpected, creative, big, small and everything in between.

We hosted 3 legends to share their stories and challenge mainstream assumptions about what leadership and social impact looks like. Generously sponsored by our mates at Canon and hosted at Kind Company (who themselves challenge assumptions in delicious ways). WHAT AN EVENING!!

Last but not least… in typical unexpected fashion we flipped the mic on our beautiful MC Amal, who finished the evening sharing her story

AMAL ABDULLAHI

Amal is at once the most sassy, vulnerable, badass, soft, fierce, and heart warming human you may ever meet. From being a full-time student to hosting the podcast of Headscarves and Good Yarns Amal is a learner and challenger, who with endless amounts of empathy creates space for other to get uncomfy and confront topics such as race, inclusion and diversity. She embodies her kaupapa of celebrating the differences we have in our community. Amal’s message centred around the personal-ness of leadership and political identity, and the structures behind conventional leadership that hide, hinder and diminish diverse vibrant leaders.

"Leadership is... honouring-yourself" - Amal