How Hard Can it Be?

Anna Marsden, Managing Director, Great Barrier Reef Foundation

In this conversation, we’re joined by Anna Marsden, Managing Director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and one of Australia’s most compelling voices in purpose-driven fundraising. In this conversation, Anna shares what it really takes to inspire generosity at scale: how to bring donors on the journey, build trust, and turn urgency into action. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at fundraising as both an art and a responsibility. Anna is delightfully warm, insightful, and deeply grounded in purpose. She generously offers lessons that go far beyond environmental giving; this is a conversation about impact, connection, and why the stories we tell truly matter.

Yvonne Zammit, executive in the arts and NFP philanthropy, sponsorship, government relations & communications

We are delighted to welcome Yvonne Zammit to this episode. Yvonne is an arts and non profit strategist and practitioner with over 18 years' experience in raising funds for some of Australia's leading arts companies including Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia. Most recently, Yvonne was Executive Director of the Powerhouse Museum Capital Campaign where she was instrumental in securing a $20 million gift which is one of Australia’s largest donations to a cultural organisation.  We hope you enjoy this conversation  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Louise Walsh, Founder & CEO, Walsh Capital

We are delighted to welcome Louise Walsh to this episode of How Hard Can It Be.  Louise is founder and CEO of Walsh Capital, a bespoke, third-party capital raising business based in Sydney. Before launching Walsh Capital in 2021, Louise was the CEO of the Future Generation companies where she grew Australian stock exchange listed funds by $1 billion dollars in assets in just six years. Additionally, Louise’s illustrious resume includes roles at the law firm Allens, the Sydney Olympics, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Artsupport Australia and Philanthropy Australia. Louise is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading philanthropic advisers and fundraising experts.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Louise Baxter, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Starlight Children's Foundation

In this episode we’re thrilled to speak with Louise Baxter, CEO and Executive Director of the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Louise began her career in marketing in the corporate sector, transferring to the non profit world in 2001.  She’s had over 17 year’s experience with Starlight and has been leading the organisation since 2009. Louise steered Starlight through the immediate aftermath of the global financial crisis as well as through the Covid-19 pandemic and yet despite these signficant challenges, under her leadership Starlight’s revenue has grown exponentially. Louise is a stunning and ever so compelling example of a CEO taking on the role of Chief Philanthropy Officer. We hope you enjoy this conversation. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Kenneth Watkins AM, Director of Philanthropy, The Australian Ballet

Our guest for this episode is the wonderful Kenneth Watkins AM, Philanthropy Director at The Australian Ballet and probably one of Australia’s best known fundraisers in the arts. He has worked tirelessly for the Ballet for more than 30 years, 17 of those as a member of the Executive team.  During this time, he has made a strong contribution to the vision, values and strategic objectives of the company. He has led the philanthropy team to increase the profile of The Australian Ballet as well as to ensure it has the resources to be one of the world’s premier ballet companies. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.