What ELS?

About What ELS?

Ethics are the very essence of what makes us human. Yet most of us aren’t fully aware of how ethics impact our decisions, actions and relationships. What ELS? is a new podcast born from the conviction that ethical leadership is a tool that we can use with much intentionality to create pathways towards better futures. Ethical leadership is about making decisions for the common good. It is about navigating ethical dilemmas with integrity. And it is about living by our values. What else? Tune in to these inspiring Ethical Leadership Stories to find out.

Publisher

Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Feb 2026

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Dr Kabo Matlho & Professor Alan Win on ethical supply chains as instruments of social infrastructure

   Dr Kabo Matlho is a medical scientist, a public health and community-health practitioner.  A passionate social justice advocate, Kabo works to empower people and strengthen communities. With HERO4Humanity, he aims to bring together partners from across sectors to develop practical solutions to complex social challenges. Professor Alan Win is a New Zealand-based expert in logistics, supply chain management, and strategic operations, with extensive experience spanning academia, industry, and international consulting. He serves as a Professor at the University of Sydney, and has taught executive and postgraduate programmes at leading institutions across New Zealand, Australia, China, and the Middle East. In this episode, the pair - who bonded over their commitment to advance fairness, resilience, and shared prosperity in communities the world over - share their journey of reinventing supply chains as a vehicle for enduring social change. Working from traditional supply chain management systems, they developed deep expertise in designing supply chains that improve people’s lives. Their model is called Human Flourishing Supply Chain Management (HFSCM)™.  HFSCM™ is a research and practice agenda: one that retains the operational and economic requirements of supply chain management while asking whether the systems upon which contemporary life depends strengthen the ability of people, communities and future generations to flourish. For more on Human Flourishing Supply Chain Management (HFSCM)™, read the research paper (https://www.hero4humanity.org/our-work/learning-resources/hfscm-conceptual-paper). --- This episode is part of ‘Transformative ideas for better futures’, a collection we curated to highlight a selection of innovative and bold ideas from across the world that have proven their potential for long term systems transformation. In our conversations with the leaders and practitioners who have applied and experimented with these ideas, models and frameworks, we uncover their stories of innovation, hands-on practice, and action learning. These leaders are at the forefront of the radical change our societies need. They offer insights and guidance that will inspire and equip others to follow in their footsteps and contribute to a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable world. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

2. 

   24 Aug 2026

   Shruthi Vijayakumar on Indigenous and traditional wisdom approaches to systems change

   Shruthi Vijayakumar is a New Zealand-based systems thinker, educator, coach and social entrepreneur whose work focuses on regenerative leadership, transforming economic systems, and supporting changemakers working towards social and ecological wellbeing. Her practice has been shaped through years of work with organisations and leaders across New Zealand, India, South Africa, Rwanda, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries. In this episode, Shruthi speaks to her practice of weaving Indigenous and traditional wisdom into systems change work. The Haumanu framework, that she designed in collaboration with the Centre for Social Impact, brings our attention to the deeper levels of collective transformation - the spaces where individual pain and collective trauma are held - and offers a pathway to acknowledge, address, heal and restore, so we can lead from a place of safety, calm and positive connection. This episode is part of ‘Transformative ideas for better futures’, a collection we curated to highlight a selection of innovative and bold ideas from across the world that have proven their potential for long term systems transformation. In our conversations with the leaders and practitioners who have applied and experimented with these ideas, models and frameworks, we uncover their stories of innovation, hands-on practice, and action learning. These leaders are at the forefront of the radical change our societies need. They offer insights and guidance that will inspire and equip others to follow in their footsteps and contribute to a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable world. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

3. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Toon Molleman on putting humanity, dignity and reintegration at the core of the prison system.

   Toon Molleman is the National Director of the prison and immigration detention division of the Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen (DJI), the Netherlands’ custodial agency within the Ministry of Justice and Security. Throughout his career, Toon has been a fierce advocate for restorative incarceration - working to change the systems, the culture and the narrative to ensure that time in prison is designed as a time of opportunity, through an experience that centers humanity, dignity and balanced power dynamics. In this episode, Toon explains how the Risk-Need-Responsivity model (RNR) has been guiding his practice to foster rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. A highly effective behaviour change model, RNR is rooted in criminology yet can be applied to many other sectors where the consideration of the audience’s responsivity, learning style, strengths, abilities, and inherent motivation are considered key levers to foster positive behaviour change. This episode is part of ‘Transformative ideas for better futures’, a collection we curated to highlight a selection of innovative and bold ideas from across the world that have proven their potential for long term systems transformation. In our conversations with the leaders and practitioners who have applied and experimented with these ideas, models and frameworks, we uncover their stories of innovation, hands-on practice, and action learning. These leaders are at the forefront of the radical change our societies need. They offer insights and guidance that will inspire and equip others to follow in their footsteps and contribute to a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable world. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

4. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Huda Jaffer on the transformative power of decentralized, context-driven innovation

   Huda Jaffer is a strong advocate for putting true inclusion and equity at the core of a just economic transition. In her Director role at SELCO Foundation in Bangalore, India, this translates into a strong focus on user-centric design as she and her team work with some of the poorest communities to create affordable, scalable, and replicable solutions to alleviating poverty and adapting to climate change. In this episode, Huda explains how the ‘radical end user centricity’ approach, combined with SELCO’s very own ecosystem building framework, leads to solutions that are community-owned, sustainable through time, and replicable. The highly contextualised approach to ecosystem building interventions enable SELCO to create pathways for inclusive transformation, with care and with community. This episode is part of ‘Transformative ideas for better futures’, a collection we curated to highlight a selection of innovative and bold ideas from across the world that have proven their potential for long term systems transformation. In our conversations with the leaders and practitioners who have applied and experimented with these ideas, models and frameworks, we uncover their stories of innovation, hands-on practice, and action learning. These leaders are at the forefront of the radical change our societies need. They offer insights and guidance that will inspire and equip others to follow in their footsteps and contribute to a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable world. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

5. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Kaj Lofgren on building transitional infrastructure for the regeneration of place

   Kaj Lofgren founded Regen Melbourne at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the Black Summer fires. Five years on, what started as a community-research project has turned into an innovative engine for collaboration in service of the regeneration of place. In this episode, Kaj explains how they embraced the Doughnut Economics model to develop a shared vision and a roadmap for collective action. The model has been applied and downscaled by over one hundred communities and places across the world by now, and is one that has proven its impact and potential to shift entire ecosystems closer to more regenerative and equitable futures. This episode is part of ‘Transformative ideas for better futures’, a collection we curated to highlight a selection of innovative and bold ideas from across the world that have proven their potential for long term systems transformation. In our conversations with the leaders and practitioners who have applied and experimented with these ideas, models and frameworks, we uncover their stories of innovation, hands-on practice, and action learning. These leaders are at the forefront of the radical change our societies need. They offer insights and guidance that will inspire and equip others to follow in their footsteps and contribute to a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable world. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

6. 

   3 Mar 2026

   Rebecca Rolls on self-awareness and lifelong learning

   Her early career as an elite athlete has shaped Rebecca Rolls’s approach to leadership ever since. Rolls, the inaugural CEO of the Sport Integrity Commission - Te Kahu Raunui, reflects on the importance of knowing your own limitations, surrounding yourself with people who know more than you, and remaining committed to learning new things. This episode offers the highly personal story of a leader whose diverse career has shaped a very grounded and authentic approach to leadership. This episode is part of ‘Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand’, a collection that features the stories of six acclaimed New Zealand change-makers and their personal journey of ethical leadership. Together, these stories offer a great breadth of voices that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s diversity: leaders from various cultural backgrounds and upbringings, who are anchored in different communities, and who are making a positive difference to Aotearoa’s future by shifting the dial in various sectors of the economy. By sharing these real-life stories in a way that is humble, authentic and meaningful, we aim to demystify ethics, and make ethical leadership a concept we all become more fluent in, and a skill we all become more nimble with. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

7. 

   23 Feb 2026

   Guy Ryan on leading with authenticity and respect

   Guy Ryan recently made the big decision to step away from the organisation that he founded and poured his heart and soul into for so many years (Inspiring Stories) to become the new CEO of the Wellington Hospitals Foundation. This episode offers the honest and humble story of a leader who invented himself as a successful social entrepreneur at the age of 24, and has had the recent experience of reinventing himself as the CEO of a very different type of organisation. --- This episode is part of ‘Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand’, a collection that featuring the stories of six acclaimed New Zealand change-makers and their personal journey of ethical leadership. Together, these stories offer a great breadth of voices that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s diversity: leaders from various cultural backgrounds and upbringings, who are anchored in different communities, and who are making a positive difference to Aotearoa’s future by shifting the dial in various sectors of the economy. By sharing these real-life stories in a way that is humble, authentic and meaningful, we aim to demystify ethics, and make ethical leadership a concept we all become more fluent in, and a skill we all become more nimble with. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

8. 

   23 Feb 2026

   John Berry on moving mountains to shift entire industries

   When John Berry co-founded Pathfinder, a successful ethical KiwiSaver and ethical investment fund, back in 2009, the industry was not quite ready. It was really hard to get private investors’ interest and traction in this new way of thinking. But Berry persisted with his vision, and Pathfinder continued to expand its strategies for inducing positive investment and amplifying good through the way they invest. This episode offers the authentic story of a visionary leader whose contribution has turned a whole industry on its head, led by his dedication to the wellbeing of people and planet. This episode is part of ‘Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand’, a collection that features the stories of six acclaimed New Zealand change-makers and their personal journey of ethical leadership. Together, these stories offer a great breadth of voices that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s diversity: leaders from various cultural backgrounds and upbringings, who are anchored in different communities, and who are making a positive difference to Aotearoa’s future by shifting the dial in various sectors of the economy. By sharing these real-life stories in a way that is humble, authentic and meaningful, we aim to demystify ethics, and make ethical leadership a concept we all become more fluent in, and a skill we all become more nimble with. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

9. 

   23 Feb 2026

   Julia Pahina on pushing boundaries with courage and empathy

   Julia Pahina is a self-declared ‘walkout’ and ‘trailblazer’. An award-winning social entrepreneur in the space of technology and Artificial Intelligence, she is dedicated to transforming the technology sector through digital equity and diverse representation, specifically by creating pathways for Pacific peoples. Pahina mentors others to build their own autonomy, agency and self-determination, and to remain guided by their values, their culture, and what she calls ‘Ancestral Intelligence’. This episode offers the energising story of a passionate and dedicated leader whose early career in the corporate world led her to a place that’s much closer to home, physically and emotionally. --- This episode is part of ‘Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand’, a collection that features the stories of six acclaimed New Zealand change-makers and their personal journey of ethical leadership. Together, these stories offer a great breadth of voices that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s diversity: leaders from various cultural backgrounds and upbringings, who are anchored in different communities, and who are making a positive difference to Aotearoa’s future by shifting the dial in various sectors of the economy. By sharing these real-life stories in a way that is humble, authentic and meaningful, we aim to demystify ethics, and make ethical leadership a concept we all become more fluent in, and a skill we all become more nimble with. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

10. 

    23 Feb 2026

    Caren Rangi on whakawhanaungatanga and being good stewards

    Caren Rangi has over 25 years of experience as a professional Board member for organisations across the private, public, non-for-profit and community sectors. Rangi speaks beautifully about the role of Boards and good governance, and about the process of forging and strengthening relationships, in line with the Māori process of whakawhanaungatanga - which is about creating space to connect with each other, build connections, and define shared aspirations. This episode offers the insightful story of a highly experienced governor whose unique lens on ethical leadership has been shaped by layers of indigenous wisdom, personal worldviews, and real-life experiences. This episode is part of ‘Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand’, a collection that features the stories of six acclaimed New Zealand change-makers and their personal journey of ethical leadership. Together, these stories offer a great breadth of voices that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s diversity: leaders from various cultural backgrounds and upbringings, who are anchored in different communities, and who are making a positive difference to Aotearoa’s future by shifting the dial in various sectors of the economy. By sharing these real-life stories in a way that is humble, authentic and meaningful, we aim to demystify ethics, and make ethical leadership a concept we all become more fluent in, and a skill we all become more nimble with. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

11. 

    23 Feb 2026

    Bruce Picot on community as the vision, the craft, and the cause

    Bruce ‘Pic’ Picot is well-known for making some bold decisions at Pic’s Peanut Butter, which he started almost a decade ago, for championing radical changes, and for using provocation to trigger positive outcomes. He strongly believes that business leaders should be using the means at their disposal to inspire others, to pass on the gift that others previously passed onto them, and to care for the community. This episode offers the bold and courageous story of a leader who doesn’t shy away from making radical business decisions to benefit communities and trigger change in others. This episode is part of ‘Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand’, a collection that features the stories of six acclaimed New Zealand change-makers and their personal journey of ethical leadership. Together, these stories offer a great breadth of voices that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s diversity: leaders from various cultural backgrounds and upbringings, who are anchored in different communities, and who are making a positive difference to Aotearoa’s future by shifting the dial in various sectors of the economy. By sharing these real-life stories in a way that is humble, authentic and meaningful, we aim to demystify ethics, and make ethical leadership a concept we all become more fluent in, and a skill we all become more nimble with. What ELS? is a podcast by the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership | Aritahi (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ethical-leadership),  at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. It is curated and produced by advisory firm Pocketknife (https://www.pocketknife.co.nz/).

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