Kim McDonnell: From Outback to United Nations - Driving Global Change Through Gratitude

The Wisdom Of... with Simon Bowen

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, Simon Bowen explores transformative insights with Kim McDonnell, founder of Thankful and visionary social impact entrepreneur. From her roots in Mount Isa's outback to speaking at the United Nations, Kim shares powerful lessons about turning gratitude into action, creating authentic purpose-driven organizations, and catalyzing global change through interconnected solutions.

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Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and background

08:15 The power of thankfulness as action

15:23 Purpose beyond marketing

22:47 Interconnected global challenges

31:16 Long-term impact versus short-term gains

38:42 Future-proofing food systems

45:15 The journey from Mount Isa to global impact

About Kim McDonnell

Kim McDonnell is a visionary leader and innovative entrepreneur who has founded Thankful, an organization combining philanthropy and business to drive positive, sustainable, and scalable impact. With over 25 years of experience in the Australian advertising, digital, and data-driven marketing industry, Kim worked with international agencies including Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide before founding her award-winning agency CUBED Communications in 2005, which was later sold to Publicis Worldwide in 2014.

After selling everything she owned and relocating to New York, Kim dedicated herself to creating global change through various initiatives, including Thankful for Farmers and the tech start-up Saveful. Her work spans multiple critical issues, including gender equality, climate change, food waste, food security, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Kim has spoken at the United Nations, served as a member of the Professional Business Council Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, and was an Honorary Adviser to the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development NY.

Connect with Kim

• Website: https://www.kimmcdonnell.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmcdonnell1/

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with some of the most influential leaders across many complex industries and circumstances. His very clear finding is that thinking is valued less than doing in almost every situation in our modern world. However, Simon has conversely observed that the power and success of any business, project or organization will be in direct proportion to the level and quality of thinking of the people and the quality of the idea or ideas on which it is built. As such, Simon is leading the renaissance of thinking.

Connect with Simon

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/
• Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

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