Behind the Impact: Corinne Habel

Behind the Impact.

Creating real change for the children, families and communities ChildFund Australia supports doesn’t happen alone. It takes a team working across borders, time zones and challenges. Our Behind the Impact series gives you a closer look at what drives our team. Here, Chief Development Officer Corinne Habel shares how she started in non-profits, the podcasts that kickstart her day and the young girls who inspire her, plus how your support makes it all possible.

How she starts the day

I’m an early riser and usually up around 5 a.m. Some mornings I head to the gym or Pilates, while other mornings I use the quiet time to get ahead on work. My husband is always there with coffee and my cat curled up on my lap. It’s the perfect start to the day. I like to catch up on the New York Times and the Sydney Morning Herald and sometimes The Economist if I’m feeling particularly nerdy.I check emails and scroll social media (the usual suspects: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), and on the way to the office, I listen to the New York Times Daily podcast.

This quiet routine lets me reflect on tricky issues before the day begins so that when I arrive at work, I can focus fully. Once I’m in the office, I make a point to walk around and check in with my team, saying good morning and getting a sense of how everyone is feeling. Culture is everything to me. It sets the tone for all the work we do and the energy in the office.

A career with unexpected turns

My career definitely hasn’t been linear. I started as a Certified Public Accountant but quickly realised it wasn’t for me. After completing my MBA, I joined the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Washington, D.C., where I discovered I could build a career while making a real difference. I moved from accounting into the international programs team, helping set up offices across the Asia Pacific and travelling extensively.

Eventually, I found my way into fundraising, leading a $150 million campaign, and I fell in love with the transformative power of fundraising. Being able to see how raising funds directly impacts programs and changes lives is incredibly rewarding. As a mother of four, supporting mothers, children and families through my work resonates deeply and continues to drive me every day.

Along the way I also joined boards, which has been such a rewarding experience. I’ve served on the boards of organisations like MS Plus and MS Australia and other non-profits, which has given me the chance to contribute strategically, see the bigger picture and help shape an organisation’s direction. It deepens your understanding of governance, accountability and impact.

Why ChildFund

I’ve spent most of my career in international development and have the chance to visit many programs around the world. In 2023, I spent a week in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, visiting a refugee camp. The young girls I met had big dreams – pilots, teachers, doctors – but what they wanted most was safety. Seeing how ChildFund delivers that through safe spaces, education and time to connect with peers reminded me why I do this work. It was one of the most transformative experiences of my career. I was surprised by how deeply it affected me. Meeting these girls and understanding the barriers they face reinforced the importance of every program we deliver, every dollar we raise and every step we take to protect and empower children and families.

What’s inspiring her now

I’m inspired by so many things, from the young girls in our programs to leaders in the broader world. Recently, I joined a webinar with Melinda French Gates on the future of women’s health, and even at an early hour in Australia, I was motivated by her vision of the future and the important role improving women’s health plays in building healthy families. Supported by a Pivotal Foundation grant, ChildFund is innovating and scaling programs in this area, and I’m excited to see the impact we will create over the next few years.

I’m also inspired by leaders like Michelle Obama, whose insight, pragmatism and wisdom continually remind me of the power of strategic, empathetic leadership, while also balancing the joy and challenges of motherhood.

Celebrating wins

Celebrating success, big and small, is vital. At ChildFund, I highlight achievements through Friday email shout-outs, handwritten thank-you notes and peer nominated awards for values driven performance during staff meetings. At home, we usually celebrate with a dinner out – and everything is sweeter with ice-cream! (Food is definitely my love language.) These moments help me stay grounded, reflect on achievements and appreciate the efforts of the people around me.

Best advice she’s received

Early in my career, a manager gave me very sage advice: surround yourself with the best people and let them do their jobs. I try not to micromanage, even though I do love the details! And always, always, always put your people and culture first. When staff feel motivated and inspired, everything else falls into place. That approach guides all of our work, from program delivery to fundraising.

How she stays motivated

By remembering why we do this work. Seeing children and families benefit from programs reminds me that every challenge is worth it. It keeps me going, even on the busiest days.

Why donor support matters

We are so lucky to have an incredible cohort of donors, many supporting ChildFund for over 30 years! None of us take that generosity for granted. Having visited our field programs, I see firsthand how their contributions change children’s lives. Every day, we witness the difference ChildFund makes for children around the world. Every donation transforms lives, strengthens communities and drives the change we’re so passionate about.