In this episode of Community Matters, CEO of Warrigal, Jenni Hutchins, joins Nicky Sloan for a powerful conversation about leadership, workplace culture and how the way we treat our employees has a direct impact on the people they care for. 

Jenni shares the remarkable story behind Warrigal achieving a 100% employee engagement survey response rate across more than 2,500 staff, breaking Australian records and proving that when people genuinely believe their voices matter, extraordinary things can happen. From reducing staff turnover to creating predictable care teams, Jenni explains how investing in culture doesn't just improve workplaces. It creates safer, more consistent care, helping older people feel known, loved and connected. 

Together, Jenni and Nicky explore what it really means to build a values-driven organisation. They discuss why culture is much more than words on a wall, how it starts with the board and leadership teams setting the tone for the entire organisation, and why listening, psychological safety and genuine human connection are essential to creating environments where both employees and residents thrive. 

The conversation explores how Warrigal's vision, A world where older people feel known, loved, and connected, shapes every decision the organisation makes. Jenni explains why this vision serves as the organisation's north star, influencing its culture, leadership and ultimately the experience of every older person in its care. 

This episode is filled with practical leadership insights, inspiring stories and thought-provoking reflections for anyone leading a team, working in aged care, or wanting to create workplaces where people genuinely want to belong. 

Links & Resources:

• Warrigal – Warrigal – Residential, Retirement & Home Care in Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Canberra

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

”Jarvic 8” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/