In this powerful episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Howard Taylor, Chief Executive of Lumos Foundation — the global charity founded to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, loving family.

Howard’s story spans the corridors of government, corporate boardrooms, and the United Nations. From his early years in India to leading international development efforts for the UK government, heading global programmes at the Nike Foundation, and tackling violence against children at the UN, his journey reveals how purpose and pragmatism can come together to drive real systemic change.

This is a conversation about leadership, optimism, and what it takes to change systems that have failed children for generations. Howard shares the inside story of how Lumos has already helped reunite over 280,000 children with families — and why the charity is now focusing upstream, preventing family separation before it happens.

Whether you work in the charity sector, government, or business, Howard’s reflections on cross-sector leadership, adaptability, and long-term impact will leave you inspired to think bigger about change.

• Howard Taylor leads Lumos Foundation, ensuring every child grows up in a loving family.

• Lumos has reunited over 280,000 children with families across the world.

• Howard’s career spans UK Government, Nike Foundation, and the United Nations.

• He shares lessons on resilience, purpose, and the power of optimism in leadership.

• Discover how corporate tools and public sector thinking can unite to deliver social impact.

• Learn why systemic change is the only way to truly transform global child welfare.

  
  

00:00 – Introduction to Howard Taylor and Lumos Foundation
05:06 – The role of optimism in leadership
07:50 – Journey into the charity sector
10:40 – Early career in government and international development
13:24 – From government to corporate philanthropy
16:18 – The Girl Effect and the power of storytelling
19:25 – Nonprofit vs corporate cultures
24:35 – Lessons from early life and leadership
26:49 – Tackling global challenges at the UN
29:25 – Joining Lumos: a new chapter
35:51 – Lumos Foundation’s mission and future
40:02 – Howard’s reflections and advice

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