At Kaizen West, powered by Spacecubed, we’re all about creating spaces where purpose and people connect, and few stories embody that better than 100 Women, a powerhouse philanthropic organisation giving back to women and girls across the globe. We recently caught up with the wonderful team to learn more about their journey, their impact, and why Kaizen West feels like home.
“I’ve been in the NFP space for close to 20 years,” shares Karen Brittain, 100 Women Executive Officer, reflecting on a career that’s taken her across the world, from China and Russia to Turkey and Canada. “I’ve worked in many different marketing, events, and partnerships roles, and every experience has shaped how I approach community and connection.”
When she returned to Perth in 2014, she joined Zonta House Refuge Association, where a new philanthropic giving circle called 100 Women was just beginning to make waves. “I wrote a grant application and we were incredibly moved when the 100 Women members collectively voted to spend $40,000 on our Positive Pathways program,” she recalls.
Fast forward 10 years, and the story has come full circle. “Now I’m on the other side — managing the staff and volunteers of 100 Women to give more than $200,000 every year to grassroots projects supporting women and girls, locally, nationally and internationally. It’s such a rewarding job!”
As 100 Women continues to grow, flexibility and community are key. “Kaizen West has so much going for it,” she says. “100 Women is building a community of givers, and we are nothing without connections and friendships. That’s why working in a coworking space is so strongly aligned with our purpose.”
From the event and boardroom spaces to the lounge, and with a podcast studio opening soon, Kaizen West has become their go-to base. “It’s also a perfect location,” she adds. “We love being part of a place that makes collaboration so easy.”
This past quarter, 100 Women hosted one of their biannual grant workshops at Kaizen West, a key part of their process where the grants committee deliberates and vets applications before members vote on where their pooled funds will go.
“Our normal space was no longer meeting our needs, so we were delighted that we could shift and hold a weekend event at Kaizen West with such ease,” she says. “The room is light and bright, the kitchen and AV were all set up — it was so easy!”
And the collaborations don’t stop there. “One of the best parts of joining Kaizen West has been the connections. Off the back of one of our many chats, we had Component6 come and check out the space, and they joined Kaizen West too. We then worked with them on our inaugural Solvathon, a hackathon-style event for charities. It was super convenient having them just 20 metres away to talk event logistics!”.
For a mostly remote team, having a space that feels welcoming and purposeful is everything. “Most of the time the 100 Women team work from home,” she shares. “Having Kaizen West as our second home has just felt right since we joined. They have a vibe that fits perfectly with our member community.”
As they continue to grow, 100 Women is inviting even more people to be part of the movement. “We hope to see more familiar faces here soon, and we welcome one and all to join 100 Women. It costs less than $1 a day to be involved and make a difference!”
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✨ Join the Movement: To learn more or become a member of 100 Women, visit: 100women.com.au
🏢 Visit Kaizen West: Discover a workspace designed for collaboration, creativity, and community. Book your drop in day here: https://hello.spacecubed.com/kaizen-west
