Supporting people experiencing homelessness through free laundry, showers and conversation

Awarded Young Australian of the Year in 2016 and a 2020 Order of Australia medal, Nic has a passion and commitment to supporting people doing it tough. Nic has been instrumental in the significant growth of Orange Sky and is passionate about leading Orange Sky to deliver on its five year strategy of supporting 40,000 friends by 2025.
Nic pioneered the integration of technology into Orange Sky’s operations and helped lead the development of the Orange Sky Portal and App. This in-house built technology provides Orange Sky with meaningful insights on how the organisation is performing and allows staff to make more informed decisions and was the foundation for the Volaby project for which Google awarded Orange Sky $1 million dollars to commercialise the software. Volaby supports other not-for-profits track their operations, engage volunteers, and amplify their impact.

Nic was selected as one of 200 Leaders from 33 countries and territories to attend the 2019 Obama Foundation Leaders Program in Kuala Lumpur, meeting with Former President & First Lady Barack & Michelle Obama to discuss a variety of issues, ranging from education, to environment to entrepreneurship. Nic was also the lucky recipient of the 2020 Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship taking him to Stanford Graduate School of Business in the United States.

Nic previously worked as a camera operator and editor for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and for the Seven Network. In these roles, Nic developed a passion for sharing people’s stories in a meaningful way to foster connection. As a result of Nic’s influence, storytelling is central to Orange Sky’s culture and is the cornerstone of the organisation’s brand, audience engagement and creative content.

Nic has played a critical role in the strategic direction of Orange Sky. He fosters a culture of creativity, connection and hard work. The framework underpinning the internal culture at Orange Sky mirrors many of the attributes and characteristics he lives by. Nic is currently the Co-Founder and Chief Delta Officer (CDO) at Orange Sky, read on for our interview with him!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

My career path has been quite varied! I started my first business, a tiling venture, when I was just seven years old. Later, I developed a passion for media and pursued a career in the television industry. Eventually, I became fascinated with startups, which led me to become the Co-Founder of Orange Sky with Lucas Patchett when we were both 20. Despite having no formal qualifications, we were driven by our enthusiasm and willingness to try new things. Lucas’s intelligence and our shared commitment were crucial in getting Orange Sky to where it is today, supporting the growing number of Aussies doing it tough with access to free laundry facilities, a warm shower and most importantly a place for genuine conversation.

What does this role mean to you?

Innovation is part of our DNA at Orange Sky and continues to be the driving force behind our five year strategy. Our target is to triple our impact by 2025 whilst exploring new and improved ways to help more people in the community doing it tough. As Chief Delta Officer my role is heavily involved in bringing Orange Skys latest innovations to life with our incredible Delta team. An integral part of my role is supported by a community that trusts us to make a real difference in people's lives. It’s incredibly fulfilling to have the opportunity to experiment, learn, and be trusted to implement new ideas to help more Aussies doing it tough.

Take us through a typical day of work for you.

A typical day involves engaging with Orange Skys community, including our friends, volunteers, supporters, and staff. I focus on exploring new ways to enhance our services and, when possible, on experimenting and learning. Occasionally, I also get the chance to spend time with my best friend, Lucas, who now serves as our CEO.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge has been navigating the uncertainty that comes with founding an organisation. There’s no clear path, and it requires taking on various roles. Making important decisions can be tough, but working with mentors has provided invaluable guidance and support.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career? 

I would advise myself to embrace opportunities and take risks, and to always seek guidance from mentors and build strong friendships.

How do you stay motivated to work in this field?

My motivation comes from staying deeply connected to our mission and knowing that my work has a tangible, positive impact on peoples lives.

How do you unwind after work?

I unwind by going for a run, driving a tractor, building things, and spending quality time with friends.

What was the last thing you:

Listened to: Parcels
Read: Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek H. Murthy