Kylie Burnett on why business leaders should help end homelessness

On a cold winter night in June, Parbery co-CEO Kylie Burnett slept outside Old Parliament House. She was one of many business leaders raising funds and awareness around homelessness through the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.  

Kylie was a part of the Women Building Change team, a group of women within and around the construction industry putting a spotlight on Canberra’s housing crisis.

They were the Sleepout top team across all of Australia, raising over $400,000 for homelessness and support services.

In this Q&A, Kylie reflects on the uncomfortable night, fundraising with the Women Building Change team and how businesses can and should be part of ending homelessness.  

Photos supplied by Ben Appleton of Photox

Why did you sign up for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout?  

I signed up for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout because I believe everyone deserves the security and dignity of a safe place to call home. Through my work and community involvement, I’ve seen how complex the challenges around housing and homelessness can be, and how important it is that business leaders step up and contribute. The Sleepout is an opportunity to raise funds and awareness, but also to listen, learn and use mine and Parbery's platform to help keep housing and homelessness firmly on the agenda. And also, because the wonderful [Build Like a Girl founder] Jo Farrell said I should ;)

What was the night actually like?  

It was uncomfortable, cold and definitely not a great night’s sleep, but that was really the point! I knew I was safe, that it was only for one night, was surrounded by a wonderful peer group, the Women Building Change team, and that I had a home to return to the next morning. For people experiencing homelessness, there isn’t that certainty. The night gave me time to reflect on just how much we take the safety and security of a home for granted, and why we need to keep working towards practical, lasting solutions to homelessness.

Was there a moment or story that stuck with you?  

What stayed with me most was hearing directly about the circumstances that can lead someone into homelessness. It reinforced that there isn’t one type of person or one pathway into homelessness. Circumstances can change quickly, and having the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference. It was a powerful reminder to look beyond the statistics and remember the individuals and families behind them.  

I also remember waking up around 3 am because wind had picked up and was super loud, thinking how much my body was aching, but telling myself to suck it up, as I would be getting up in a couple of hours, going home to a warm shower and a comfy bed.

Why does it matter for business leaders to get involved?  

Business leaders have a platform, networks, and resources that can help create change, and I think we have a responsibility to use them. Homelessness isn’t an issue that government or the community sector can solve alone. Business has a role to play too, whether that’s through raising awareness, contributing resources, creating opportunities or advocating for better outcomes. Getting involved is about recognising that strong communities are everyone’s responsibility.

How did you approach fundraising?

I was very fortunate to be part of the incredible Women Building Change team, who together raised the most for any team across Australia. There are so many wonderful brains in that team, and we all helped each other to come up with unique ideas to raise money and awareness. We held a comedy night, a movie premiere night and played a few 'quick round' donation games. It was brilliant and made the task of fundraising feel less daunting. It also helped that we all have a fantastic network of colleagues, friends and acquaintances that dug deep for the Sleepout.  

What would you say to everyone who supported you?

Thank you, genuinely. The generosity and encouragement I, and the Women Building Change team received was incredible, and I’m so grateful to everyone who donated, shared the message, or simply cheered us on. The night might have been ours to experience, but the impact belongs to everyone who supported it. Together, we’ve contributed to something much bigger than one night out in the cold.