Amplifying Human Flourishing with Graeme Watt

What if the work you do every day could help 15-25 families consider adoption with just a $1,500 Christmas card budget?

In this episode, Graeme Watt, co-founder and leader of Anthem Creative, shares his remarkable journey from outdoor adventure guide to nonprofit founder to running a thriving creative agency that serves organizations pursuing human flourishing. Through pivotal relationships with two mentors - Tom Ko, his "fundraising Yoda," and Michael Gibney, his business mentor of 15 years - Graeme discovered how to build businesses that amplify good in the world. From Googling "how to start a nonprofit" at age 26 to celebrating 10 years running a full-service agency with his brother, Graeme reveals how the right relationships at the right time, combined with unwavering optimism and clear vision, can transform not just your business trajectory but your entire life's work.

His agency operates with a simple filter: "Will this amplify human flourishing?" This principle guides everything from client selection to team building, creating a business that treats every project as an opportunity to make the world better.

Graeme reflects on how mentorship shaped his leadership, why passion is the single greatest competitive advantage in hiring, and how one adoption agency campaign proved that creative work can genuinely change lives - one family at a time.

 

[00:04:00] What Graeme Does: Amplifying Good Through Creative Services

• Co-founder of Anthem Creative with his brother Mark

• Mission: Partner with organizations pursuing human flourishing to amplify their impact online

• Portfolio company structure with main operating company as creative agency

• Core filter for all decisions: "Will this amplify human flourishing?"

• Specializes in branding, custom web experiences, and film/documentary work

[00:06:00] The Journey: From Outdoor Guide to Entrepreneur

• Studied ecotourism and outdoor leadership (not business)

• Worked as river guide and rock climbing guide early in career

• Married and moved to Edmonton, Alberta where outdoor industry didn't exist

• Started working with youth and students, creating experiments for young people

• At 26, Googled "how to start a nonprofit organization" and launched one from his living room

[00:10:00] The Haiti Moment: Brothers Unite

• Graeme worked at World Vision Canada (large global NGO)

• Submitted innovation grant proposals that kept getting funded

• Hired his brother's agency for these innovation projects

• Graeme quit his nonprofit job and joined his brother full-time

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