Jonny Mirkin is a wellbeing-focused entrepreneur who brings personal experience and strategic vision to workplace health initiatives. After facing burnout himself, Jonny set out to help organisations tackle wellbeing at scale, with a focus on high-impact, personalised solutions. As the founder of Givenwell, Jonny has built a platform that equips businesses with tailored tools to effectively address employee wellbeing across diverse and distributed teams.
Under Jonny’s leadership, Givenwell offers research-driven strategies that not only reduce absenteeism but also improve productivity and employee engagement, helping organisations see measurable outcomes.
We are delighted that Jonny will be speaking in both Sydney and Melbourne this November as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia. We caught up with him to find out how he’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Jonny, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia in November. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I’m feeling great, especially with the buzz of heading over to Australia for the Wellbeing at Work Summit. I’m genuinely excited about the travel too – looking forward to a bit of uninterrupted time during the layovers to recharge and gather my thoughts. It’ll be a good mix of focus time and that fresh energy you get from being somewhere new. Can’t wait to connect with everyone at the Summit, share ideas, and dive into all things wellbeing.
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
At Givenwell, a key challenge as we scale is managing the efficiency and expectations across teams in an open-plan office environment, where noise can impact focus. We prioritise wellbeing within our own team by adopting a four-day work week, supporting our team’s work-life balance and productivity. Through our platform, we aim to bring similar balance to our clients by offering personalised wellbeing allowances for physical, mental, social, and financial health. This tailored, ROI-driven approach empowers employees with choices that genuinely support their wellbeing, while providing value for businesses of any size.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that are moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
Recently, we’ve seen that giving employees more autonomy over their wellbeing allowances—so they can choose options that fit their unique needs—has significantly increased engagement and impact.
Additionally, the demand for flexibility, especially in remote working arrangements, has grown since the pandemic, with employees now viewing it as a key component of their wellbeing. Both strategies allow people to better balance work with personal life, fostering a more empowered and satisfied workforce.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
Employee wellbeing is deeply personal to me because of my own experience with burnout, which ultimately led to a transformative journey. After ending up in hospital, I realised the importance of prioritising mental and physical health. Therapy, fitness, and nutrition helped me rebuild my life, and I was fortunate to have the resources for this journey. However, it struck me that many people don’t have the same access to support. This insight inspired me to create Givenwell.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in November?
I’m excited to attend the Summit in November to connect with others passionate about transforming workplace wellbeing. Givenwell’s approach—empowering employees with autonomy over their wellbeing choices—is already making a difference, and with our upcoming launch in the Australian market, it’s a great opportunity to share our journey. I’m looking forward to learning from others about proactive wellbeing strategies and continuing to drive change across Australasia.
Tell us, what is your vision for the future workplace, in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing?
My vision for the workplace of the future is rooted in the belief that employee wellbeing must be proactive and deeply personalised. When employees have the freedom to choose wellbeing resources that truly resonate with their needs, it empowers them to take control of their health in a meaningful way. This autonomy doesn’t just enhance wellbeing; it ignites a more engaged, resilient workforce, driving greater productivity and retention. By weaving wellbeing into the very fabric of company culture, businesses will create a thriving environment where employees are not just staying well, but thriving
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
Over the next 12 months, employers should focus on personalising wellbeing initiatives to better meet the unique needs of their teams. Providing flexibility in how employees access wellness resources will drive greater impact and engagement. This approach not only supports individual wellbeing but also helps create a more productive and positive work environment.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
At Givenwell, we’re leading the way by prioritising wellbeing in every aspect of our work culture. We offer a large monthly wellbeing allowance, giving our team the freedom to choose the resources they need to stay healthy—whether it’s gym memberships, therapy, physio appointments, or nutrition coaching. We also have a 4-day work week, allowing our team to have a dedicated wellbeing day, as well as flexible work hours to ensure a true work-life balance.
Our collaborative environment is grounded in respect for each other, where employees feel supported to integrate wellbeing into their work routine. We’re even dog-friendly in the office, adding to the positive and healthy atmosphere. At Givenwell, we’ve created a culture that values balance, flexibility, and genuine care for our team’s health and success—because we know when our people thrive, the organisation does too.
Please click here to find out more about Givenwell.
Jonny will be speaking in Sydney and Melbourne at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
