Australian IT channel leaders brave the cold at the 2018 Vinnies CEO sleepout

Some 320 Sydney CEO's descended on the White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle to pitch cardboard shelters and sleep rough for one night to get a glimpse into homelessness while raising money to combat the circumstances faced by more than 100,000 Australians.

CRN caught up with leaders in the local IT scene who took up the challenge and asked what motivated them to take part, and what it mean to them.

Ronnie Altit, chief executive, Insentra (left)

"This would have to be one of the best and most profound philantrophic events that I do - actually putting myself into the situation of the homeless.

"In my mind it's abhorrent that in our country that we have anybody be homeless, let alone 100,000 - 40 percent of which are children. That's just unacceptable.

"If I can do my little bit that would be fantastic."

Click here to donate to Ronnie

Dane Meah, chief executive, InfoTrust (right)

"Just pleased to be helping the amazing cause and the people on the stage going through hardship. It's great that we can do something to give back to the community.

"Vinnies is an amazing charity that helps people where you least expect it."

Click here to donate to Dane

Ahmmad Issa, national commercial sales manager, Synnex

“It’s been a fantastic experience, I think we should do a lot more awareness about homelessness and help those who really need it.

Sometimes we take our lives for granted and take advantage, and we should be grateful for the simplest things in life. It has opened my eyes to contribute a lot more, and I look forward to next year.”

Click here to donate to Ahmmad

Angela Lovegrove, general manager, NBN Co

“I just want to thank all our supporters tonight for the generous donations, and I really appreciate it. I know it’s going to an amazing cause.”

Click here to donate to Angela

Fadi Geha, chief executive, Simble Solutions

"This is my fourth year of doing this, and its really all about raising awareness about the plight of homelessness and what Vinnes does to support homeless people and it's great to have so many CEOs behind it."

Click here to donate to Fadi

Gerard Florian, group executive, technology, ANZ Bank (left)

“Just really really pleased to be here and learn a lot more about what life is like for homeless people, so it’s a really wonderful chance and I thank all the wonderful supporters who supported me and everybody else here to make the event possible.”

Click here to donate to Gerard
 

Michael Pollak, ASX company director, MOQdigital (right)

“This is the fourth year that I’m doing the Vinnies CEO SleepOut, and each of the previous years has been both eye-opening and personally rewarding.  Helping assist Australia’s homeless is a cause close to my heart, and I personally got a tremendous amount out of the last three year’s SleepOuts. 
 
"I think Vinnies do a fantastic job, not only raising important awareness about the unacceptable state of homelessness in Australia, but also their work in funding vital services to help thousands of men, women and children on a daily basis.
 
"I’d like to thank the MOQ team and everyone else who have supported me in this event, and am honoured to be part of a charity that helps change the lives of so many Australians who are in need of assistance.”

Click here to donate to Michael

Jon Evans, chief executive, Enablis

"This is my sixth CEO sleepout. Everyone's different, but it just reinforces to me the value and the support of St. Vincent de Paul give to people and why it's an important event and charity to support."

Click here to donate to Jon

Karl Sice, head of acquisition & strategy, ASI Solutions

“I’m an ambassador and supporter of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout and aim to reach a fundraising goal of more than $10,000 this year. I believe homelessness is an issue that deserves a greater voice, that we can break the cycle and make a difference.

"Several friends and colleagues have asked me why I’m doing the Vinnies CEO Sleepout this year, I’m doing it because I believe in a caring society where we look after each other, especially when we’re down on our luck.”

Click here to donate to Karl

Pieter De Gunst, director, Tecala Group (left)

"Hearing the stories tonight really brings it home that homelessness can happen to anybody. It's quite surprising to hear some of the many ways that you can get yourself in a bad situation."

Click here to donate to Pieter

Brendan Maree, vice president, APAC, 8x8 (right)

"I'm just here tonight to support the cause, I think it's something that everybody should have a go at while helping these people. You think it's people that are addicted to drugs or suffering mental issues, but it just comes in various forms. I'm just happy to be doing a small part in all of this."

Click here to donate to Brendan

Paul Scott, chief executive, 3wks Pty ltd (left)

"The thing you don't realise is that the simplest things can turn a normal life into a harsh and unrelentingly harsh situation. Hearing the stories tonight makes you realise that we're all living in a very thin edge the whole time. One thing can just tip people off that and can become a very disabling experience. We've done the easy bit, now we gotta do the hard bit and sleep out for it."

Click here to donate to Paul

Michael Giusti, chief executive, Harbour IT (right)

"It's my first time doing this and I came in with no real expectations, but the biggest thing that I got out of tonight is a bit more of an understanding. I think some of the stories have been amazing and organisations like us at Harbour IT need to take a time out to make sure we are understanding that there's other people that need help, and we have that opportunity."

Click here to donate to Michael

Robert McAdam, chief executive, CXO Security (left)

"This experience is a reminder of how tough some people do genuinely have it, and how fortunate we are in our industry to be in the circumstance that, to a degree, insulates us from this.

"My previous career as a policeman exposed me to these unfortunate souls who are homeless and really, a lot of it is just circumstance and just bad luck and people never ever think it'll happen to them.

"This is my fourth or fifth year in doing this and I happily support Vinnies - it's an awesome charity that has been around for so long and I'm just really proud to be here."

Click here to donate to Robert

Anthony Woodward, chief executive, Bulletproof (right)

"This is my sixth CEO sleepout and I really enjoy the opportunity to help raise awareness of homelessness, all the causes and all the outcomes. It's a lot of fun and it's really great work that Vinnies does across the board with everything they raise through it."

Click here to donate to Anthony

Matthew Browne, chief executive, Donesafe

"We're really excited to help Vinnes and raise some much-needed funds"

Click here to donate to Matthew

David Theodorou, CEO, Black Nova Group

"Happy to have supported this great cause, raise a few hundred dollars, and hopefully we can see how the homeless tackle it tonight."

Click here to donate to David
 

Jarther Taylor, chief executive, Datarati

"Humbled to be part of this experience and to help raise awareness for homelessness in Sydney and beyond."

Click here to donate to Jarther

Port Authority NSW donated the luxurious White Bay Cruise Terminal for a night to the CEO sleepout's organisers, with participants sleeping outside the terminal - facing the iconic Sydney skyline.

The temperature in Sydney dropped to to single-digits overnight.