Benson Saulo on Identity, Faith, Family, Social Impact and Living Courageously

Originally published with transcript at: https://www.nickfabbri.com/bloom/bensonsaulo

Benson Saulo is an inspirational and trailblazing 32 year old Australian, who has had a wide and diverse career across the social purpose sector, consulting, banking and finance, diplomacy and advocacy. Benson has recently been appointed as the first Indigenous Consul-General to the United States, where he will take up his post in Houston, Texas at the end of 2020 along with his wife Kate and daughter Anais. 
 
In this interview, Nick and Benson discuss:

• Benson’s early life in Tamworth in rural NSW, and his early career in the banking and finance industry following moves to Sydney and then Melbourne

• The importance of culture and identity, growing up as the son of an Indigenous mother and a Papua New Guinean father

• Becoming a husband and a father, and the role of family in Benson’s life

• Walking the Camino de Santiago and the importance of faith, spirituality, and mindfulness

• Benson’s year as the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations in 2011, and the powerful stories that have stayed with him from travelling around Australia

• The social purpose/impact space in Australia, and Benson’s work with the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy and other organisations

• Benson’s appointment as the first Indigenous Consul-General to the United States, and his upcoming move to Houston, Texas to represent Australia

• The current state of affairs in the US, with the COVID-19 pandemic, mass civic unrest, and economic devastation

• What kind of an impact Benson would like to make in the future

Follow Benson on Twitter @bensonsaulo