Kit Powney, Head of Digital Maturity at Tearfund: digital transformation, AI and keeping mission at the centre

In this episode, Adam speaks with Kit Powney, Head of Digital Maturity at Tearfund, about what digital transformation actually means for charities, and why it is far more about people and culture than it is about technology.

Kit shares her journey from campaigning and advocacy into digital strategy, and offers a grounded, practical perspective on how organisations can navigate change without feeling overwhelmed by it. She explains why starting small, running experiments, and building a digital mindset across teams can deliver real impact, even with limited resources.

The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in the sector, how charities can make better use of tools already available within Microsoft and Google ecosystems, and why strategy, values and human oversight must remain central to any transformation effort.

A thoughtful and practical episode for anyone leading or supporting digital change in a charity or not-for-profit organisation.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and background
• 05:27 Transition into digital strategy
• 13:39 The role of digital transformation
• 21:19 Opportunities and risks of AI
• 35:23 Career advice and future outlook