Our Philanthropy Panel

As part of the disability community ourselves, we know it’s vital Spectrum Foundation’s funding decisions are guided by people with lived experience of disability.

A key part of our funding decisions is a newly appointed lived experience group – the Philanthropy Moderation Panel, which will play an integral role in assessing and selecting funding applications before final approval by the Board.

 

  • Ann is a Wellington-based senior communications and stakeholder engagement professional with experience in the public, tertiary education and not-for-profit sectors. She has a lived experience of disability and is the parent of a disabled child. Ann is aware of the challenges faced by disabled people and their whānau and is committed to contributing to making lives easier.

 

  • Maurice lives in the Waikato with his partner Sandi and his dog named Colin. He Works for Waikato Regional Council as the Accessible Transport Coordinator. He is a motivated advocate for inclusive public transport that is easy to use for everyone. He is on the board of the Magical Bridge Trust New Zealand, building New Zealand’s first fully inclusive playground in Hamilton that will be accessible to everyone’s needs. Maurice has a background of working in the disability sector in various advocacy roles. He has also completed a bachelor degree in public relations.

    Maurice is particularly drawn to this role because of its focus on supporting the disabled community to overcome social and economic challenges. He is driven by relationships and connecting with people to ensure positive outcomes across the board.

 
 

  • Seth is a late-diagnosed autistic with a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Criminology from Victoria University of Wellington. He is passionate about fostering connections within the ASD community and runs a meetup group for autistic adults to engage in social activities within the Wellington CBD.

    An avid dog lover and fantasy/science fiction enthusiast, Seth spends much of his free time reading and taking his canine companion Laela on adventures around Wellington. He believes in empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals and lead independent, fulfilling lives that enable them to pursue their passions.

 

  • I am a proud Māori of Ngāti Hine descent. I'm visually impaired and currently based in central Tāmaki Makaurau. I have over fifteen years lived experience with a disability and thirteen years advocating and working in the disability sector. I enjoy being active in recreational activities such as hip-hop/Latin dancing training, in or outside the gym, tramping, plus lots more. My work life focuses around creating progression tools, awareness programmes and accessibility understanding for the non-disabled.

    “Progress comes when you decide you want it.”

 
 

  • Naomi Vailima, is a 24-year-old born-and-bred Samoan who lives in South Auckland. She’s the youngest of four kids and has a disability called Muscular Dystrophy. She’s been involved in the disability sector since she was 12 and has been an advocate for young people with disabilities as well as the Pacific community.

 

  • “He tangata matare hu ahau.” Natt is a vision-impaired disabled person. Her passion and heart lies with the disabled community. She has the drive for making change and embedding the Enabling Good Lives approach in the wider community.

    Natt’s day job is working for My Life My Voice as a Community Capacity Builder. She also volunteers for many other community initiatives, including Just Zilch and Make a Wish Foundation.

 

Our Board

 
 

  • Graeme is a commercial barrister specialising in financial services and corporate governance, and previously held senior leadership roles with financial services organisations in New Zealand and Australia.

    His other governance roles include member of the Financial Advice Code Committee and chairman of the ASB Investment Committee. Graeme is passionate about inclusive, team-based leadership.

 

  • With a background in accounting and small business, Terri also spent time in public practice as a Chartered Accountant, before moving into consultancy and governance roles.

    Terri has formal qualifications in business studies, management, accounting and economic development, as well as experience in the philanthropic and SME sectors.

    Terri has a passion for promoting sustainable practices and driving impactful change through investment.

 
 

  • Mariette is an experienced director and senior executive, having worked in professional services, corporate management and governance.

    Now a consultant, primarily in the financial services sector, Mariette is also a member of the Special Division of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal.

    Throughout her career, Mariette has held a range of senior leadership and independent board roles, including Simpson Grierson, Westpac NZ Group, Milford Asset Management Group and the Financial Markets Authority Establishment Board.

 

  • Jade is a director of a communications and strategic advice consultancy, and also Chairs the National Enabling Good Lives Leadership Group, leading several portfolios on behalf of the group relating to System Transformation within the disability support sector.

 
 

  • Peter joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in October 2022. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, a charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood conditions. He also Chairs the Board of Osteoporosis New Zealand.

    As a father of a son living with disability, Peter is immersed in, and acutely aware of, the challenges that individuals, and families, encounter on a regular basis. He is committed to leading and influencing improvement across the disability sector.

 

  • Tanya has a lived experience of disability and has served on several not-for-profit boards that promote and provide opportunities for disabled people.

    Tanya currently works in economic development with Wellington’s film industry, she also runs a UNESCO programme supporting underrepresented and underserved communities to connect with film culture, education and employment.

    Having worked in media for the past 16 years as a reporter, producer and communications director, Tanya is a fervent believer in the power of stories, with an in-depth understanding of how the media can be encouraged to support and promote causes.

    In 2016, Tanya completed a Bachelor of Broadcast Communications, specialising in the media representation of disabled people and people of difference.

 

Our Executive Team

 
 

  • Sean has been an active contributor to the disability support sector for more than 25 years, in a variety of roles, primarily focused on the strategic and operational management of support delivery.

    In his drive for social justice, and outcomes that support choice and control for people with disabilities, Sean aims to ensure people with disabilities and their families have a lead role in achieving equality of access and life outcomes.

 

  • Fenella is a fundraising and marketing communications leader with experience gained in the NGO and for-profit sectors both in the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Fenella is passionate about social justice issues and is focused on supporting disabled people to live lives full of opportunity and choice.

 
 

  • Annette is a chartered accountant who has worked across a variety of industries in NZ and the UK in senior financial management and leadership roles for more than 20 years, including eight years in the healthcare sector.

 

  • Simon holds a portfolio of responsibilities across human resources, recruitment, and learning and development, and has more than 30 years’ experience in an array of disability sector roles.

    Simon holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business.

 
 

  • Mike was appointed Chief Information Officer at Spectrum Foundation in early 2024. He has an extensive background in strategy development, team leadership, programme governance, project management, and the implementation and operation of technology solutions across a wide range of organisations in both the private and public sector.

    In 2006, Mike was awarded the CIO of the Year award at the Computerworld Excellence Awards for leading the technology and digital components of one of the biggest transformations in the history of the New Zealand education system; the implementation of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

    Mike is keen to utilise his experience in a purpose-driven role and lead the strategic and operational activities that support our vision of an Aotearoa in which all disabled people have equal opportunity to live good lives.

 

  • Justin has spent more than 20 years working in brand, marketing, media and communications in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

    As the father of a disabled son, Justin is dedicated to ensuring the sector aspires towards the highest standards of support, practice and professionalism, and believes strongly in empowering people to be leaders in their own lives.

 
 

  • Before joining Spectrum Care, Marija held a variety of senior management roles across the non-profit sector, overseeing intensive mental health, disability, and youth justice services in the community.

    In addition to her strong operational background, Marija has several tertiary qualifications, including a Master of Business Studies in HR Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and a Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology and Applied Mental Health.

    To her role as Chief Operating Officer at Spectrum Care, Marija brings extensive sector knowledge, proven leadership skills, and a passion for keeping people and their wellbeing at the centre of decision making.

 

  • Ratenesh joined Homes of Choice in October 2021 and brings over 18 years' experience specialising in property development and asset management in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

    Ratenesh is passionate about utilising the skills and experience he's gained from the corporate world to assist disadvantaged communities access quality housing.