Meet The Team at Philanthropy New Zealand
Our Board
Philanthropy New Zealand’s Board consists of members who have been elected and co-opted positions to support achieving diversity and representation.
Seumas Fantham
CHAIRPERSON
Seumas (Ngāti Porou/Whakatōhea) is Executive Director at the Todd Foundation.
He has over 20 years’ experience working with young people and community groups and holds a degree in Education and Sociology. He is a current Board member of Philanthropy New Zealand and Te Muka Rau.
Polotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i
Pulotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i is a Samoan/Fijian New Zealander with a passion for social justice. She is the Chief Philanthropic Officer of the Borrin Foundation which funds legal research, scholarship, and education in its strategic focus areas of the criminal justice system and family law.
Pulotu Tupe has worked on a range of trade, economic, and policy issues in the public sector, and worked on development cooperation in the Pacific. She is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion, has produced a web series on unconscious bias, and hosts a chat show highlighting Pasifika success.
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Whaea Peggy Luke-Ngaheke
Mana whenua Te Āti Awa have a seat on the PNZ Board. Whaea Peggy Luke-Ngaheke is Te Āti Awa’s representative.
Peggy is of Te Āti Awa descent and is Manager of the Waiwhetu Marae. She has a long background in education and counselling and is a qualified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor. She served 16 years working for Te Kōhanga Reo Trust Board Head office as Manager of Ikaroa and Manager of Operations.
She provides advisory/cultural services to a number of organisations including DAPPANZ,NZQA, Oranga Tamariki and other government departments. Peggy represents Te Rūnanga on the Board of Te Awa Kairangi Primary Health Organisation and Kahungunu Whānau Services.
TE ĀTI AWA REPRESENTATIVE
Maria Ramsay
With over 18 years’ experience in philanthropy, Maria is the Toi Foundation and Toi Foundation Holdings Ltd Chief Executive.
The Foundation is one of 12 Community Trust’s in Aotearoa and the Foundation’s Purpose is to Build a Thriving Inclusive and Equitable Taranaki.
Maria’s background is in the health sector and she is also a Board Member of Hospice Taranaki Incorporated, Taranaki Mounga Project, and a Community Mentor with a community mentoring scheme run through Venture Taranaki.
CEO, TOI FOUNDATION
Derek Caudwell
Derek is currently the CE at Trust Horizon (Eastern BOP charity with over $200m in assets), holds a Diploma in Financial Management and PhD in Engineering. The Trust recently achieved the milestone of over $50 million in granting since inception and is in the process of applying to Parliament to alter its charitable purpose to increase its impact. Derek brings his professional skills and passion for governance, finance, and funding to complement the Board. He is the deputy presiding member at Trident High School, a member of the Centre for Sustainable Finance’s energy technical advisory group and recently chaired Rotorua’s local Council’s Climate Change Steering committee and sat on the Mayor’s taskforce for water.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT TRUST HORIZON
Liam Sheridan
HEAD OF FOUNDATION SERVICES AT FOUNDATION NORTH
Liam Sheridan is the Head of Foundation Services at Foundation North, responsible for shared services, IT, legal, property and risk. Liam has worked at the Foundation for eight years. His background is in accountancy, he has qualifications in mathematics and accounting, he is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand and he has worked as a management accountant, internal and external auditor and pricing analyst. Liam looks forward to seeing a different perspective of philanthropy from the PNZ Board table and to learning and hopefully sharing his knowledge during his time on the Board.
Lotima Vaioleti
COMMUNITY & MĀORI LIAISON ADVISOR AT KAITAKAWAENGA FOR BAYTRUST
Lotima is the Community & Māori Liaison Advisor – Kaitakawaenga for BayTrust. His whakapapa extends to Ngati Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngai Te Rangi, NgāPuhi, and Te Kingitanga o Tonga. In his capacity, he oversees Granting functions, community engagement, drives strategy development and engagement initiatives for Māori and youth, supports research and evaluation efforts, and manages communication-related responsibilities.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Management Studies and a Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi from the University of Waikato, Lotima joined BayTrust, building on his diverse industry experience, previously working for Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust and the University of Waikato. Currently, he is a member of YAG, Te Kāhui Pūmanwa, Pasifika Funders Network, and serves as an observer on the PNZ board.
He enjoys engaging in lively discussions on various topics, such as philosophies, concepts, and perspectives.
Our Team
Gin Mabey
Gin has been with Philanthropy New Zealand since 2023. She completed her BA with Honours in Theatre and has an MFA in Scriptwriting from the International Institute of Modern Letters. Gin co-founded Summer Shakespeare Tauranga and spent many summers acting and directing and teaching in the Bay of Plenty. Gin loves getting to know members and is constantly inspired by the incredible work happening in the sector.
HEAD OF EVENTS & MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
Rachel Roberts
GROWTH & STRATEGY LEAD
Rachel has worked across the not‑for‑profit sector and in government following a career in journalism. Most recently she was at Inspiring Communities where she led key communications and strategic initiatives before going on to develop and lead its consultancy arm, Powerdigm. Her work spans strategy, growth & development, and relationship management, with a focus on driving authentic, fit‑for‑purpose and sustainable change. This is Rachel’s second stint at Philanthropy New Zealand, having served as Communications Advisor from 2004–2015. Rachel continues to work as a Powerdigm Associate on a part time basis. She serves on the boards of the Nikau Foundation and Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust.
Robyn Scott
Robyn Scott has spent her career working across the philanthropic, government, and community sectors, bringing both leadership experience and a strong commitment to equity. She led the J R McKenzie Trust as Executive Director for eight years, where she championed approaches such as participatory grantmaking to help shift how philanthropy works in practice.
Robyn is widely respected as a thought leader in the sector. She co-authored The Philanthropic Landscape – Shifting Culture and Power through Mana Enhancing Partnerships, reflecting her focus on collaboration and more equitable ways of working.
She held a number of Chief Executive roles including at Fertility NZ and Philanthropy New Zealand (she’s come for more!) Robyn was also the Director of Ministry of Youth Development and has contributed through a range of other ministerial advisory and governance roles. She is presently a Board Member of Arts Access Aotearoa.
Robyn began her career in education, including as Head of Music at Raroa Intermediate, and holds an LTCL in the Teaching of Speech and Drama.
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Kaumātua
Philanthropy New Zealand is guided by our Kaumātua.
Pekaira Rei (Ngā Ruahine-i-te-rangi, Te Āti Awa, Taranaki Iwi, Ngā Rauru Kiitahi, Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Taranaki Whānui-ki-te-Upoko-o-te-Ika and Te Atiawa-ki-te-Waka-a-Maui), is a Reo and History facilitator in the Wellington region for Te Reo o Taranaki, and Out of Office Support Parliamentary Services for Te Tai Hau-ā-Ūru MP, Adrian Rurawhe.
The Philanthropy New Zealand Kaumātua role is one of a cultural safety net, the cornerstone of working towards building and strengthening relationships with Mana Whenua throughout Aotearoa in the philanthropic world.
Pekaira’s interests include martial arts, iwi support work, her children and grandchildren.