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.

 
 

  • Jonathan Tautari (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, and Ngāti Manaia) brings over 18 years of experience in the health and disability sector, where he has held senior advisory and policy management roles. His work spans communities throughout Northland and Auckland, where he has collaborated with tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau to amplify their collective experiences, voices, and stories.

 

Our Board

 
 

  • Graeme joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in December 2021 and was appointed Board Chair in October 2022. His other governance roles include being a director of Lifetime Group, PPS Mutual and ASB Group Investments, and a member of the Financial Advice Code Committee.   

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

 

  • Terri joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in January 2022 and has held governance roles in education, philanthropy and impact investing. 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, and has a passion for promoting sustainable practices and driving impactful change through investment. 

 
 

  • Mariette joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in December 2021 and 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 New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal.   

    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 joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in June 2018 and also serves as chair of the national Enabling Good Lives Leadership Group, leading several portfolios relating to System Transformation within the disability support sector.  

    Jade is a director of a communications and strategic advice consultancy and is committed to the pursuit of equity, working in strategic roles across the disability sector providing advice and partnering to create authentic opportunities to strengthen the voice and leadership of disabled people and whānau. 

 
 

  • Peter joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in January 2023. He has over 28 years’ experience as a Chief Executive Officer across a range of sectors, including disability. He also Chairs the Board of Osteoporosis New Zealand and is a trustee for Reel Recovery 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 joined the Spectrum Foundation Board in January 2023. 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 and also runs a UNESCO programme supporting underrepresented and underserved communities to connect with film culture, education and employment.   

    Tanya has 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.

 

  • Ngāpuhi/Te Rarawa/Te Aupōuri iwi and Ngāti Rēhia/Ngāti Hine/Te Paatu and also of Samoan descent, from the villages of Matautu Falealili, Sapunaoa Falealili, Tulaele and Vaivase

    Aufata joined the Spectrum Foundation Executive Team in September 2023.

    His previous roles included being a Kaiarahi with Ministry of Justice, Navigator and leadership roles with Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust, Site Manager for Oranga Tamariki and Kaiko for Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.

    Along with a deep understanding of Te Ao Māori, Aufata has a solution-focused mindset and brings a strong background in collaboration and innovation. 

 
 

  • 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.

 
 

  • 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.