Our people
Our team and the Centre’s network of specialist associates and partner organisations offers grant-makers and funders, and community organisations, a unique resource for collaboration, learning, and thought leadership for social change. Our team’s understanding of national and international practice for social impact is supported by practical insights and knowledge gained from working with a range of clients to help them achieve their social impact goals.
Our people
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Karinia Lee
Head of Centre
Karinia Lee
Head of Centre
Karinia is an experienced chief executive and board member in the not-for-profit sector. Her most recent role was chief executive of New Zealand Asian Leaders where she managed the successful launch of SUPERdiverse WOMEN and subsequent membership growth of both organisations.
During her career she has held a variety of roles across a range of not-for-profit and community organisations including business development manager for Piha Lifesaving Club, general manager of Stellar Trust and fundraising manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ.
A member of the Institute of Directors, Karinia is President and Board Member of YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand and is a mentor with Business Mentors NZ. Volunteer experience includes providing counsel on fundraising and grant applications to the Disabled Surfers Association, and fundraising support to Makaurau Marae.
Over 30 years in the charitable and business sectors Karinia has become known for her strong commercial acumen, agile strategic thinking, innovative leadership, and her ability to create inclusive environments that celebrate diversity.
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Aimee Kaio
Associate
Aimee Kaio
Associate
Ngāi Tahu, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngā Puhi
Aimee is a tikanga-led strategist with 20 years’ experience translating bold ideas into system-level impact for iwi, communities, and Aotearoa’s economy. As Strategic Transformation Lead at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, she drives the group-wide implementation of the intergenerational strategy Mō Kā Uri 2050, after earlier roles lifting tribal economies, regional investment, aquaculture policy, and climate-just transition programmes.
Aimee’s governance portfolio spans science, education, philanthropy, and regional planning: Kāhui Māori member for the Antarctic Science Platform, former trustee of Community Trust South, former director of Southern Institute of Technology, co-chair of MBIE’s Murihiku Just Transition, and a founder of innovation hub COIN South.
Recognised as an Obama Foundation Women in Leadership Scholar and a Stanford FNFP alumna, she holds a Master of Entrepreneurship (Distinction), a BSc in Biochemistry, a PGDip in Business Administration, and is a current PhD candidate exploring mana-moana economies.
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Andrea Black
Associate
Andrea Black
Associate
Andrea is an operations strategist and project manager with over 30 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and consultancy sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK.
With an internal focus for CSI, Andrea specialises in organisational development, business systems and project delivery with a commitment to social value. With a strong foundation in HR and executive search and a desire to work with community-based organisations and social enterprises, she also advises on policy and procedure frameworks, systems integration, and process improvement to help them thrive.
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Arohanui West
Associate | Climate Action Co-Lead
Arohanui West
Associate | Climate Action Co-Lead
Te Arawa whānui, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Arohanui has expertise in waste minimisation, facilitation, marketing, communications, climate education and advocacy. She has worked for and alongside government, not-for-profits, iwi, public sector and community trusts. She is passionate about regenerative, circular systems and transformative change.
Arohanui, and her climate action co-lead Esther Whitehead, support the implementation of The Funders Commitment on Climate Action an Initiative funded by Combined Community Trusts Aotearoa and supported by Centre for Social Impact.
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Chloe Harwood
Associate
Chloe Harwood
Associate
Chloe has over fifteen years’ experience of working in the philanthropic sector.
Chloe was Strategy & Innovation Manager at Foundation North. In this role she had responsibility for strategy and innovation development, while also managing policy development, communications and planning. She has been closely involved in the Foundation’s continuing efforts to become a more strategic grant maker. This has included the development of innovative and targeted funding such as the Foundation’s Catalysts for Change programme, Māori and Pacific Education Initiative (MPEI), GIFT (Gulf Innovation Fund Together), South Auckland Community Innovation fund and participatory grant making approaches.
Chloe brings professional skills and experience across strategy development and innovation approaches, facilitation, research, organisational learning and reflective practice. A graduate of Canterbury University, Chloe has previously worked for Britain’s National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), where she awarded funding to innovative and pioneering learning projects.
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Dan Gerrard
Associate
Dan Gerrard
Associate
Dan Gerrard has extensive experience in leadership development gained over 20 years working in corporate, government, and local government. A leadership coach, mentor and facilitator, Dan is Programme Director at Leadership New Zealand, and has his own leadership consultancy, Ngākau NZ.
Prior to setting up Ngākau, Dan held leadership roles in KiwiRail, Downer and Fulton Hogan. He started his career as a plant operator and labourer and draws on his ‘learning from the ground up’ experience to inform his approach to leadership development.
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David Booth
Associate
David Booth
Associate
David Booth provides specialist advice to the Centre’s investment planning and capacity development programmes. He brings 20 years of experience working across a variety of areas and cultures, and a background as a successful entrepreneur.
David was a co-founder of iwantoneofthose.com, a gifts and gadgets website with annual sales of $25 million. The company was sold in 2004, freeing him to focus on supporting social and commercial entrepreneurs.
David provides consultancy and management to not-for profit organisations through the Scope Project and commercial start-up ventures at the Ice House Accelerator Programme. He is also an active Business Angel performing due diligence and investing in a variety of start-up companies.
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‘Emeline Unga
Associate
‘Emeline Unga
Associate
‘Emeline Unga is of Tongan descent with over 15 years of experience in education, leadership, and community research. She works alongside Māori and Pacific communities, with a focus on youth development and inclusive education.
‘Emeline brings strengths through service in culturally-grounded research and in sharing holistic impact stories that reflect Pacific peoples’ lived realities. She is committed to Pacific-led change, supporting equitable and mana-enhancing outcomes in philanthropy, funding, and evaluation. ‘Emeline centres Indigenous relational approaches such as talanoa and vā-based engagement to guide community conversations that lead to worthwhile change. She has contributed to grassroots and national efforts to advance Pacific well-being through governance and advisory roles across the education sector.
A reflective practitioner and lifelong learner, she values listening deeply and uplifting community voices. ‘Emeline holds a Master of Educational Leadership (Hons) and is currently completing a Doctorate of Education at the University of Auckland.
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Emily Garden
Associate
Emily Garden
Associate
Emily Garden provides research, evaluation and design expertise for CSI clients.
She works with organisations and stakeholders to surface insights, support learning, and communicate their stories in clear, creative ways. Emily has experience across the not-for-profit, health and local government sectors, and is motivated by a commitment to social and environmental justice.
With a background in communication design and expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research, she brings a unique skillset to translating complex ideas into engaging, accessible outputs. Emily holds a Bachelor of Design from AUT and a Master’s in Sociology from Goldsmiths, University of London.
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Esther Whitehead
Associate | Climate Action Co-Lead
Esther Whitehead
Associate | Climate Action Co-Lead
Esther brings extensive research and evaluation experience working in the not-for-profit, start-up sector and impact initiatives. A passionate advocate for the natural environment, Esther has a background in ecology; leaning on biomimicry tools to help resolve our greatest design challenges. She also spent over a decade working in the field of neurodiversity and equity in education and brings this insightful knowledge to the mahi. Esther has her own consultancy, Thrivemind supporting and coaching social impact strategies. She is the founder of Sustainable Queenstown Community Trust, Dishrupt(TM) and KiwiHarvest Queenstown. Esther has a breadth of governance experience as trustee/board member on a number of organisations and as a councillor at QLDC. Esther is passionate about eco-psychology and aims to always bring empathy to the fore of her leadership and storytelling.
Esther, and her climate action co-lead, Arohanui West, support the implementation of The Funders Commitment on Climate Action an initiative funded by Combined Community Trusts Aotearoa and supported by the Centre for Social Impact.
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Judy Whiteman
Associate
Judy Whiteman
Associate
Judy Whiteman provides the Centre with specialist advice for capacity development programmes. A facilitator, mentor and consultant in both the commercial and for-purpose sectors, Judy is passionate about helping people achieve success for themselves, their people, and their organisations.
Judy has many years’ experience in senior management and executive positions in the global financial services industry, both in New Zealand and abroad. She has also been involved for over 30 years in the for-purpose sector in several countries as a volunteer, board member and consultant. Judy has been a director (executive and non-executive) on various boards. Her governance experiences over many years are deep and diverse. She is currently a Trustee of the New Zealand Housing Foundation, Whanau Mercy Ministries and Chair & Director of Carmel College Auckland Ltd. Judy is a Chartered Member of the NZ IOD and a Fellow of the AICD.
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Kat Dawnier
Associate
Kat Dawnier
Associate
Kat Dawnier provides the Centre with expertise on philanthropic practice and social impact strategy.
Kat has 20 years’ experience supporting social impact work in the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand. She has worked with a variety of organisations including private philanthropists, community trusts, family foundations, corporate philanthropy, local and central government, non-profit organisations and grassroots community groups.
Much of Kat’s work centres on impact strategy design and evaluation, as well as advisory and writing work to support innovation in philanthropic practice. She has expertise in leading research to inform strategy, facilitating strategy design processes with boards, organisational design/restructure, operational and programme design, and the evaluation of social impact. She has long-term working relationships with several funders and community organisations, with particular experience in the creative, youth and refugee/migrant sectors.
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Kate Cherrington
Associate
Kate Cherrington
Associate
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai, Kapotai, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Pākehā
Kate Cherrington's roles at the Centre include organisational capacity builder, advisor on strategy development and implementation, and governance.
Kate specialises in working with groups with a kaupapa Māori focus in education and community strategy, and advancement projects. Her passion is nurturing emerging community leaders and values-based leadership practice.
Kate has served in governance and advisory roles across tertiary, conservation, philanthropic and for value organisations, most importantly alongside her marae and iwi collectives. Currently Kate is Chair of Hāpai Tūhono, Te Pou Theatre Trust, previous Chair of national Māori philanthropic and impact investment trust Tapuwae Roa (2019-2024). She is a trustee for the Sargood Bequest and the SkyCity Queenstown Community Trust. Kate also serves as a board member on the USA-based NGO, Americans for Indian Opportunity (New Mexico) and MA’O Farms on O’ahu, Hawai’i.
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Kathryn Nemec
Associate
Kathryn Nemec
Associate
Kathryn Nemec provides research and evaluation, and project management and coordination support for CSI clients. She has a broad range of experience and has particular interest in community development, mental health promotion, sustainability and innovation.
Kathryn has consulted extensively in the not-for profit, local government and philanthropic sector in New Zealand, and worked as an evaluation specialist in the United Kingdom. A community psychologist, Kathryn brings a strong values-based approach to her work, and has a particular interest in working collaboratively with organisations to help them demonstrate their impact.
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Kevin Prime
Kaumatua
Kevin Prime
Kaumatua
Kevin Prime is the Centre’s kaumatua.
Kevin is a commissioner with the Environment Court, as well as being a beef farmer, forester, beekeeper and conservationist.
Prior to his appointment to the Environment Court, Kevin worked with a variety of organisations in the profit and non-profit sector in the areas of philanthropy, health, conservation, justice, Maori development, education, environment, forestry, farming and sport.
Kevin is of Ngatihine, Ngati Whatua, Tainui and Welsh descent. He is married to Margaret with 13 children and 19 grandchildren. His hobbies are family, sport, golf, bee keeping, learning new things, and his favourite holiday spot is at home on the farm in Motatau.
In 2016, Kevin was recognised in the Queens birthday honours list receiving an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to conservation and Maori.
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Kirsty Gover
Operations Support
Kirsty Gover
Operations Support
Kirsty provides operational and secretariat support to the CSI team.
Kirsty has a broad range of experience in primary and secondary healthcare. This includes roles in hospital administration/PA, health promotion and community engagement, and as Smokefree practitioner/educator. As fundraising manager at North Shore Women’s Centre she also delivered healthy eating classes for diverse groups in the community. Kirsty is passionate about supporting communities to uplift their health and wellbeing
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Louise Marra
Associate
Louise Marra
Associate
Louise Marra provides specialist advice on our Haumanu programme, which is a healing-orientated way of leading and working, Restorative leadership, systems work and social innovation.
Louise has capabilities in healing systems and creating deep-performing teams that can work with the traumas of the past to create presence and freer futures. She runs many leadership programmes, programmes on facilitation and learning to work in a restorative way and working with Pakeha to help them do their work for Aotearoa in supporting Maori and a Te Tiriti-led future. She is an executive coach, mentor, and somatic therapist.
She is a senior associate with the Collective Change Lab, run out of the USA, and runs her own business Unity House, and was founder of the social enterprise ReRoot, a nature connection book and programme, and is co-founder of the Pakeha Project, a decolonising programme for Pakeha and tangata tiriti.
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Mata Cherrington
Associate
Mata Cherrington
Associate
Ngāti Hine, Te Kapotai, Ngāpuhi-Nui-Tonu, Ngāi Pakeha
Mata’s roles at the Centre include governance, strategic planning and expertise in embedding Te Ao Māori values and principles in practice.
Mata explores opportunities to work with leaders to normalise values that ensure enduring and sustainable impact for communities. She recognises the importance of sound philanthropic practices and its contribution to inform and improve sectors nationally and globally in response to the changing needs and evolution of populations. She has a depth of understanding of the community trust environment from her roles as trustee and chair of Community Trust South.
Mata is committed to honouring the aspirations of her tupuna and contributing to creating a better world for her mokopuna.
Mata has a LLB and a Bachelor of Social Science.
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Michelle Gallagher
Programme Coordinator
Michelle Gallagher
Programme Coordinator
Michelle provides support for CSI’s programmes, such as our Te Pūaha Talks webinars and digital resources
Michelle is a fine arts graduate and organiser extortioner. She started her career in the not-for-profit space supporting the professional development of visual artists in Aotearoa. She ran an internship and mentoring programme for graduates and a programme of business skills workshops for artists. Alongside work she balanced a creative practice, organised exhibitions and guest speaking gigs for Art.Work, Friends of the Auckland Art Gallery and Manukau Institute of Technology visual arts programme.
Michelle also has extensive experience in small business supporting operations – quotes, client contracts, employment contracts, HR and recruitment support, accounts and payroll administration as well as website maintenance, monthly newsletters and customer service. -
Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell
Associate
Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell
Associate
Miranda brings specialist advice to the Centre on environmental issues and how we can collectively act for regenerative and positive impact. She has extensive experience in creating conditions that enable diverse voices to reach common ground.
Over 30 years, she has worked with multiple sectors and interests, spanning policy analysis, project management, collaboration training, facilitation, and large group strategic planning. She holds a BA (Sociology), a MSc (Hons) in Resource Management, and qualifications in neuro-linguistic programming, regenerative development and Future Search. She is also a globally certified trainer of Future Search and is director of her own consulting company, FOLKUS Ltd.
Miranda has a deep respect for the power of indigeneity and aims to continually learn ways of enabling and inspiring people to work together to build a sustainable society.
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Rachael Trotman
Associate
Rachael Trotman
Associate
Rachael’s roles at the Centre include evaluation, strategic support and research expertise.
Rachael specialises in supporting changemakers to dream, develop and demonstrate their impact. Her passion is to support amazing people to do their thing in the world, across sectors, cultures and contexts. She has expertise in walking alongside people to help them gain clarity in complexity, simplifying tricky things, synthesising data into manageable bites and getting underneath to identify what creates deep and lasting impact. Rachael plays a learning and evaluative role with Haumanu and is passionate about supporting healing, regeneration and restoration.
Rachael holds an MA (Hons) and a post-graduate diploma in Human Ecology.
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Robin Hickman
Associate
Robin Hickman
Associate
Robin Hickman provides strategic communications advice, to the Centre and its partners, to help them engage with diverse stakeholders, and capture their stories and bring them to a wider audience.
Robin has consulted on communications for corporates in New Zealand and Australia. She has won an International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill award, and New Zealand’s supreme Kiwi Quill award.
Her involvement in the not-for-profit sector has included both consulting and governance roles.
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Sarah Greenaway
Associate
Sarah Greenaway
Associate
Sarah is an experienced evaluator and researcher in the community, not-for-profit and academic sectors. She works alongside funders, leaders, organisations and communities to draw on diverse sources of evidence to inform decision-making.
Sarah has a pragmatic approach to monitoring and evaluation and also using design-thinking techniques. She also has experience in public health, mental health and addiction.
Over the last six years, Sarah has developed an in-depth understanding of homelessness and housing issues in Aotearoa through her work at Lifewise, Housing First Auckland and the Inner City Auckland Homelessness Initiative.
Sarah has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Auckland.
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Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
ASSOCIATE
Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
ASSOCIATE
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa
Te Aorangi is managing director of Haemata, a Māori language, education and capability-building consultancy which works across the public and private sectors. Te Aorangi's focus in his work is the revitalisation of the Māori Language and the development of the Māori economy. In addition to a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) he is a graduate of the Master of Māori Language Excellence programme, delivered by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Te Aorangi is Deputy Chair of the BayTrust and is a member of the BayTrust’s investment committee. He is also a Trustee of the New Zealand Hepatitis Foundation.
Te Aorangi is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. He is the youngest member of the Institute to go through the chartered pathway.
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Tuihana Ohia
Associate
Tuihana Ohia
Associate
Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāti Pukenga, Te Arawa, Ngāi Pākehā
Tuihana Ohia has been involved in the design and implementation of a number of significant wellbeing initiatives including Vodafone’s Manaaki Support Network and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s wellbeing programme Tau Ora.
Tuihana brings a wellbeing perspective and expertise to project management, programme design, capacity building, strategy development, relationship liaison.
Tuihana’s passion for nurturing emerging wellbeing leaders and embedding wellbeing within communities and corporate spaces led her to create Rāngai – The Wellbeing Collective. This provides a space for those working with or who have an interest in wellbeing to meet, exchange knowledge, creativity, and support innovation. She also the founder Woo Table Kōrero, a community-based initiative that brings people together to hear from their community superstars.
