Our Team
Our Experts Helping You Succeed
Each member of the Funding HQ team is dedicated to providing tailored support, from strategic fundraising advice to hands-on coaching and mentorship. Learn more about our coaches and the experience they bring to supporting your fundraising journey.
Jenni brings strategic insight and a deep understanding of what drives successful fundraising. With a background in public policy and strategy roles in Parliament and local government, she has spent her career helping organisations secure the resources they need to thrive.
Jenni brings strategic insight and a deep understanding of what drives successful fundraising. With a background in public policy and strategy roles in Parliament and local government, she has spent her career helping organisations secure the resources they need to thrive.
Jenni has led fundraising for many of Aotearoa’s most loved projects, including Toi Toi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre, MTG Napier, the Len Lye Centre, the Sarjeant Gallery, McLean Park, and the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata in Le Quesnoy, France. She has also provided expert advice to organisations such as Auckland City Mission, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Sir John Kirwan Foundation (Mitey), the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and Rotorua NZ.
Jenni is known for her ability to build trusted relationships across philanthropists, corporates, and government, and for connecting people and ideas to achieve lasting impact. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy and an Honours degree in Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington.
Jenni splits her time between her farm in Central Hawkes Bay, and Auckland.
James has built a distinguished career in Aotearoa’s arts and culture sector, leading organisations and shaping creative communities for nearly two decades. Before joining Funding HQ, he was Arts, Culture and Heritage Manager for Tauranga City Council, where he developed Tauranga’s Public Art Framework and Fund.
James has built a distinguished career in Aotearoa’s arts and culture sector, leading organisations and shaping creative communities for nearly two decades. Before joining Funding HQ, he was Arts, Culture and Heritage Manager for Tauranga City Council, where he developed Tauranga’s Public Art Framework and Fund.
He has held senior leadership roles including Chief Executive of Q Theatre, General Manager of Massive Theatre Company, and Manager of Baycourt Community and Arts Centre. Originally from the UK, James trained as a theatre director at Rose Bruford Drama School in London and worked with leading cultural institutions such as the Lyric Hammersmith, Tate Modern, and Tate Britain.
A passionate advocate for the arts, James has served on the executive board of Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ), co-chaired the organisation for four years.
James is based in Tauranga Moana, and currently chairs The Incubator Creative Hub. He is also on the board of Alzheimer’s Society Western Bay of Plenty, and Tahi Festival in Wellington.
Anne is a respected cultural leader with deep experience across Aotearoa’s not-for-profit, public, and private sectors. From 2011 to 2022, she was CEO and Artistic Director of the Auckland Writers Festival, where she led significant audience growth, strengthened financial sustainability, and delivered world-class programmes.
Anne is a respected cultural leader with deep experience across Aotearoa’s not-for-profit, public, and private sectors. From 2011 to 2022, she was CEO and Artistic Director of the Auckland Writers Festival, where she led significant audience growth, strengthened financial sustainability, and delivered world-class programmes.
Her previous roles include Executive Director of Women in Film and Television, and leadership positions at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and New Zealand Opera. Anne was the founding Board Chair of Everybody Eats, a charity tackling food waste and social isolation, which now operates permanent restaurants in Auckland and Wellington.
Anne brings expertise in strategic leadership, fundraising, governance, communications, and event delivery. She holds a BA in English Literature, a Diploma in Journalism, and postgraduate qualifications in psychology and counselling.
Mick is an experienced fundraising professional who has supported a wide range of organisations to grow their impact and sustainability. His career spans projects in environmental conservation, adult education, arts and music, local government, and renewable energy.
Mick is an experienced fundraising professional who has supported a wide range of organisations to grow their impact and sustainability. His career spans projects in environmental conservation, adult education, arts and music, local government, and renewable energy.
Mick specialises in helping organisations build long-term fundraising capability and stakeholder confidence. He has extensive experience in strategic development, partnership management, and innovative fundraising design – from concept through to delivery and evaluation.
A skilled facilitator and coach, Mick focuses on developing reflective practice and capability within teams and boards, ensuring that organisations have the tools and confidence to achieve meaningful community outcomes.
Christine brings strong operational, financial, and relationship management expertise to the Funding HQ team. She began her career with IBM in Wellington and has since worked across education, health, and technology sectors.
Christine brings strong operational, financial, and relationship management expertise to the Funding HQ team. She began her career with IBM in Wellington and has since worked across education, health, and technology sectors.
Her experience includes programme management at the University of Otago, where she supported innovative health education initiatives focused on interprofessional learning, Hauora Māori, and rural health. Christine has also managed a health-focused IT start-up and led successful school and community fundraising efforts.
At Funding HQ, Christine oversees business operations, ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and effectively. Her attention to detail, strategic mindset, and people-first approach underpin her work.