Graeme Dingle Foundation CEO, Jo Malcolm-Black, is pleased to announce the appointment of three new trustees to our National Board: Nicki Stretch, Melanie Toft and Eric Lucas.
Responsible for contributing to the effective leadership that supports our mahi, the Foundation’s National Board helps to enhance the lives of over nearly 30,000 tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa each year. A group of highly skilled individuals, the board forges positive pathways for future generations and instinctively serves the communities our youth live and thrive in.
We are thrilled to have successfully recruited three new board members, who will engage in and support our work through their experience in governance, finance, business strategy, risk management and diversity and inclusion. These expert skills and years of collective experience will greatly complement that of the four existing board members and our Co-founder and Deputy Chair, Jo-anne Wilkinson, Lady Dingle CNZM, LLB.
Introducing Nicki Stretch CMInstD
With more than 15 years in governance in the not-for-profit sector Nicki enjoys leading strategic change and creating environments for organisations and their teams to succeed. Together with a background in trusts and financial planning, Nicki also has considerable experience in management and leadership across the health and banking sectors. Nicki joins the board adding to her several governance roles across both the business and the not-for-profit sectors.
“Over the past 10 years, as the Chair of the Graeme Dingle Foundation Marlborough, I have witnessed the remarkable positive influence our programmes have on our young people. Serving on the national board is a privilege, and I look forward to collaborating with inspiring individuals dedicated to empowering our tamariki and rangatahi, helping them develop self-confidence and resilience to conquer life’s challenges.”
Introducing Melanie Toft
Melanie is currently the Chief Internal Auditor of ASB Bank. In addition to a career in banking, she has a governance background including school boards, supporting principals through Springboard Trust, and is a member of several committees related to diversity and inclusion, risk, audit, and finance. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Melanie first worked with the Foundation in the mid-2000’s as a sponsor and would like to see Aotearoa prosper.
“I am passionate about improving outcomes for our young people in Aotearoa and I join the Graeme Dingle Foundation Board curious to better understand both the challenges and opportunities in the charity sector. Along with a heart for the purpose of the Foundation, I bring a professional skill set that I trust will support the team leading the work. I am a risk and audit professional and will be chairing the Audit, Finance and Risk committee on behalf of the Board.”
Introducing Eric Lucas
Eric Lucas has a long history in Corporate Finance, having undertaken complex valuations such as Fonterra, Air New Zealand Ltd, Auckland International Airport Ltd, and Fletcher Building Ltd. Eric was a Corporate Finance Partner at PwC for over 20 years where he developed and ran PwC’s Investigation and Forensic Services Practice and was member of their Governance Board.
Currently Eric runs his own consultancy business focusing on valuations, damages claims, and investigations. Eric has widely recognized skills in governance, merger benefit analyses, risk management, shareholder disputes and broad experience in investigations and forensic work.
“I have always been impressed by the Foundation’s impact in improving the lives and prospects of at risk youth and look forward to helping it assist increasing numbers of such young people in the future.”
We are thrilled to be able to add these skilled and passionate trustees to our team in 2024. Nicki, Melanie and Eric will join current trustees Dr Ainsleigh Cribb-Su’a, Jo-anne Wilkinson (Lady Dingle), Lindsay Corban, Paul Tupou-Vea, and Julian Light.
As volunteers, our National Board are hugely appreciated by the Foundation and play a crucial role as we continue to strive to make Aotearoa New Zealand the best place in the world to be young.