Our Board
Our passionate and talented Board of Trustees has a breadth of knowledge across accounting, finance, strategy, legal and health and they're all committed to helping us ensure no young Kiwi faces serious illness or grief alone.
Nic Russell
Nic Russell founded Kenzie’s Gift in 2006 with the intent of providing appropriate and research-based psychosocial support for tamariki, mātātahi / young people and their families affected by serious illness or grief. Nic has a degree in Psychology and a post-graduate degree in Communications Management and PR.
Specialising in the health and social sector, Nic has extensive experience in campaign development, stakeholder management and championing social issues. As a recipient of the New Zealander of the Year, local hero award, she is seen as a passionate social change agent who can turn visions into reality.
Dione Kimpton
Dione is an experienced manager with 30 years' commercial experience in Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK. Her broad skillset has been developed across a range of publishing, editorial, product and commercial management roles within large corporates.
A keen supporter of Nic and what has been achieved through Kenzie’s Gift, Dione is looking forward to assisting the Board and the fantastic work that is being done.
Susie Stone
Susie is an experienced business leader with over 30 years commercial business experience. She has worked across the telecommunications and IT sectors in NZ and Australia, with roles in business transformation, product management, business development and corporate affairs.
Susie has had several board roles on both commercial boards and industry boards and is currently on the board of the Broadtech Group and a member of the Institute of Director's. She is looking forward to bringing her skills to the board and working with Nic and the team to continue the important work that is done by Kenzie’s Gift.
Dr Kris Fernando
Kris is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. She worked at Auckland and Starship Hospitals as a neuropsychologist for approximately 11 years. At Starship Hospital, part of her role was working with tamariki / children who had survived mate pukupuku / cancer and their families. Kris was employed at ACC for 12 years in various senior management clinical positions which involved clinical governance.
Currently, Kris is working for Active Plus, a rehabilitation organisation, lecturing at Auckland University in neuropsychology, and running a private practice. She is on the New Zealand Psychological Society executive as well as Director of Professional Development and Training.
Kerry Hull
Kerry has over 30 years of experience in governance and management, specializing in digital transformation across industries such as retail, banking, IT, and manufacturing. He is currently at Brother International NZ. Kerry is passionate about supporting Nic and the team at Kenzie's Gift.
Niamh McMahon
Niamh is the Honorary Consul General for Ireland in Aotearoa New Zealand and a commercial lawyer with over 30 years’ experience as a partner in her law firm - McMahon Butterworth Thompson.
Niamh shares the honour with Nic of also being from Ireland. Niamh sits on a number of committees and Boards and is involved in many Law Society activities. She enjoys giving back to the community. In her spare time, Niamh enjoys anything on the water, including scuba diving. She says that scuba diving is just like a day in the office – you need to make sure you have enough air, avoid bottom feeders, and remember that there are always bigger fish in the sea! Niamh is looking forward to bringing her skills to Kenzie's Gift and joining an awesome team of similarly committed trustees.
Need some support?
If you or your whānau are affected by serious illness or grief, talk to us to see how we can help.
Janice and Asher’s Story
Asher’s mum died when he was 9 years old, and his grandma Janice knew that he needed some mental health support. Asher’s mum, Kate, died when he was nine years old. After his mum’s death, Asher was living with his grandma Janice.
Yash and Zareena’s Story
When Zareena was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative genetic disease at the age of five, her parents knew her condition was incurable and that she would continue to deteriorate. They are dedicating themselves to her care and the whole family’s wellbeing in the present.
Nora's Story
When Nora was three-and-a-half, her younger sister Lumi was born with a very rare heart defect. The Zilmer family was living in Europe at the time. Despite a positive prognosis, Lumi suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at three months old and was unable to be resuscitated.
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