THE BOARD
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Karla Gunby
Co-Chair
Active Communities Programme Manager, Christchurch City Council. Holds a Masters in Community Development from Deakin University and previously been a manager of disability services in Melbourne and London.
Ruth Keating
Co-Chair
A lawyer with nearly 30 years experience in NZ, London and Melbourne in large corporate law firms, most recently in house as a General Manager. Lived experience with disability as a sufferer of a rare auto immune condition and as mother to a neuro diverse child. Currently also chair and trustee on two further boards of Not for Profit entities. Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Mike Bourke
Semi-retired civil engineer, father of two disabled children. Mike has had a long association with the disability sector. Previously chair of the Templeton Parents Association, and of the NZ Psychopaedic Hospital Parents Federation, and time on the board of Brackenridge Services.
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Wendy Alexander
Wendy is the founder and Managing Director of Kin Recruitment; a B Corp certified business. With over 30 years experience as a leader in HR and Recruitment, she is passionate about removing barriers between business and the disabled community.
Thane Pullen
Thane is a comedian, writer and accessibility software developer. He has also written a book called Teachings of a Grumpy Cripple, which describes his own experience of disability and how society can improve its treatment of disabled people. Thane also blogs about disability issues.
Nini Smith
Director Waituna Brewing Company and Deputy Chair Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Trust
Tim Jones
Founder and B Corp Consultant at Grow Good. Tim has many years of experience in the business for good and not for loss sectors, focusing on business development, impact and purpose. He is committed to helping everyone find meaning and purpose in life.
Dr Kalie Evans
Kalie holds a PhD in Psychology and is currently a researcher at Burwood Academy Trust. She is passionate about engaging and co-designing with the disabled community on projects that have meaningful outcomes.
PATRONS & AMBASSADORS
Sir David Carter - Patron
Company Director, former Speaker of the NZ Parliament and National MP.
Sadly we heard today, 21 Sep, that Eddie Low has died. We very much appreciated his support for our work and contribution to fundraising
Eddie Low MNZM - Performing Arts Ambassador
The Hāpai Foundation are proud to have Mr Eddie Low “the Voice in a Million” as our Performing Arts Ambassador. Eddie has kindly given us permission to use his song “I am Me” to use as our signature tune.
Eddie was born totally blind in 1943 and spent much of his childhood at the Blind Institute in Auckland. While there he developed his musical talent, becoming a member of the institute band and winning a number of talent quests. When Eddie was twelve he underwent a series of operations which gained him partial sight in his left eye.
Eddie was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006. He was also Awarded Country Music Legend Award in 2009 and also received The Benny award by Variety Artists Club of New Zealand which is the highest honour that can be bestowed to a New Zealand variety entertainer for “A lifetime of excellence in their field of the performing arts”.