Helen manages the success and performance of Volunteer Wellington's three branches. Helen brings a wealth of experience in the philanthropic sector, previously as Relationship and Programme Lead at the Todd Foundation, alongside a variety of contract roles, as well as governance and leadership of Youth in Philanthropy. She co-founded Film for Change Aotearoa and was the voluntary CEO before transitioning into governance and chairing the organisation, and she’s had previous roles at Inspiring Stories and JustSpeak.

Marcia manages the Volunteer Hutt branch of Volunteer Wellington. Her background is in management and sales. She has worked in the Not for Profit sector since 2005 and has successfully led community, social development and business projects in the wider Wellington region. Marcia has had the privilege to walk in local and central government circles, iwi & hapu, business communities, funding committee’s advocating to bridge the gaps many of our whanau face. Her strengths in stakeholder management, customer service and leadership are well suited for her role at Volunteer Wellington.

Leta manages the Volunteer Porirua branch of Volunteer Wellington. She has a background in administration and worked many years as a tertiary educator. She has been involved with volunteering through various Pasifika community groups. She is passionate about helping people, particularly women and youth, who are looking for a second chance at higher education. Leta sees volunteering as not only a wonderful educational experience but also a way to build stronger communities.

Ann is the Coordinator of our Employee Volunteering programme. She has worked in marketing, sales and customer service roles in the corporate and local government sectors and has enjoyed bringing her knowledge and skills to matching employees with opportunities in the community. Meeting the people working in community organisations is a highlight of her job. Ann's own volunteering experience includes school fundraising activities, Meals on Wheels and food sorting at Kaibosh. She enjoys being an enthusiastic helper and the understanding that “many hands make light work” certainly applies to the Employee Volunteering programme.

Sophia is the Fundraising and Communications Lead. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies, she brings extensive experience in writing and social media management for content creators and community organizations. Sophia develops and executes Volunteer Wellington's fundraising and communications strategies. She also focuses on building and nurturing relationships with potential and existing donors, supporters, and stakeholders. Sophia is enthusiastic about ensuring Volunteer Wellington secures the financial support it needs to continue serving the community.

Aarthi is in her final year of high school and currently Head Student at Newlands College. Over the past few years, volunteering and community work have been a big part of her life. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to step up, use their voice, and realise the impact they can have. As one of the Youth Impact Leads, she helps to carry this project forward, supporting our youth volunteers, and building a strong community of young people who are committed to making a difference. She is motivated by the idea that when we work together, we can create lasting change.

Matt is a Year 13 student at Tawa College. Volunteering has always been something important to him, and he has taken on any volunteering opportunity he can. Matt thinks volunteering is such an amazing way to give back to the community and everyone should give it a go. He really enjoys working for our Youth Impact programme, as one of the Youth Impact Leads, he says he is privileged to work with an amazing team of young passionate people who work hard to make volunteering more accessible for young people.

Karen is Professor of Tourism Management at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington and has over 25 years’ researching the management of volunteers in areas as diverse as corporate volunteering, tourism and events, health and emergency management. In 2019 Karen was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to volunteering and education. She is a previous Chairperson of Volunteering New Zealand and is on the Board of Wellington College. A long-time supporter of Volunteer Wellington through International Volunteer Managers Day events and the Mahi Aroha Awards, Karen joined the Board in 2024.

Linn's career has been shaped by a deep commitment to supporting people and communities, with a particular focus on children and young people. She has worked extensively across the public and philanthropic sectors, engaging with community organisations, funding partners, governance boards, government agencies, and Ministers. After a long career as a public servant Linn transitioned into the philanthropic sector, leading the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation (now Te Rourou) in its mission to ensure all rangatahi in Aotearoa New Zealand can thrive. Most recently, Linn served as Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Community Fund for five years, where she championed equity, collaboration, and community-led change and is now CEO at the JR McKenzie Trust.

Wiremu is an experienced professional in the technology and health sectors, currently serving as a Client Director at Spark Health. He specialises in managing relationships with national not-for-profit organisations and also holds the role of Māori Health Lead, working alongside hauora Māori organisations to drive equitable outcomes through innovative technology solutions. A proud father to two young daughters, Wiremu is passionate about creating a positive future for his whānau and community. With strong ties to his iwi - Ngāti Tukorehe, Muaūpoko, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāi Tahu - he brings a cultural perspective to every aspect of his work.

Nicola is the Chief Information Officer at Crown Law. She has over 25 years’ experience in working in the technology industry in both the public and private sectors in New Zealand and overseas. She is passionate about the difference that high quality technology and information can make to business outcomes. After being a Trustee on the board of her children’s school for a number of years she was keen to contribute to the important work of Volunteer Wellington and is thrilled to be able to join the Board in 2021.

Joy is a Special Counsel in the Real Estate Team at DLA Piper New Zealand. Joy advises private and public sector clients on commercial property, including leasing and developments. Joy has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer, including over 14 years in commercial property. and eight years as legal counsel at Fire and Emergency New Zealand / New Zealand Fire Service where she advised on a range of matters including commercial, property, resource management, privacy, risk and operational functions and powers. Joy joined the Volunteer Wellington board in 2020.

Volunteering and tautoko have always come naturally to Joe; growing up in Wellington, aunties and uncles told him what needed to be done and it was done. This process (unknowingly) installed relational leadership and respect, communication, team work and iwi/whānau development. Volunteer Wellington Te Puna Tautoko offers this same process in a structure and supportive environment that enables both personal and professional growth. Joe feels privileged to serve the board, member organisations, staff, and communities. He brings extensive experience in community engagement, advocacy, and governance, gained through involvement on local and regional council community boards. With 30 years of experience working alongside Pasifika communities through Tatau (traditional Samoan tattooing), Joe views Tatau as a powerful example of collective service—where individuals, friends, groups, and families dedicate time, energy, and knowledge to support a fa‘amoemoe or kaupapa that requires unity and shared purpose.

Joe lives by the Samoan proverb "O le ala i le pule o le tautua," meaning "The pathway to leadership is through service."