Welcoming new leaders to the ChildFund New Zealand team
Our Board of Directors provides advice and strategy to ChildFund New Zealand.
As our organisation grows and strengthens, we introduce new executive leaders to our Board; identifying those, in particular, who can use their diverse range of expertise to support our continued development. Each Director is selected on the basis of their skills and experience, and their interest in our mission to help children and youth to thrive.
Three new leaders have recently joined our Board of Directors, offering unique perspectives and experiences to help guide ChildFund into the next phase of our journey. Read on to learn more about the newest additions to our Board of Directors.
Dr. Janet O'Connor
Janet has a background in health, with a degree in medicine and public health, and a special interest in youth nutrition and well-being. Janet has over 20 years of experience working in project management, strategy and policy development and governance in international organisations and in the Pacific region. Janet was born in Kiribati, and is now a retired New Zealand citizen doing various community developmental projects with Pasifika minority migrants and the Pasifika community in New Zealand.
Binu Paul
Binu has founded a number of financial technology startups over the years. Previously, he managed the successful sale of a consulting and investment research firm to the New Zealand Stock Exchange, in his role as its chief executive. Among other stints in the industry he also headed up business strategy for a multi-billion Japanese asset management firm for a number of years. Prior to completing the strategy execution course at the Wharton business school of the University of Pennsylvania, Binu gained a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelors’ degree in Technology (B.Tech) and qualified as a registered representative of the New Zealand Futures and Options Exchange.Binu is a founding member of FinTechNZ and currently Chair of its International Relations working group.
Anushiya Ponniah
Born in Sri Lanka, and now based in Tauranga, Anushiya’s career has centered on the public health sector, where she currently acts as an independent consultant and advisor to iwi providers and district health boards. She has a particular interest in advancing Kaupapa Māori models of care that contributes to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori. Anushiya was previously Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Royal District Nursing Service, and has been a lecturer with the University of Otago’s Master of Business Administration programme. Anushiya is a Chartered Director and has held various governance roles in the education sector.