COVID-19 and social impact... hear from thought leaders

The COVID-19 crisis will have a major impact on the wellbeing of New Zealand’s communities over the next few years. It will also affect how we think about our organisations and our services. We asked some of the key influencers in our sector to give us a brief insight into what they have seen and learnt since the crisis started, the challenges they’re seeing ahead, and what the potential solutions to those challenges might be.

Richard Catherall is Social Innovation Specialist at Auckland Council. Richard drew on his experience of emerging markets and developing economies to propose useful mindsets and attitudes to leading change in these uncertain times, positive about the opportunities we can discover in recovery.

Paul Ronalds is chief executive officer of Save the Children in Australia. Prior to joining Save the Children, Paul was First Assistant Secretary responsible for the Office of Work and Family in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. In this role, Paul provided advice to the Prime Minister of Australia on a broad range of social and economic policies designed to support families and communities. Paul is also a board member of Australia’s Centre for Social Impact.

Precious Clark is a trustee of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, a former trustee of Foundation North, and founder of Maurea Consulting Ltd which delivers Te Kaa, a training programme to ignite Māori cultural competency.

Ronji Tanielu is a policy analyst at The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit. Born in Samoa and raised in Māngere, South Auckland, Ronji brings practical experience in youth and community development, law and business, and also mentoring and government contracting to his advocacy to see all Kiwis thrive. He is a Board member of FinCap Trust, Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship, and Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Ltd.

Peter Tynan is CEO of Foundation North, the Community Trust for Northland and Auckland. He was previously Chief Executive at Southern Cross Health Society, and has held a number of senior executive positions including acting CEO of the Royal College of GPs based in Wellington and CEO at the Kaipara District Council in Northland. He is a former Board member of the Health Funds NZ , the International Federation of Health Plans (IFHP), Auckland Hockey Association and Osteoporosis NZ. He is a current Board member of AIG International and UNIMED Medical Insurance. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

Peter O'Connor has an eclectic background in consulting, project work and community activities. The common thread in his work is strengthening relationships between organisations to lift collective impact. He's recently worked with the Salvation Army helping the Army plan significant, innovative projects, and then secure significant, sustained funding from major donors.

Robyn Kiddle has been the Chief Executive at Child Cancer Foundation for the past five years. Her interest in the not-for-profit sector started with her appointment as Chief Executive to Tennis Auckland where she led the transformation of the annual international tennis events amongst other achievements. Prior to this Robyn had an extensive commercial career, predominantly with Westfield, in both Australia and New Zealand where she started in marketing roles and went on to become General Manager of Shopping Centres for New Zealand and subsequently Queensland.

Robyn has a Bachelor Commerce from Auckland University and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Queensland University of Technology. Robyn’s driving force in life is the betterment of lives for children and animals and a lifelong love of tennis. This has played out in her current role and her involvement in the boards of Tennis Northern and the newly formed national board of SPCA.