Current chair of Auckland Foundation, Geoff Clews, has announced that he is stepping down after four years at the helm. Joy Marslin has been elected the new Chair, with Ian Short elected to the Deputy Chair role – effective 1 August.
The community foundation has gone through considerable growth and change during the last four years, and retiring Chair, Geoff Clews, says he is confident that it is well positioned for the future. He says,
“I look back with considerable satisfaction at the Foundation’ s progress over the last four years. By focusing on its core role as a donor services organisation, the value of donor funds settled with the Foundation has grown by over 400%, while the value of bequest commitments registered now exceeds $27 million.”
“At the same time, the Foundation has continued to advocate for causes that affect our communities. It has undertaken initiatives to promote philanthropy amongst a diverse cross-section of Aucklanders, including those new to our city.”
“It has also recognised the unique approach to philanthropy taken by women, with the successful establishment of the Women’s Fund. It is a particular satisfaction that Auckland Foundation recently received the award for ‘Governance Innovation by a Not-For-Profit’ from Women in Governance, in recognition of the Foundation’s commitment to diversity and women’s philanthropy.”
“It has been my very great pleasure and privilege to lead the board, and I want to thank everyone who has had a hand in making my time leading Auckland Foundation as enjoyable and satisfying as it has been.”
On behalf of Auckland Foundation, I’d like to thank Geoff for the huge contribution he has made to the organisation and the role he has played in ensuring our future success.”
About Auckland Foundation
As one of 17 community foundations in New Zealand, Auckland Foundation’s mission is to enable efficient place-based giving. The community foundation structure enables cost-effective giving for donors who wish to make an impact by providing the legal, governance, compliance and fund management requirements, doing away with the requirement to set up numerous charitable enterprises.
Auckland Foundation offers flexible solutions to donor-advised funds, with funds pooled and invested in perpetuity, building an endowment for Auckland while also being distributed to support local projects thoughout the year.
Currently the Auckland Foundation has 38 donor-advised funds under management and aims to build a $20million endowment for Auckland by 2020. Auckland Foundation has distributed almost $800,000 during 2017, with $387,000 to 52 local projects.
About the new Chair and Deputy Chair
Joy Marslin has had an extensive career in wealth and private banking. In addition to her role on the Board of Auckland Foundation, Joy is also on the Board of Simplicity, a panel member for Financial Complaints Ltd and head of Investor Relations at New Ground Capital Ltd. Joy’s previous roles include Head of Private Wealth Management for Westpac and head of Wealth for ANZ New Zealand.
A board member of Auckland Foundation since 2015, Joy is a committee member and chair of the Investment Committee.
Ian Short has been a member of the Auckland Foundation Board since 2017, and is currently a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Prior to this he spent 12 years in Europe at CEO and Board level, leading innovative approaches to urban development and, the green economy. Ian also has 15 years’ of finance experience in Wellington, London and New York.