Our Team

Interim Chief Executive Officer - PAT WALSH

We’re thrilled to share that we currently have an Interim Chief Executive Officer leading the organisation. 

Pat was appointed to the Board in 2021. He is the chair of the Academic Quality Agency and Copyright Licensing New Zealand and Deputy Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific. He is a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audit and Risk Committee. Pat was Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington from 2005 to 2014. He has a BA and MA from the University of Canterbury and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Pat was appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015.

We’re excited about the journey ahead and are in the process of selecting a permanent CEO who will continue to drive our mission forward. Stay tuned for more updates coming your way soon!

Thank you for your ongoing support – together, we’re achieving great things!

Child Rights Advocacy and Research Director - JACQUI SOUTHEY

Growing a culture where children’s rights are understood, respected and upheld is the vision of Jacqui Southey, Save the Children New Zealand’s Child Rights Advocacy and Research Director – and she is working towards driving systemic change where children will realise their rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Jacqui holds a Master’s of Education, authoring significant research on the positive discipline practices of parents of children under five years of age, and has extensive experience working in children’s rights. She is particularly interested in children’s participation and empowering children’s agency, child rights education, speaking up with and for children on issues important to children now and in the future, and education.

Prior to her role at Save the Children, Jacqui led the child rights education and youth participation programme at UNICEF New Zealand for seven years and was a primary school teacher for 10 years before then.

Outside of work, Jacqui enjoys spending time with her three adult children and three beautiful mokopuna and helping to create a positive and nurturing world for children.

Corporate Services & Risk Director - RY STINTON

Ry Stinton is the Corporate Services & Risk Director at Save the Children New Zealand, where he plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the organisation as it works to protect children’s rights and improve their well-being both in New Zealand and across the globe. With over 20 years of experience in financial management and strategic leadership, Ry is passionate about creating positive impact in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

A qualified accountant, Ry has held senior roles with leading global organisations such as Rolls-Royce and PwC, gaining expertise across North America, Europe, and Australasia. His diverse career has seen him lead high-profile projects, including overseeing the successful Waingākau Housing Development project in New Zealand, securing significant government funding, and leading business acquisitions.

Ry’s career is built on a strong foundation of leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to making a difference. Outside of work, Ry enjoys tackling new challenges, which he believes bring out the best in him, and is dedicated to continuing to contribute to the growth of Save the Children’s important mission.

International Programmes Director - RACHAEL WAUGH

With extensive experience working across all aspects of international development management from project design to delivery, our International Programmes Director Rachael Waugh is helping build programmes that create lasting impact for children throughout Asia and the Pacific.   

Rachael joined Save the Children in late 2021 after more than a decade working in international development, including as Head of International (community development) Projects for Australia’s Salvation Army. In that role, she oversaw some 25+ community development projects across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Rachael specialises in strategic alignment, project quality and compliance, alongside stakeholder and government engagement. 

She holds a Masters of International Social Development from the University of New South Wales and has completed leading sector training programmes.

Outside of work, Rachael enjoys travel, films, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Communications, Media and Campaigns Director - AMIE RICHARDSON

Amie Richardson is an experienced communications professional, who has worked for a variety of not-for-profit organisations, companies and media outlets over 20 years. She first joined the industry as a journalist, before moving into a freelance career where she split her time between journalism and TV documentary making and PR consultancy and communications. 

With a particular expertise across all aspects of storytelling, strategic communications and media relations, Amie first began working with Save the Children in 2020 to support media engagement around Five to Thrive, a multi-agency advocacy campaign ahead of the General Election, before coming onboard officially as Communications Director in 2021.   

Outside of work, Amie enjoys running and yoga, exploring nature and spending time with friends and whānau.    

Philanthropy & Engagement Director - JASON COWLAM

Jason Cowlam is a fundraising professional with over 15 years of experience working with both national and international charities. His expertise is in implementing integrated acquisition, cultivation, and solicitation campaigns that focus on enriching stakeholder experiences and enhancing donor engagement.

Jason has also served as a Board Member for the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PARA), where he provided governance and strategic direction. Additionally, he chaired the Asia Pacific Fundraisers’ Network, offering technical fundraising support and developing strategic plans for regional fundraising initiatives.

Outside of his professional life, Jason enjoys running, football, swimming, and spending time with friends and whānau.

Chair – Susie Staley MNZM

Susie was appointed to the Board as Chair in March 2015. A lawyer based in Dunedin, she has a wealth of experience as a Director and has served as a Member and Chair of several Boards, including Maritime New Zealand, retirement village operator Chatsford Management Ltd and was appointed to the Board of the Broadcasting Standards Authority in October 2018. Susie has previously served on the Boards of PGG Wrightson, Tower Ltd and Dunedin International Airport Ltd and was the Chair of ID Dunedin Fashion Inc for some 15 years.

Susie was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in December 2014 for services to business and governance. 

Dr Suzanne Flannagan

Suzanne was appointed to the Board in November 2015. She has extensive executive experience leading sales and marketing teams including 10 years as General Manager for OfficeMax School Supplies. Suzanne brings to the board a proven ability for developing strategy and implementing effective change. She has extensive communications experience and an inherent passion for helping others. Suzanne has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Auckland, a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Massey University and is a Chartered Marketer.

Suri Bartlett

Suri is the Managing Director of Tenzing Limited, a leading NZ based consulting firm specialising in technology enabled transformations. As Managing Director of Tenzing his primary roles is leading client engagements.  Suri has significant governance experience, principally in the delivery of large scale systems transformations.  Suri has a BCom and a BA from the University of Otago and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA).

Pat Walsh

Pat was appointed to the Board in 2021. He is the chair of the Academic Quality Agency and Copyright Licensing New Zealand and Deputy Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific. He is a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audit and Risk Committee. Pat was Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington from 2005 to 2014. He has a BA and MA from the University of Canterbury and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Pat was appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015.

Arti Chand

Arti was appointed to the Board in late 2021. She is an experienced tax lawyer who set up her independent practice in 2015 after more than a decade in the private sector, and provides domestic and international tax consulting advice to SMEs, not for profits, law firms and high net worth individuals. Arti is President of the New Zealand Pacific Lawyers Association and has recently completed her term as Vice President (Wellington) on the New Zealand Law Society Board. She is also the New Zealand Law Society's representative on the South Pacific Lawyers' Association executive, Vice President of the New Zealand Fiji Business Council, and 2018 Winner of the Pasifika Woman Business Owner Award (Pasifika Business Network) and this year was named on NZ Lawyer Magazine's Most Influential Lawyers List for 2022 in the Changemakers category. Arti is of Fijian-Indian descent and grew up in Lautoka, Fiji. She is a strong advocate of celebrating the success of Pacific people and businesses in New Zealand.  

Glenn Bond

Dr Bond straddles the line between research and practice in international development, specialising in the form and function of International Non-Government Organisations (INGOs). His background includes senior roles for several INGOs including Save the Children, Plan and CARE, most recently as Country Director for CARE in Laos. With a background in child rights and development effectiveness, his research interests now focus on organisational change and the evolving role of INGOs in a time of decolonisation. Between 2017 and 2021 Glenn led a longitudinal study on INGO localisation which also served as the case study for his 2022 PhD. Post-PhD, he lectures in development practice and provides independent advice to INGOs on localisation, governance and organisational strategy. Dr Bond is also the Executive Director of Hawke’s Bay Early Intervention Trust and is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Institute for Human Security and Social Change (La Trobe University).