OPINION
IMHO: The perils of chairing NFPs
Pretending to be dead shouldn’t be the only escape plan.
The IoD has awarded governance scholarships to directors in a range of NFP sectors including health, education and primary industries.
Twelve scholarships have been awarded to directors from the not-for-profit (NFP) sector through the 2024 round of the IoD’s Scholarship Fund, supported by executive search and recruitment specialists SWR Group. The scholarships aim to raise governance capability in the sector by funding education opportunities for NFP directors.
The 2024 recipients include directors from the health, education and primary sectors.
IoD General Manager Sophi Rose says it is exciting to see such a diverse range of talented people across many NFP organisations receive the opportunity to develop their governance skills.
“Many of our members have come into governance by ‘learning on the job’ on NFP boards where they have a deep commitment to delivering services and support,” Rose says.
“This fund is part of our support for the NFP governance community, which we hope will benefit the organisations the recipients oversee. At the same time, the recipients of these scholarships – who are in many cases volunteers – will have an opportunity to build a governance skillset and, should they choose to, develop a broader governance career.”
SWR Group Director Graeme Sandri says his company is proud to be part of the groundbreaking initiative.
“Our support for the not-for-profit sector is always front of mind and we see the scholarship programme as a great way of providing much needed support to this critical sector,” Sandri says.
“The calibre of applicants was once again impressive, making the decision making hard.
"Congratulations to the recipients of the awards. For those that missed out, don't give up. You are doing a wonderful service to this sector and we appreciate this.”
![]() |
Gina Hu'akau MInstD from ADL Limited and the ADL Trust, and the Otago University Student Association Advisory Board |
![]() |
Dr Sara Simmons MInstD from health sector organisations including Manu Ora Limited |
![]() |
Aimee Blake MInstD from Future Farmers New Zealand |
![]() |
Alana McIsaac MInstD from The Period Place |
![]() |
Carina Fraser MInstD from the ConneXu 2020 Trust |
![]() |
Dee Lodhia MInstD from the Mangere Budgeting Services Trust, Diabetes NZ, and SAFE (Save Animals from Exploitation) |
![]() |
Faith Kim MInstD from the Bayview Community Centre |
![]() |
Hanna Taylor Moller MInstD from Tearfund NZ |
![]() |
Josh Maniam MInstD from Progress to Health |
![]() |
Meg Smith MInstD from Oke Charity and Fertility New Zealand |
![]() |
Natalie Germann MInstD from MIX – connecting, creating, living |
![]() |
Shannil Varma MInstD from Oke Charity |