Join us for this month's Learning Lunch!

Learning Lunches is a series of webinars run by the SASS group, which cover five pathways for building positive and impactful systems change in Aotearoa, NZ. These topics are drawn from our 2023 non-white paper Voices from the Frontlines: Community-driven Pathways for Systems Change in Aotearoa.

Amidst mounting challenges facing communities and social services, groups are also dealing with a competitive funding environment and a lack of capacity. We will be joined by our guest speakers Alice Montague (Clare Foundation), Connie Lee (Foundation North), and Cyril Howard (The Tindall Foundation) to identify and discuss barriers and solutions moving forward.

Pack your lunch, feed your mind, share your pātai, and join us for this important discussion!

Alice Montague is the Chief Executive of Clare Foundation. Her experience spans roles in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, across a range of high-profile organisations such as the Red Cross, Experience Wellington, Creative New Zealand and most recently in her role as Executive Director at the Nikau Foundation. Alice’s extensive breadth of experience is ideal for Clare’s proactive, progressive approach.

Connie Lee joined Foundation North in May 2016 and was most recently a Community Advisor with the Department of Internal Affairs. She brings a wealth of experience having worked both in the public and private sector. Connie is well connected to her community in the North Shore through various committee roles and is an avid badminton player. Born and raised in Auckland, she graduated from Auckland University with a both a bachelor’s degree and a Post-grad diploma in Science.

Cyril Howard is the Regional Development & Donations Manager for The Tindall Foundation. He originates out of the heart of Hokianga and whakapapa to Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Hine iwi. He has over 20 years’ experience in community development and funding. I worked for Internal Affairs for 13 years across various business units, and then joined Foundation North (formerly ASB Community Trust) for ten years, starting as the Recreation & Sport Advisor, progressing to a Senior Advisor and for the last four years as Māori Strategy

The Systems Change Advocacy, Support, and Solidarity (SASS) Group was founded in 2022 by a core group of experienced, hands-on changemakers who are fiercely passionate about community-led, relationship-based, collaborative systems change and creating a more equitable future in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Read more here »