The Trust is fortunate to have the services of dedicated ex officio members, who provide advice and assistance to the Trustees. This team of professionals ensures that the Trustees are well informed in their philanthropic endeavours, enabling the Trust to make a significant impact in making New Zealand a better place.
DAME LESLEY MAX
Dame Lesley Max co-founded and currently co-Chairs Great Potentials Foundation, after 24 years as CEO. She introduced to New Zealand two education initiatives: HIPPY – Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters; and MATES – Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme. She also developed the Family Service Centre model.
Lesley was a Director of the Northern Regional Health Authority; and served on the Family Services National Advisory Committee; the Family Violence Advisory Committee; and the Community Advisory Committee to Vice Chancellors of the University of Auckland.
She is a former secondary school teacher, journalist and author (“Children: Endangered Species?” Penguin 1990). She was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 1993, an MBE in 1994 and was made a Dame Companion of the Order of New Zealand in 2010 for services to children.
She is the mother of four children and the grandmother of seven. Her personal motto: Every child wanted and nurtured.
BYRON BENTLEY
Byron had a 44 year career in secondary education and for 6 years was Principal of Western Heights High School in Rotorua followed by 18 years as Principal of Macleans College in Auckland.
He was a recipient of a Woolf Fisher travelling Fellowship in 2002. He was Chairman of the Auckland Secondary Schools Heads Association (ASSHA) for 10 years, the governance body for the competition sport for all greater Auckland secondary schools, and was also on the NZ Schools Sports Executive (NZSSSA).
He has a continuing interest in fostering educational opportunities for students and leadership training for aspiring secondary school leaders. Byron lives in Auckland with his wife Terri. They have three children and six grandchildren.
GEOFF BURGESS
Geoff’s career was in education, having been a school principal from 1984 to 2012 at three Independent Prep Schools: St Andrews in Christchurch, Southwell in Hamilton and Saint Kentigern in Remuera. In 2001 he gained his Master of Educational Management with First Class Honours from Auckland University.
His focus was in building inclusive school communities, where opportunities for excellence were fostered within a strong framework of moral development and service to the community. He was a founding trustee of Life Education Trust Central Auckland of which he is now a life member and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019 for services to education.
He is proud to have been an initiator of the Joyce Fisher Education Scholarships, which provide opportunities for Maori and Pasifika students to develop in leadership and community service.
Geoff lives in Tauranga with his wife Barbara. They have two sons and four grandchildren.
LOUISE EDWARDS
Lousie joined the Trust as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee in February 2022 with a strong background in commercial and not for profit governance.
Having gained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury in 1986 and held executive positions in the commercial sector, Louise was awarded a Fellowship of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand in 2015. She currently serves of the Boards of several large commercial entities including the National Provident Fund and MFL Mutual Fund Limited and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
A dedicated interest in community development has led Louise to serve on many not for profit boards including her current involvement as Chair of the Christchurch Earthquake Children’s Trust, Trustee on the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust, Marlborough Kaikoura Trail Trust (developing the new cycle trail from Picton to Christchurch) and a trustee on the board of philanthropic funder, JR McKenzie Trust.
Louise lives in Christchurch with her partner Malcolm and enjoys spending her spare time at their bach in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.
ADRIANNA BOYCE
Adrianna is of Tongan and Cook Island heritage. Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, she had various roles before finally realising the need to do work to help build brighter futures.
Adrianna is deeply committed to doing work that contributes to a meaningful mission and playing her part to empower a successful team and also has a heart for community development. She is a detailed administrator with a full kete of experience in client support and currently works in the NFP sector.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family including their pug Sumo, exploring the sights and leading an active sporting life. Adrianna feels privileged to have the opportunity to serve the Trust and is committed to Lady Fisher’s legacy.
SAM GOLDWATER
Sam is a great-nephew of of the late Joyce, Lady Fisher.
Sam has over 25 years of financial markets experience. He co-founded the Generate KiwiSaver Scheme in 2012, and since then has led the Investment Team and actively helped manage the business. Today Generate is one of the fastest growing KiwiSaver providers in the market with over 140,000 members and Sam’s team has delivered market leading returns.
At Generate Sam made the KiwiSaver industry’s first investment into social housing via a Salvation Army bond that helped fund 3 of The Salvation Army’s social housing developments. Since then other KiwiSaver providers have followed Sam’s lead.
Sam has been an avid supporter of the In Zone Project and is proud of Generate’s partnerships with LiveOcean and Spirit of Adventure.
