Our team

Fiona has over 25 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector in the UK and NZ for a range of community organisations at Board and executive level, including the Auckland Deaf Society, Overview Effect and Volunteering Auckland.

Fiona helps build strong and sustainable organisations through effective management and leadership and with a collaborative approach. Fiona is a BA Hons Theology and Religious Studies graduate, she holds a Graduate Diploma in Non-Profit Management and is studying on the Master of Public Policy Programme at the University of Auckland.

Geoff is passionate about the Charity Sector and has worked extensively with volunteers in the education, health and social services fields with many years of management experience.

He is a trained teacher and completed his bachelor’s degree in Education and Political Studies through the University of Auckland along with a post-graduate Diploma in Education. He was awarded a Travelling Fellowship to study gifted education in the United Kingdom.

After teaching, he commenced a role as the Manager of Donor Services, managing the blood collection from voluntary blood donors at the Auckland Regional Blood Service.

Following this, Geoff became Director of MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) a division of Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

This was followed by an appointment as the Northern Regional Manager of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. It was during this period that Geoff completed a post-graduate Diploma in Business and Administration (Human Resources) and a Master of Business Studies (in Management) both through Massey University.

This was followed by 10 years as CEO of an Auckland-based charity before commencing his current role at ANCAD.

Geoff is also a registered, independent marriage celebrant.

Deb has worked across the North Shore community sector for the last 20+ years. Her past employment history has seen her involved in the fields of education, social services, health and disability and since 2007 - the family violence intervention and prevention sector.

With teaching, child psychology and child protection qualifications, initially, Deb worked within The Salvation Army Community Ministries situated in Glenfield. She then worked with Community Child and Family Services at North Shore Hospital, employed by the WDHB.

In 2007 Deb recruited into the role of the North Shore Advocate for children and young people who had witnessed family violence; a role established by the former North Shore Women’s Refuge/Safer Families Foundation.

With a background in teaching, Deb is passionate about community-led development, empowering strength-based solutions and promoting behavioural change that supports improved wellbeing and thriving communities. She believes our whole community benefits when we work towards supporting safer whanau, for our children to be nurtured and cherished within.

It truly takes a village to raise a child.

Simon joined ANCAD with a background as a school teacher and school principal, having dedicated 15 years in the classroom helping students from primary through to secondary school level to flourish and succeed.

Simon was employed by the government agency Statistics New Zealand to train managers and workers for the nationwide Census.

With several years as Auckland Regional Manager for a Levin-based marketing company, followed by time in the real estate industry helping families to move on with the next chapter in their housing lives, Simon turned his hand toward giving community groups a helping hand and completed a one year period of time overseas, in a voluntary capacity, working with various charitable groups to advance the needs of the poor in the area.

Simon enjoys sports, reading and catching up with the news, latest trends and developments and enjoying time with his wife Sarah and cat Sir Monty, living locally on the North Shore.

Shahla studied law and arts at university and practised law for over 6 years, mostly in the area of family law. This work was in a community law centre in south Auckland where she realised her passion for being able to come alongside and assist people.

Two varied roles at AUT enabled her to work with university students in various ways, one of which was in advocacy, reinforcing her desire to be involved in work where she could add value and be of assistance.

In later years, as a ‘stay at home’ mum, she completed a graduate certificate in NZ Immigration Advice, having always been interested in the migrant community. On returning to the workforce she was in administrative roles and is excited to be back in the community space.

When not working, Shahla enjoys running and walking, the outdoors, lots of sunshine, coffee out and spending time with friends and family.

Samoan born and New Zealand educated Pale has a background in social development, health and the tertiary sector (with a focus on Pasifika transformative teaching and learning).

Pale has a vast network of Pasifika language and cultural providers nationwide, such as the Pasifika Education Centre (PEC) and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, with access to resources and qualified experts in Tongan, Fijian, Cook Islands, Tuvaluan, Tokelauan and Niuean languages.

He also has extensive experience in facilitation and evaluation, with over twenty years in designing tailored learning to Pasifika communities primarily in the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Far North regions.

As well as working with ANCAD, Pale is the Pacific Priorities and Cultural Lead for Ako Aotearoa, Lead Pasifika Education Facilitator for ACE Aotearoa, and the Pasifika Community Educator for LEAD, and Foundation North.

Previously held positions include: Manu-Koloa, Pasifika Advisor for the Commission for Financial Capability with special interest in Pasifika perspectives in finance and cultural obligations.

Pale is also a key facilitator in PEC’s Koloa Pacific Knowledge and Competency Training, an interactive programme for corporate and community practitioners who want to know more about how to engage and interact effectively with Pacific families and individuals.

I trained in South Africa as a Chartered Accountant with a professional firm and them moved into mining, industry and commerce.

On immigrating to New Zealand 24 years ago, I got involved in contracting in many organisations and eventually worked for companies in software development.

I also got involved voluntarily in a charity as their Treasurer (which is where I met Geoff Andrews).  My last full time role was with a not-for-profit operating in the banking and insurance sectors.  I have since retired.

When Geoff started with ANCAD, he mentioned the development of ACA. I thought it was a great idea as not-for-profits was one area hardly covered in the university courses.  I offered to assist him in any way I could and have enjoyed my involvement in lecturing, mentoring and more recently organising teams.

Sarah is passionate about people and communities. She has extensive experience working in community development, event organisation with communication and management roles in small to large, local and international enterprises. These include Takapuna North Community Trust, Parnell Trust and Brunel University.

Sarah supports communities through the development of positive partnerships, community enabling and empowerment as well as through collaboration opportunities.

Sarah grew up moving from country to country every couple of years. This exposure to a wide variety of cultures led Sarah to pursue a BSc in Social Anthropology and Sociology in London and gave her a passion for connecting people. Sarah lives locally and volunteers as a Board member for the Rose Centre, Belmont.