Our Trustees

Ō Mātou Kaitiaki

The Otago Community Trust is governed by 11 Trustees who are appointed by the Minister of Finance for a four year term. The Trustees collectively hold a range of invaluable skills, experience and knowledge that guide the activities of the Trust.

They meet monthly to consider grant requests, operational items and strategic direction.

Andrew Kilsby

Chair

Central Otago

Andy is a graduate of the University of Otago and is currently the Regional Lead for the Otago Regional Skills Leadership Group at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Prior to holding this role Andy was Industry Relations Head at Otago Polytechnic.

Barb Long

Deputy Chair

Greater Dunedin

Barb has extensive experience as a leader in the primary and community health and social services sector. Barb has been in management and leadership roles in the NGO sector for the past 22 years. Prior to leadership employment positions she worked many years as a registered nurse in the mental health area.

Dr Michael Stevens

Greater Dunedin

Ko Motu Pōhue te mauka
Ko Te Ara a Kiwa te moana
Ko Pikomamakunui te moutere tītī
Ko Kāi Te Ruahikihiki me Kāti Rakiāmoa kā hapū
Ko Kāi Tahu te iwi
Ko Te Rau Aroha te marae
Nō Awarua ahau

Alofa Lale

Greater Dunedin

Alofa is from Cannons Creek in Porirua, Wellington. Her parents migrated from Samoa to New Zealand in the early 1960’s and settled in Porirua. Alofa has over 15 years teaching experience in the primary and secondary school sectors as well as experience in the tertiary sector having worked as a Pacific Liaison Officer at Victoria and Otago universities.

Bridget Tweed

South Otago

South Otago based trustee Bridget spent her early years in Southland growing up on a sheep, beef and deer farm. Bridget has always had a strong affiliation to the agricultural sector and now resides on a farm in Waitahuna with her husband Luke and their children, Isla, Millie, Ava and George.

Rebecca Williams

Central Otago

Ko Hikaroaroa te mauka
Ko Waikouaiti te awa
Ko Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki tōku kaika
Ko Parata tōku whānau whāngai
Ko Gordon Williams tōku hoa rakatira
Ko Rebecca Williams ahau.

Carole Adair

Greater Dunedin

Carole was born and raised in Otepoti Dunedin, attending the University of Otago after finishing high school. Having obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Carole started her professional life working as a graduate for Lawrence Anderson Buddle and after more than 35 years in what is essentially the same firm with different names, is now a partner with Polson Higgs.

Fraser McKenzie

North Otago

Fraser has had a career spanning 37 years in the field of accounting, having spent 15 years in Christchurch and 22 in Oamaru. Fraser was raised and initially educated in Dunedin. After high school, he attended Lincoln University in 1980, where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture with a specialization in Valuation and Farm Management. Subsequently, he pursued further education at Canterbury University, earning a Bachelor of Commerce with a focus on Accounting and Finance.

Robyn McLean

Greater Dunedin

Robyn is a graduate of the University of Otago. Having had a successful career in the financial industry and in corporate project management and governance, she returned to Ōtepoti in 2019. Since then Robyn has taken on roles to help people and use her skills to help make positive change.