Our People
Our impact on the lives of children and whānau would not be possible without the team of passionate and talented people who make up our organisation.
Family Support Coordinators
Our Family Support Coordinators are at the heart of everything we do, providing one-to-one support for each family.
Meet Tania
Tania Pattemore is one of our amazing family support coordinators in Wellington, with an extensive background in counselling and youth work in both Australia and New Zealand.
Meet Vicki
Vicki is one of the fantastic Family Support Coordinators who stands alongside families in the Otago/Southland regions.
Meet Christine
For over 25 years, Christine has been providing life-changing support for families in the Otago/Southland regions.
Meet Pam
Pam Royal is a Family Support Coordinator based in Rotorua. She is also a key part of our bicultural journey, supporting and guiding us in upholding our commitment to te ao Māori and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Meet Lucy
Lucy is one of our amazing Family Support Coordinators caring for families around the Christchurch and Mid Canterbury areas.
Meet Gabi
Gabi Pile is a Family Support Coordinator based in Christchurch, supporting families in Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough regions.
Meet Aliah
Aliah Hussain, Team Leader – Southern, oversees a team of Family Support Coordinators while supporting whānau in Canterbury, bringing her wealth of experience from MidCentral DHB. Her passion for helping families through the toughest times, combined with a flexible work environment, allows her to make a meaningful difference every day.
Meet Michelle
Michelle Spargo is our Team Leader in the Northern Region, where she looks after a team of Family Support Coordinators alongside her work supporting whānau in Auckland.
Our Family Support Coordinators
Family Support Coordinators are at the heart of Child Cancer Foundation and everything we do.
Jim Boult | CNZM
Patron of Child Cancer Foundation
We are thrilled to announce that Jim Boult has been named as Patron of Child Cancer Foundation, in recognition of over three decades of dedicated service to the organisation alongside his wide connections across sectors that will support us in our mission.
Board Members
We are fortunate to be governed by a Board that is dedicated to our kaupapa, made up of members who are all leaders in their fields.
Dan Te Whenua Walker
Board Chair
Tēnā koutou kātoa. He mokopuna tēnei nō te korowai o te maunga tītohea me ōna karangaha maha arā ko te waka Aotea – ko Tangahoe, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngā Rauru ōku iwi matua. Anō hoki ngā hau e whā o te motu ko ngā waka Tainui, Te Arawa me… Read More
Reremoana Hammond
Deputy Chair
Reremoana brings a wide variety of experience to the organisation, Her passion to tautoko improved outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori led to her appointment as a director for Te Hononga o Ngā Awa, a post Tiriti o Waitangi settlement trust. Read More
Dr Stephen Laughton
Board Member
Stephen is a Paediatric Oncologist at Starship Hospital, with specific expertise in the management of brain tumours in children. Read More
Stephen Willis
Board Member
Stephen is an experienced executive-level leader of highly complex and large multi-campus organisations in healthcare, education and research sectors within Australia and New Zealand. Read More
Dr Kerri Morgan
Board Member
Kerri has expertise in organisational leadership and project management and is widely experienced in stakeholder engagement. Read More
Darlene Tuiono
Board Member
Darlene’s connection to the Child Cancer Foundation began in 2014 when her seven-year-old daughter, Iris, was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. She was appointed Board Member in December 2021. Darlene is an engineer within New Zealand’s largest telecommunications and digital services company, and supports its charitable organisation’s focus on digital… Read More
Colin Mansbridge
Board Member
Personally moved by the stories and families he had met through Crusaders’ fundraising efforts for Child Cancer Foundation, Colin decided it was time to raise a hand and contribute his depth of skill and expertise to our cause within the governance context. Read More
Rose Simpson
Board Member
Rose has over 30 years’ experience working within the cancer sector, both here in Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom, dedicated to improving outcomes for children, young people, and their whānau. Her connection with the Child Cancer Foundation began nearly three decades ago when she worked as a… Read More
Leadership Group
Our Leadership Group provides guidance for all parts of the organisation, leading from the front with dedication and empathy.
Monica Briggs | MNZM
Chief Executive
Experienced for-purpose sector leader Monica Briggs joined Child Cancer Foundation as Chief Executive Officer in 2021. Monica brings strong leadership and a wealth of governance and management expertise to Child Cancer Foundation. She has a 25-year career in the for-purpose and health sectors and established her reputation for growth strategies… Read More
Thu-Lena Tran
Senior Whānau Connect Lead
Thu-Lena's professional background is in nursing and pastoral care, predominantly in Māori and Pasifika communities. Read More
Shannyn Hansen
Family Support Manager
Shannyn joined Child Cancer Foundation in 2009, with a background as a registered nurse working in hospice. Read More
Kerry Price
Policy, Advocacy & Projects Manager
Kerry has over 25 years’ experience in Health Management and Business Development having worked with DHBs in Otago/Southland and Auckland. Read More
Francesca Powell
Marketing & Fundraising Manager
Francesca brings ten years of marketing experience to the Foundation, with a background in a range of industries. Read More
Louise Goss
Finance Manager
Louise Goss joined Child Cancer Foundation as Finance Manager in August 2023. This role involves leadership of the finance and IT function, contributing the finance lens to decisions on policy, strategy and services. Read More
Kaylene Froggatt
HR & Organisation Development Business Partner
People often ask what I love about HR, and as cliché as it sounds, it’s the people. I love ensuring an organisation has a successful, engaged, and high-performing workforce, and I’m passionate about supporting individuals to achieve this and be set up for success. As an experienced ER/HR specialist, my… Read More
Dominique Leeming
Philanthropy Manager
Dominique Leeming is a fundraising leader, who we’re lucky enough to have as our Philanthropy Manager. With 25 years of experience in the charitable and non-government sectors, Dominique has led transformational fundraising strategies, major gift programmes, and capital campaigns, delivering significant growth and impact. Recognised as the inaugural Fundraising Institute of… Read More
Honorary Life Members
Honorary Life Members are bestowed by the membership of the foundation to individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the Foundation over a considerable period of time, by the way of selfless support and service.
Each of these individuals has demonstrated a sustained level of dedication and commitment to the development and enhancement of the Child Cancer Foundation’s objectives.
| 1991 Mr Paul Cressey ONZM | 2005 Simon Lala MNZM | 2020 Mrs Alison O’Connor |
| 1994 Mrs Janette Falconer (QSM) | 2006 Ms Kay Morris | 2020 Mr Terence O’Connor |
| 1997 Ms Robyn Gordon | 2007 Mrs Pauline Hapi | 2021 Mrs Karen Heslip |
| 1998 Mr Kerry Goldstone | 2007 Mr Denis Kirkcaldie | 2022 Mr Dean Bradley |
| 1998 Ms Dawn Hamilton-Irvine | 2013 Ms Catherine Mott | 2023 Mrs Sue Green |
| 1998 Dr David Holdaway | 2013 Ms Julia Hayward | 2023 Mrs Christine Donovan |
| 1999 Sir David Mauger KNZM | 2014 Mrs Anne Bielby | 2023 Mrs Barbara Richardson |
| 2000 Mrs Diana Robinson | 2014 Sir Scott Macfarlane KNZM | 2023 Mrs Raewyn Sayers |
| 2000 Dr Jane Skeen MNZM | 2015 Mr John Robson | 2024 Mr Dennis Turton |
| 2001 Lynda Read | 2017 Mr Pat Wilkes | 2024 Mr Nick Beale |
| 2002 Mr Warren Shirley | 2019 Mr Jim Boult CNZM | |
| 2003 Mark Conelly | 2019 Mr Stuart Hutchinson |
Patrons: Lady Blundell, ONZ, QSO, GCStJ 1978 -2012 | Mr Jim Boult CNZM 2023
Child Cancer Foundation Membership
Being a Child Cancer Foundation member gives you a voice as part of our incorporated society.
Child Cancer Foundation is an incorporated society with a membership base that includes families of children with cancer, health professionals and people who support our cause.
Being a member gives you an opportunity to pay it forward to other families who are supported by the Foundation. Members also have the right to vote at the Foundation’s Annual General Meeting.
Please note, new membership registrations will be ratified at the upcoming Child Cancer Foundation Board meeting. If you do not wish to continue being a member, please email NMcMullen@childcancer.org.nz with your details.
Please note: If you are a family in need of support, please get in touch with our team through our contact page.