Eleanor Cater Steps into CEO Role at CFANZ

07 August 2025

The Board of CFANZ is delighted to announce that Eleanor Cater has been appointed as our Acting Chief Executive Officer. Eleanor has played a highly influential role in our management team since 2017, most recently as Director of Philanthropy and Membership Services and we are thrilled to have her move into this important position.  Lori Luke, Board Chair, says that Eleanor is a widely respected thought leader in the sector. “Eleanor brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion for community philanthropy and strengthening communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, and her appointment marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for CFANZ”.

 In 2024, Eleanor completed her Master’s in Philanthropic Studies through the University of Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy, and she is also a Winston Churchill Fellow, her research project exploring the growth of community philanthropy internationally. Previously with the Fundraising Institute of NZ, this is where Eleanor says she discovered a passion for the changemaking nature of legacies and from that point onwards, she says, she ‘never looked back’. 

“I’m honoured to take on this leadership role for the peak body for Community Foundations across Aotearoa NZ.  Firstly, I'd like to thank Arron Perriam for his past four years of leadership which have helped us to consolidate and position us for growth.  In this time, we have been able to look outwards and explore international strategies that enable the growth of giving and philanthropy.  It's been an important time of learning for us all, and enabled us to reimagine strategies for the future”.   

“There is a whakatauki, wisdom from te ao Māori, which I think sums up the potential of Community Foundations: “Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi ~ with your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.” We know that there is so much potential to purposefully nudge what is already such aroha and genuine Kiwi intent to becoming the most generous little nation of givers in the world, strengthening communities from within. The opportunities ahead are exciting at a crucial moment in time when community self-determination is more important than ever.” 

Lori Luke now takes over as Chair from Ray Key, who is based in Europe temporarily and who will also continue on the CFANZ Board. “Ray has steered the CFANZ ship for 5 years and has shown steadfast leadership through what has been some challenging times. In that time our network’s funds under management have doubled in size and his vision and commitment to strengthening the communities of Aotearoa NZ has been highly valued. We are delighted that Ray remains on the board to help to guide our future path.”

“The entire Board and team are excited about the future potential of our 18 strong network and the changemaking energy that resonates from community philanthropy.”