Our Management Team
Eleanor Cater
Chief Executive Officer (Acting)
Since 2017 Eleanor has been leading the evolution and growth of Community Foundations in New Zealand, including most recently as Philanthropy and Membership Services Director, stepping into the CEO (Acting) role in August 2025. These days, she describes herself as a bit of a 'philanthropy nerd', having recently completed an MA in Philanthropic Studies through the University of Kent's Centre for Philanthropy, her dissertation exploring the practice of philanthropy advising, and its potential to progress social justice across Aotearoa NZ. She is a Winston Churchill Fellow, her research project exploring international initiatives which have led to the growth of community philanthropy (read the research report here).
Eleanor believes that personal philanthropy has the potential to be transformative and says that local people are the changemakers that their communities need, “sometimes they just need a bit of help to step onto that pathway of discovery themselves”. She is a grant maker on two local boards in her home city of Porirua, and is motivated by the potential of more informed, participatory philanthropy in local communities.
Ellen Miles
Marketing and Brand Strategy Lead
With sixteen years of experience across brand, design, marketing and all things in between, Ellen loves nothing more than creating powerful brand stories that engage, resonate and inspire a response. She is all about collective success; what has made her most powerful campaigns has been meaning and connection to the community.
A born Wellingtonian, if she isn’t racing her two young girls between Kindy, swimming and gymnastics, she will have sniffed out a game of netball for herself.
“I am more than thrilled to help serve such a generous and thriving network. The combined fire power of passionate people and transformative thought leaders makes this journey so impactful. At the end of the day, we all get a kick out of grafting towards a unified goal with our communities sitting right at the heart of that.”
Jess Reiher
Finance and Administration Co-ordinator
Jess (Ngāti Kahungunu, I-Kiribati) first stepped into the world of philanthropy at age 16 as a grantmaker for a local fund in her hometown of Porirua. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems and Management and experience in consulting, strategy and community initiatives, Jess’ passion for community connection has led her back into the philanthropic space. She is currently the Bequest Coordinator for The Sargood Bequest and excited about the opportunity to support the work of Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this inspiring sector, connecting generosity with need to supporting work that truly uplifts and strengthens communities.”