Our Management Team
Arron Perriam
Executive Director
Arron’s experience spans the NZ charity, philanthropy and commercial sectors over the past 30 years. He holds a number of governance roles, all of which contribute to the wellbeing of everyday kiwis, including currently sitting as an independent Board member with The Salvation Army of NZ, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Proud of his Rongowhakaata descent, Arron joined Community Foundations of NZ from his most recent role as CEO of Cholmondeley Children’s Centre in Canterbury. He is based in Ōtautahi-Christchurch, is a keen trail runner, a musician and is a very proud koro/grandfather to his 5 mokopuna.
“At CFNZ we are all about purposeful partnerships that together bring influence, grow generosity, and help shape the future of NZ communities. This is where my passion resides, and I’m proud to be serving the wellbeing of Aotearoa NZ through the successful growth and strategic focus of our collective regional endowment funding. In partnership with generous locals we can together grow strategic and impactful funding in communities. Ngā manaakitanga."
Eleanor Cater
Membership Services Director
With a background of 30 years in marketing and communications, Eleanor has spent the past two decades working for purpose and impact, marketing for causes, national charity fundraising, coaching and mentoring. Formerly an elected Trustee in her home city of Porirua, she remains as a grantmaker on two local boards, with Wellington's Nikau Foundation and with Trust House Foundation.
A self-confessed 'philanthropy nerd', Eleanor has recently returned to study and is completing an MA in Philanthropic Studies through the University of Kent. She is a recent recipient of a Winston Churchill Fellowship, in 2023 undertaking international research into initiatives which have led to the growth of community philanthropy.
Eleanor believes that philanthropy has the potential to be transformative and says that local people are the changemakers that their communities need. "Our communities across Aotearoa New Zealand need the means to drive their own future. Our mahi helps to empower generous, insightful people to build permanent funds that will make an impact and provide for future generations. In partnership with local people, Community Foundations are strengthening our communities and I’m honoured to be a part of the great work and passion that is happening across the country. Ka pai rā tēnei mahi.”
Ellen Miles
Marketing Advisor
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.”