NPH New Zealand’s Director
NPH New Zealand is run by Loren O’Sullivan who spent two years volunteering at NPH Honduras in 2013-14. Loren says,
“I really enjoyed my time volunteering with the NPH children in Honduras. It was an incredible experience, where I saw the tangible difference NPH makes for these children. After two years, I came back to New Zealand with a strong desire to continue helping the NPH children. I started by sponsoring a child, and volunteering at the NPH New Zealand office in Auckland. In 2016 I became the Director of NPH New Zealand and have worked hard to send over two million dollars to the NPH programmes in Latin America.
My sponsored child is now studying at university, as well as many of my former students. It gives me a lot of joy to see their progress, knowing that our supporters in New Zealand are making a real difference. NPH has changed my life in so many positive ways. I have learnt that together we truly can make the world a better place. Thank you!”
Board Members
NPH New Zealand is managed by a small group of dedicated Trustees, who give their time and talents on a volunteer basis. NPH New Zealand is an affiliate organisation of NPH International which is a Mexican charity which oversees all the NPH programmes in 9 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. The support is direct, from the NPH fundraising offices to the programmes.
Miguel Venegas
Miguel joined the NPH Mexico family when he was 15-years-old. Miguel graduated as Dux, receiving a scholarship to study Science and Mathematics at the University of Texas. Miguel went on to work at an international firm, when he was asked by NPH’s founder, Father Wasson, to help the NPH Guatemala family as an accountant. Miguel has held a wide range of roles within NPH. After gaining an MBA from one of the world’s most prestigious universities, and serving as NPH International’s Director of Finance for six years, Miguel is now the Executive Director of NPH International. As a Board member of NPH New Zealand, Miguel is able to use his vast knowledge of the NPH programmes to guide Loren and the Trustees.
Jonathan Gabriel
Jonathan is the Chief Financial Officer & HR Manager for a civil engineering consultancy, having previously been CFO and Commercial Manager for a major New Zealand manufacturer. Jonathan holds a BCom in finance and a post graduate Advanced HR Management qualification. He is a Fellow chartered Accountant with CAANZ, a Fellow Accountant (FCPA) (Australia), a Fellow (FGIA) with the Governance Institute of Australia, a Chartered Member of HRNZ and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Jonathan helps the Director and the Board with financial planning, reporting and oversight, and provides governance input. Jonathan also works closely with an independent charities accountant to ensure NPH maintain absolute integrity in its financial affairs.
Jonathan says,
“I was moved by a public talk Loren gave a couple of years ago on the plight of underprivileged children in South America and the wonderful mission of NPH in helping support families. The practical help that NPH provides, including running the only children’s hospital in Haiti, was something that really resonated with me.
Immediately after the talk, I became a proud child sponsor and got involved in volunteering. I am privileged to now be part of the talented and committed Board, and I absolutely love being able to offer my help where I can. It’s fantastic knowing the donations from our generous community of supporters is helping in such a meaningful way in these children’s lives. I’d love to spend time volunteering at one of the NPH programmes and I’m motivated to try and learn some Spanish!”
Lisa Marie Richan
Lisa-Marie joined the NPH New Zealand board in 2014 as Director of Communications and Head of Profession at New Zealand State Services Commission and has a background in Climate Change policy and as a director at NZ Trade and Enterprise. She is now the Wellington Partner at Convergence Communications, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading strategic public relations and government affairs consultancies. She has many years of experience in issues, media, brand and reputation management for both private and public sectors and has worked and travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. She is passionate about NPH, having visited NPH Peru, Mexico, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
Aidee Walker
A top New Zealand actress, Producer and Director: well known for her roles in Step Dave and Outrageous Fortune. Aidee has provided great networking and fundraising outcomes for NPH New Zealand, after visiting NPH Peru, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Aidee is also a celebrity ambassador for NPH New Zealand.
Tattianna Picoaga
Tattianna is passionate about helping people and organisations to thrive. Tattianna is an IT Engineer with experience in international consulting firms and different delivery roles. Her expertise is in topics related to IT Strategy, Digital Transformation, Strategy and Planning, Business Improvement, BA, PMO Strategy and Delivery and Change. She has led and facilitated many teams to achieve long term outcomes with an innovative and holistic perspective that brings collaboration, integration and direction.
With over twenty years of experience Business and IT Consultant, Tattianna had delivered a large portfolio of “complex projects and assignments” for different industries in the government and private sector, with successful sustainable long-term outcomes for the organisations she worked for, their teams and their industries.
As a natural mentor, Tattianna has been involved in academia as a lecturer/consultant in topics related to IT strategic planning and solutions design, using different business and IT methodologies and approaches. Tattianna’s experience includes volunteer roles for non-profit professional organisations and charities. Originally from Peru, Tattianna has seen the extreme poverty and social issues that families face. She is excited about being a Trustee of NPH New Zealand, helping transform the lives of vulnerable children and families in Latin America.
Founder of NPH New Zealand
In 2011 Kristina Cavit returned to New Zealand after two years volunteering at NPH Dominican Republic. She wanted to do something to help the children she had grown to love. After the success of a few large fundraising events Kristina decided to register NPH New Zealand as a Charitable Trust.
Thanks to the dedication of Kristina, who worked largely as a volunteer, NPH New Zealand was able to start making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children in Latin America and the Caribbean.
