Janice Hughes

Founder of Aspiring Law with over 30 years’ experience working as a Solicitor.

Contact Janice: [email protected]

Niamh Shaw

I’m an Irish immigrant who has called New Zealand home since 2007. My family was drawn to Wānaka for the stunning environment, but it’s the caring, passionate community that makes us stay. We love being part of this special place.

When my children were babies, my whānau benefitted from many services and opportunities that were provided for free or minimal cost, and it inspired me to give back. For over a decade I have volunteered and worked at grassroots level to strengthen and support community in the areas of local government, education, and community wellbeing.

Community need is reflected in the charities, non-profits and community groups and individuals that step up to address gaps in our social fabric. Often, they run on the ‘smell of an oily rag’, surviving on the efforts of small numbers of passionate people who gift many hours of their time, skill and expertise doing essential mahi. These groups are the heartbeat of our community; yet I have personally experienced the challenges they face, particularly in securing sustainable funding.

I first became aware of the community foundation model and ethos while serving as a local district Councillor 2019-22. I believe in the concept as a strategic, coherent way to support, sustain and build our community, and am proud to have embarked on the first steps of this intergenerational journey. I love being part of something that will persist long after we’re gone, and knowing that what I give now will carry on generating meaningful impact for hundreds of years.

Contact Niamh: [email protected]

Fi McPhee

I moved to Wānaka for a year. That was two decades ago – and I’m still here. I work here, play here, raise my child here, and have built an extended whānau here too. Like a lot of people, I love this place – but love means showing up when it matters. Love means responsibility.

Through my years working with local community groups, I’ve seen the growing challenges the people of our growing community face – and how hard it is to meet them without long-term funding, coordination, or shared infrastructure. I’ve also met incredible people who give their time and energy to make life better for others. That gives me hope.

For me the Aspiring Community Foundation is about backing that generosity, growing it, and helping more people understand the needs in our community – and how they can be part of the solutions. It’s about long-term impact, not short-term fixes. It’s about helping our community thrive, now and for generations to come.

I bring 20+ years of experience in non-profit strategy, fundraising, governance, facilitation, and storytelling. But more than that, I’m here because I care deeply about this community – and I believe in backing the people, relationships, and ideas that will shape our future together.

Contact Fi: [email protected]

Mel Steel

What started as a dream of living in Wānaka, has now become our everyday reality. My husband Toby, our three boys, the black lab, and I feel incredibly lucky to call this place home. Each season brings its own adventures, and we’re grateful to have joined such a vibrant community. 

I have a background in operations, management and philanthropy, shaped by ten years with Givealittle, New Zealand’s crowdfunding platform. That time showed me just how powerful generosity can be. I saw that every gift has a story, and that people give for all kinds of reasons – and when we come together, the impact can be huge. As General Manager, I was privileged to help steward a platform that supported everything from national disaster relief to grassroots community projects. We often said it was not just about the funds raised, it was also the messages of support and care that made an impact for those in need. 

Through out this time, I became familiar with Community Foundations across Aotearoa and saw how this model of giving can create meaningful, lasting change at the local level. I’m a believer in the long-term power of collective generosity, and being involved with the Aspiring Community Foundation is about supporting my community into the future. 

Contact Mel: [email protected]

Clare Bridle

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent in the UK, I first discovered Wānaka on my OE while living and working in Queenstown, more than 20 years ago. After several years of holidaying and discussion, we made the move to this spectacular place in the winter of 2022, and haven’t looked back.

I’m a fundraising, marketing and governance professional, with more than 25 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit sector in key leadership roles with organisations large and small. I currently work as a fundraising consultant, supporting a wide range of causes to fulfil their mission through professional fundraising. This work has been hugely rewarding and of course at times, challenging.

That’s why I’m delighted to have joined Aspiring Community Foundation as a Trustee. This is an opportunity to work with the Community Foundation model to create something truly unique for our special community, and make it easier for anyone and everyone to support the causes they care about, which in turn benefits us all.

I am a member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.

Contact Clare: [email protected]