Donna Provoost

Chair

Donna is a values-driven leader providing strategic and thought leadership to social and economic issues. She is an economist with over twenty years of experience as a researcher, policy analyst and manager working across quantitative data and qualitative evidence. Donna has extensive knowledge of the machinery of government, as well as a solid understanding the community sector, and the factors that contribute good outcomes for New Zealanders. Much of her professional work has centred on working for better outcomes for disadvantaged groups.

Donna came to New Zealand from Canada 18 years ago, and she has worked in Ministries of Education, Justice and Science and Innovation and the Children’s Commissioner. She currently leads the Generational Investment Unit at the Ministry of Transport. She brings her background in strategic policy, community social and economic development, human-centred design and collaboration to all she does.

Donna lives with her husband and teenager in Johnsonville. She joined the Inspiring Communities Board in 2016 and has been Chair since 2017.

Amy Irvine

Amy Irvine is a passionate social justice advocate who is committed to seeing communities thrive. Born in Gqeberha, South Africa and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, she has participated in her local and wider community ever since High School when first joining the Upper Harbour Youth Council. She is a strong proponent for community-led change and making use of the wealth of knowledge within community groups.

Currently a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Global Studies student at the University of Auckland, Amy is eager to apply her learning for the benefit of others. Amy has represented rangatahi at Auckland Council on their Youth Advisory Panel and Climate Change Working Group. She is actively involved with several community organisations focusing on upholding Te Tiriti, sustainability, and creating equitable outcomes across Aotearoa.

Di Rump

Di (Te Uri o Ngai Tara ki Mua Ūpoko o Te Ika me Ngati Raukawa ) commutes to her hometown of Taitoko (Levin) to undertake the role of Chief Executive at Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, after having a corporate career in banking and finance with some SOE time in the mix. A Leadership NZ and Harvard Leadership Programme alumni, Di believes she’s exceptionally lucky that being Māori and working for her iwi in a kaupapa Māori environment automatically sets her up to be in a mindful leadership kaupapa. ”I believe strongly in social justice and servant leadership. Always have. To be an authentic leader requires being open to possibility no matter the challenges and barriers – and always putting people first. I hold dear the whakatauki, He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.”
On top of her job, Di serves on a number of Alliance, governance and community forums.

Min Vette

Min grew up among both her mother’s people Ngā Paerangi of Kaiwhaiki marae Whanganui and her father’s people Ngāti Konohi of Whāngārā marae Gisborne. Her  understanding of the world has been shaped by her early and lifelong experiences in and around these two marae with extended whānau. Mātauranga – learning about ancestors, mahi – roles and responsibilities, manaaki – caring, hauora – hygiene, haumaru – safety and tiaki – support have all been a part of growing up around the marae. Min’s early professional background started in the woolsheds, where she developed strong work ethics around being reliable, working as a team and pushing your potential, i.e. sweating!
After graduating from Waikato with a degree in Māori she worked for Iwi for ten years before moving into the public sector. She has held various senior roles at Southland DHB, and the Ministries of Education, Social Development and Oranga Tamariki. During which time she gained a master’s degree in management from Victoria.
Min has seen positive initiatives grown out of and inspired by community, whānau and hapū but sadly also the demise of these as a result of racism and not understanding te ao Māori. She’d like to support whānau and hapū led initiatives and contribute at a board level towards advice and decisions that help to keep whānau positive and motivated.