Our passionate and talented Board of Trustees has a breadth of knowledge across accounting, finance, strategy, legal and health and they're all committed to helping us ensure no young Kiwi faces serious illness or grief alone.


Dione is an experienced manager with 30 years' commercial experience in Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK. Her broad skillset has been developed across a range of publishing, editorial, product and commercial management roles within large corporates.
A keen supporter of Nic and what has been achieved through Kenzie’s Gift, Dione is looking forward to assisting the Board and the fantastic work that is being done.

Kerry has over 30 years of experience in governance and management, specializing in digital transformation across industries such as retail, banking, IT, and manufacturing. He is currently at Brother International NZ. Kerry is passionate about supporting Nic and the team at Kenzie's Gift.

Niamh is the Honorary Consul General for Ireland in Aotearoa New Zealand and a commercial lawyer with over 30 years’ experience as a partner in her law firm - McMahon Butterworth Thompson.
Niamh shares the honour with Nic of also being from Ireland. Niamh sits on a number of committees and Boards and is involved in many Law Society activities. She enjoys giving back to the community. In her spare time, Niamh enjoys anything on the water, including scuba diving. She says that scuba diving is just like a day in the office – you need to make sure you have enough air, avoid bottom feeders, and remember that there are always bigger fish in the sea! Niamh is looking forward to bringing her skills to Kenzie's Gift and joining an awesome team of similarly committed trustees.

Nic Russell founded Kenzie’s Gift in 2006 with the intent of providing appropriate and research-based psychosocial support for tamariki, mātātahi / young people and their families affected by serious illness or grief. Nic has a degree in Psychology and a post-graduate degree in Communications Management and PR.
Specialising in the health and social sector, Nic has extensive experience in campaign development, stakeholder management and championing social issues. As a recipient of the New Zealander of the Year, local hero award, she is seen as a passionate social change agent who can turn visions into reality.

Susie is an experienced business leader with over 30 years commercial business experience. She has worked across the telecommunications and IT sectors in NZ and Australia, with roles in business transformation, product management, business development and corporate affairs.
Susie has had several board roles on both commercial boards and industry boards and is currently on the board of the Broadtech Group and a member of the Institute of Director's. She is looking forward to bringing her skills to the board and working with Nic and the team to continue the important work that is done by Kenzie’s Gift.

If you or your whānau are affected by serious illness or grief, talk to us to see how we can help.
Your mate has just had a parent, sibling, or someone close to them die. You want to help but you have no idea what to say, or how to support them without somehow making it worse. We've gathered some practical advice for young adults on how to show up for a grieving friend.
Jenny Zilmer, writer for Kenzie’s Gift and a bereaved mum, speaks with child and adolescent psychotherapist Jo Doyle about grief in young tamariki, how children understand death as they grow, and how caregivers can support them through big feelings. They discuss talking honestly about death, answering difficult questions, managing regression, and the importance of routine, support and ongoing conversations about grief.
This winter, child and adolescent psychotherapist Jo Doyle is braving the ice-cold beaches and lakes of the South Island to raise money for the Big Winter Plunge. For Jo, the support Kenzie's Gift provides Kiwi whanau is not a nice-to-have, but an essential service.