As outlined in our Constitution, the Board is made up of elected members. The Board is responsible for providing strategic leadership, setting the direction and performance of ACE Aotearoa. It provides oversight for funders, members and ACE sector stakeholders to ensure there is transparency and accountability in all activities undertaken by ACE Aotearoa.
Anne Troy
Anne has a deep knowledge of the ACE sector and has been involved for over a decade. She has a Masters in TESOL Leadership, a BSC and has completed the National Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy (NCALNE). Anne is an ESOL tutor and funded course coordinator at Wellington High School Community Education Centre. Anne is also an accredited instructor of Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa with Te Pou.
Charmaine Tukua
Charmaine is a distinguished Māori educator with more than 25 years in adult and community education, specialising in the revitalisation of mātauranga Māori. As Operations Coordinator at Te Puna Wānaka Ara Institute of Canterbury, she has championed te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and adult literacy education. Charmaine has served as a kaiako, programme leader and national literacy trainer, helping to embed culturally responsive practices across the sector. Her leadership has strengthened Māori learner engagement and success in tertiary education. In 2022, she was honoured with the ACE Aotearoa Educator of the Year – Tangata Whenua award for her outstanding contribution.
David Do
David is a Senior Advisor with the New Zealand Treasury and is honoured to be re-elected this year to the ACE Aotearoa Board as part of the Tangata Tiriti caucus. David draws on his diverse experience as an activist, elected leader, governor and public servant to keep strategies on track, make things happen, and work with people in good faith to drive change. He has more than eight years government, nongovernmental organisations and education experience, including working in adult literacy and numeracy. He is passionate about improving people’s lives and expanding opportunities for everyone through education.
Dr Edmond Fehoko (Tangata Tiriti Co-Chair)
Dr Feheko (Tongan) was born and raised in Aotearoa and is passionate about serving his community and Pacific people across New Zealand. Dr Feheko holds a PhD in Public Health from AUT University and is currently a Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition and Associate Dean Pacific, in the Division of Sciences at the University of Otago. Dr Fehoko has extensive knowledge of the sector and organisation. He has presented at ACE workshops and was on the steering committee for Hui Fono for ACE Aotearoa. Dr Fehoko brings a Pacific lens and expertise to support the organisation engage with Pacific peoples and communities.
Heidi Renata
Heidi is the Co-founder and Chief Energy Officer of INNOV8HQ, a multi award-winning “Culturally Curious Wahinepreneur”, global keynote speaker and panellist on indigenous leadership and entrepreneurship. With more than 25 years’ experience in tech, including 13 at Vodafone NZ, she is passionate about lifting Māori, wāhine and rangatahi into tech. Her diverse governance roles and work advising governments and the education sector reflect her drive to help communities thrive in a rapidly changing world. Heidi’s leadership has earned honours like Business Leader of the Year 2022, ACE Aotearoa Programme of the Year 2023 for Mana Rangatahi, and 2024 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year. Heidi is excited to join the ACE Aotearoa board to champion innovation and build stronger learning pathways that uplift communities across Aotearoa.
Jay Rupapera (Tangata Whenua Co-Chair)
Ko Whangatautia toku maunga
Ko Karirikura te moana
Ko Wairoa te awa
Ko Tinana te waka
Ko Ngati Moroki te hapu
Ko Te Rarawa te Iwi
Ko au te mokopuna o te whenua o Ahipara
Ko Jennifer Rupapera ahau
ACE Aotearoa Board Co-chair, Tangata Whenua, Jay Rupapera has more than twenty years’ experience in the ACE sector. She has managed and delivered a wide range of programmes and is currently cluster manager for Literacy Aotearoa, Te Tai Tokerau. Jay has governance experience with school boards, community groups, and Far North REAP. She is a trustee and chair of Korou Kore Marae (local hapū).
Lottie Vinson
Lottie is the Director of the Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association (CWEA) in Ōtautahi Christchurch and is proud to have been re-elected to the ACE Aotearoa Board this year as part of the Tangata Tiriti caucus. Originally from the UK, she is passionate about community and the role of education in building inclusive and resilient communities for the future. With more than 10 years' experience leading charitable organisations in both Aotearoa and the UK, as well as three years with Parliamentary Services, Lottie brings a strengths-based, open and participatory approach to her work. She is excited to continue to support the ACE Aotearoa team and contribute to the sector’s ongoing impact.
Will Flavell
Dr. Will Flavell is an experienced leader in education and local government, with a commitment to empowering young people. He has extensive experience as a secondary school leader and gained a global perspective as a former Fulbright Scholar in Boston. In local government, he serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the Henderson-Massey Local Board. Dr. Flavell also works as a researcher, focusing on education policy and essential issues affecting learners. He speaks te reo Māori and Japanese and is currently learning Gagana Sāmoa.