It serves Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Waimarino.
The foundation recently appointed a new chair, Kathy Cunningham, and several new trustees.
“It feels like we’re all starting afresh together, which is a nice way to start the year,” Cavanagh said.
She will work alongside Cunningham towards two of the organisation’s ongoing goals.
It hopes to raise a total of $7.5 million by June 2030. The aim of this goal is to be able to in turn invest more money into community projects.
“When we have more money, we’ll be able to give more money away,” Cunningham said.
Their second goal is to donate $2 million to one project.
“It’s a really ambitious target, and I think it recognises the need,” Cavanagh said.
Cavanagh’s background working with the Whanganui community will help greatly in achieving these goals, Cunningham said.
“Marianne makes an incredible chief executive because of her background in policy, process, and procedure,” she said.
Cavanagh’s roles over 10 years at Whanganui District Council included senior policy advisor, principal corporate advisor, and multiple roles in customer experience.
She has been a New Zealand Masters Games Trust chairwoman since late 2021.
“Coming from local government to be working in a foundation space is really exciting,” Cavanagh said.
She said she believes her strong understanding of local governance will help to strengthen the foundation’s policies.
“Having that strength and understanding, embedding good policies and procedures and transparency as well. Local government is very public facing.
“It’s a similarity with the foundation as well.”
“So being really aware of that and being customer-centric and keeping the people that we’re working for at the heart of what we do.”
Cunningham said Cavanagh’s knowledge and experience collaborating with organisations within the region will greatly aid the foundation operationally.
“The ability for Marianne to reach out to other community trusts to do the research necessary and required to build a really strong group of people around her, so that she helps the board make the right decisions and informed decisions.
“That’s what I’m excited about.”
Cavanagh began her new role this week.
“It’s just been so eye-opening for me ... just how much or how many support groups and community groups there are out there and just how much they do,” she said.
“A big focus for me is really increasing the visibility of the foundation and really celebrating [that] we support these organisations.
“And they’re just doing amazing things.”
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.
