OUR TEAM
Our Board
Simone Gibson (Co-Chair)
Awhina Taupō Community Foodbank
Simone Gibson is GM at Awhina Taupō Community Foodbank having relocated from Tauranga at the end of 2023. Her introduction to the food rescue sector came with her role at Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust in Tauranga starting in 2020. Bringing business experience and a passion for innovation and collaboration Simone is keen to see AFRA members learn from one another, join forces to raise the sector’s profile, and achieve sustainability for the longevity of food rescue in Aotearoa.
Simone has been part of the local Mana Kai, Mana Ora Food Sovereignty and Security Plan working group which aims to ensure we have a kai secure and well-connected community by 2030. This project will bring together those that have the same passion for a local Kai System and the vision to see it flourish.
Tracey Watene (Co-Chair)
Fair Food
Tracey (Pirini) Watene is the Head of Operations and Relationships at Fair Food NZ, where she has been instrumental in expanding the organization’s reach while maintaining strong community connections in West Auckland. She oversees the collection of over 600 tonnes of fresh food annually, supports thousands of volunteers, and fosters key partnerships with supermarkets. With a background in the Tertiary Education and Sports sectors, Tracey has mentored rangatahi and championed positive outcomes for communities. Of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Porou whakapapa, she brings a strong Te Ao Māori perspective to her work, enriching Fair Food’s relationships. Tracey is also the Vice President of the Tāmaki Makaurau Poitarawhiti Māori Women’s Welfare League and a Life Member of Aotearoa Māori Netball Oranga Healthy Lifestyles.
Liz Cassidy-Canning
Whakaora Kai
Liz Cassidy-Canning is the CEO of 155 Whare Āwhina and director of Whakaora Kai Limited, a food rescue initiative with a vision of zero waste, zero hunger. With sites in Whangārei, Moerewa (in partnership with He Iwi Kotahi), and Kaikohe, Whakaora Kai collects surplus food from local businesses and redistributes it to over 80 community groups and marae across Taitokerau. Liz, who facilitated the creation of Whakaora Kai, combines her leadership role with hands-on work as a relief food rescue driver. A passionate advocate for equity, justice, and systemic change in food security, she also brings extensive experience in governance and the health and social service sectors. Proud mother of four and nana to three mokopuna, Liz is committed to AFRA’s mission to reduce food waste, cut carbon emissions, and ensure that no one in Aotearoa goes hungry.
Kate Porter
AFRA Board Member
An experienced communications and reputation leader, Kate is a founding member of the New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 and a current board member of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance (AFRA). Previously Head of Communications and Community for Countdown and Woolworths New Zealand, Kate oversaw the company’s internal and external communications as well as its community and charity partnerships, Food for Good Foundation, and the Countdown food rescue programme.
Kate has strong relationships across the food rescue and food charity sectors, and advocates for the inclusion of food rescue as a critical part of Aotearoa’s waste infrastructure, playing both an environmental and social role to reduce food waste and food poverty.
Susie Robertson
Kaibosh Food Rescue
Susie Robertson is the Kaiarahi/CE of Kaibosh Food Rescue, which has three branches across the Greater Wellington region. Susie has a long working history in the charity sector, with a background in youth health and development and social marketing. Her passion is working with the community for the good of people and the planet. When she isn’t working, she loves getting into the bush with her family and dog. Susie believes in freely sharing knowledge and resources, and so is deeply supportive of the AFRA alliance model, and the benefits it can have for all its members. She is also the co-chair and an independent member on the board of Environment Hubs Aotearoa, another nationwide membership organisation.
Due to his strong social and environmental justice values, he leapt at the chance to be involved with Food Rescue Northland in 2017.
From weighing avocados in the back of a van in a carpark, solo, to running the sophisticated, streamlined operation that exists now, has been an incredible journey for him and his amazing team.
He considers himself fortunate to hold this values-driven position, but desires a future where food insecurity is non-existent, and the seriousness of climate change is avoided.
Jennifer Stephens
KiwiHarvest
Jennifer, with two years as Relationship Manager at KiwiHarvest, has extensive experience in community engagement, advocacy, and local council operations and is eager to contribute to AFRA’s mission. Over the past two years, she has been working with food rescue initiatives across Auckland and Southland, managing relationships with 220 recipient agencies. Her management of KiwiHarvest’s Invercargill branch has equipped her with essential skills in conflict resolution, stakeholder communication, and operational management. Outside of work, Jennifer has two daughters, one at university and another in high school. She enjoys hiking, cycling, DIY, and going to the cinema.
David Savage
AFRA Board Member
Specialising in Leadership and Collaboration, David Savage is a Coach and Trainer with nearly 20 years experience. He’s coached leaders on the post-earthquake Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team and the Memorial Park Alliance in Wellington, as well as numerous not-for-profit organisations here in New Zealand and in the Pacific.
Having travelled to different parts of the world and witnessing first hand poverty and deprivation, he’s excited to be part of the AFRA board and see its members make such a tangible and positive difference to people and planet.
Stef Van Meer
Satisfy Food Rescue
Stef Van Meer is Manager of Satisfy Food Rescue, a food rescue charity serving North Canterbury and Christchurch. She has been an integral part of developing and growing Satisfy’s brand, strategic direction and organisational culture over the past 7 years to become what it is today. Stef’s short but enjoyable time on the AFRA board this year has been a valuable experience in learning more about governance on a national scale.
Our Staff
Iain Lees-Galloway
General Manager
Iain’s background is in national and local politics, government policy, and engaging with community organisations and the social enterprise sector. A former Government Minister and Labour Party Member of Parliament, Iain has recently come to AFRA from the Nurses’ Union where he held the positions of Lead Organiser and then Associate Industrial Services Manager.
Iain is passionate about empowering people through collective action. Motivated by building strong, agile, resilient organisations that are great places to work and deliver awesome outcomes for all of our stakeholders.
As Engagement & Partnerships Lead, Iain plays a critical role in supporting food rescue organisations, particularly through policy, research, insights and evaluation. Iain is particularly involved in engagement with government, cross-collaboration within the sector, key stakeholders and research relevant to food rescue. In doing so, Iain promotes, and advocates for, the value of food rescue organisations, in reducing food waste and increasing food security.
Quinn Moffat
Data Lead
Quinn brings a unique blend of skills, combining market research, product management, and technology/coding expertise to AFRA. Currently residing near Kaikohe in the Far North, Quinn recently relocated from Auckland.
Rohan Reid
Communications Lead
Rohan is an experienced communications professional and joins AFRA after seven years at NZ accounting software platform, Xero. She is also a trained journalist and has worked in public relations roles, in Aotearoa, Australia and the UK, across a breadth of industries. She is now proud to be part of such an important sector.
Rohan’s role is critical in engaging and empowering our food rescue membership, telling our stories, and nurturing our communications with our key relationships, from central and local government to corporate partners and charities.