Our Team

  • Robert Brooke | BSR BSc (Hons)Associate Director - Giving Architects

    Robert brings in a wealth of fundraising experience from offshore and New Zealand and has been involved in the educational advancement space since 2016 as a Development Manager at King’s College. Prior to his role at King’s College, Robert managed numerous functions including; marketing, sponsorships, membership and subscription management and has extensive event experience including Super Rugby, Test Matches, Rugby World Cup 2011 and Motor Sport Hall of Fame in the United Kingdom.

    Robert has always been responsible for lifting the bar on existing programs and developing successful new campaigns. As an experienced fundraising professional, he brings expertise in annual and capital campaigns, board and volunteer management, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, project development and implementation, donor prospect research, marketing and strategy, and managing significant donor solicitation and stewardship events.

    Through his roles, Robert has gained extensive knowledge across the fundraising sector from the perspectives of both every day giving to major grant funders. He has a passion for supporting others, and this, coupled with his competitive nature, means that Robert strives to enable others achieve their best. Robert’s positive outlook and desire to develop genuine relationships with individuals and communities enables him to walk alongside organisations, motivated by watching them learn and grow, dedicated to supporting each and every client in a way that suits them.

    Robert holds a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation majoring in Management and Bachelor of Science (honours) majoring in Administration Management and Marketing.

  • Bridget Brown | BSc, BA, GradCertBusAssociate

    Bridget is a communications professional who has worked for hospitals and not-for-profit organisations in the areas of communications, marketing, event management, project coordination and public relations in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has worked as a consultant for clients in the healthcare sector, the arts and community organisations.

    Bridget provides the best possible communications support to clients to meet their needs. She enjoys working as part of a team to support strategic communications development and execution related to the client’s key business areas.

    In her work with Giving Architects she has developed communications and digital marketing plans, cases for support and other fundraising and communication documents.

    Bridget holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Journalism and Ancient History). She also completed a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Relations). Bridget excels at converting scientific or medical information into layperson’s language whilst maintaining the meaning.

  • Stephanie Wise | B.Des, Dip, MFIAAssociate

    Stephanie is a passionate fundraiser with over 10 years of experience in events and fundraising across the not-for-profit and arts sectors. She has developed skills in events and project management, community fundraising, philanthropy, appeals, volunteer management, digital fundraising, registration, and ticketing platforms.

    At City Recital Hall she worked with many of Australia’s most high-profile organisations and companies across the arts, corporate, non-profit and government. Her role was integral in managing stakeholder relationships to develop a clear understanding of requirements and to support them with their event from end to end, working across contracts, budgets, communications, production, and hospitality – maximising artistic and financial return.

    Stephanie has been involved in the successful delivery of fundraising appeals, launches, donor appreciation events, volunteer days, concerts, conferences, annual general meetings, ceremonies, and functions. In her role at The Salvation Army, alongside delivering major events she established national frameworks and processes. Stephanie has worked with all levels of state and national leadership as well as external volunteer leaders on fundraising committees.

    She uses her creative and analytical thinking to assist projects in all their stages and balances her meticulous attention to detail with an ability to adapt and respond to sudden changes. She encourages input, inclusion and collaboration and has a strong commitment to ongoing learning and developing skills that will make a positive impact in the community.

    As a consultant, Stephanie has supported clients with capital campaign and fundraising readiness assessments, campaign coordination, fundraising communications strategy including donor messaging, branding and graphic design, digital fundraising strategy and website development including onboarding and training.

    Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communications, and Diploma of Events Management.

  • Clive Pedley | CFRE FFINZDirector & Chief Executive at Giving Architects

    “Direct personal experience from harnessing incredible acts of generosity, many millions of dollars over the years, has given insights and experience for me to advise social purpose organisations in New Zealand every day.”

    Clive has been advising, coaching and training for growth in the social purpose sector in New Zealand and Australia since 2000. During that time he has been responsible for raising tens of millions for many of New Zealand’s leading charities. He is well regarded as a thought leader, an informed, enthusiastic practitioner and practical presenter. Clive is a former President of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) from 2011 to 2013, was a member of the FINZ National Council from 2009 to 2015 and was named a fellow of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand in May 2014.

    He was the first New Zealander appointed to the Board of CFRE International in 2014, a global accreditation organisation for over senior fundraisers worldwide. In December 2015 Clive was appointed to the International Advisory Panel of the Rogare Think Tank on international fundraising ethics, part of the Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy at Plymouth University in the UK.

    In 2017 Clive was appointed to the Responsible Investment Association of Australia Impact Investment Forum committee and has been directly involved in establishing New Zealand’s inaugural Impact Investment Advisory Board.  This level of international engagement has led to a sound understanding of traditional philanthropy and emerging international best practice in areas such as social impact investment.

  • Iyanthi Wijayanayake | MBA CFRE FCIM MFINZDirector at Giving Architects

    “As an advisor to the social purpose sector, I have the privilege of helping social purpose organisations tell their amazing stories to passionate donors and investors who are responding with millions of dollars to a crisis half the world away or responding to urgent critical needs in their own backyard.”

    Iyanthi has worked with social purpose organisations since 2003 after a successful corporate career in business and marketing. She brings a broad range of skills and business acumen to the social purpose sector. Iyanthi provides strategic services to clients to fulfil their mission and has raised millions of dollars for vital projects and developed sustainable strategies for extraordinary growth. Iyanthi understands and appreciates the challenges and complexity of the social purpose sector and has the privilege of applying real creative thinking in providing solutions that have transformational outcomes for clients. As a passionate advisor to the sector she provides leadership, clarity and donor/investor centricity to project that require philanthropic or social impact investing solutions. Iyanthi has a sound understanding of international best practice and applies strategic thinking when providing solutions to complex problems.

    Iyanthi is a CFRE, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK, and has served on the National Council and the Northern Division of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand.

  • Emma Zigan | MFINZAssociate Director - Giving Architects

    “A self-proclaimed ‘facilitator of joy’, Emma has been successful in raising millions of Dollars, Euros, and Reais whilst ensuring long lasting sustainable giving practices are implemented and maintained, bringing the positive and joyful impact that both donors and fund recipients are looking for”.

    Emma Zigan has recently returned home after 12 years working internationally, predominately in the Fundraising sector, and with a background as a Director in Sales & Marketing here in NZ, she brings with her a wealth of kiwi knowledge and international experience expanding our team’s expertise and global perspective.

    Having worked in educational advancement in North & South America and Europe, she’s been responsible for not only substantially raising the bar on existing programs but has instigated and developed successful new fundraising and alumni relations programs. Some of the things she’s been leading include: creating sustainable giving and asking cultures, setting up Advancement offices, Giving Days, board & volunteer management, annual and capital campaigns, grant applications, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, project planning development and implementation, marketing and strategy, databases, multitudes of communication, and planning and coordinating significant donor solicitation and stewardship events.

    Emma has been recognised as a thought leader in her field, presenting at industry conferences, holding workshops, and sitting on advisory boards. Her highly developed and diverse cultural understanding and drive to work collaboratively and inclusively, means that she is well placed to mentor and share her expertise and skills, and in doing so, driving positive change for people and planet.

     

  • Dominique Leeming | FFINZSenior Associate

    “While I have loved fundraising since I was a teenager volunteering in the social purpose sector, it is seeing donors aspirations met that really brings me joy. When donors needs are met through excellent donor care, the organisation’s needs are also inevitably met.” 

    Dominique is results driven leader with over 20 years professional fundraising experience in New Zealand. She joined our team following five plus years as General Manager – Marketing & Fundraising for SPCA New Zealand. During her time at SPCA, Dominique led her team through a period of sustained change as the organisation transitioned from over 40 separately incorporated entities into one organisation while concurrently driving significant growth in fundraised income. The team’s performance has been recognised by the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand, the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, and by TechSoup, winning multiple awards in 2019 and 2020, including the overall FINZ Supreme Excellence in Fundraising Award and Dominique was awarded the inaugural FINZ Fundraising Leader of the Year in 2019. 

    Prior to her work for SPCA, Dominique managed capital fundraising campaigns for Coastguard New Zealand. Again, her work was recognised by FINZ with two awards for Best Capital Campaign in 2011 and 2014. 

    For many years Dominique has guided and mentored people and organisations in the development of their fundraising programmes. Her people first approach, supported by sound analysis and strategy development has seen her succeed in several large New Zealand charities. She brings a wealth of both skill and experience to her work with our clients, including having held both governance and management roles in social purpose organisations. 

    Dominique was made a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand in 2014, and she has previously served on the National Council and as a committee member for the Southern Division. She currently serves on the Institute’s Ethics Committee.  

  • Nigel Harris | MBA CFRE FFIA GAICDFounding Partner at Giving Architects Australia

    “Nigel is an established and highly regarded non-profit sector leader specialising in philanthropy and fundraising, with an outstanding track record in organisational growth and development. He has crafted a unique range of experiences and insights in governance, executive leadership and applied fundraising practice throughout his career spanning almost 40 years..”

    Nigel has held executive leadership roles in multiple non-profit organisations during this term, most notably serving as Chief Executive Officer of Mater Foundation (Queensland) for 24 years. Under Nigel’s leadership, Mater Foundation’s annual fundraising revenue grew from $2m to $70m, raising over $3/4b over that period and establishing the Foundation as one of Australia’s largest health charities and a major funder of medical research and clinical services.

    Nigel has played a significant leadership role within Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) over the past 35 years, serving as Board Chair on two separate occasions and stewarding practice credentialing, professional development and self-regulation initiatives. He has also held several international voluntary appointments within the philanthropic and fundraising sector.

    Currently a director and Deputy Chair of Act for Kids, Nigel also serves on the Board of the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy and previously served on the Community Council for Australia and CFRE Boards. He is a Fellow of Fundraising Institute Australia, the Institute of Managers and Leaders and the CEO Institute. He is also a Past President of the Rotary Club of Albany Creek and has been active in community and sporting organisations for over 40 years.

    Holding an MBA majoring in fundraising as well as qualifications in Public Relations and Marketing, Nigel is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). In 2012 he was recognised as the Arthur Venn Australian Fundraising Professional of the Year and has also been recognised through other non-profit management awards.

    As one of Australia’s first ‘first career’ fundraising professionals, Nigel has been immersed in the evolution of fundraising as a profession in Australia over the past four decades and he continues to be a significant influencer and innovator in the sector, nationally and internationally. Today, he is a sought-after presenter, writer, educator and mentor, specialising in executive leadership, governance, and organisational and professional development.

  • Leigh Cleave | MBA CFRE FFIASenior Associate at Giving Architects Australia

    “For more that 20 years Leigh has been committed to working with purpose driven organisations to build healthy and sustainable futures. During that time, she has taken on roles of increasing responsibility and breadth – covering all aspects of fundraising across healthcare, medical research, international development and community welfare.”

    Following a career in performing arts and education Leigh moved into the non-profit industry managing a large fundraising and public relations team across Singapore and Malaysia. Returning to Australia Leigh’s skills have been developed across community fundraising, events, annual and emergency appeals, corporate partnerships, institutional giving, major gifts, endowment and capital campaigns. Senior executive roles have continued to broaden her capabilities in non-profit management involving all aspects marketing, communications and media.

    Leigh has managed fundraising teams in Australia, North America and Southeast Asia. Strong technical knowledge grounded in experience along with a well-developed coaching style supports her in her commitment to help others achieve their full potential. An effective communicator Leigh has spoken at major events, conferences and the national media. Her leadership and governance skills have been developed in a variety of board and committee roles.

    Leigh is a Director and Finance & Risk Management Committee member of Act for Peace, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA)

  • Marie De Silva | MBus MBA ACIMDigital Marketing Consultant at Giving Architects

    “Having transitioned to the social purpose sector after extensive experience in corporates, Marie brings a plethora of skills in leveraging digital presence and optimising digital outcomes for social purpose organisations keeping in mind the unique ecosystem in which they operate.”

    Marie is a passionate digital marketer with over 10 years of experience in developing and executing digital and conventional marketing strategy, with a proven track record in building high performance marketing teams in the Knowledge Intensive Business Services Sector.

    Having gained a wide spectrum of skills during her tenure, Marie’s core strengths lie in Digital Lead Generation, Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Frontend Search Engine Optimisation, Digital Content Marketing, Research and Analysis and overall Digital Presence Development and Enhancement.

    Marie recently completed her Master of Business (Marketing) qualification at Auckland University of Technology with a research study on digital content steering for knowledge Intensive Organisations. She also holds a Master of Business Administration (Marketing) qualification from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK) and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK).