Management Team
Stephen Hart
CEO Pou Matua
Stephen has been with CORT since 2016, leading the organisation through a significant period of growth. Graduating from the University of Auckland with a conjoint degree in history and commerce, Stephen spent time in the music industry, and has worked in the mental health and NGO sector since 2007. Stephen was appointed to the CEO role in 2022.
Tracey Moore
Head of Operations Pou Hihiko
Tracey joined CORT in 2022, attracted by its Vision and Mission, because she knows that having a good home is essential for people to thrive in all aspects of their life. Tracey has a wealth of experience working in social housing and local government in the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand and has a MSc in Housing from Middlesex University. Her work is driven by the understanding that empowered and well-supported people are fundamental to the success of an organisation.
Shaun Boulton
Property and Asset Manager
Julia Te Hira
Head of Development Pou Puawai
Julia (BBS, MNZIOB) joined CORT in 2017 and has nearly 20 years of experience in social housing in Aotearoa and the UK. As Head of Development, she leads a talented development team to deliver award-winning community housing of the highest standard. She has been instrumental in the establishment of new funding models for financing community housing in New Zealand. Julia has dedicated her career to the improvement of people's lives through housing, which is the backbone of health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Mahesh Khupse
Development Manager Muka Puawai
Ayn Benitez
Head of Finance Pou Kete
Ayn (CA) has over 18 years of experience in financial operations and has been with CORT since 2017. With extensive experience across various fields and organisations, Ayn has been a key contributor to CORT’s growth. He is hands-on, fun approach ensures strong financial management acumen.
Board of Trustees
Chairperson: Geoff Henshaw
(Ph.D)
Skill area: Strategy, Risk, Leadership, Regulatory, Entrepreneurship.
Geoff is an entrepreneur with a passion for building enterprises that have a positive impact on communities and the environment. He has worked with organisations from startups to Crown Research Institutes to create innovative businesses with lasting social benefit.
He is currently Founder and CTO at a cleantech company providing environmental solutions to governments, consultants and NGOs worldwide.
Geoff is delighted to bring his energy and thoughtfulness to CORT as a Trustee and support its role as a leader in New Zealand’s social housing sector.
Treasurer:
John Deyell
BCom (Taxation and Accounting)
Skill area: Finance, Charitable Trust Management
John has a background in accounting and charitable trust management, having worked for both small charitable trusts and large nationwide NGO's.
John currently works in the consulting industry, partnering with various NGO's, Government agencies and private businesses to deliver accounting and financial systems across a variety of industries.
He brings with him his passion for finance, community development and Trust governence.
Trustee:
Tony McNamara
(BSc, MBA Exec, IITP, IoD)
Skill area: Strategy, IT Management
Tony works as an IT Consultant where he specializes in the alignment of ICT strategy with business strategy, with a focus on small to medium-sized law firms.
Tony has held senior IT management positions in the health, local government and finance sectors. He is a member of the Institute of IT Professionals (IITP) and a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD). Tony has previous involvement with many community groups, including sea scouts and local sports teams.
Trustee:
Jody Kilpatrick
(BA, BTh, MTh)
Skill area: Pastoral Leadership
Jody is the Minister of Ponsonby Baptist Church. She has been an ex-officio member of the trust since 2005. She brings skills and experience in guidance and pastoral care. Jody also represents an invaluable senior leadership church perspective to the board.
Trustee:
Alex Duncan
BA (Hons)
Skill area: Finance, Financial Markets, Public Policy
Alex mixes active semi-retirement and engagements with a variety of commercial clients as a principal of Finology, a financial economics firm.
For 12 years until mid-2015, Alex held a range of senior corporate finance and strategy roles in Fonterra Co-operative Group. During that time, he was integral in initiating Fonterra’s inaugural financial risk management policies, the establishment of a global dairy auction and Fonterra’s issue of equity listed in New Zealand and Australia. Prior to that, Alex led the Corporate Finance practice of Andersen in New Zealand, was engaged in wide-ranging tax reform in New Zealand and the Pacific, and had significant involvement in the advent of the quota regime under which most of New Zealand’s fish stocks are managed.
Alex is delighted to contribute as a Trustee and participate with others in CORT’s growing role in social housing.
Trustee: Mark Prins
BE (E&E)
Skill area: Management, strategy and process
Mark is currently working for a software non-profit, which began in Kathmandu and works to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.
While he is now the product owner, his background is in software development, as both a software engineer and software manager. As such he brings experience in organisational processes and an attention to detail which some would call pedantry.
Mark also brings his board experience, as current chair of the mSupply Foundation board of trustees.
He is excited to contribute and tautoko the much-needed mahi that CORT does.
Trustee:
Danny Baldwin
Trustee:
Nicki Squibbs (M Ed, BD, BE)
Vicki has a passion for education. She has worked in leadership positions in schools, in Aotearoa and in Tanzania, with a focus on equitable access to educational outcomes. Currently Vicki is teaching in a secondary school.
Vicki has been involved with community groups including Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh Award groups.