Our Board
Our Board
Damon Jacobsen
Chair
Damon Jacobsen
Chair
As a member of the local community, I have a strong connection with Waitara, sitting on a number of community Trusts as a Trustee, including WISE Charitable Trust. With over 8 years of governance experience, coupled with a desire to see the Waitara community grow, I am pleased to provide support where I can. Currently working as a consultant in HR and H&S management, built on a career spanning over a decade in these fields, I am dedicated to employer and employee welfare and prosperity, which is why I enjoy being a part of WISE. It is a privilege to work with WISE and support the Trust in the many great, whanau enhancing activities they do.
Ed Parker
MBA, Dip Dy Sci&Tech, BSc.
Ed Parker
MBA, Dip Dy Sci&Tech, BSc.
Ed is the Regional Manager (Taranaki) for NZ Trade & Enterprise. He was the inaugural General Manager of WISE from 2002 – 2005 and became a trustee in 2015. He previously held management roles in private sector businesses and worked in commercial roles on oil and gas projects. His qualifications include a BSc from Auckland University and an MBA from Massey University. Ed has volunteered in the community and not for profit sector throughout his career. Roles include trustee at Waitara High School and Manukorihi Intermediate, and various roles at the Knox Waitara Community Centre. Ed lives in Waitara with his wife Carolyn and they have two adult children.
Andrew Pepper
Andrew Pepper
Andrew is Managing Director of Pepper Construction, a 3rd generation family owned business based in New Plymouth. He currently serves as a trustee on the Devon Intermediate BOT, is chairperson of the Together Grow Better Communities Trust, chairperson of the Taranaki Construction Safety Group and is also a past president of the Taranaki Master Builders. Pepper’s also provide support to the New Horizons, Build a Bach, Gateway programmes and sponsors numerous community activities. Andrew has a passion for people, enjoys socialising, travel and is an avid sports fan who tries to play
Kura Denness
Kura Denness
Kura has been a Chartered Accountant for over 40 years. She has been in a number of industries and companies over the years. She has been involved in governance roles for the past 20 years including chair of Tui Ora Limited and WITT. Presently she is focusing on not for profit organisations within Waitara. She is a Trustee of Waitara Foodbank Pataka Kai and Waitara Alive. She is also Deputy Chair of Te Korimako Maori Radio Station. She has two wonderful sons, Rori and Lachlan, and one moko, Noah. She is very pleased to be associated with WISE and the wonderful work it does.
Paris Bree
LLB; BA; CMInstD
Paris Bree
Paris is the General Counsel and Company Secretary for New Zealand Oil & Gas and a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors, having previously been a solicitor at law firms Bell Gully and Herbert Smith Freehills. Paris resides in Wellington with her husband and their three young sons, Ky, Arie, and Rio. Paris is committed to fostering healthy work cultures and championing practical science based sustainability measures. Paris is grateful for the opportunity to contribute her expertise to the WISE Charitable Trust, and hopes to make a meaningful difference in the community.
