Jenn

Jenn Chowaniec has managed the Trust since July 2015.  Jenn has a legal background, training as a lawyer in Scotland.  She worked as a legal researcher for two NGOs in Kenya in 2011 before moving to New Zealand and working in the legal sector.

Jenn enjoys the challenge and innovation in the philanthropic sector and works to ensure the Trust has maximum positive effect in all that it does.

THIS IS US.

Below are the people who manage and coordinate the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust.

Further down the page are the trustees who keep the best interests of the trust and the people it serves at its helm.

Jess

Jess Benson is the Trust’s first Projects Coordinator. Her role was created in 2020 to support the growing aspirations and capacity of the Trust. Jess has a background in design, business development and project management in the community sector.

Her experiences as a young person growing up in Canterbury sit behind her passion for the mahi of the Trust.

Helena Francis

is Wayne Francis’ daughter and is the current Chair of the Trust.

Her commitment to community and family development motivates her work and she is passionate about providing opportunities for youth, believing it requires a positive and innovative approach. Helena encourages the Trustees to adopt a proactive, relationship-based approach to philanthropy and funding, which positions the Trust to be a catalyst for change and a conduit for collaboration.
"The unique characteristics of a family foundation allow calculated risk and creative philanthropy to be explored and applied".
Helena enjoys the learning opportunities that evolve through the youth, social, community and philanthropic sectors and is interested in growing philanthropy in New Zealand.

Danita Ferreira

was appointed as a Trustee in 2020. A lawyer by day with an educational background in social work, Maori and indigenous studies, Danita is well placed to assist the Trust in helping to change the lives of young people in New Zealand.

As one of the younger Trustees, she brings a youthful perspective to the Trust and is interested in the Trust supporting New Zealand’s youth in their transition to adulthood whilst dealing with life’s complexities and hardships along the way.

Danita is excited by the prospect of continually learning and is eager to gain a greater understanding of the philanthropic sector in New Zealand.

Simon Mortlock

is a founding partner of Christchurch law firm Mortlock McCormack Law, and has been a Trustee since the Trust was established in 1999.

Simon has been a Trustee of a number of trusts working with children with special needs, including Contact, Spell, Champion Centre and Special Needs Library. He has been a Trustee of the Canterbury Youth Development Programme, a founding Trustee of the Employment Scholarship Trust, a Trustee of the CPIT Annual Art Awards and has previously addressed social enterprise and affordable housing in a forum established by the Tindall Foundation.

Simon is committed to creating a fairer society attuned to the needs of young people, particularly those with special needs. Simon is proud of the work with the various Trusts he has been involved with over the years as they contribute so much, yet often receive little social recognition or support. Simon enjoys the work of the Trust that changes the lives of young people for the better, so they grow up to be good citizens and happy within themselves.

Jamie Blaxall

Jamie is Wayne Francis’ granddaughter. She became a trustee in 2020 and is a Trust representative on the Working Together More Fund.

Jamie has a Bachelor of Physical Education majoring in Sport and Exercise Science and a postgrad Diploma of Applied Science majoring in Physical Conditioning.

Jamie brings this lens to her role on the board, she is particularly interested in mental wellbeing and the role that physical health can play in this.

JONO CAMPBELL

Jono Campbell, Ngati Porou, became a WFCT Trustee in 2023 but has been connected to the trust through his mahi for many years. Jono is well known and respected for his work in the youth sector, as kaihautū for Te Ora Hou Otautahi and as a champion for young people, particularly those who are disenfranchised.

Jono has worked in partnership with local and national government, philanthropics and businesses to support local communities across the South Island to deliver innovative projects that uphold the principles of Positive Youth Development, Whānau Development and Community development.

Andrew O’Regan

was appointed to the Board as an advisory trustee in 2016 and was appointed as a trustee in 2020. Andrew spent 15 years working in institutional banking and financial markets in Auckland and Wellington, where he worked with local and global clients, before returning to Christchurch in 2013. Since returning he has established his own recruitment firm Crescent, which works with clients across various industries and throughout the country to attract and recruit top talent.

Andrew is currently Vice President of the Lincoln University Alumni Association who work to promote the interest of the University and manage a number of scholarships. Andrew has a strong interest in education as a means for assist young people by broadening their horizons and to assist them in reaching their potential.