Heidi Coetzee

Chief Executive, Save The Children

Heidi Coetzee joined Save the Children New Zealand in 2015 as Finance Director. Heidi is an experienced leader with strong business, management and accounting skills gained through a career in both corporate and not-for-profit organisations.  Her business interests include developing strategic partnerships that will positively influence strategic direction and performance enabling the achievement of the organisational objectives.  Heidi’s humanitarian interests focus passionately on the plight of children worldwide around health, education, malnutrition and child labour issues.

Appointed as Chief Executive in May 2017, Heidi has adapted inclusive leadership and team-orientation styles to make a difference in a world where a record number of people are ‘on the move’ – half of whom are children fleeing war, disaster or persecution whilst suffering poverty. Children living in disaster-prone areas have received food, life-saving aid and support through Save the Children NZ.  Domestically, safe spaces are being provided for children during our own New Zealand emergencies and help is also being offered to young people assisting them to build skills as leaders helping them grow.

This makes Save the Children NZ, its Board, volunteers and staff ambitious in its worthwhile goals – a direction and organisational focus Heidi is extremely motivated and proud to be leading.