The team at ADC
ADC is run by an Operations Team of passionate volunteers, with governance and strategic oversight from the Board.
Andrew Colgan
Co-founder
Andrew's passion for ADC stems from his belief that something as simple as access to affordable credit can transform lives and empower communities. Andrew is involved in formulating microfinance policy and has made several visits to ADC’s partner projects. He is a Senior Associate at litigation firm McElroys and holds a Master of Laws with First Class Honours and conjoint degrees in law and economics from the University of Auckland. Andrew is a keen football player and Warriors supporter, and is ADC’s resident trivia quizmaster. Andrew is also a member of the ADC Board.
Co-founder
Andrew's passion for ADC stems from his belief that something as simple as access to affordable credit can transform lives and empower communities. Andrew is involved in formulating microfinance policy and has made several visits to ADC’s partner projects. He is a Senior Associate at litigation firm McElroys and holds a Master of Laws with First Class Honours and conjoint degrees in law and economics from the University of Auckland. Andrew is a keen football player and Warriors supporter, and is ADC’s resident trivia quizmaster. Andrew is also a member of the ADC Board.
Geoff Cooper
Co-founder
Geoff’s passion for enabling grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship through microfinance was a driving force in founding ADC. He has led several trips to ADC’s partner organisations in Myanmar and Malawi, where his expertise in economic development has been invaluable to the continuing growth of these projects. As well as planning and implementing the strategic direction of the organisation, Geoff has had a strong influence on the development of its microfinance policy. Geoff is currently based in the United States, where he is a Financial Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, having previously undertaken a Masters in Public Affairs at Princeton University. Prior to this he was the Chief Economist at Auckland Council. Geoff loves surfing and is always keen for a round of golf.
Co-founder
Geoff’s passion for enabling grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship through microfinance was a driving force in founding ADC. He has led several trips to ADC’s partner organisations in Myanmar and Malawi, where his expertise in economic development has been invaluable to the continuing growth of these projects. As well as planning and implementing the strategic direction of the organisation, Geoff has had a strong influence on the development of its microfinance policy. Geoff is currently based in the United States, where he is a Financial Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, having previously undertaken a Masters in Public Affairs at Princeton University. Prior to this he was the Chief Economist at Auckland Council. Geoff loves surfing and is always keen for a round of golf.
Board Members
Sarah Colgan
Chairperson
As Chairperson of the ADC Board, Sarah leads Board meetings and facilitates effective discussion and decision-making as well as representing the organisation to the general public. She also assists with recruitment and management of ADC operational personnel. Sarah has been involved with ADC since its inception has visited the project in Myanmar, undertaking training with the local staff. Sarah holds undergraduate degrees in Law and Psychology and a masters degree in health psychology from the University of Auckland. She worked as an employment lawyer until returning to study in 2013 and is now a Registered Health Psychologist with the Counties Manukau District Health Board.
Chairperson
As Chairperson of the ADC Board, Sarah leads Board meetings and facilitates effective discussion and decision-making as well as representing the organisation to the general public. She also assists with recruitment and management of ADC operational personnel. Sarah has been involved with ADC since its inception has visited the project in Myanmar, undertaking training with the local staff. Sarah holds undergraduate degrees in Law and Psychology and a masters degree in health psychology from the University of Auckland. She worked as an employment lawyer until returning to study in 2013 and is now a Registered Health Psychologist with the Counties Manukau District Health Board.
Shamubeel Eaqub
Shamubeel's skills in economic and strategic analysis are invaluable in helping ADC achieve its goal of supporting poverty-focused, sustainable development with meaningful outcomes for those it serves. Formerly the Principal Economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, Shamubeel is now a sought-after commentator and public speaker, and a published author.
Shamubeel's skills in economic and strategic analysis are invaluable in helping ADC achieve its goal of supporting poverty-focused, sustainable development with meaningful outcomes for those it serves. Formerly the Principal Economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, Shamubeel is now a sought-after commentator and public speaker, and a published author.
Nadine Hill
Nadine’s passion is to make a difference for people who are suffering in the cycle of poverty for no reason other than where they were born. She also serves on the board of Building for Education, a NZ charity whose focus is on providing education and sanitisation for poor communities in East Africa. Nadine has a strong finance background with experience in finance, governance and risk management, and currently works for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. She has a Business Degree from Massey University and has spent 20 years in business and corporate banking, working for both ANZ and Westpac in New Zealand as well as Irish and Italian banks in the UK. Nadine has a young daughter, which has increased her passion for protecting children in poverty.
Nadine’s passion is to make a difference for people who are suffering in the cycle of poverty for no reason other than where they were born. She also serves on the board of Building for Education, a NZ charity whose focus is on providing education and sanitisation for poor communities in East Africa. Nadine has a strong finance background with experience in finance, governance and risk management, and currently works for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. She has a Business Degree from Massey University and has spent 20 years in business and corporate banking, working for both ANZ and Westpac in New Zealand as well as Irish and Italian banks in the UK. Nadine has a young daughter, which has increased her passion for protecting children in poverty.
Nick Hammond
Nick manages ADC’s financial systems and funds, and oversees all financial reporting within the organisation and to outside entities. Having visited ADC’s partner project in Malawi twice, he has been inspired by the opportunities ADC creates to empower innovative entrepreneurs living in poverty. Nick holds conjoint degrees in Commerce and Law from the University of Canterbury, has been admitted to the bar and is a Chartered Accountant. He is the Chief Operative Officer of Spring Sheep Milk, a thriving boutique dairy and nutrition company. In his spare time Nick can be found on the nearest tennis court.
Nick manages ADC’s financial systems and funds, and oversees all financial reporting within the organisation and to outside entities. Having visited ADC’s partner project in Malawi twice, he has been inspired by the opportunities ADC creates to empower innovative entrepreneurs living in poverty. Nick holds conjoint degrees in Commerce and Law from the University of Canterbury, has been admitted to the bar and is a Chartered Accountant. He is the Chief Operative Officer of Spring Sheep Milk, a thriving boutique dairy and nutrition company. In his spare time Nick can be found on the nearest tennis court.
Jeremy Kenealy
JK joined the Board after more than 5 years as ADC's Project Director. He has visited the teams in Myanmar and Malawi multiple times and led the formation of ADC's partnership with ESCD in Malawi. He's constantly inspired by seeing the positive impact ADC has on local entrepreneurs. JK is a Deployment Strategist at Palantir Technologies, an international data software company. He was formerly the Head of R&D and Manufacturing at FRAMED (working in over 25 countries) before getting involved in a number of start-up social enterprises. He holds a Bachelor of Engineer (Mechanical)(Hons) from the University of Canterbury and is currently based between the UK and USA.
JK joined the Board after more than 5 years as ADC's Project Director. He has visited the teams in Myanmar and Malawi multiple times and led the formation of ADC's partnership with ESCD in Malawi. He's constantly inspired by seeing the positive impact ADC has on local entrepreneurs. JK is a Deployment Strategist at Palantir Technologies, an international data software company. He was formerly the Head of R&D and Manufacturing at FRAMED (working in over 25 countries) before getting involved in a number of start-up social enterprises. He holds a Bachelor of Engineer (Mechanical)(Hons) from the University of Canterbury and is currently based between the UK and USA.
Operations Team
Laura Ansell
Laura joined ADC in 2015. She is inspired by the dedication and entrepreneurial drive of the ADC operations team and motivated by the concept of empowering people to help themselves out of poverty through business prowess. Laura works for the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a logistics officer. She holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a post-graduate Master of Engineering Management from the University of Canterbury. She is a big foodie, loves to travel and keeps busy with any opportune outdoor activity.
Laura joined ADC in 2015. She is inspired by the dedication and entrepreneurial drive of the ADC operations team and motivated by the concept of empowering people to help themselves out of poverty through business prowess. Laura works for the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a logistics officer. She holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a post-graduate Master of Engineering Management from the University of Canterbury. She is a big foodie, loves to travel and keeps busy with any opportune outdoor activity.
James Powell
James joined ADC in mid-2015. He is driven by efficiency, resourcefulness and getting the most from what's at hand, so he particularly loves microfinance and the way it extends the concept of giving someone a fishing rod, not a fish. James is an aeronautical engineer, leading a team working on specialist equipment and helicopter upgrades. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Canterbuy University. He enjoys travel, making things and learning.
James joined ADC in mid-2015. He is driven by efficiency, resourcefulness and getting the most from what's at hand, so he particularly loves microfinance and the way it extends the concept of giving someone a fishing rod, not a fish. James is an aeronautical engineer, leading a team working on specialist equipment and helicopter upgrades. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Canterbuy University. He enjoys travel, making things and learning.
Janet Schofield
Janet is enthused by the direct links ADC has with its partners in Myanmar and Malawi, allowing members in New Zealand to offer targeted, effective support directly to entrepreneurs. Joining ADC in 2015, her goal is to seek out and nurture new business relationships. Janet holds a degree in physics and a Master of Science in International Business Economics. She has worked in engineering, tourism and business infrastructure planning, and is currently in the education sector, planning for growth across Auckland schools. Janet enjoys dancing to swing, balboa or blues music and tramping.
Janet is enthused by the direct links ADC has with its partners in Myanmar and Malawi, allowing members in New Zealand to offer targeted, effective support directly to entrepreneurs. Joining ADC in 2015, her goal is to seek out and nurture new business relationships. Janet holds a degree in physics and a Master of Science in International Business Economics. She has worked in engineering, tourism and business infrastructure planning, and is currently in the education sector, planning for growth across Auckland schools. Janet enjoys dancing to swing, balboa or blues music and tramping.
Fiona Millar
Fiona believes that even small opportunities at the grassroots level have the ability to empower communities in breaking the cycle of poverty. Fiona brings experience in fundraising and community activation campaigns to ADC. She holds a degree in Development Studies and a PG.Cert in Poverty Reduction from SOAS. She is the Community Manager at the New Zealand Innovation Council. Fiona is yet to travel to a country she doesn’t love, but Uganda and Nepal currently take the top spots.
Fiona believes that even small opportunities at the grassroots level have the ability to empower communities in breaking the cycle of poverty. Fiona brings experience in fundraising and community activation campaigns to ADC. She holds a degree in Development Studies and a PG.Cert in Poverty Reduction from SOAS. She is the Community Manager at the New Zealand Innovation Council. Fiona is yet to travel to a country she doesn’t love, but Uganda and Nepal currently take the top spots.
Pamela Day
Administrator
Pamela joined ADC in 2013 and is involved in all aspects of day-to-day administration, and in running fundraising events. She thoroughly enjoys working with ADC, and her organisational skills are vital to keeping the Operations Committee running smoothly. Pamela works at The Community of Saint Luke, where she has been the administrator for 16 years. She and her husband Mike have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Administrator
Pamela joined ADC in 2013 and is involved in all aspects of day-to-day administration, and in running fundraising events. She thoroughly enjoys working with ADC, and her organisational skills are vital to keeping the Operations Committee running smoothly. Pamela works at The Community of Saint Luke, where she has been the administrator for 16 years. She and her husband Mike have two daughters and five grandchildren.
