Foundation North announces new Chief Executive

Trustees of Foundation North, the community trust for Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau, are delighted to announce that Dylan Lawrence has been appointed as the organisation’s new Chief Executive, effective 4 August.

Dylan has whakapapa to Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-Tonga, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Ātiawa, and Te Arawa. He brings to the Foundation a wealth of experience, a proven track record of leadership across investment, grantmaking and community engagement, and a deep commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

With extensive experience in championing Māori strategies and teams within large organisations, Dylan has worked closely with iwi, hapū, and communities to drive place-based impact and local leadership.

Dylan has significant expertise in grantmaking and strategic investment across public and private capital markets, most recently managing global teams across diverse cultural and economic contexts at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) | Te Taurapa Tūhono. At NZTE, he evolved the Strategic Investment Fund into a strategic capital tool aligned with long-term national priorities, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and intergenerational impact. He is passionate about the role of endowment funds in driving systems change.

Recruitment for the role was set in train following Peter Tynan’s decision to resign from the position earlier this year. Peter served as CEO since 2019 and will hand over to Dylan before departing at the end of August.