Marion Edwards
@marionedwards
Strategic governance and programme leader driving cross-cultural partnerships and sustainable community impact.
New ZealandWhat I'm looking for
I am a strategic, values-driven leader with extensive governance, programme management, and partnership experience across Aotearoa, the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific. I combine lived Māori cultural knowledge with professional expertise in governance, financial management and international business to create partnerships that strengthen communities and deliver lasting impact.
As Vice President of Multicultural New Zealand and Director of IECCNZ Ltd, I have led national and regional governance initiatives, stewarded organisational strategy, and secured funding while embedding safeguarding, equity and inclusion frameworks. I have designed and delivered culturally grounded enterprise and leadership training, mentored Māori and Pacific entrepreneurs, and built cross-border education pathways.
I hold an MBA in International Business, IOD governance and finance training, and am a Doctorate candidate in Indigenous Development & Global Partnerships. I am recognised for inclusive leadership, cross-cultural collaboration and evidence-driven decision-making, and I actively contribute as a trustee and marae governance leader.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Chairperson
Indo-Pacific Charitable Trust
Jan 2023 - Present (2 years 10 months)
Provide governance leadership and strategic direction for Indo-Pacific community initiatives since 2023, overseeing compliance, safeguarding and charitable trust obligations.
Vice President
Multicultural New Zealand
Jan 2019 - Present (6 years 10 months)
Elected national governance leader representing multicultural communities since 2019; partnered with government and 20+ regional affiliates to strengthen policy, strategy and inclusion across regions.
Vice Chairperson
Matapōuri o Ngātiwai Marae
Jan 2017 - Present (8 years 10 months)
Governance leader supporting marae operations and whānau development since 2017, promoting intergenerational wellbeing and cultural initiatives.
Director / Consultant
IECCNZ Ltd
Jan 2014 - Present (11 years 10 months)
Founded consultancy (2014–Present) delivering mentoring, culturally grounded enterprise training and capacity building for Māori and Pacific entrepreneurs; contracted by MSD for business mentoring programmes.
CEO / Senior Leader
ATMC NZ
Jun 2024 - Nov 2025 (1 year 5 months)
Fixed-term CEO (Jun 2024–2025) who re-established operations post-closure, led strategy and academic delivery, and secured a positive NZQA EER result rated 'Confident' across categories.
Chairperson
Multicultural Whangārei
Jan 2019 - Jan 2025 (6 years)
Led regional multicultural governance (2019–2025), reset strategic plan to align with Te Tiriti, established a community hub delivering adult and rangatahi training and increased funding to cover annual operations.
Lecturer / Business and Innovation
Te Pūkenga NorthTec
Jan 2022 - Jan 2024 (2 years)
Delivered papers in Māori Governance and Innovation (2022–2024), developed mixed-media teaching materials and managed course delivery via Moodle to support student learning.
Chairperson
Ngunguru o Ngātiwai Marae
Jan 2022 - Jan 2024 (2 years)
Provided governance leadership for marae operations and intergenerational whānau development (2022–2024), strengthening cultural stewardship and local accountability.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
TATe Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Doctorate (candidate), Indigenous Development & Global Partnerships
Doctorate candidate in Indigenous Development & Global Partnerships, conducting research on indigenous development and international collaboration.
ASAuckland Institute of Studies
Master of Business Administration, International Business
Completed an MBA with a focus on International Business, providing leadership and international management skills.
NDNew Zealand Institute of Directors
Company Directors' Course / Essential Finance for Directors (professional training), Governance / Board Leadership
Completed governance and finance training courses for directors to strengthen board leadership and financial oversight capabilities.
XEXero
Xero Accounting Training (certification), Accounting / Financial Systems
Completed Xero accounting training to develop practical skills in financial reporting and accounting software.
Availability
Location
New ZealandAuthorized to work in
Job categories
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