Empowering through Education 

The Kate Edger Foundation (KEF) main purpose is to help others achieve in furthering their education, through the provision of financial awards and other assistance. The Foundation is named in recognition of Kate Milligan Edger (1857-1935), the first woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in New Zealand and the second in the British Empire.

The Foundation is funded by The Graduation Place, a social enterprise whereby all the proceeds are used to fund The KEFand financial awards.  When you hire from The Graduation Place, you are supporting education in the community. 

Meet the Team

Nina Tomaszyk, General Manager

The Kate Edger Foundation (KEF) and Graduation Place (TGP)

 nina.tomaszyk@kateedgerfoundation.org.nz

Nina has been at the helm of the organisation since 2017, and her considerable experience in both the corporate and not-for-profit worlds has given her a unique perspective on the importance of running a social enterprise that funds and supports a charitable trust.  “With The KEF Awards Programme funding $600,000 awards annually and being almost entirely dependent on the proceeds of Academic Dress Hire, it is a balancing act of providing the best customer experience in the most cost-effective way.”

Nina is passionate about education and the opportunity it provides to create better outcomes.  KEF's mission to fund, encourage, advance and promote education is at the heart of every decision she makes, and building meaningful and ongoing relationships with staff, graduates, awardees and sponsor partners is something that Nina excels at.  Her goal for 2024 is to expand the Foundation's sponsor partnership funding arm to be able to offer even more awards in the future.

“Being able to provide valuable financial and emotional support that ensures successful educational outcomes is my driving force. Seeing our awardees stand proudly at the Awards Ceremony having their hard work and success acknowledged in front of their friends and whānau is what it’s all about for me. And I get that same wonderful experience when customers come for their graduation and legal regalia. It is a real ‘moment’ for them and whānau, sometimes it is their first real achievement.”
 

Helen Morten, Awards Coordinator

Kate Edger Foundation

awards@kateedgerfoundation.org.nz

Katrina has a PhD in History from the University of Auckland and has worked as a lecturer at the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato. She has also worked as a researcher in the public health and social services fields.

She has been the Awards Coordinator at KEF since 2024 and manages the extensive Awards Programme, overseeing the applications, the Selection Panels and the processing of the many awards approved by KEF board, totalling approximately $600,000 per year.  These awards range from $2,000 to $18,000, mostly funded from the proceeds of The Graduation PLace, but also funded from sponsored partnerships or bequests.  She values the opportunity to use her knowledge to support the educational dreams of people from all walks of life. 

 

Lisa Turvey, Operations Manager

The Graduation Place

operations@graduationplace.org.nz

Lisa joined TGP in November 2020 and comes with a strong customer service background alongside many years of retail management and operations experience.  She managed The University of Auckland campus store for several years so is very familiar with the excitement of graduations. 

Lisa is responsible for the day-to-day running of the warehouse including staffing, regalia supplies, and ensuring that all graduation and legal admission orders are completed and dispatched on time.  She is also the main contact for bulk and staff orders for graduations and school prizegiving ceremonies.

Outside of work, Lisa loves spending quality time with her young family and pursuing her interest in photography. She also enjoys a good book on the rare occasions she has some time to herself!
 

Daisy Farthing, Communications and Projects Manager

KEF and Graduation Place

comms@kateedgerfoundation.org.nz

Daisy is responsible for communications including website content, social media, and newsletters, as well as managing projects and events for KEF and TGP.  She also helps out at TGP during the busy graduation periods. She started working at TGP in 2024 and has been loving it since.

Daisy has worked and volunteered across a variety of roles, and brings a passion for the not-for-profit sector, and for assisting women in need. In her spare time, she loves cooking and is the producer of a  Musical Theatre Company that performs 4 times a year.

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