Media Release: New Executive Directors to Lead Hillary Institute & Edmund Hillary Fellowship
Elizabeth McNaughton and Shaquille Te Ahu Toa Shortland
2 July 2025
The Hillary Institute of International Leadership and Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) Board are delighted to announce the appointment of Elizabeth McNaughton and Shaquille Te Ahu Toa Shortland as Executive Directors. Ms McNaughton (an EHF Fellow) and Mr Shortland will lead the organisations as co-Executive Directors, following Rosalie Nelson’s resignation as Chief Executive.
Board Co-Chair, Anne-Marie Brook, says the new co-Executive Directors will strengthen and amplify the Hillary Institute and EHF’s work, while leading the organisation through an important stage of its journey towards catalysing Aotearoa as basecamp for global impact. Ms Brook says the Board was looking for leadership to build on the strong foundations and relationships created in recent years, to recognise and support the vibrant Hillary Laureate and Fellow community, which is delivering unique and innovative impact both in Aotearoa NZ and globally.
“Elizabeth and Shaquille bring incredible expertise, experience and mana to this leadership role, with a clear vision and commitment to ensuring the sustainability, success, and growth of the organisation. They both have outstanding leadership skills and extensive experience in empowering others to achieve extraordinary outcomes, in partnership with iwi and hapū, communities, business, and governments,” said Ms Brook.
Board member Hana Maihi adds that Ms McNaughton’s and Mr Shortland’s strong sense of service stood out in the recruitment process and aligned with the Board’s vision of having leadership fit to navigate the ‘waka hourua’ (double-hulled canoe) of the Hillary Institute & EHF. In light of Sir Edmund Hillary’s legacy, and the rich legacies embedded in Aotearoa New Zealand, she says both executive directors bring credible and diverse experience with navigating and growing teams through challenging and uncertain environments.
“With Aotearoa as our basecamp for global impact, charting and adapting course with clarity and care, remaining steadfast to purpose and an ambitious vision, is not for the faint hearted. Both directors will be pivotal in building on their predecessors' foundational efforts of catalysing the wealth of wisdom, skills and networks in EHF and beyond. If we are to be more than a team of five million - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” said Ms Maihi.
Mr Shortland (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Terino | Ngāti Hine, Te Orewai | Tainui, Ngāti Māhuta | Te Roroa | Te Uri o Hau) has served local and global communities for more than 13 years and says the organisation represents a significant opportunity for Aotearoa and a chance to engage and partner with iwi and hapū, which is what attracted him to the role.
“I believe EHF has unlimited potential, not only as ‘a platform’ which has people at the top of their game, but because of the innovation that can emerge through a fresh, indigenous world view. He ao āpōpō, he aotea! There is a light tomorrow and it is bright!,” said Mr Shortland.
Mr Shortland explains how Sir Edmund Hillary’s recognition of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and the Nepalese community resonates with him.
“The kōrero of Sir Ed - that he couldn’t have made the venture to the summit on his own - recognised how indigenous knowledge can help unlock solutions.”
Ms McNaughton agrees. While neither she nor Mr Shortland were actively seeking new roles, Sir Edmund Hillary’s humanitarian legacy and the transformative work of Hillary Laureates and Fellows inspired her to apply.
“There are so many divides that need bridging in this world right now. We need to bring smart, clever leaders together to consider how we weave and learn from te ao Māori as the basis for building bridges. I believe this community [Laureates & Fellows] can be a global beacon for what’s possible when people and purpose spark innovation for a better world,” said Ms McNaughton.
An Edmund Hillary Fellow since 2019, Ms McNaughton says it’s a privilege to be co-leading the organisation, and acknowledges the huge contribution that outgoing Chief Executive Rosalie Nelson has made in the last four, plus years.
Reflecting on Ms Nelson’s leadership tenure, Ms Brook, on behalf of the Board, says.
“We are deeply grateful to Rosalie for the significant impact she has had on Aotearoa NZ’s innovation ecosystem over the last four years through her leadership at the Hillary Institute and EHF. Rosalie ably led the organisation through periods of uncertainty, including border closures that were deeply challenging for hundreds of Fellows. She successfully extended government contracts and supported EHF’s evolution from an innovative startup to an established part of the NZ innovation ecosystem.
“Most recently Rosalie has strongly advocated to reignite the Global Impact Visa, and has continuously highlighted the immense value this Fellowship has delivered: a realised benefit of $111 for every $1 invested by Government. She has been instrumental to the successful welcoming and induction of hundreds of Fellows into the Fellowship and Aotearoa, building relationships and forging new pathways for Fellows to contribute. The Board is extremely grateful to Rosalie for her service and wishes her every success for the future,” said Ms Brook.
Reflecting on her time at the Hillary Institute and EHF, Rosalie Nelson, Chief Executive says she greatly appreciates the people she has worked with.
“Serving our Laureates and Fellows has been an honour and I am so grateful for the kindness, generosity and sheer inspiration they have shared with us. So much has been forged under pressure, and I am especially proud of our team - for their courage, aroha and the way they have lived the values of Sir Ed every day. It is this that has woven us together and it brings me joy to know that Elizabeth and Shaquille will carry this kaupapa forward with warmth and grace,” said Ms Nelson.
Ms Nelson’s last day as Chief Executive is Thursday 10 July, with Ms McNaughton and Mr Shortland commencing full leadership responsibilities from Friday 11 July.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
The Hillary Institute of International Leadership is a charitable trust. The Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hillary Institute.
5 June 2025 EHF released a white paper: Building Innovation Growth through Global Talent
Methodology is derived from NZTE’s Potential Direct Economic Impact model. Is based on aggregate, unqualified data based on research conducted by Martin Jenkins and Curran Research Associates between 2017 and 2022. It does not include our most recent 2022/23 - 2024 impact findings.
Elizabeth McNaughton - Bio
Elizabeth McNaughton is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience working at the intersection of crisis, complexity, and change. Elizabeth is known for her leadership in times of disruption where she creates the conditions for collaboration, innovation and bold action. She cares deeply about unlocking the potential for meaningful change, helping people and systems adapt and rise to the challenges of our time. Elizabeth is the kind of leader people turn to when it matters most.
Elizabeth is the founder of Disastrous, an education and training company that helps leaders and teams navigate disruption. She facilitates workshops and leadership retreats across Aotearoa and Australia, equipping organisations with the skills to lead through change.
Elizabeth has led multi-million-dollar recovery programmes for the New Zealand Red Cross and served as Executive Director at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, where she spearheaded efforts to capture the learning legacy from the Canterbury earthquakes. Internationally, she has worked with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across the Asia-Pacific region.
A Winston Churchill Fellow, Leadership New Zealand alumna, and Edmund Hillary Fellow, Elizabeth is also co-author of Leading in Disaster Recovery: A Companion through the Chaos.
Shaquille Te Ahu Toa Shortland - Bio
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Terino | Ngāti Hine, Te Orewai | Tainui, Ngāti Māhuta | Te Roroa | Te Uri o Hau
Shaquille Te Ahu Toa Shortland is a transformational Māori leader, educator and advocate deeply rooted in the whenua and whakapapa of Te Tai Tokerau. With over 13 years of service to communities across Aotearoa and the globe, Shaquille has become a leading voice in traditional Māori education, indigenous governance, community development and intergenerational empowerment.
Shaquille already leads local, regional, national and global communities and movements filled with innovators, changemakers and leaders committed to impact, sustainability and positive outcomes. His mahi builds on a lifelong commitment to elevating Māori solutions to global challenges through kaupapa Māori approaches, diplomacy, and collective leadership.
Shaquille is a seasoned educator, having taught te reo Māori and tikanga, business and financial literacy through to sound governance practices and Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshops through Literacy Aotearoa, Multicultural Whangarei, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and many other organisations. He has held key roles in the Māori Land Court, served on multiple governance boards and has been a cultural advisor and rangatahi mentor across initiatives such as I Have a Dream Charitable Trust, Whangārei Future Leaders, Mā Te Huruhuru, and Rangatahi Ora.
He is a kaumātua for Te Taumata Kaunihera o Te Uri o Hau and Poutokomanawā for Stand Tū Māia, embodying his deep commitment to tikanga, whakapapa, and people.
Shaquille’s work bridges indigenous wisdom and modern systems, blending whakapapa with impact.
He has received numerous scholarships and awards including New Zealander of the Year – Local Hero Award (2020 & 2023) and New Zealand Impact Awards – Inclusion (2019).