Our Team
JENNIFER BELMONT, EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jennifer Belmont is a pioneering leader in philanthropy, dedicated to transforming communities through strategic giving. With over 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, she has successfully established and scaled community foundations, mobilized millions in charitable funding, and built long-term philanthropic infrastructure that ensures lasting impact.
As the Founder and CEO of the Wakatipu Community Foundation (WCF) in Queenstown, New Zealand, Jennifer has redefined local philanthropy by introducing innovative funding models that engage donors, businesses, and nonprofits alike. Under her leadership, WCF has grown exponentially—securing over $60 million in legacy (wills-based) pledges and granting over $4 million directly into the community within just seven years.
Jennifer is a recognized global thought leader in community-led philanthropy, actively contributing to the Shift the Power movement, which promotes equitable, locally-driven charitable giving. She pursued graduate studies in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership from Harvard, where she deepened her expertise in legacy giving, donor stewardship, and sustainable foundation models.
KRISTEN HOLTZMAN, DIRECTOR
Kristen Holtzman is a passionate philanthropist and nonprofit leader with extensive experience in fundraising, strategic giving, and community impact. She has played a pivotal role in advancing philanthropy in both the U.S. and New Zealand, with a strong focus on women-led giving, healthcare, and international development.
As the founding chair of Impact100 Wakatipu, New Zealand’s first Impact100 chapter, Kristen mobilized over $330,000 in grants for local charities, growing the organization to 177 annual members. She also served as a Trustee of the Wakatipu Community Foundation (WCF), helping to expand its reach and impact.
Kristen has been deeply involved in healthcare philanthropy, serving on the National Council of Trustees for National Jewish Health and leading major fundraising campaigns, including raising over $2.3 million for the Beaux Arts Ball.
A strong advocate for global giving, Kristen co-founded Ava’s Jammies, a nonprofit initiative providing pajamas to orphans in Rwanda and Asia. She is also actively involved with the Point Foundation, supporting Rwandan youth.
Now based in Denver, Colorado, Kristen brings her expertise in strategic philanthropy, donor engagement, and nonprofit governance to Friends of New Zealand—ensuring U.S. donors can make a meaningful, lasting impact in Aotearoa.
JULIE SCOFIELD, DIRECTOR
Julie Scofield has worked in the non-profit sector her entire career, starting with the Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE) in the mid-70’s. SBANE is a 501(c)(6) organization in Massachusetts established in 1938 to foster the economic viability of businesses in the six-state region with a particular focus on federal legislation.
She spent the last dozen years as the Executive Director before transitioning to the Education Center, a 501(c)(3) to focus on management education for entrepreneurial CEOs. She currently serves as a trustee of the Manchester Essex Conservation Trust, is Chair of the Open Space Committee in Essex, Massachusetts and volunteers for SCORE, a part of the Small Business Administration (SBA), where she is co-chairs the annual Women’s Business Summit.
Julie made her first visit to New Zealand in 1980 and has been returning every year since.
KATHERINE SCHUITEMAKER, DIRECTOR
Katherine Schuitemaker is a Catalytic Strategist dedicated to ensuring that transformative ideas and individuals achieve and sustain success. Her extensive experience encompasses for-profit and non-profit board roles, corporate executive positions, and hands-on strategy and implementation consulting. She has collaborated with organizations such as Microsoft, HP, Adobe, TOMS Shoes, Getty Images, Theo Chocolate, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Threshold Group, and GreaterGood.com.
Currently, Katherine is working with IslandWood founders Debbi and Paul Brainerd on The Headwaters Eco Lodge, a unique hospitality and retail project in Glenorchy, New Zealand. This initiative aims to establish a new model for environmental, community, and financial sustainability. Operated as a for-profit entity with all profits directed into a community trust, The Headwaters features New Zealand’s first Net Zero energy campground. The lodge has received significant recognition for its sustainability efforts, including being a finalist in the 2024 New Zealand Tourism Awards for the KiwiRail Tourism Environment Award and receiving a commendation in the Transformational Leadership category of the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards.
In addition to her role at The Headwaters, Katherine is actively involved in the Glenorchy Dark Skies initiative, which celebrates and preserves the region's pristine night skies. This community-driven effort recently achieved international recognition, with Tāhuna Glenorchy being certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International. This prestigious designation highlights the area's exceptional quality of starry nights and its commitment to protecting the nocturnal environment.
DARKSKY.ORG
Katherine has served as a 15-year board member and former board chair of IslandWood and spent 14 years on the board of the Washington Technology Industry Association, including two years as chair. She currently serves on the boards of Threshold Group and Conenza. Her visionary leadership earned her recognition as one of “The Visionaries” in Seattle Magazine’s annual selection of 25 people making a difference in the city.
Her recent endeavors focus on integrating technology and sustainability, driving innovation in environmental stewardship. She continues to advise startups and established companies on strategies that align business success with positive social and environmental impact.
RAYMOND KEY, ADVISOR
Raymond Key is a respected leader in philanthropy, investment, and governance, with a deep commitment to strengthening community foundations and mobilizing long-term charitable giving. As the Chair of Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) and the Founding Chair of Wakatipu Community Foundation (WCF), he has been instrumental in advancing strategic philanthropy and legacy giving across Aotearoa.
With a background in global finance and investment, Raymond applies his expertise to building sustainable funding models for charitable organizations. Under his leadership, WCF has secured over $60 million in legacy pledges and granted more than $4 million to local causes. His commitment to transparent, high-impact philanthropy has positioned WCF as one of New Zealand’s leading community foundations.
Raymond is a strong advocate for cross-border philanthropy and plays a key role in Friends of New Zealand’s mission to connect U.S. donors with trusted New Zealand charities. His experience in fund management, community philanthropy and governance ensures that FNZ’s funding initiatives are financially sound, strategically aligned, and deeply impactful.
DOUG KIRKPATRICK, ADVISOR
Doug Kirkpatrick is a seasoned investment leader and philanthropist with extensive experience in fund management, impact investing, and strategic philanthropy. As Chief Investment Officer of AlphaGlider LLC, he specializes in financial strategy, risk management, and sustainable investment solutions that drive long-term impact.
With a deep commitment to philanthropic finance, Doug advises foundations, endowments, and donors on maximizing charitable giving through strategic investments. His expertise in global markets and responsible fund stewardship ensures that charitable assets are sustainably managed and effectively deployed.
Doug brings his financial acumen to Friends of New Zealand, supporting its mission to mobilize U.S. philanthropy for high-impact conservation, arts, and community initiatives in Aotearoa. His leadership ensures that FNZ’s financial infrastructure remains transparent, efficient, and optimized for long-term charitable growth.
KATHRYN SCHUITEMAKER, DIRECTOR
Catalytic Strategist passionate about ensuring that world-changing ideas and people achieve and sustain success. Her deep experience in for-profit and non-profit board roles, as well as corporate executive and hands-on strategist & implementation consultant roles, spans from fast-growth entrepreneurial start-ups to corporate social impact work to building global business franchises for Fortune 1000 companies.
She has worked with Microsoft, HP, Adobe, TOMS Shoes, Getty Images, Theo Chocolate, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Threshold Group, and GreaterGood.com, among others. Currently, she is working with IslandWood founders Debbi and Paul Brainerd on a unique hospitality and retail project in New Zealand, The Headwaters, which aims to create a new model for environmental, community, and financial sustainability. Run as a for-profit entity with all profits going into a community trust, The Headwaters will feature NZ’s first Net Zero energy campground.
Katherine has served as a 15-year board member and former board chair of IslandWood and spent 14 years as a board member (including two years as chair) of the Washington Technology Industry Association. She currently serves on the boards of Threshold Group and Conenza. Her ability to see the future and make it happen earned her recognition as one of “The Visionaries” in Seattle Magazine’s annual selection of 25 people making a difference in the city.