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Strategic and values-driven leader with 15+ years of experience across education, social impact, business development, and fundraising. I bring a human-centered and values-driven approach to cultivating authentic, purpose-led relationships, effectively engaging new prospects and existing partners for social impact. I'm known for being innovative, passionate, and collaborative, and I lead with integrity and purpose, fostering inclusive team cultures and driving innovative, measurable growth. My approach combines strategic fundraising expertise, donor-centricity, and a passion for creating sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for children.\n\nI currently lead UNICEF Aotearoa's philanthropic and partnerships strategy, nurturing major gifts and strategic donor engagement, building and empowering high-performing teams. I have increased philanthropic giving sevenfold in two years, transformed the major gifts program into a leading revenue stream, and led cross-country initiatives such as a NZ-Japan collaboration resulting in USD 500k impact for children in the Pacific. I am motivated by building durable partnerships, testing new approaches, and driving sustainable social impact.…Strategic and values-driven leader with 15+ years of experience across education, social impact, business development, and fundraising. I bring a human-centered and values-driven approach to cultivating authentic, purpose-led relationships, effectively engaging new prospects and existing partners for social impact. I'm known for being innovative, passionate, and collaborative, and I lead with integrity and purpose, fostering inclusive team cultures and driving innovative, measurable growth. My approach combines strategic fundraising expertise, donor-centricity, and a passion for creating sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for children.\n\nI currently lead UNICEF Aotearoa's philanthropic and partnerships strategy, nurturing major gifts and strategic donor engagement, building and empowering high-performing teams. I have increased philanthropic giving sevenfold in two years, transformed the major gifts program into a leading revenue stream, and led cross-country initiatives such as a NZ-Japan collaboration resulting in USD 500k impact for children in the Pacific. I am motivated by building durable partnerships, testing new approaches, and driving sustainable social impact.

Mia Garrett

Project Manager, Content Producer, Creative Director, +2

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Strategic and values-driven leader with 15+ years of experience across education, social impact, business development, and fundraising. I bring a human-centered and values-driven approach to cultivating authentic, purpose-led relationships, effectively engaging new prospects and existing partners for social impact. I'm known for being innovative, passionate, and collaborative, and I lead with integrity and purpose, fostering inclusive team cultures and driving innovative, measurable growth. My approach combines strategic fundraising expertise, donor-centricity, and a passion for creating sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for children.\n\nI currently lead UNICEF Aotearoa's philanthropic and partnerships strategy, nurturing major gifts and strategic donor engagement, building and empowering high-performing teams. I have increased philanthropic giving sevenfold in two years, transformed the major gifts program into a leading revenue stream, and led cross-country initiatives such as a NZ-Japan collaboration resulting in USD 500k impact for children in the Pacific. I am motivated by building durable partnerships, testing new approaches, and driving sustainable social impact.…Strategic and values-driven leader with 15+ years of experience across education, social impact, business development, and fundraising. I bring a human-centered and values-driven approach to cultivating authentic, purpose-led relationships, effectively engaging new prospects and existing partners for social impact. I'm known for being innovative, passionate, and collaborative, and I lead with integrity and purpose, fostering inclusive team cultures and driving innovative, measurable growth. My approach combines strategic fundraising expertise, donor-centricity, and a passion for creating sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for children.\n\nI currently lead UNICEF Aotearoa's philanthropic and partnerships strategy, nurturing major gifts and strategic donor engagement, building and empowering high-performing teams. I have increased philanthropic giving sevenfold in two years, transformed the major gifts program into a leading revenue stream, and led cross-country initiatives such as a NZ-Japan collaboration resulting in USD 500k impact for children in the Pacific. I am motivated by building durable partnerships, testing new approaches, and driving sustainable social impact.

Available to hire

Strategic and values-driven leader with 15+ years of experience across education, social impact, business development, and fundraising. I bring a human-centered and values-driven approach to cultivating authentic, purpose-led relationships, effectively engaging new prospects and existing partners for social impact. I’m known for being innovative, passionate, and collaborative, and I lead with integrity and purpose, fostering inclusive team cultures and driving innovative, measurable growth. My approach combines strategic fundraising expertise, donor-centricity, and a passion for creating sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact for children.\n\nI currently lead UNICEF Aotearoa’s philanthropic and partnerships strategy, nurturing major gifts and strategic donor engagement, building and empowering high-performing teams. I have increased philanthropic giving sevenfold in two years, transformed the major gifts program into a leading revenue stream, and led cross-country initiatives such as a NZ-Japan collaboration resulting in USD 500k impact for children in the Pacific. I am motivated by building durable partnerships, testing new approaches, and driving sustainable social impact.

Skills

Leadership

Experience Level

Leadership

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Head of Philanthropy at UNICEF Aotearoa

January 1, 2022 - Present

Lead UNICEF Aotearoa's philanthropic and partnerships strategy, driving sustainable impact for children through innovative major gift initiatives and strategic donor engagement. Cultivate and manage relationships with HNW and UHNW donors, aligning philanthropic goals with UNICEF's priorities; oversee the DC10 Fund and design cross-market ambassador engagement. Partner with global UNICEF offices to implement cross-country initiatives. Increased philanthropic giving by 7x in two years, initiated a NZ-Japan collaboration yielding USD 500k impact, and secured USD 150k for a fundraising innovation project. Built and empowered a high-performing team.

Strategic Partnerships Manager / DC10 Fund Lead at UNICEF Aotearoa

January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022

Repositioned and scaled the DC10 Fund through redesigned value propositions and engagement models. Managed early-stage innovation, tested new partnerships and engagement approaches for scalability. Strengthened global ambassador engagement and cross-market collaboration.

Independent Professional - Education Consultant at Auckland, New Zealand

January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022

Delivered advisory services on education innovation, leadership development, and values-based design. Supported early-stage product development and facilitation for education and social impact initiatives.

National Director of School Programs at The Careers Department

June 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022

Led a scale-up SaaS platform, translating vision into scalable national delivery. Managed the education team to ensure consistent, high-quality program experience and impact. Planned and operationalized end-to-end systems (sales pipelines, CRM, onboarding, delivery, impact reporting, and quality assurance). Crafted strategic proposals, marketing collateral, project plans, and curriculum alignments to strengthen and grow the sales pipeline, decreasing attrition.

Victorian Program Director at High Resolves - Australia

January 1, 2019 - January 31, 2021

Responsible for strategic development and growth of the Victorian unit, including staff recruitment and development, financial viability, and pursuing partnership & curriculum funding opportunities. Drove COVID-adapted online facilitation and new business opportunities; facilitated global citizenship curriculum and delivered professional development and keynote addresses.

Teacher (Physical Education, Health, Science/Chemistry) & College Sports Coordinator at Star of the Sea College - Melbourne, Australia

January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2019

Delivered educational programs in Health, Physical Education, and Science. Led student mentoring and pastoral care initiatives and planned international education expeditions and school-wide events.

Co-Founder & Facilitator at Leadershaped

January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016

Co-founded and created a student leadership organization, addressing gaps in agency and social responsibility in school leadership programs. Designed human-centered programs informed by student, teacher, and school needs.