Peter Hunt AM
- Founding Chair of the So They Can Board, from 2011-2021.
- As an investment banker, Peter advised local and muti-national companies and governments in Australia for nearly 35 years.
- Co-founded Greenhill Australia, one of Australia’s leading independent investment banking advisory firms and Executive Chairman and Chairman between 1999 - 2018.
- Chaired the Securities Institute's Taskforce responsible for the Mergers and Acquisitions graduate diploma course from 1993 – 2000.
- Member of the ASIC Advisory Panel from 2009 – 2012 and a founding member of Adara Partners (www.adarapartners.org).
- Chaired Cambooya Services Pty Ltd, which runs the Family Office for the Vincent Fairfax Family, from 2010 - 2017.
- Chairman and Co-Founder of Mind Medicine Australia (www.mindmedicineaustralia.org).
- Past Chairman of Grameen Australia (www.grameen.org.au) and Grameen Australia Philippines.
- Co-Founder of Manly Women’s Shelter and Founder and Director of Women’s Community Shelters (www.womenscommunityshelters.org.au).
- Past Director of Project Rozanna (www.projectrozana.org).
- Previously a Member of the Advisory Councils of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute and the Centre for Social Impact.
Andrew Durante
Andrew is a professional footballer, who has captained the Wellington Phoenix since 2008 and played for the New Zealand national team, the All Whites, since 2013.
‘’I’ve been indirectly involved with So They Can over the years, donating my time when the opportunities arise. I now look forward to being more involved in this amazing organisation as one of their Ambassadors. To see so many young children and families affected by poverty, health issues and a lack of education is shocking and with young girls of my own, their situation really hit home.” Andrew lives in Wellington with his wife Sarah and their three girls Adalyn, Milana and Evita.
Ben Richards
Ben Richards is one of New Zealand’s most exciting freeride skiers, known for his smooth, powerful style and fearless approach in some of the world’s most challenging terrain. The 2026 Freeride World Tour overall champion and the 2026 FIS Freeride World Champion, Ben has quickly established himself as a standout on the global stage.
Originally a competitive ski racer, Ben made the transition to freeride with remarkable success. His strong rookie season set the tone, and he continued to build momentum in 2025 with consistent podium finishes. His racing background brings a unique blend of precision, control, and speed to his lines, while his natural creativity keeps his skiing fluid and expressive.
As an ambassador for So They Can, Ben is committed to supporting education and opportunity for children in East Africa, helping to empower the next generation to reach their full potential.
With a career defined by progression, resilience, and purpose, Ben is not only shaping the future of freeride skiing, but also contributing to meaningful change off the mountain.
Conrad Smith
Conrad Smith played for the Wellington Hurricanes and New Zealand All Blacks from 2004-2015. Conrad is also a barrister and solicitor and practiced in New Zealand during his career. Conrad and wife Lee now live in Pau, France where he recently retired from playing.
Conrad and Lee have visited the projects twice and especially loved their time at the Holding Hands Children’s Home teaching rugby and getting to know the children. On what inspired him to help out and give up his time he says: “It’s the volunteers over there who are the real heroes. All they want you to do is come back and ask for some help to make their job easier. So you sort of feel it’s the least you can do. We get called heroes for playing rugby but man what they do – it’s unreal.”
Camila Coelho
Camila Coelho is a Brazilian-American fashion and beauty entrepreneur, widely recognized as one of the most influential voices of her generation in her field. A first-generation immigrant, Camila began her career behind the Dior beauty counter at Macy's before launching beauty tutorials on YouTube in 2010 to stay in touch with family in Brazil. That intimate start evolved into a global platform with over 15 million followers and a front-row presence that began in 2014, with invitations to shows like Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi. In 2019, she launched the Camila Coelho Collection with Revolve, which continues to sell out thanks to her hands-on creative direction. Her beauty line Elaluz quickly followed, built around inclusivity and a celebration of her Brazilian roots. Forbes named her to their 30 Under 30 list and, eight years later, to their inaugural Top 50 Creators list — an acknowledgment of Camila's longevity and evolution. According to WWD, she is the top performing creator during fashion month, consistently outpacing peers at both New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. American Vogue notes that Camila "knows the Instagram potential of a look." She's walked red carpets from the MET Gala to Cannes, and fronted campaigns with La Mer, Bulgari, and MaxMara. Beyond fashion and beauty, Camila serves as a board member and ambassador for the Epilepsy Foundation, using her platform to raise awareness and destigmatize the condition by sharing her own journey. She currently lives in Miami with her husband, Icaro, and their son, Kai.
Jessica Grace Smith
Jessica is an accomplished actor and director, first appearing on our screens in the award winning Australian drama series, Home & Away. After graduating from Toi Whakaari, New Zealand Drama School, with a Bachelor of Performing Arts majoring in Acting, Jess has pursued her love of acting and theatre with vigor.
“I feel very excited and privileged to be working with So They Can. I am particularly inspired by the work they are doing with single mothers in Kenya through Sew Women Can, providing the resources and training for them to become self-sufficient in the future. I want to learn from these communities, these women, and build a reciprocal relationship of sharing, learning and growing.”
Kimbra Johnson
New Zealand born Kimbra has made history on the US Billboard charts, and is now putting her name to a cause close to her heart: becoming an ambassador for So They Can. On her reasons behind the partnership, Kimbra says “It hopefully means being a part of these children’s lives by giving what I can and helping to raise awareness for what we can all do to help”.
Liz Mills
Coach Liz Mills began her coaching journey in Sydney, Australia at the age of 16. Whilst coaching juniors and senior women's teams in Sydney, Coach Mills completed her undergraduate degree in Sports Science and Sports Management. Since 2011 she has been a head coach and assistant coach for men's club teams, national university teams and national teams in Africa and during this time, in 2013 Coach Mills returned to Sydney, Australia to complete her Masters degree in Coaching.
She is currently the head coach of the Kenyan men's national team, who in February 2021 qualified for the 2021 AfroBasket for the first time in 28 years.
"I'm passionate about education because it significantly improves the number of opportunities available for those who undertake any form. For girls and women in particular, education not only has a direct impact on their lives and those of their families but also their entire community."
Miranda Harcourt
Miranda is an accomplished New Zealand actress and director. She has won international awards for her acting, directing and theatre work. In 2004 Miranda was made an ONZM for her services to theatre and the community. With her love and track record in mentoring it is little wonder why she is passionate in community development and So They Can’s work.
Megan Morton
Megan Morton is an internationally acclaimed stylist who has been called on to style, design and work her ‘house whispering’ magic for celebrities and magazines including Elle Decorating UK and Vanity Fair. Megan has been a supporter of So They Can since its inception.
“Having watched So They Can grow since the beginning, I am so pleased that we will now be working together.”An intrepid traveller, Megan visited our Kenyan projects last year, “I loved visiting the communities So They Can works with in Kenya, meeting the women and children whose lives are being transformed through education.”
Mark & Toni Skaife
Mark Skaife, legendary racing car champion and respected Foxsports commentator and his wife Toni have joined the So They Can family as our Ambassadors.
Mark said of their appointment, “Toni and I are both excited and proud to be working with So They Can. We have literally welcomed them into our family by sponsoring a young student from So They Can’s thriving primary school in Kenya. We will wholeheartedly lend our voice and our support to promote the amazing work So They Can is doing to help break the cycle of poverty via education.”
Neil and Sharon Finn
After a career of making music, Neil Finn felt liberated sitting behind a drum kit while his wife Sharon took front of stage with a bass guitar as together they formed two thirds of ‘Pajama Club’ and we are honoured to have them both as So They Can Ambassadors.
Neil, a legendary singer and songwriter, has given his time to perform many times over the years to raise funds for So They Can. Neil says “It’s inspiring for us to see what has been achieved by So They Can. They have made it their mission to attach themselves to communities in need and then really follow it through”. Neil is currently touring with the iconic, Fleetwood Mac.
Peter Overton
Peter Overton is an Australian television journalist and news reader and has worked at the Nine Network for nearly 30 years. After completing a Bachelor of Economics degree at Macquarie University, he moved into the media to pursue his love of telling stories. He began at Nine as a news reporter in 1991 and in 2009 was appointed as Chief News Reader of Nine News, Sydney. He also travelled the world and covered major world events including September 11 and the Bali bombings as a reporter with 60 minutes.
Peter was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Macquarie University in 2019 for services to media and his extensive charity work and received an AM in the Australia Day Honours, 2020 for significant service to the broadcast media and community. He is also a Wing Commander, Specialist Reserve Capability Officer in the RAAF.
Peter is married to Jessica Rowe and they have two daughters. He has a strong sense of community and is patron and ambassador for a number of Australian charities. We are honoured that he is now an ambassador for So They Can.
Peta Mathias
I am thrilled to become a So They Can Ambassador. I believe that when you put out a helping hand to people, you always get much more than you give and you always learn something about your values.
One of my favourite quotes is, “If you are coming to help me, you are wasting your time but, if you are coming because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together”.
I look forward to working together with So They Can and the communities they support.
Rachel Castle
Rachel Castle (www.castleandthings.com.au) is a much loved and celebrated Australian artist and creator of beautiful things for the home. Rachel has spent the past 20 years in the homeware industry both in Australia and the UK, and currently lives in Sydney. Rachel has been a child sponsor and supporter of So They Can since the beginning.
“So They Can works so tirelessly to educate and care for some of the poorest communities in Africa, especially women and children, and I feel privileged to be their ambassador. I’m excited about supporting one of their education programs, Sew Women Can, teaching vulnerable young African women to sew.”
Simon Shaw MBE
Simon Shaw MBE is one of England’s most accomplished rugby players, boasting a career spanning over two decades at the highest level. A towering lock, he earned 71 caps for England and competed in three Rugby World Cup campaigns (1999, 2003, 2007), playing a part in England’s historic 2003 triumph and delivering a standout performances throughout the 2007 tournament.
At club level, Shaw was a dominant force for London Wasps and later Toulon, securing an incredible 13 domestic and European titles, including multiple Premiership and Heineken Cup victories. His leadership and consistency were recognized when he was named Players’ Player of the Year for the 2003/04 season. He also represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours (1997, 2005, 2009), famously earning Man of the Match in the second Test against South Africa in 2009.
Beyond rugby, Shaw is deeply committed to philanthropy. He is President of Love of the Game, an advocate for player welfare, and the inventor of the Atlas Foundation Digibus, bringing education to underserved communities. He is also involved with In My Locker, School of Hard Knocks, and numerous other charitable initiatives, using his platform to support grassroots sports, youth development, and concussion awareness.
Thomasin McKenzie
Thomasin McKenzie is a New Zealand actress, best known for her breakout role in the 2018 American film Leave No Trace, for which she received critical acclaim, as well as starring as a German Jewish girl hiding in Nazi Germany in the political satire, Jojo Rabbit.
"So They Can is an organisation that I have looked up to for a really long time. In an ideal world, we'd all have access to quality education and be able to walk through life with a feeling of empowerment. I think So They Can is leading us towards that world, and I'm really excited to join them on that journey".
