Hawke’s Bay Foundation is saluting one of its founding members and staunchest advocates.

Recently Jules Nowell-Usticke retired from the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, following a tenure of nine loyal years and a total of fifteen supporting the organisation in various roles.

Jules admits when she and husband Tim adopted the community foundation concept and launched it alongside other founders in Hawke’s Bay twelve years ago, the community was slow to recognise its benefits.

“When we started, we decided to set a ten year goal ($10 million in 10 years) which at times seemed completely out of reach – what were we thinking! We had underestimated that we had a lot of information sharing to do. Community Foundations were a new concept and understandably our community needed time to gain faith. However, fourteen years on and our stars have aligned. What a huge thrill and so affirming!”

Jules Nowell-Usticke started out as the manager of Hawke’s Bay Foundation, a role she held for four years before becoming Chair of the Board of Trustees.  Jules’ professional life prior was predominantly in the hotel industry, as Asia Pacific Director of Sales & Marketing with two major international hotel groups. She moved to Hawke’s Bay with her family in 1995 and as a Zimbabwean import, felt strongly about giving back to the Hawke’s Bay community.

As an active community figure, Jules has successfully attracted many donors to the Foundation over the years, most notably Canadian philanthropists Dick and Val Bradshaw, who sold their River Lodge holiday home in 2022 and donated the entire proceeds to Hawke’s Bay Foundation.

“Dick and Val were very encouraging at the inception of Hawke’s Bay Foundation, so much so that they became cornerstone donors. Since then, they have continued to be very supportive and I believe having seen us mature, feel confident that their gifts will be well protected, grown and smartly distributed.”

It was an act that attracted national media attention, but one Jules modestly refuses to take any credit for.

“We have donors of all shapes and sizes – those that give $10 per month to those that give more substantially, not forgetting those that do so once they pass away. Hawke’s Bay Foundation really is an incredible way of giving back to a place you love – it’s been a privilege in all sorts of ways. Knowing that so many charities will continue to be supported (and even more substantially as it grows), is a very heartwarming reflection.”

Foundation Chair Kevin Callinicos is grateful for Jules’ pivotal contribution.

“Jules’ unwavering commitment to making Hawke’s Bay Foundation a success has drawn the respect and kudos from all of us around the board table, both past and present. She steps off safe in the knowledge her influence is etched in the Foundation’s history books, a remarkable legacy left.”

As for what Jules will miss.

“I’ll miss the dedication and commitment of the people around the board table and our team. Each and everyone is so committed and such a valuable part of creating this fabulous asset that will help our community in so many ways. It comforts me knowing that I leave it in such good hands – we now attract such a high calibre of individuals who will just continue to make it even more valuable than it already is.

“Of course, despite no longer being actively involved, I will remain a committed advocate – forever!”