Fulbright New Zealand appoints new Executive Director

Fulbright New Zealand appoints new Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Fulbright New Zealand is delighted to announce the appointment of Penelope Borland as the next Executive Director of Fulbright New Zealand. Penelope Borland was Chief Executive of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA) for ten years. She is a lawyer and former journalist, has worked in communications and has significant experience and networks in government, business and the creative sector in New Zealand, the United States and internationally.

Penelope was appointed to the Executive Director role after an exhaustive process which attracted more than 120 applications for the opportunity to lead the Fulbright programme of educational and cultural exchange between New Zealand and the United States of America.

Dr Helen Anderson, Chairperson of the Fulbright New Zealand Board, says “I am delighted that we have found an Executive Director who has the passion for the Fulbright mission, the personal profile to lead the organisation with sparkle, and the intelligence and networks to enhance our impact in the New Zealand-United States relationship. She will carry on the excellent commitment and inspiration that Mele Wendt has brought to Fulbright over the last ten years.”

Penelope will replace Mele Wendt, who resigned recently after ten years as Executive Director in a period of significant growth and consolidation that has seen Fulbright New Zealand cement itself as a model commission in the Fulbright exchange programme, which operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Mele will be formally farewelled at a reception for stakeholders and supporters in December, and Penelope will begin as Executive Director when the Fulbright New Zealand office opens for the new year on 5 January 2015. Fulbright New Zealand is based in Wellington and has a staff of eight.

Fulbright New Zealand was established in 1948 to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and the United States of America. The Fulbright programme offers a range of prestigious awards for New Zealand and American graduate students, academics, artists and professionals to study, research, teach and present their work in each other’s countries. Fulbright New Zealand offers over 70 exchange awards each year – half to students and half to scholars – and more than 3,000 New Zealanders and Americans have benefited from a Fulbright award to date. The programme is mainly funded by the US and New Zealand governments with additional funding from award sponsors, private philanthropists and alumni donors.

See www.fulbright.org.nz for details about Fulbright awards and how to apply,

ENDS

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