The momentum continues to build

Hot on the heels of a brand refresh and website relaunch, The Big Idea Trust Board is delighted to announce the appointment of a new chief executive.

Annie Ackerman started as chief executive of The Big Idea on 1 July. Annie’s probably best known for her three-year stint as inaugural CEO of the Spark Foundation, where she negotiated the purchase of the award winning crowdfunding generosity platform - Givealittle and launched organisation-wide volunteering, payroll giving and leadership grants to increase employee engagement. 

Previously she has had similar CEO roles with the Melanoma Foundation, the Cochlear Implant Foundation & Hearing House and Adelaide’s Cora Barclay Centre.

“I am not from the creative sector,” says Annie. “But I bring broad experience with the business pragmatics of creative and entrepreneurial projects. I also have a passion for the design of innovative strategies for organisational change and development, and love seeing teams take ownership of these outcomes.”

Annie joins with the blessing of The Big Idea’s founder, Elisabeth Vaneveld. Annie’s appointment frees Elisabeth up to concentrate on projects and programmes that develop and expand opportunities for creative practitioners.

“The Board and Elisabeth were delighted with the very high calibre of applicants for this role,” says Chair of The Big Idea Trust, Roger King. “We’re all in agreement, though, that Annie’s experience, energy and enthusiasm make her the perfect choice to lead the The Big Idea into a major growth phase, now that we are 15 years old.” 

For more information, please contact

Annie Ackerman, Chief Executive, The Big Idea, 027 4738 637, annie.ackerman@thebigidea.co.nz
Roger King, Chairman, The Big Idea Trust Board, 027 4429 404, roger.king@xtra.co.nz