Meet our Board of Trustees

Paula Simpson - Chairperson 

Paula has been in management positions in the financial services industry serving communities in the Manawatu area since 2007.  Her areas of interest  are helping in the community in many different areas such as business and financial planning along with providing exceptional service.  Paula has a real interest in supporting Dress for Success to succeed due to her own background when, as a single mother, there were not many options to assist her return to work and she has seen firsthand the difference some support and development  can make for women to re-enter the workforce and create a future not only for themselves, but their families and wider community. 

Adie Transom - Treasurer 

Adie has 25 years senior management and governance experience in the not-for-profit sector serving communities in the Bay of Plenty and lower North Island and is now based in Palmerston North.  Her areas of interest are community development, strategic planning, sustainable funding and service excellence.  In her most recent management role, she has grown a single small service organisation to a large, sustainably funded regional service, providing support to a marginalized client group.  

Adie’s interest in Dress for Success stems from her earlier career development when there was little support for women in the workforce, and she is now committed to providing this support to women in their own career pathways. 

Jody Moore  - Secretary 

Jody has a background in assisting new mothers through her involvement with Plunket, Play Groups and Kindergartens, providing them with real skills to adapt to the changing world of being a mother. From there, with external support, she herself ventured back into the workforce and understands the difficulties that women face.  Through her previous role as a bank manager, Jody found a real interest in supporting women to become financially independent.  She feels that she can support them further through the great work that Dress for Success provides in empowering women to take that first step and give them the confidence that they need to take on the world and grow. 

Andrea Studholme - Trustee 

Andrea has a commitment to helping people thrive in work and in life. With a career spanning over two decades across talent acquisition, leadership, and organisational development, she has experience supporting individuals and teams to reach their potential. Andrea has held senior roles in both the public and private sectors, leading recruitment functions, operational change, and people‑centred initiatives. She is energised by opportunities to empower women, strengthen communities, and contribute to meaningful social impact, which aligns with the mission of Dress for Success. 

Pene Hallett - Trustee 

Pene brings extensive experience across both the private and public sectors with strengths in operational management, financial administration, customer service and team leadership.   Her professional background is complemented by many years of active community involvement and volunteering across a range of organizations, where she has developed a strong passion for supporting others with empathy, encouragement and practical guidance.  

Alongside her professional experience, Pene draws on her lived experience in budgeting, financial resilience and navigating real-life financial challenges. This has given her a practical understanding of the barriers many women face and the confidence that sustainable change is possible with the right tools, support and mindset.  

Pene’s commitment to Dress for Success is driven by her belief in empowering women to recognise their potential, build confidence and take meaningful steps toward creating the life they envision. She is dedicated to helping women feel valued, capable and inspired to achieve their personal and professional goals. Pene recognises that confidence, dignity and a sense of control are key foundations for positive life changes.