The following is a message from Don McKenzie, Chairman, RNZFB Board of Directors and includes a message from Paula Daye.

It is with deep regret that I must advise that Paula Daye has resigned from the Foundation after providing outstanding leadership and care since 1999, including over four years as CEO.

Her resignation is effective at the end of April, but she has expressed a willingness to "hold the reins a little longer" if that is necessary.  We have initiated a search to find a new CEO, and we will continue to implement our business and strategic plans to best serve our members.  

Paula is leaving in order to give a greater priority to her family and to do some things she has long wanted to do. The Board respects her decision and acknowledges the enormity of the contributions she has made as CEO and as Divisional Manager before that.

The Foundation was fortunate to attract Paula's considerable professional expertise and outstanding personal attributes at a time when the RNZFB was transitioning from a volunteer governed entity to a member driven organisation.  Paula's amazing ability as a communicator, her belief in blind people and her incredible energy and commitment to consultation was exactly the change management style the Foundation needed at such a critical time.  Her inspirational leadership and ability to gather about her other talented people as managers is another gift of which there is no measure.

Paula is leaving the Foundation with a "Can Do" legacy and the expectation that blind, low-vision and deafblind New Zealanders will achieve the same citizenship opportunities and responsibilities as any other Kiwi.  Her leadership, professional abilities and consummate personal skills will forever be part of the Foundation's enduring heritage as one of New Zealand's foremost non-profit agencies. 

Working with Paula has been a pleasure and an honour for me as Chairman and as a blind person. 

Adds Paula:

"I appreciate Don's kind words very much, and I want to stress that any accomplishments during my time at the Foundation must be attributed to an incredible team.

Choosing to come to Foundation in 1999 was an easy decision because of its reputation. I dearly loved working here and helping lead this wonderful, unique organisation.  Deciding to leave was a very difficult decision, but this is what’s best for my extended family and for me. I determined this during an extended leave over the holidays. 

"I dearly love working with people in the blindness community, and in the disability sector.  I've been inspired and motivated by many blind people, and I've learnt so much from our staff right throughout the country. This is a truly amazing organisation, and what I take away is priceless. At some point in the future I may return to the health and disability sector, but for the foreseeable future I will be devoting myself to my family and some personal things."

Don McKenzie
Chairman
RNZFB Board of Directors