From Corporate Supporter To CEO, Joanna Simon

Welcoming Joanna Simon, CEO of Starship Foundation, to Purposely Podcast

In this episode of Purposely, we speak with Joanna Simon, Chief Executive of the Starship Foundation—a charitable organisation that supports paediatric healthcare across New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Joanna Simon with Mark Longbottom, Host of Purposely

Joanna moved from a background in corporate marketing and communications into the not-for-profit sector, where she now leads one of the country’s most established healthcare foundations.

The Starship Foundation exists to support the work of Starship Children’s Hospital, New Zealand’s national children’s hospital. With over 100,000 patient visits each year and more than 1,000 outreach clinics, the hospital provides specialist care to children both in Auckland and across the wider region. One of its key programmes is the Starship National Air Ambulance, which transports critically ill or injured children to Starship for urgent care—on average, every 48 hours.

The foundation is currently focused on raising funds to expand and upgrade New Zealand’s only dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), with the aim of meeting increasing demand and improving care for children with complex needs.

Joanna’s involvement with Starship began as a parent. During hospital visits with her sons, she saw the level of care and support provided by the staff. These experiences led her to support the foundation well before she stepped into the leadership role. While working as Chief Operating Officer at international law firm DLA Piper, Joanna also developed a professional relationship with the foundation, which was a pro bono client of the firm. She supported fundraising efforts and gained a closer view of the organisation’s work.

In her current role, Joanna describes her leadership style as inclusive and open. She values clear communication, encourages initiative, and focuses on ensuring her team has the resources and structure they need to deliver on their goals. She sees collaboration and alignment around shared goals as key to achieving effective results.

Since taking on the role, Joanna has been encouraged by the level of support the foundation receives. Donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups make it possible to fund hospital upgrades, outreach services, and specialised care programmes.

Away from work, Joanna leads an active life. She often cycles to work on her e-bike, enjoys walking and Pilates, and spends time with her husband Greg and their sons, Oliver and Alex—especially at Matapouri Beach. She’s also a keen reader and has a strong interest in the arts. Her past involvement with the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation Board and current position on the Mercy Healthcare Auckland Ltd Board reflect her wider interests in both healthcare and culture.

Joanna Simon’s career reflects how skills developed in the corporate sector can be applied to support the not-for-profit world. Under her leadership, the Starship Foundation continues to play a key role in supporting services that help deliver healthcare to children across New Zealand and the Pacific.