The Executive Leadership Team
Kaiwhakahaere Executive Director: Jason Myers
Jason is the Executive Director of Oxfam Aotearoa. In this role, he has overall responsibility for the delivery of Oxfam’s strategic and operational plans. He returned to Oxfam as no stranger, having been the Director of Advocacy and Campaigns from 2014-2016.
Outside of his relationship to Oxfam, Jason’s career has spanned academia, public health, and international development. He completed a Health Geography PhD at the University of Auckland before leading a palliative care research project at University College London as part of post-Doctoral study.
Jason’s other main employer has been Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly the New Zealand AIDS Foundation). He started out his working life as a Policy Analyst and moved through several roles, including managing an International Development programme in the Pacific from 2012-2014. After leaving for his first stint at Oxfam, Jason returned to NZAF as Chief Executive 2016-2022. Over his six years in the role, his achievements were many. He led a transformational change in strategic approach that subsequently saw some of the lowest numbers of annual new HIV infections in recorded history. The relationships he built, and the advocacy he led, ensured that the organisation was well placed for a dynamic and sustainable future on his departure.
Jason lives in Auckland with his partner, Luke. When they are not working, they find joy in the simple things… food, special people, and being close to the sea.
Head of Public Fundraising: Ange Janse van Rensburg
Ange joined Oxfam Aotearoa in 2021, having spent 12 years in the not-for-profit fundraising sector working for organisations such as Greenpeace Aotearoa and St John. Ange has specialised in telefundraising and individual giving, and has provided strategic fundraising advice to a variety of grassroots organisations. Through these roles, Ange has gained extensive experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies. Ange is passionate about donor-centric fundraising and delivering outstanding fundraising programmes through diverse channels.
Head of Partnerships and Humanitarian: Carlos Calderon
Carlos has worked in international cooperation, humanitarian and disaster management for over 24 years. He has led, implemented and managed programmes and projects in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, The Pacific and Aotearoa. Delivered humanitarian strategies and programmes, policies, influencing strategies, relationships and institutional representation, at local, regional and global levels.
Currently working for a second period in Oxfam Aotearoa as Head of Partnerships and Humanitarian, Carlos also worked for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam Spain, UNRWA Spanish Committee, Red Cross Spain and UNICEF, among others. He currently Chairs the Council for International Development Humanitarian Network, the peak body for the cooperation sector in Aotearoa.
Carlos studied for a Master’s degree in Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Aid at the University of Comillas – Madrid and graduated in Social Communication from the University of Lima, with a major in Communication for Development.
He has 26 years of experience as a volunteer firefighter and medical first responder in Peru, Spain and New Zealand.
Head of Finance and Operations: Mistral Carson
Mistral joined Oxfam Aotearoa in 2024, having spent 24 years in the not-for-profit finance, operational and administration sector working for Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly New Zealand AIDS Foundation). Mistral brings a wealth of experience in the financial management and operational efficiencies space. She is dedicated to navigating complex financial and operational landscapes within the not-for-profit sector. She enjoys building strong relationships with staff and working together to achieve strategic objectives, celebrating success and learning from missteps.
Head of Communications, Media and Advocacy: Rachel Schaevitz
Rachel Schaevitz immigrated to New Zealand from the United States in 2020 and starting working with Oxfam shortly after she arrived. She has a background in media and film, having earned her bachelor’s degree in film from New York Unviersity, her master’s from Boston University and her Ph.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Rachel worked for a decade in film, building sets for indie films in NYC and working in the studio system in LA before moving into the classroom as a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She served as an elected member of Chapel Hill’s Town Council for two years before making the move to Aotearoa. Once here, she used her skills in editing, storytelling, and project management to help Oxfam share the stories and updates that ensure our supporters know all the incredible work being done by our partners all across the Pacific.
