On behalf of the Heart Kids New Zealand Inc. Board of Trustees, we are pleased to announce that Dr Ruth Gorinski has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.
Following a rigorous recruitment process using an external recruitment agency, Dr Gorinski was selected from a large field of high calibre candidates and we welcome her acceptance of the position. Dr Gorinski stood out as a proven leader with recognised strategic acumen, organisational vision and the ability to bring people together with a growth mindset.
Formerly serving as the Acting CEO of Heart Kids NZ, Dr Gorinski has a solid understanding of our organisational priorities and growth potential. She has previously held numerous senior leadership roles in both Aotearoa New Zealand and international organisations through which she has built productive partnerships with a wide range of stakeholder groups and developed strengths in strategic planning.
Social justice and equity are of immense importance to Dr Gorinski and she has over 20 years of research work that focused on strengthening equitable outcomes for Māori and Pasifika in education. She has a proven record of securing research funding grants and brings both financial and commercial expertise as a director of several successful companies.
During her time as Acting CEO, Ruth played a critical role in the development and writing of the Heart Kids NZ Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025. We are confident that her visionary leadership will see her continue to drive the organisation to achieve its mission “to provide lifelong support for all affected by the world’s most common birth difference or heart disease acquired during childhood.”
