Meet the Board
Irlen North Trust is governed by a dedicated board of trustees who share a passion for making a real difference in the lives of Northland tamariki.
Mascot
BILLINGS
Billings is the colour-changing heart of the Irlen North Trust — a chameleon who understands better than anyone that the world doesn't always look the same to everyone.
His name comes from a Facebook fundraiser: a naming-rights auction. The winning bidder, David from Little Peach Eyewear, chose to honour someone he admired rather than pick a fun name — John Billings, a stalwart of the New Zealand Dispensing Optician community, known for his warmth, his willingness to help anyone, and for creating the "Billings Rule," a dispensing tool now used industry-wide. He also spends countless hours fundraising for Guide Dogs and raises guide dog puppies himself.
The committee was proud to adopt the name — fitting for a mascot who stands for care, craft, and looking out for others.
Treasurer | Secretary
DR ANNA BARRY
Dr Anna Barry is an educator, mathematician, and community advocate with more than 20 years of experience supporting children and young people in their learning. She holds a PhD in Mathematics and has taught across a wide range of educational settings, developing a particular passion for helping learners build confidence and achieve their potential.
Trustee
CHRISTINE BENNER
One of the newest members of the Irlen North Trust, Christine brings over 14 years of community experience from her time with the Northern Community Family Service Trust, along with a trademark know-how, can-do attitude. A Kerikeri local of nearly 30 years, she is driven by a personal connection to the cause — her granddaughter has Irlen Syndrome — and a vision to see the condition recognised early, so more children can be checked from a younger age.
Trustee
HEATHER SORENSEN
Heather Sorensen has been part of the Irlen North Trust since its earliest days, bringing decades of experience in governance, fundraising and community leadership — including her current role as National President of Rural Women New Zealand. A former teacher with a long history of volunteering, she is driven by a belief that everyone deserves the support they need to thrive, and by the families she's seen struggle to get an Irlen diagnosis understood and acted on.
Trustee
SHEREE CAMILLERI
Sheree is a founding board member of the Irlen North Trust, leading on governance, strategy and fundraising alongside running her own Kerikeri-based consultancy, Thrive – Health, Safety & Well-being. Drawing on her background as a social worker and adult educator, she is driven to transform children's lives through access to Irlen Syndrome diagnosis and support — and to make sure financial barriers never stand in the way.