News Release 18 September 2008

Skylight Appoints Sonja Deely To The Role Of Funding Development Manager

Skylight is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonja Deely to the role of Funding Development Manager.

Skylight is a national charitable organisation that provides unique support to children, young people and their families/whānau through trauma, change, loss and grief.

As Funding Development Manager, Sonja will be responsible for implementing, nurturing and growing a successful donor programme, making grant applications, acquiring and developing corporate sponsorship relationships, as well as coordinating Skylight’s fundraising events.

Sonja Deely says, “I am keen to raise Skylight’s profile, and I am focused on developing and maintaining fundraising relationships with both individuals and organisations. It is important for Skylight to continue gaining momentum and with it, the ability to help even more children, young people and their families.

“It is wonderful to be a part of an organisation that contributes to the well-being of so many in such a meaningful way – it is an honour to be involved, to do what I can to help.”

Sonja has worked for over 15 years in the not-for-profit sector, having begun her fundraising career as a field manager for Greenpeace, before finishing in 1996. Since then Sonja has worked as the National Fundraising Coordinator for the National Collective of Women’s Refuges and for the past six years as the Funding and Marketing Manager for the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation.

In between her roles for Greenpeace and the Women’s Refuge, Sonja also took a short term contract working as a research assistant for a guidebook “New York City with Kids”, and worked teaching arts and crafts to underprivileged children, also in New York City.

Sonja has a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Canterbury. In her spare time, Sonja enjoys spending time with her children, family and friends, and playing badminton.

Skylight, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, helps more than 5,000 people directly throughout the country each year. Skylight relies upon the generous support of individuals, organisations and sponsors that enables them to provide essential and empowering services to children, teens and their families who are dealing with tough times.

Skylight’s Chief Executive Mrs Bice Awan says “We are delighted to welcome Sonja to the Skylight team. The addition of a dedicated Funding Development Manager will be of huge benefit to Skylight, and we are looking forward to the positive impact of having a person such as Sonja in that position. Sonja has significant experience in the fundraising sector and we are pleased to have someone of her calibre in this pivotal role.”

ENDS

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