Alicia Mallo
Redcliffs,Christchurch
Summary
I am a passionate community and not-for-profit leader with over 10 years of experience building meaningful relationships, delivering impactful programs, and supporting teams across a variety of sectors, including arts and culture, sports, environment, civil defense, and social advocacy. I truly enjoy working with the community, council, and funders to develop and sustain programs that enhance our lives. I believe in fostering trust and leading through listening, empathy and open communication. I have a deep appreciation for Tikanga Māori and the diverse cultures in Christchurch, and I enjoy engaging across these diverse cultural contexts with respect and humility. I take pride in having first hand knowledge of grant funding, accountability reporting, balancing priorities of all stakeholders and managing expectations thoughtfully to ensure that programs are delivered with integrity. In my roles I am responsible for building strong relationships that help to empower people to work collaboratively and in innovative spaces, in order to create positive outcomes for communities that are genuine and sustainable. My approach is warm and solution-oriented, with a passion for individual and community well-being, equity, and engagement. I am resourceful, dedicated, and committed to making a real difference, with a passion for supporting communities to thrive.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Development Coordinator
Sumner Community Residents’ Association
Sumner, Christchurch
09.2024 - Current
- Organised community events and educational campaigns promoting social cohesion, well being, safety and resilience.
- Initiated and coordinated 4 Artisan Markets Events and 1 Clothing Swap event in Sumner to encourage buying locally & to support local artists.
- Grew our environmental programme to include a recycling station for plastic lids, that is currently available to over 3,000 residents and has diverted close to 300kgs away from the landfill over the last 9 months.
- Managed projects enhancing community outcomes, fostering inclusive participation and respecting diverse cultures.
- Built trusted relationships with stakeholders, including emergency responders and local organizations, to strengthen community objectives.
- Organized diverse workshops facilitated by professionals for our local community to learn about permaculture, CPR and First Aid, tsunamis, emergency hub planning, and Matariki Night Sky.
- Supported our emergency prepardeness by writing the community's civil defence response plan; liaising with local first repsonders (SLSC, Fire Department, Coast Guard and Civil Defence) and local Clubs (x5) and Schools (x4).
- Responsible for writing all grants to sustain programmes and operational costs $100k per year including the completion of impact and accountability reporting.
- Wrote the Monthly Newsletters that inlcude stories from over 30 groups within the community, including start up initiatives, fundraisers, and events that bring people together.
Manager
Shoreline Youth Trust
Sumner, Christchurch
08.2025 - Current
- Led a comprehensive six-month community consultation initiative, engaging over 50 participants, including local school staff, to gather valuable insights that directly shaped and enhanced our youth programs, resulting in a direct increase in funding support.
- Organized weekly youth group sessions at our local community center for students in Years 7-9, with van transport from local schools, fostering a safe space for youth to connect and engage with youth workers.
- Acted as the primary liaison for diverse stakeholders—including families, local council members, the Board of Trustees, and business owners—building strong relationships that contributed to a growth in community support, and ensuring the continuation of our programme.
- Recruited and managed a team of two youth workers, overseeing daily operations such as scheduling, accounting, grant writing, and reporting, enrolments and maintained full compliance with accountability standards.
Grants & Marketing Coordinator
Sumner Bays Union Trust
Sumner-Heathcote, Christchurch
07.2021 - Current
- Managed operations for 15 community organisations including (Sumner Silver Band, Sumner Community Garden, Sumner Orchard, Music and Movement, Older persons Social Work Project, Permaculture Garden (he Mare Kai) and Richmond Hill Raspberry Garden.
- Supported the organisation by writing all grant applications securing $90,000 in annual funding, building relationships with funders and using transparency to report on impact and activities.
- Ensured compliance by maintaining meticulous reporting on financial accounts and project progress and reported monthly to a Board of Trustees.
- Developed governance structures with essential documents, Health and Safety, insurance, meeting agendas, and minutes.
- Wrote and distributed monthly newsletter and stories through all social media channels.
Secretary
Sumner Ferrymead Foundation
Mt Pleasant, Christchurch
03.2025 - Current
- Organized meetings and prepared materials for board members and stakeholders.
- Maintained filing systems for documents related to foundation projects and initiatives.
- Assisted with the awards evening event planning and logistics for award recipients.
- Coordinated communications with applicants and general inquiries.
- Liaised with Bay Harbour news and local community groups about our funding opportunities.
Grant Writer & Early Childhood Educator
Kidsfirst Kindergartens, Playcentre
01.2011 - 01.2020
- Served as a trained parent educator in multiple Playcentres, promoting structured play and safety, and demonstrating flexibility in adapting teaching approaches to diverse audiences.
- Achieved certification in Te Whāriki Curriculum delivery, contributing to enhanced educational offerings and continuous improvement within the centers.
- Wrote and secured grants for various projects, effectively managing multiple proposals and engaging stakeholders to contribute to significant operational enhancements.
Marine Ecologist & Naturalist
MMERP, Pacific Whale Foundation, NIWA, frc Environmental, Gastineau Guiding
01.1998 - 01.2011
- Conducted comprehensive research on marine species across several regions in the South Pacific demonstrating strong organizational, health and safety and multitasking abilities in data management and team leadership.
- Delivered engaging educational outdoor tours while ensuring adherence to safety protocols, showcasing clear communication skills with participants from diverse backgrounds.
- Led projects including the collection of data on snapper stocks, microbenthic organisms diversity and abundance in the Hauraki Gulf and Humpback whale populations in Australia and the South Pacific.
- Maintained detailed datasets, co-authored reports for government agencies in mitigation and protection of vulnerable species in Australia and Tonga.
Education
Master of Science - Marine Ecology
University of Auckland
Auckland, NZ01.2010
Bachelor’s degree - Biological Sciences, Minor Scientific Diving (marine emphasis)
University of Hawaii & Humboldt State University
01.2003
Skills
- Project development & management to enhance community participation in sustainable programmes
- Supported and led diverse community initiatives in areas of sustainability and environment, gardens, sports, music, arts and culture, and emergency planning
- Communications with diverse stakeholders in the community, government & philathropic funders
- Proficient at Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Mailchimp, Xero, Google Suite, social media platforms
- Reporting to and co-leadership with Boards and Committees, with sound knowledge of Charities Commission registration requirements
- Adept at accountability reporting and quantification of impacts, data collection, and communication of results to diverse groups
Certification
• Certificate in Te Whāriki Curriculum Delivery
• NZ Lifeguard Award (first aid and CPR training) and Lifeguard volunteer at Taylor’s Mistake
• Coastguard Sumner Lifeboat volunteer – training as shore and deckhand crew
• NAUI Advanced and Scientific Diving Certificate for the Professional Rescuer
• NZ Lifeguard Award (first aid and CPR training) and Lifeguard volunteer at Taylor’s Mistake
• Coastguard Sumner Lifeboat volunteer – training as shore and deckhand crew
• NAUI Advanced and Scientific Diving Certificate for the Professional Rescuer
Timeline
Manager
Shoreline Youth Trust
08.2025 - Current
Secretary
Sumner Ferrymead Foundation
03.2025 - Current
Community Development Coordinator
Sumner Community Residents’ Association
09.2024 - Current
Grants & Marketing Coordinator
Sumner Bays Union Trust
07.2021 - Current
Grant Writer & Early Childhood Educator
Kidsfirst Kindergartens, Playcentre
01.2011 - 01.2020
Marine Ecologist & Naturalist
MMERP, Pacific Whale Foundation, NIWA, frc Environmental, Gastineau Guiding
01.1998 - 01.2011
Master of Science - Marine Ecology
University of Auckland
Bachelor’s degree - Biological Sciences, Minor Scientific Diving (marine emphasis)
University of Hawaii & Humboldt State University