Two countries. One partnership.
The Himalayan Trust operates from New Zealand and Nepal. Our teams work together, across time zones, cultures, and mountain ranges, to deliver projects that last.
We're a small team. Always have been. Sir Ed believed in doing things efficiently: putting money into projects, not administration. That philosophy continues today.
In New Zealand, a handful of staff manage fundraising, communications, and supporter relationships. In Nepal, our in-country team handles project delivery, community liaison, and day-to-day operations. Many have been with us for decades.
We're governed by a volunteer board of New Zealanders with expertise in development, finance, and Nepal. And we're supported by Peter and Alexander Hillary, who continue their family's three-generation commitment to the work.
NZ team
Our remote team manages fundraising, communications, and supporter relationships.
As Ed's grandson, Alexander is carrying on his grandfather's legacy whilst spearheading the Trust's growth.
Casey looks after the Himalayan Trust's marketing and online fundraising. A digital strategist with a hands-on approach, he focuses on clear storytelling and simple, reliable tools that make supporting the Trust straightforward for everyone.
Jason Edwards is a partner at chartered-accounting firm HLB Mann Judd and oversees the Himalayan Trust's finance function.
Nepal team
The Himalayan Trust's work succeeds because it's led by people who know the communities, speak the languages, and understand the terrain. Our Nepal team includes project managers, health coordinators, education specialists, and community liaisons, many of whom grew up in the villages we serve.
Mingma Norbu Sherpa (PhD) brings 23+ years of development experience across environment, biodiversity, health, education, and livelihoods in Nepal.
Lhakpa has 15 years experience in the development sector working in different capacities with various Nepalese and international organisations in project design, project management, rural development, and community mobilisation.
Mahendra has more than 30 year's experience in education development field. He served as a teacher and then headmaster of Khumjung (Hillary) school for 35 years.
Governance
The Himalayan Trust is governed by a volunteer board of New Zealanders with expertise in development, finance, healthcare, and Nepal. They donate their time to ensure we remain effective stewards of donor funds and trusted partners to Himalayan communities.
We're registered as a charity in New Zealand and committed to transparency. Our annual reports and financial statements are publicly available. We believe if you're going to ask people to trust you with their money, you should show them exactly how you spend it.
Growing up alongside his father, Sir Edmund Hillary, Peter Hillary has walked hand-in-hand with the Himalayan Trust and the Khumbu community since childhood.
David Simmons’ connection with Nepal stretches back to the late 1970s, when he studied alongside Ang Rita and Mingma Norbu Sherpa at Lincoln University.
Born and raised in Solukhumbu, Phurenje Sherpa attended Khari Khola School, one of the many facilities built by Sir Ed.
Emma Heydon’s relationship with the Himalayan Trust began when she was 12, living with her family in Mount Everest/Sagarmatha National Park while her parents volunteered at Khunde Hospital (1996–98).
Professor Bruce Arroll is a South Auckland general practitioner of more than 30 years and Professor of General Practice & Primary Health Care at the University of Auckland.
Georgia Cervin has been a member of the Himalayan Trust since her first trip to the Khumbu in 2012, and has returned regularly since then.
Andrew Churches is an educator, author and adventurer with a long connection to the Himalaya.
A founding member of the Himalayan Trust and close friend of Sir Edmund Hillary, Mike Gill has shared countless expeditions and projects with Ed, an experience he later captured in his biography of Sir Ed.
Dr Kirsten Nicholson has led dozens of expeditions to Everest Base Camp and knows the Khumbu region as intimately as the climate-science work that brought her there.
Miranda joined the Himalayan Trust Board of Trustees in 2024. She brings over three decades of experience in International Development from her work with Lincoln University, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and various development agencies.