Naisi Chen brings central government governance experience, strategic policy development, and extensive leadership in the arts and philanthropic sectors to the New Zealand Children's Choral Academy (NZCCA) board. A former Member of Parliament, Naisi has extensive experience navigating complex regulatory environments, legislative frameworks, and large-scale community initiatives.
Music has been a foundational thread throughout Naisi’s life and career. Her early musical development was shaped as a high school student under Elise Bradley at Westlake Girls High School, followed by music studies at the University of Auckland under the tutelage of Dr. Karen Grylls. This deep personal grounding in choral music fuels her commitment to fostering a love for singing in the next generation and ensuring children across Aotearoa have access to world-class musical pathways.
Her broader governance background includes previous tenure on the boards of both the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) and Foundation North, allowing her to blend a lifelong passion for the musical arts with senior public sector and funding experience.
