Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell is an experienced leader and governor having held directorships and executive roles in Iwi, Corporate and Crown organisations.  As a qualified lawyer, she brings expertise in companies and trusts, employment and family law together with significant commercial acumen, managing investments and experience leading high performing teams.  With well over a decade as the CE of a Māori entity and experience in the primary sector, she is an advocate for thriving Māori communities, healthy resilient whānau, and a champion for sustainability grounded in matauranga Māori and promoting women in leadership.

Kiriwaitingi is currently a facilitator for the Institute of Directors NZ, and supports strategy and governance development for Māori entities.  She currently holds directorships on Pūtauaki Trust, Māori Investments Limited, Te Kīwai Māui and Māhutonga (Whānau Ora, Area 2) Investment.

Kiriwaitingi has a BSocSc/LLB degree and works with Māori entities providing governance, strategy, organisational transformation advice to iwi and Māori entities.  She is fluent in Te Reo Māori and is a kapa haka enthusiast.