Margaret Wilson and Susan Hassell now lead Momentum
Published on 11 March, 2026
Momentum Waikato Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recent appointments of Margaret Wilson as its new Chair, and Susan Hassall as its new Deputy Chair.
Margaret says it is a privilege to have been asked to chair the Momentum Waikato Board.
“Momentum is preparing to further develop our contribution to the Waikato and Coromandel. We are always grateful for the support we receive and look forward to continuing to work with communities across the region into the future,” says Margaret.
Susan says being on the Momentum board is an opportunity to support “an amazing organisation”.
“Momentum allows us all to gain happiness, through gifting, through giving, and in doing so, it creates a way to gift happiness to others, by providing them with the opportunity to receive. In other words, to really care,” says Susan.
Margaret, who joined the Momentum board in August 2024, was the first Dean of Te Piringa Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato. As an MP from 1999 to 2008, she held several Ministerial positions, including Attorney General, and was the Speaker of Parliament. She has also been a Director of the Reserve Bank and a Law Commissioner.
Susan, who joined the Momentum board in November 2025, was Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School from 2000 to 2024. She is currently the Chancellor of The University of Waikato and Chair of the Hospice Waikato Trust.
The previous Chairs of Momentum Waikato were Ken Williamson from 2013 to 2015, Leonard Gardner from 2015 to 2020, and Neil Richardson from 2020 to 2025.
For more information on Margaret and Susan, the rest of the Momentum Waikato Board and the Board Appointment Panel, see momentumwaikato.nz/our-people.
