Fiona Ironside is living proof of the life-changing difference foster care can make. Her own experience as an adolescent set her on a remarkable journey of personal and professional growth - from support worker to Chief Executive Officer of Key Assets Aotearoa/New Zealand. Humble, compassionate and deeply determined, Fiona shares the importance of wraparound support - for children, families and foster carers - and its ripple effect on future generations.

Compelled to care

Fiona Ironside radiates warmth and kindness. Her compassion runs deep, nurtured over many years through adversity and triumph.

Her role as Chief Executive Officer of Key Assets Aotearoa/New Zealand - a not-for-profit, non-governmental foster care agency - is not for the faint of heart.

Leading the provision of specialised services and support for mokopuna/children, their whānau/families and mātua whāngai/foster carers is as challenging as it is rewarding. Not to mention the complexities of remaining a sustainable organisation in an economically turbulent environment.

Yet, if anyone is up to the task, it’s Fiona. From a mokopuna in out-of-home care to a mātua whāngai herself, she knows the profound impact great foster care can make.

“My life was changed by a fabulous foster family. They really believed in me. They knew I would do things and go places, and I wasn’t sure I could. But they were right. Foster care completely changed my life, and at Key Assets, I’m in a place where I can facilitate that for others.”

At a crossroads

Growing up in North Shore, Auckland, Fiona was the eldest of five mokopuna. She was placed with a foster family at age 13 for one year, then at age 16 for two years.

“I was lucky that my foster family was known to my family, so we already had that connection. What made a particular difference for me was they never said one negative word about my family - not ever, not once. I had been at a crossroads where I could have gone off the rails or embraced this opportunity to grow. My foster family were very special people at the right place, at the right time.”

Inspired by her experience, Fiona knew she wanted to be in a caring profession. After finishing high school, she was accepted into a nursing training program, but soon realised it wasn’t the path for her. “I fainted a lot,” Fiona laughs.

Fiona married at 19, had two children, and worked various jobs. She also became a foster carer herself - but it wasn’t quite what she expected.

“I had anticipated I would be supported and contacted by Child, Youth and Family, but that was not my experience at all. I had placements where the department did not even visit the child and had not seen my home. It was quite eye opening, and I always believed there was a better way.”

Mission for change

When Fiona’s marriage ended at age 29, she faced a difficult road as a single parent and foster carer. Yet, her trademark resilience came to the fore. Balancing studies with cleaning and catering jobs to make ends meet, she qualified as a social worker, specialising in child and adolescent mental health.

Over the years, Fiona progressed through many roles, including Operations Manager at the Waitemata District Health Board and General Manager at Pathways, a national provider of community-based mental health, addiction and wellbeing services.

In 2019, after 25 years in social work, Fiona was finally able to align her core values with her career in a role at Key Assets.

“An amazing man who used to work for me, Wayne, was CEO at Key Assets. I loved what they did because their focus was on providing really well-supported, sustainable foster care placements for children. I always said to Wayne, ‘If the right role comes up, let me know.’ So he did let me know, and I managed to get the job.”

At Key Assets, Fiona has thrived - starting as NZ Director, stepping up to Acting CEO in 2022, and becoming CEO in 2023.

The Key Assets difference? Fiona says it’s the individualised, wraparound support for the entire foster care unit.

“Our focus is on equipping the foster carer to be the provider for the young person. We recruit, train and support foster carers to provide really caring, safe and loving homes for children in need, and we give mokopuna a say in the decisions that affect them.”

Many of the mokopuna Key Assets support have experienced trauma, abuse and multiple placements with other agencies. So, although foster carers can come from all walks of life, Fiona says they must have a high level of resilience, compassion and empathy.

“Because it’s not a walk in the park, caring for these young people, but the impact a foster carer can make is huge. That’s why we put so much care and support into the foster care unit. It makes such a difference. Everyone who works at Key Assets believes in that. We really care about what happens to the children and the carers.”

The power of unconditional love

Fiona is so passionate about making a positive difference for mokopuna, whānau and communities, it’s as though she was born for her role. But if you had told a teenage Fiona that one day, she would be CEO of a leading children’s services provider, she probably would not have believed you.

“Even as a young parent, there were nights I’d have to strap my son onto my chest and go do a cleaning job in the mall at night. That was over there,”

Fiona points behind her through her office window.

“To think that 35 years later, I’d be in the office over here at Key Assets as Chief Executive Officer, well, it’s incredible.”

Fiona smiles, and adds:

“I do believe I am a resilient and determined person, and I think that’s because of my foster family.”

To this day, Fiona has a close connection with both her family and her mātua whāngai. She also keeps in touch with the children she has fostered over the years, cherishing them as part of her extended, vibrant, loving whānau. It’s what inspires her each day - in her work and life.

“I’m so lucky. I have a wife now, and we’ve been together for 20 years. I have two little grandsons, and they are the light of my life. Because I’ve been fostered and have had fosters, I know you can love another child just as much as a child of your own. I’m very fortunate to have a rich tapestry of quirky characters and wonderful people in my life. I’ve had an amazing life, and if I can make a difference for someone else, then it’s all worthwhile, isn’t it?”

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