About us & Who we are
Our Purpose
The Ruby Effect Trust was founded in 2025 by the Cadzow Family – Brian and Julie Cadzow and their daughters Anna Little and Kate Lawrence.
The purpose of ‘The Ruby Effect Trust’ is to support people, groups and organizations to do good things for the environment, others, and themselves.
The story behind The Ruby Effect Trust
‘Ruby’ was chosen because of its connection to one of the Cadzow family’s favorite holiday destinations in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and the wonderful fun they have had there over many years.
The meaning behind Ruby as a precious stone is that it historically symbolizes inner strength and resilience. Today, Ruby is also associated with vitality, energy, and the fortitude to overcome challenges.
These are characteristics the Cadzow family would like the Trust to promote and, in essence – put them into effect. Hence the name “The Ruby Effect”
Our trustees
Brian Cadzow
Brian was a co-founder of Vista Group, which he helped list on the NZX and ASX in 2014. He held senior executive and board positions until 2021. Brian is a Trustee of the Vista Foundation, a charitable trust which supports the growth of participants in the NZ film industry, and chair of the New Zealand golf open Charitable Trust. He has also contributed extensively outside the business world, including ten years on the Board of Lynfield College, five as Chair and is an active mentor through the NZ Business Mentor group.
Brian has a passion for the outdoors, sports and supporting others to fulfil their goals, and is looking forward to working through The Ruby Effect Trust to continue that work.
Julie Cadzow
Julie is a retired primary and secondary school teacher and was an advisor of Dance Education in Auckland for several years. She has written many resources for dance in schools, with a focus on integrated learning and in particular, ways to learn through movement.
She is a trustee of the Vista Foundation – a charitable trust which funds programmes to support and sustain the New Zealand film industry.
Julie has a wide range of interests, adores being a grandmother and is excited to be part of The Ruby Effect Trust, where our family can support people to do good things for others.
Anna Little
Anna is an Early Childhood teacher and alongside her husband and children, runs a sheep and beef farm. She enjoys life on the farm and has developed a small nursery growing native plants for the farm. Her interests include walking the hills of the farm with her dogs, having adventures with her children, and working in the garden.
Anna is excited to be part of The Ruby Effect Trust and join with her family to help others succeed in their area of interest.
Kate Lawrence
Kate Lawrence is a Primary School teacher, teaching Year 7 and 8 students.
She values being outdoors, whether that be playing at the beach with her family, walking her dog or just being outside in the garden.
Kate was fortunate enough to be able to play sports and take dance lessons growing up. Having access to these opportunities allowed her to build confidence, supported her to make friends and now that she is a bit older, helped develop her current hobbies.
Kate is excited to be part of The Ruby Effect Trust, and to be able to support people to develop and hone their skills in avenues they are passionate about.