About Us
The Foundation was established in 2021, by some of those whose lives have been touched by Nick. It is a contribution to the next generation of leaders in a region where Nick had such a profound impact, and in particular in the field of infrastructure development.
Letter From Our Founder
It has been said that legacy is not leaving something for people. It is leaving something in people[1].
In 2020, around the tenth anniversary of Nick’s passing, I received a phone call from an old friend in Hong Kong with a dream. How did I feel about creating a foundation to honour Nick’s memory and the role he played in shaping the futures of so many?
Owing to a life with Nick, I knew that dreams must be put into action and so, with the help of my co-founders, the Nick van Gelder Dreamers Foundation was born.
Nick left behind something special in all who knew him and the Foundation has been formed by some of those whose lives have been touched by Nick as a way to pay forward the extraordinary legacy that Nick has left behind. I want the next generation to be able to be guided and mentored by Nick’s principles, his work ethic and his enjoyment for life. Despite all the commitments in his life, Nick was always generous of spirit and by sharing his love for education, sport, the arts, cultural diversity and friendship the Foundation aims to honour his memory.
The Foundation could not have been possible without the generosity of so many and for that I will be forever grateful.
I hope that the Foundation serves as a platform to further fuel your dreams and imagination, just as Nick fuelled the dreams and imaginations of so many.
Samantha van Gelder
[1] Peter StropleOur Directors
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Samantha van Gelder
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Hajir Naghdy
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Ben Salmon
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Ben Forrester
Our Supporters
We are extremely grateful to our many corporate supporters who are providing the Nick van Gelder Dreamers Foundation with a range of assistance and resources including financial, service provision and mentoring opportunities.
