Wellington Branch

The Wellington Branch of the Institute of Directors Emerging Director Award is open to Wellington Branch members in the early stages of their governance journey.

• Are you newly engaged on a directorship path and aspire to enhance your governance experience?
• Can you demonstrate a commitment to development and a high level of integrity?
• Are you committed to development of your governance pathway?

The focus of this award is to foster the discipline of good governance through the acquisition of technical knowledge in addition to creating opportunities for networking via branch events and functions. 

The Wellington branch did not run the Emerging Director Awards 2022.

2023 EDA Winner

Manea Sweeney

Past recipients

• Fiona Bradley (2021)
• Julia Fink (2019) 
• Shaun Twaddle (2018)
• Michele Frey (2017)
• Jason McDonald and Melanie Templeton (2016)
• Sunil Surujpal (2015)
• Carol Robertson (2014)
• Dr Megan McKenna (2012)
• Jackie Lloyd (2011)
• Karl Wixon (2010)
• Elaine McCaw (2009)
• Dr Marie Bismark (2007)
• Barbara Kuriger (2006)
• Samantha Sharif (2005)

Suse Reynolds MInstD

Suse Reynolds was a founding member of the AANZ Council joining at its inception in 2008. She took up the Executive Director role in 2012, transitioning to Chair in 2020 and stepping down from this role at the end of March 2024.

In 2005 Suse helped to found AngelHQ, the Wellington region’s angel network and remains on the Board. Today AngelHQ has about 100 members and has invested over $50m into 150+ high-growth startup companies.

An active angel investor, Suse has over 30 ventures in her portfolio and currently chairs Narrative Muse, a startup bringing representation and belonging to entertainment. 

Suse Chairs the Wellington branch of the Institute of Directors and is on the National Council.

Suse recently stepped down from the board of CreativeHQ and as a trustee for Project Crimson Trust. Suse was the Deputy Chair of the Government appointed Startup Advisors Council which released the Upstart Nation Report in August 2023.

Anne Urlwin CFInstD, BCom, FCA, ACIS, MAICD, ONZM

Anne Urlwin is a Chartered Fellow of the IoD and a representative on the National Council. A professional director, Anne divides her time between Wanaka and Wellington.

Her governance experience is in a diverse range of sectors including infrastructure, energy, construction, health, telecommunications, regulation and financial services, and in different types of organisations including private, publicly listed, Crown and local authority companies and statutory entities.

She was awarded the ONZM in 2022 for services to business.

Anne is Chair of Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd and a director of Infratil Ltd, Ventia Services Group Ltd, Vector Ltd and City Rail Link Ltd.   Previous governance roles include directorships of Summerset Group Holdings Ltd, Queenstown Airport Corporation Ltd, Tilt Renewables Ltd and Chorus Ltd.  Anne previously served as the independent chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu’s Audit & Risk Committee, and she is also a former chair of national commercial construction group Naylor Love Enterprises Ltd and of the New Zealand Blood Service.

Brad Olsen MInstD

Brad Olsen is the Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Info metrics and is one of NewZealand’s leading economic commentators. He is also a board member of Business Central, and member of the Institute of Directors, Global Shapers Community Wellington Hub, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network, the Wellington District Licensing Committee, volunteers with Take10, is a marriage and civil union celebrant, and was formerly a member of the Wellington City Youth Council.

Brad is also a community leader and is one of New Zealand’s youngest Justices of the Peace.

His work in the community has been recognised a number of times: he was named New Zealand’s Queen’s Young Leader in 2016, one of Asia New Zealand Foundation’s 25 to Watch in 2019, and Young Wellingtonian of the Year 2020.

As a young person, Brad brings a different perspective to key opportunities and challenges that New Zealand faces and is keen to unlock more potential across businesses and communities.Emerging trends continue to accelerate the pace of change across the world and in New Zealand,and Brad focuses on understanding these trends as they evolve and highlighting way to enhance outcomes for local communities.

He regularly presents to boards, senior leadership, stakeholders, and key decision makers across New Zealand about key economic trends. Brad is a skilled communicator and leader, and works to inform key decision makers and the wider public about emerging and changing trends and getting useful and understandable insights to a wide range of groups.

Garth Cowie. FCA CMInstD

Over 22 years as a Chief Executive Officer with two different New Zealand Port Companies, one being listed on the NZ Stock Exchange, as well as an additional 15 years as a senior level port executive prior to those appointments. A strong history of delivering results over sustained periods and during challenging times,covering the global financial crisis, Asian bird flu, industrial action, awareness of environmental sustainability and more recently a “social licence” for businesses to operate.

A strong background in strategic planning and development, financial and risk
management, capital acquisitions and project management, along with procurement and commercial/industrial negotiations. Has a deep appreciation of health, safety and security within a wider environment as a “PCBU” being a Person conducting a Business or Undertaking, along with acknowledging the role technology and innovation will play in driving efficiencies and improved customer service delivery.

Actively involved in multiple M & A’s, as well as successful divestment activities within the Port sector and the rural farm services area. More recently, intimately involved over 5 years in the “3 Waters” reform process within the local government sector in New Zealand focusing on the delivery of Safe Drinking Water.

Herman Visagie MInstD

Herman Visagie is an experienced executive level General Counsel, Company Secretary, and seasoned governor. He is passionate about the power of good governance and effective relationships between boards and management teams to help organisations achieve their desired outcomes more effectively.

Herman is currently General Counsel at the Real Estate Authority and holds board roles in the not- for-profit and regulatory sectors. He served for four years on the board of the New Zealand Law Society, including acting as the chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. He was previously a Vice President of the board and has held roles on the ILANZ Committee and Regulatory Advisory Group. Outside of the legal profession he is currently serving as the chair of Action Station Aotearoa and board member of The Mentoring Foundation of New Zealand.

In his professional life he has held a number of senior positions in the legal and governance field, including as General Counsel and Company Secretary for TSB Bank. During his time there he led a significant governance improvement programme, including reviews of governance documentation, operations, and board reporting. He also provided training and education to senior leaders around effective board engagement.

Kennie Tsui CMInstD

Kennie Tsui is a governance professional whose passion for engineering and commitment to making a positive impact on governance has transformed her into a purposeful leader. As the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Geothermal Association, she is a true asset to the organisation, bringing over 25 years of experience in pioneering climate initiatives in Aotearoa.

One of Kennie's greatest strengths is her ability to lead diverse, skilled, and innovative teams that provide collaborative and innovative solutions to complex challenges. Her experience in private, public, and not-for-profit sectors has equipped her with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex governance issues, ensuring that the organisations she leads are effective, efficient, and sustainable.

As a Chartered member of the IoD, Chartered Professional Engineer, Vice President of Engineering New Zealand, a Global member of the USA Geothermal Association, Fellow of the Gates Foundation, Trustee of Taupō Economic Development Agency and President of Scots College Parents Association, Kennie has demonstrated her dedication to excellence in governance. She draws strength from the Māori proverb, “Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini” which translates to "My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective." This principle guides her leadership style, and she firmly believes in the power of collaboration and inclusivity.

In all her endeavours, Kennie is committed to advancing the greater good, and her passion for making a positive impact is an inspiration to those around her. She is a true leader in the field of governance, and her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a commitment to excellence.

Mike Devonshire CMInstD

Mike Devonshire has had an extensive career in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and USA encompassing management, leadership and direction roles across a broad range of sectors including Agri- business, Property, Construction, Wholesale Banking, Sport, Energy and Infrastructure. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2002, Mike established an advisory business focused on Business Strategy, Governance, Restructuring, Acquisitions and Divestments, and Private Equity Investment. He also acts in the capacity of a Professional Independent Director.

Hawkes Bay based, Mike currently has a broad range of Direction roles,  including  the Chair of Ngati Kahungunu Holdings Company Ltd, Chair of Te Mata Park Trust; a director of New Zealand Cricket.

Since 2006 Mike has been actively involved in the Hawkes Bay promoting the IoD and coordinating the local membership. He has led the project to establish a sub branch within the East Coast region and is the inaugural chair of the sub branch committee. Mike has since 2009 been a member of the flagship New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Beachhead Advisory Board, the programme is focused on growing NZ businesses internationally.

Mike is also a Young Enterprise Trust Judge and mentor, and serves on the committees of local Cricket and Polo clubs. With three secondary school aged children, it doesn’t leave much time for Mountain biking which he tries to enjoy most days.

Mike is a graduate of the University of Canterbury, has a Diploma in Export Management (Institute of Export, United Kingdom) and is a finance alumnus of Insead Business School (Fontainebleau, France). He is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Murray Sherwin CNZM, CMInstD

Murray is an economist with over 40 years’ experience in a wide range of public policy and other roles, both in here and abroad. He is a graduate of Waikato University (MSocSci Hons) and The Executive Program of the Darden School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia.

His professional history includes appointments with the OECD, the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Group, membership of the World Bank Board of Executive Directors, Deputy Governor and Deputy Chair of the Board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Director General and CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chair of the New Zealand Productivity Commission and Chair of the Innovation Partnership, a Google-initiated collaboration which explored opportunities for smart application of internet technology in NZ.

Murray’s current roles include Chair of the Plant Germplasm Import Council (a collaboration between MPI’s Biosecurity NZ group and the industries engaged in imports of plant germplasm), membership of the Thought Leaders Group supporting Te Puna Whakaaronui (an internal MPI policy group exploring emerging technologies and their potential impact and opportunities in our food and fibre industries), and member of the Advisory Board of Iron Duke Partners.

Nives Botica Redmayne MInstD, Associate Professor, PhD, MSc, BSc, AFAANZ, CAANZ

Nives is a Professor at Massey University School of Accountancy, Palmerston North. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Past CAANZ President. She was a member of the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board for two terms and a current member of the New Zealand Financial Market Authority Audit Oversight Committee.  Along with previous service on the CAANZ Board, she has also served on a number of Manawatu community organisations and charities governing bodies.

Nives’ doctoral research was an investigation into the effects of political risk and corporate governance on audit effort in the production of audit services in the NZ public sector.  Her main area of research and expertise is assurance, in particular the economics and production of assurance services. 

Nives' other area of research and expertise is in financial reporting and assurance; in particular, financial reporting in for-profit and not-for-profit/public sector, assurance services and market regulation.

Nives contributes to the development of professional standards, guidance and policies for practising auditors and accountants in New Zealand by informing regulators, based on her research and expertise in financial reporting and auditing.

Pania Gray CMInstD

Pania Gray has been a member of the Institute of Directors since 2013. She became a Chartered Member in 2018, following her attendance at the Company Directors Course.

Based in Wellington, Pania has a mix of privately-held company, public entity and not-for-profit governance experience. Pania currently holds the following governance roles:

• Managing Director, Kororā Consulting Limited
• Independent Board Director, Education Services Limited
• Deputy Chair, New Zealand Qualifications Authority
• Council Member, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
• Board Member, New Zealand Film Commission
• Independent Member, Ministry of Health Risk and Assurance Committee
• Independent Member, Te Mātāwai Audit and Risk Committee

Pania is a member of the Institute of Directors facilitator pool. She delivers the Governance Essentials and Governance in the Public Sector courses – both in-house and as part of the public series. Pania is also called upon to facilitate Board evaluation discussions, on behalf of the Institute of Directors.

In 2022, Pania attended the Advanced Directors Course and was selected for the IoD’s Mentoring for Diversity programme. She thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from both professional development experiences. Pania sees joining the Wellington Branch Committee as an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing expansion of diverse member engagement experiences for Wellington-based members. 

Rachel Farrant CMInstD, CA, B.Com, Post Graduate Diploma – Finance & Management

Rachel Farrant is a partner at BDO Wellington Ltd and has over 25 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and business advisory services.

She currently holds the following governance roles: Chairperson: The Property Group Limited,  Director:  Skellerup Group Limited,  Papa Rererangi i Puketapu Limited (New Plymouth Airport), Director and Audit Committee Chair: Fairway Resolution Limited.  Member of the IOD Wellington Branch Committee.