Mentoring for Diversity 2025 mentors
Thank you to our 2025 mentors
Abby Foote CFInstD
Abby is a professional director with over 15 years’ experience as an independent director, having served on both listed and Crown companies.
With qualifications in both law and accounting, Abby’s executive career encompassed both disciplines, focusing on corporate finance and commercial transactions. She has experience in a number of diverse areas including mergers and acquisitions, treasury and structured finance transactions, telecommunications, management of large projects and strategy.
As a professional director, Abby has experience in a wide range of areas including strategic development and implementation, governance of significant transactions, stakeholder engagement, risk management, health & safety, climate governance, and ESG issues. She is an experienced Board and Committee chair.
Abby is currently a director of KMD Brands Limited and Freightways Limited. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of Chapter Zero New Zealand. Previous roles include Chair of Christchurch City Holdings Limited and of Z Energy Limited and as a director of Sanford; Transpower; TVNZ; Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa; Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) and the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA). Abby is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Alex Skinner CMInstD
Alex is a professional Director (Chartered Fellow of the IoD) serving in a governance role on a number of charitable trusts and commercial entities - public and private. He is a Chartered Accountant (Chartered Fellow CAANZ) and served on the Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust Board from 2017-2024. Prior to his governance career Alex worked for 20 years at KPMG (the last 12 as a Partner) specialising in audit and risk.
Alison Barrass CFInstD
Alison is a Professional Director and former CEO. She has had direct leadership experience in large-scale consumer goods organisations and has previously worked in Sales, Marketing and Operations. Alison has operated in New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia, and has led significant mergers and acquisitions activity across multiple geographies and industries.
She is passionate about people, brands and technology and Alison’s focus is to provide support to New Zealand businesses to help them identify the keys to rapid growth and transformation both locally and internationally, through effective leadership, smart business design and innovation.
Alison is currently Chair of AA Insurance, Chair of Babich Wines, and a Director of Suncorp New Zealand, Zespri International Precinct Property and Rockit Global.
Anna Curzon MInstD
Anna was appointed to the Board of Kiwibank in September 2023 and is the former Chief Product Officer at Xero. Over seven years at Xero she led the global product team, spearheading product management, design, product operations and marketing, and prior to that led the New Zealand business for Xero.
Anna also has a wealth of experience in the financial services sector, with over 18 years across senior leadership roles at ASB in Internet Banking, Brand & Marketing, Innovation & Design and the Contact Centre. She was appointed to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) by New Zealand's Prime Minister (Dame Jacinda Ardern) in 2021, reappointed by the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon in 2024, and today is Chair of the ABAC Economic Integration Working Group. She has also served on the New Zealand Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group from 2018-2020, and in 2017 the Global SaaS Report named Anna one of the Top 25 global women leaders in SaaS.
Anna advocates for diversity within the tech industry and is passionate about encouraging women and other underrepresented groups into STEM opportunities.
Carol Scholes CMInstD
Carol has over 30 years of management experience in commercial and not-for-profit organisations in New Zealand and Australia, and eight years in CEO roles. She has a Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management, a Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution (Mediation), and Certificate IV in Executive Coaching, is a qualified trainer using accelerated learning techniques, is a Master NLP practitioner, International Master Coach, Master Clinical Hypnotherapist and a certified mBit coach.
Carol is a governance and leadership consultant and Chair of Parallaxx Ltd.
Carol is involved in the governance space as she passionately believes that all organisations and communities need effective leadership. Exceptional boards set the tone and expectations for high achievement while valuing people and positively impacting communities.
Hiking the beautiful mountains of Aotearoa with her family is one of Carol’s favourite activities.
Carolyn Steele CMInstD
Carolyn Steele has been a professional director since 2016 and brings extensive experience in capital markets, mergers & acquisitions and investment management.
Carolyn is currently a director and audit & risk chair of Property for Industry, Vulcan Steel and audit chair of ANZ Bank NZ. She is also a director of WEL Networks and director and investment committee member of Oriens Capital GP 2. Previous directorships include Green Cross Health, Datacom, Metlifecare, Tuatahi First Fibre, NZ Football Foundation, and Chair of Halberg Foundation.
Carolyn was a portfolio manager at New Zealand Superannuation Fund and prior to this spent 10 years investment banking at Credit Suisse/First NZ Capital and Forsyth Barr.
Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (first class honours) from University of Waikato and is a chartered member of the IoD.
Gavin Walker ONZM DFInstD INFINZ (Fellow)
Gavin Walker is a professional director with extensive experience in investment banking, funds management and governance. He was the founding Chief Executive / Managing Director of Bankers Trust New Zealand and later Chief Executive of Bankers Trust Investment Bank Australia, as well as serving on the bank’s Global Business Council in New York.
Gavin has held significant leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. He chaired ASB Bank for a decade and Commonwealth Securities (CommSec) for 11 years. From 2010 to 2015 he was Guardian and Chair of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, overseeing its long-term investment strategy. Gavin has served on a number of boards outside of New Zealand including chairing the International Advisory Board of Kirin Breweries Japan.
His governance career is distinguished by a focus on strategic growth, strong oversight and delivering value for stakeholders.
Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to the State and business, Gavin is committed to fostering the next generation of governance leaders, including through his role as a mentor in the IoD Mentoring for Diversity programme.
Dame Jo Brosnahan QSO, DNZM, CFInstD
Dame Jo Brosnahan is a passionate New Zealander, committed to building strong inclusive communities through values-based leadership. Founder of Pūmanawa Kaiārahi o Aoteroa Leadership New Zealand, she has dedicated her career to developing courageous leaders and shaping better futures for Aotearoa.
Jo Chairs Maritime NZ, Harrison Grierson, Heritage NZ and the Leadership NZ Ambassadors. She was founding Chair of Taitokerau Education Trust and is on the Oversight Board of the Centre for Brain Research. Her governance experience spans infrastructure, education, housing and science. Her past roles include CE of Northland and Auckland Regional Councils.
She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a national past president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Jo believes leadership grounded in humility, diversity and meaningful conversation is essential for thriving organisations and communities. A Harkness Fellow and Aspen Scholar, she continues to mentor, design and facilitate leadership programmes across New Zealand.
Recognised for her public service and governance and business leadership, she was awarded the QSO in 2005 and made a Dame in 2023.
Julian Smith CMInstD
Julian is an independent director and currently sits of the boards of Watercare Services Limited, Northport Group Limited, MetService and the Look Good Feel Better Trust. He chairs the Institute of Directors (IoD) committee for Te Tai Tokerau and is the Group Secretary for the Northland Corporate Group.
Julian has 16 years governance experience in technology, infrastructure and NFP sectors with specialist skills in digital/business transformation, customer management and corporate affairs. He is a chartered member of the IoD and has recently completed a certificate in cybersecurity with Harvard university.
Throughout his executive career, Julian held senior executive roles in the utilities, internet/digital, financial services, telecommunications, and government sectors. He has worked in a range of international markets across Asia, the Middle East, the Uk and Australasia.
Karen Coutts MInstD
Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāi Tahu
Karen Coutts is a professional director. She has extensive governance experience across iwi/Māori organisations, Crown entities, NGOs and the disability sector. She is Chair of Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust Board and was interim Chair of Life Unlimited Charitable Trust, guiding strategic transformation in disability services.
Karen serves on Lottery Grants Board, the Otago Regional Council Environmental Science and Policy Committee, the Environmental Protection Authority’s HSNO Committee and is a member of the New Zealand Parole Board. Previously she has been on the Teaching Council, the board of Alpine Energy Ltd, the Finance Advice Code Committee, the Otago Polytechnic and represented Te Rūnanga o Moeraki on the governing body of Ngāi Tahu.
With a Master of Public Policy and a strong social science background, Karen brings a te ao Māori perspective to all her work. She is committed to inclusive leadership, sustainable economic development, and supporting the next generation of directors.
Her whakapapa is to Ngāi Tahu, Te Aitanga-a-Mahāki.
Kim Wallace CMInstD
While working in executive roles, Kim also served as an independent director from 2012 before moving into a full-time governance career in 2017. Her governance experience spans property, New Zealand’s primary industries (dairy and horticulture), major transport infrastructure projects, science, funds management, technology and logistics.
Alongside her directorships, Kim provides governance and stakeholder strategy advisory services through her consulting practice. Her dual passions for effective governance and personal growth have led her to pursue consulting and mentoring engagements that strengthen organisational performance.
Having held executive financial roles in Germany, the United States, China, Australia and New Zealand, Kim brings a global perspective to her work. She is particularly focused on impactful strategy and sound financial stewardship, underpinned by commercial acumen and enduring stakeholder relationships. She combines empathy and strong leadership with a commitment to diverse thinking, ensuring successful outcomes.
Kirsty Campbell CMInstD
Kirsty is a professional director and commercial adviser who has held a range of roles in corporate finance, banking, law and regulation.
She is chair of Toitū Envirocare and an independent director of Mercer NZ and NZHL. She is also a member of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal and several advisory boards.
Her previous governance roles include Salt Funds, Public Trust, Ando Insurance, Montana Catering Group, New Plymouth PIF Guardians and Simplicity NZ.
Kirsty is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a certified member of INFINZ and a member of Global Women.
A proud Scotswoman, she has a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and a post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, from the University of Edinburgh.
Linda Robertson CFInstD
Linda is an experienced company director with over 25 years governance experience, combined with 30 years senior financial management experience having worked in both the banking and energy sectors in New Zealand.
Linda has been a full-time company director since 2015. Linda’s governance experience spans many industries such as banking, funds management, electricity generation, retail and distribution; co-operatives, local authority owned and state-owned entities and charities. Linda has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Diploma in Banking. She also holds a Sustainability and ESG Designation; a Climate and Biodiversity Certificate and is a member of Chapter Zero New Zealand. Linda is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand (INFINZ), a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Charted Governance Professional and a Certified Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.
Linda is currently chair of Crown Irrigation Investments and Central Lakes Trust. She is a director of the Local Government Funding Agency, Horizon Energy Group, Invercargill City Holdings, Kordia Group and SBS Bank. Linda is also a member of the Capital Markets Advisory Committee and the Risk and Audit Committee of The Treasury, and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Office of the Auditor General.
Marama Royal MNZM, MInstD
Marama Royal (Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki) has extensive governance experience across iwi, corporate, education and community organisations, with roles including Pro-Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology, Chair of SkyCity Community Trust, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board, Ranginui 12 Trust, Co-Chair of the Auckland Police Taumata and board member of Variety Children’s Charity. She is Chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, a role she has held since 2017 after serving as a director from 2010 and Deputy Chair from 2015. She also chairs Pou Take Āhuarangi (Climate Change) under the National Iwi Chairs Forum.
Under her leadership, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has advanced strategic partnerships with Foundation North, SkyCity Auckland, the University of Auckland, Eden Park and the Ministry of Pacific Peoples and nib. She has overseen initiatives to support iwi wellbeing and growth, including the Toi Ora Health Insurance Scheme, Toi Tupu Savings and Investment Scheme, and housing developments under their Whatua Ahurutanga initiative.
She has held senior roles with the Ministry of Justice and Victim Support New Zealand and continues to serve her community as a Justice of the Peace and independent marriage celebrant.
Mark Cairns FEngNZ, CFInstD
Mark Cairns is an experienced Independent Non-Executive Director with a strong background in governance and leadership. He is currently the Chair of Freightways Limited and an Independent Director of Auckland International Airport Limited, bringing expertise in infrastructure, logistics, and capital markets to his board roles.
Mark served as Chief Executive of Port of Tauranga from 2005 to 2021, leading the company’s transformation into New Zealand’s largest and most efficient port. He has also held senior executive roles at Toll Owens Limited and Owens Cargo Company Limited.
He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland, a Bachelor of Business Studies, and a Master of Management from Massey University. Mark is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors. He is committed to supporting leadership development and diversity in governance.
Mark Callaghan MInstD
Mark Callaghan is an experienced Independent Non-Executive Director with extensive governance and leadership expertise. He was appointed as an Independent Director of Briscoe Group in 2021 and brings over 35 years of experience in manufacturing and marketing consumer goods, predominantly across New Zealand and Australia. His career includes senior roles at multinational companies such as Colgate-Palmolive, Kimberly-Clark, Cadbury UK, Australia & New Zealand, and Frucor Suntory New Zealand.
He has served as a director for several organisations, including The Warehouse Group, Humour Foundation (Clown Doctors), and Hayes Asset Management. He also currently serves on the boards of Tasti Products Ltd, and Hepstone Ltd.
Mark Darrow CFInstD
Mark Darrow is a professional independent board chair and director with extensive governance and previous CEO experience across sectors including agriculture, education, transport, infrastructure, automotive, financial services, technology, and food and beverage. He is Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, TSB Bank, Armstrong’s, MTF Finance, Riverton Farms, Inland Revenue’s Risk and Assurance Committee and TEC’s Establishment Advisory Group for Automotive, Transport & Logistics. He also serves on the Council of Auckland University of Technology.
Mark is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Justice of the Peace. His previous governance roles include Waka Kotahi NZTA, Counties Manukau DHB, Primary ITO, MTA, MITO, Charlies and VTNZ, alongside a wide range of Crown entities, council-controlled organisations, and private companies.
Michael Ahie CMInstD
Michael Ahie (Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Ruanui) is a highly experienced director and chair committed to the cultural and commercial success of hapori Māori, the food and fibre sector, science and innovation, and export-led businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.
He is a director of Zespri International, Rothbury Group and Payments NZ, and chairs Spring Sheep Milk Co. and the New Zealand Plant Market Access Council.
A former Chancellor of Massey University, he has also chaired Plant & Food Research, the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre and ComplyWith, and served on the FMG board for 12 years.
Michael has contributed to multiple government panels and was Chair of Inland Revenue’s Risk & Assurance Committee. Raised in a farming community in coastal South Taranaki, he speaks on leadership and the food and fibre sector, and mentors chief executives as a certified Leadership Circle® coach.
Mary-Jane Daly CFInstD
Mary-Jane (“MJ”) is Chair of AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, Chair of the Fonterra Shareholders Fund, Chair of Partners Life and an Independent Director of Kiwibank Limited. She is also a member of the MBIE Risk and Advisory Committee. She has served on the boards of Kiwi Property, Auckland Transport, Toka Tu Ake EQC, Cigna Life Insurance, Airways Corporation of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Green Building Council.
In her executive career MJ worked mainly in banking and insurance in a variety of roles both in New Zealand and the UK. Her last executive role was as Executive General Manager at State Insurance. Prior to this appointment she was Chief Financial Officer for IAG in NZ.
When not In Auckland MJ enjoys spending time in Wanaka and making the most of all the outdoor activities on her doorstep there.
Susan Huria ONZM, CFInstD
Ngāi Tahi, Ngāi Tuahuriri
Susan is the Chair of Leaderbrand, the Gisborne-based privately owned company supplying produce and pre-made salads to supermarkets and export markets. She is Chair of Leaderbrand Future Farms, the 11-ha covered growing house. She is a director of Trust Investments Management Limited and Chair of the People and Culture Committee. Susan is also a director of Ospri, the animal disease management agency and Chair of the People and Culture Committee and a Director of Accessible Properties, the property arm of IHC. Susan also sits on the IHC Risk Committee.
Susan is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and previous roles include Chair of Ngāi Tahu Property and Veterinary Enterprises and a number of community governance trustee roles.
Tania Simpson ONZM, CFInstD
Tainui, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu
Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson is an experienced director with a distinguished career in governance, public policy and Māori development. She currently serves on the boards of Auckland International Airport, Meridian Energy and Waste Management New Zealand, and was previously a director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, where she was the first Māori director and Deputy Chair.
Tania is the first ever woman Chair of the Waitangi National Trust, and a continuing member of the Waitangi Tribunal, where she has contributed to inquiries for more than 15 years. She is also a member of Global Women and was previously the Chair of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge and member of the Deep South National Science Challenge Governance Group.
Her leadership has been formally recognised with several honours: she is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Māori and governance, a Commander in the Order of the Taniwha (a tikanga-based honour established by Kīngi Tūheitia), and a Dame Commander in the Order of St Lazarus.
Tania holds a Master of Mātauranga Māori from Te Wānanga o Raukawa, is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and founded Kowhai Consulting, a Māori consultancy that has operated for more than 30 years in the Waikato-Maniapoto region.
In 2024, she became the first woman appointed Chair of the Waitangi National Trust since its establishment in 1932, a historic milestone that reflects her long-standing commitment to Treaty partnerships, governance excellence and empowering Māori voices in leadership.