Mentoring for Diversity 2026 mentees
Congratulations to our 2026 mentees
Carmen Doran MInstD
I believe better governance comes from broader perspectives, courageous conversations, and leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo. Having worked across engineering, regulated industries, sustainability, and emerging sectors, I’m passionate about helping shape boardrooms that are both commercially strong and genuinely diverse in thought and experience.
My career has spanned engineering, international business, and purpose-led sector leadership, and I’ve increasingly found myself drawn to governance roles where strategy, change leadership, and long-term impact intersect. Through my work across sustainability, medicinal cannabis, and industry transformation, I’ve seen firsthand the value that diverse perspectives and lived experience bring to boardroom decision-making.
I’m excited to join the IoD Mentoring for Diversity programme as an opportunity to continue strengthening my governance capability, learn from an experienced mentor, and connect with a cohort of directors from a wide range of backgrounds and sectors. I see the programme as an opportunity not only to deepen my own governance practice, but also to help champion more inclusive, courageous, and commercially grounded governance in New Zealand.
Charlotte Cummings MInstD
It is a privilege to have been selected for the Institute of Directors' Mentoring for Diversity programme. My professional background as a registered counsellor and licensed private investigator informs how I listen, read situations and ask the questions that matter - capabilities I have brought to a number of community governance roles, to my current trusteeship with Whānau Mercy Ministries, and to a network of more than 100 women on for-purpose boards that I founded and continue to convene. The programme offers a valuable opportunity to refine my view of where I add greatest value around a board table, and to identify with intent the directorships to which I am best placed to contribute further.
Claire van der Most CMInstD
With more than six years’ governance experience in the for-purpose sector, I am looking forward to strengthening and broadening my governance capability through the IoD Mentoring for Diversity Programme, particularly within a commercial context.
The opportunity to be supported and challenged by an experienced mentor, while learning alongside fellow directors with diverse perspectives and expertise, will be invaluable as I continue to develop as a director. I look forward to deepening my contribution at the board table and enhancing my ability to create meaningful value and impact.
Dr Darran Lowes CMInstD
I am honoured to have been selected for the 2026 Institute of Directors' Mentoring for Diversity programme and grateful for the opportunity to learn from both an experienced mentor and the wider group of mentees. My background is in health, particularly primary care, public health and worker health. I have been developing my skills as a director and have served as Chair of a Primary Health Organisation. I believe the health system needs governors who both understand clinical practice and have strong governance expertise if we are to achieve an equitable, accessible and safe health system for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Darryl Jhinku CMInstD
I am honoured to be accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity Programme. As a Chartered Accountant, and experienced CFO, I began my governance journey 8 years ago, with the view to bring a fresh perspective to the board table. Becoming a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors has further strengthened my desire to continue to contribute to larger and more complex organisations. The opportunity to work with an experienced mentor will be extremely valuable to enhancing my impact both in the private and public sector.
Erena Kara MInstD
He uri ahau no Ngati Hau, Ngati Hao, Ngati Kuta, Ngati Manu
Ngāpuhi te iwi
The IoD Mentoring for Diversity programme is one I have wanted to participate in for several years, and I am excited to have been accepted. I see this as a chance to challenge my thinking and strengthen my governance capability to support the future of my iwi and community.
My governance experience spans across the iwi, health, social services, education and community development sectors. As a wahine Māori, I hope that I can bring a perspective that integrates indigenous systems thinking, relational leadership, and values-led governance. I am looking forward to expanding my governance knowledge, extending my thinking and connecting with others who are doing the same.
Fiona Natusch CMInstD
This programme represents an exciting opportunity, as a new Chair, to intentionally develop and reflect on my governance practice leading boards to deliver lasting societal impact alongside strong commercial performance. For me, this is about sharpening my approach to inclusive and effective governance, which I believe is critical to embedding responsible business models, de-risking decisions, and ensuring organisations are well positioned to navigate unexpected crises. I look forward to being challenged by experienced directors and a diverse cohort whose perspectives will strengthen how I approach complex and emerging governance issues.
Frances Beeston MInstD
I’m honoured to be accepted into the IoD Mentoring for Diversity programme. This opportunity comes at a meaningful point in my governance journey, where I’m actively working across a number of boards in the rural and community sectors and looking to deepen both my capability and impact.
I’m particularly passionate about strengthening governance that is grounded, values-led, and connected to the people it serves - especially in rural communities, where voice and representation can often be overlooked. I’m looking forward to learning from an experienced mentor, being challenged in my thinking, and connecting with a cohort who are equally committed to making a difference.
James Littlejohn MInstD
Being accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity programme is an exciting step in my governance journey. For much of my life, I’ve navigated the world with a lived disability and have been fortunate to adapt across sport, recreation, travel, and career in ways that many people haven’t had the opportunity to. I want to use that experience to help others do the same, and to contribute to making the world more accessible and inclusive for everyone. I’m looking forward to learning from an experienced director who can help me bring that perspective to a broader range of boards and governance roles.
Jesse Chalmers MInstD
I am excited to join the Mentoring for Diversity programme. I have been in business since I was 19, running our families' food manufacturing business, which has grown significantly and rapidly over the last two decades. I look forward to contributing my skills and experience gained to further support NZ businesses at the board level.
I am a mother to four boys and we live semi rurally. I was drawn to this program as I want to learn how to better support our rural communities and also grow my skills as a director and my governance career. There are many challenges presented by this shifting landscape.
Kelly Brown MInstD
I'm delighted to be accepted into the IoD's Mentoring for Diversity programme. Having scaled a local tech company from early stage through to strategic exit following a decade in corporate marketing, I've been privileged to govern for-purpose commercial and data organisations. I'm looking forward to working with an experienced mentor and a talented cohort to translate these experiences into effective governance of large, complex commercial organisations. A passionate believer in the commercial value of diversity of leadership, I'm excited to build my stakeholder leadership capability, to bring an adaptive approach to boards navigating change and growth.
Kylie Sealy MInstD
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the IoD’s Mentoring for Diversity programme and to have the opportunity to learn from an experienced director as I continue building my governance capability. Much of my governance and leadership experience has been within purpose-led and creative sector organisations operating in multi-stakeholder environments, so I’m keen to broaden my perspective and learn more about governance within larger and more complex organisations. I’m also looking forward to connecting with the programme cohort and learning from their perspectives and experiences.
Lenise Monteiro MInstD
I am extremely grateful to have been accepted into the 2026 Mentoring for Diversity programme which I see as wonderful opportunity to learn from an experienced mentor, reflect on where I can continue to grow as a Director, and build a lasting professional relationship. It means making the most of the 12-month programme and taking every opportunity to extend myself, connect with new people, and deepen my understanding of both the art and science of governance. Through this programme and I am excited to continue developing in my governance journey to add greater value to the board I currently sit on and future boards.
Megan Campbell CMInstD
I am honoured to have been accepted into the Institute of Directors’ Mentoring for Diversity programme for 2026. I see the programme as a valuable opportunity to further strengthen my governance capability, refine my contribution as a director, and continue building the breadth of perspective required to contribute effectively within complex governance environments.
My governance experience to date has included roles across a Crown entity, regulatory bodies, and For Purpose organisations. These experiences have provided exposure to governance within complex public sector and regulatory settings where stewardship, strategic oversight, stakeholder confidence, and long-term outcomes are central to effective board performance.
I value the opportunity to learn from an experienced director mentor whose insight and guidance will support the continued development of my governance practice and leadership approach. I am also keen to engage with the 2026 cohort of mentees and learn from and alongside a diverse group of emerging and established leaders from across New Zealand.
Ming-chun Wu CMInstD
I am honoured to join the Institute of Directors' Mentoring for Diversity Programme. As a Chartered Member with governance experience across Crown entities, statutory health regulators, and for-purpose organisations, this programme represents a meaningful step towards listed company governance, and an opportunity to deepen my capability alongside experienced directors who share a commitment to building more diverse and effective boards.
As a woman, immigrant, and Taiwanese-Chinese New Zealander with a career spanning public sector leadership, digital transformation, regulation, and science and technology; I believe diverse perspectives strengthen governance and decision-making. I am grateful to the Institute for its leadership in expanding the voices around New Zealand's board tables, and look forward to deepening my capability through this programme while contributing my experiences to the cohort and broader governance community.
Nicole Brewer CMInstD
I am delighted to be accepted into the 2026 IoD Mentoring for Diversity cohort and have the opportunity to lift my governance capability to the next level. This programme represents an invaluable chance to learn from experienced governance leaders, broaden my perspective, and continue growing as a confident and effective contributor around the board table. I’m excited by the challenge, the connections, and the opportunity to strengthen the impact I can make across the organisations I work with.
Rebecca Scott MInstD
I am thrilled to be accepted into the Institute of Directors Mentoring for Diversity Programme. I have enjoyed the challenge of my governance roles to date and am excited by the opportunity to improve my skills by working with an experienced director as a mentor and by simply being in the same room as my fellow mentees. I am grateful to the Institute of Directors for running this programme and to all mentors who give of their time to improve the quality of governance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Richard Green CMInstD
Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama.
I am humbled to be accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity Programme. Although I have collectively 35 years of governance experience, I also have a lot to learn. I am interested in hearing the voices of, and being a voice for, the various disadvantaged and sometimes ignored members around the table whose lived experience has previously hindered their journey. As an experienced arts practitioner, a treaty partner, and a member of the disability community, I believe those voices around a board table are essential in Aotearoa / New Zealand in 2026 and beyond. My aim is to explore the commercial sector as my experience lies in education and arts governance. I hope to bring my lens to the table, and learn how to operate in that space. I am humbled, excited and eager to develop and I look forward to my journey with my fellow mentees.
Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.
Dr Stacy Vallis MInstD
It's a privilege to be accepted into the Institute of Directors' Mentoring for Diversity 2026-2027 programme as I continue my governance journey. Building on my experience in chairing and board roles across national and international non-governmental non-profit organisations, I look forward to growing my governance capabilities, contributing to more inclusive, sustainable decision making, and learning alongside the 2026-2027 cohort.
Sylvia Ding MInstD
I’m delighted to join the Mentoring for Diversity programme and connect with leaders who are passionate about inclusive, effective governance in Aotearoa. As I continue to expand my governance contribution, I’m looking forward to learning from experienced mentors, deepening my strategic impact, and bringing my global business and technology experience to the table. I’m also excited to share my cross-cultural perspectives and champion innovation that helps New Zealand thrive.
Teresa Jankiewicz MInstD
Being accepted into the IoD Mentoring for Diversity programme is an exciting opportunity to grow my governance capability and learn from experienced leaders. I’m looking forward to broadening my perspective, building meaningful connections, and contributing to more inclusive leadership across Aotearoa.