2022 tuakana (mentor) profiles

Our 2022 tuakana are:

Alan Isaac CNZM, FCA, CFInstD

Alan Isaac is distinguished director, holding governance roles with a wide variety of New Zealand commercial, sporting and not for profit organisations.

He served as President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2012 to 2014, the first New Zealander to hold the position. Prior to the ICC, he was on the board of New Zealand Cricket for 18 years and served as its Chair from 2008 to 2010. He was the Chair of KPMG for 10 years (1996-2006) and President of the Institute of Directors’ National Council (2017-2019).

He currently chairs the New Zealand Community Trust, is a director on the boards of Murray Capital GP Ltd and Selacs Insurance Ltd. He is also a director on the boards and chairs the Audit & Risk committees of Oceania Healthcare Ltd, Skellerup Holdings Ltd, Scales Corp Ltd/SCL Ltd and the Wellington Free Ambulance. Alan’s current community sporting roles include chair of the Basin Reserve Trust and serving as a trustee on both the Wellington Cricket Trust and the Brierley Cricket Foundation.

Alan is an IoD Chartered Fellow and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2013 for services to business and cricket. In 2015, he received the distinguished alumni award from Victoria University of Wellington.

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.

Now a governance and leadership consultant, Carol is currently the Chair of CanTeen New Zealand and Health Connections 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.

Caren Rangi ONZM MInstD

Caren Rangi is an experienced public sector governance practitioner, a qualified chartered accountant and a proud Cook Islands Maori. She is currently the Chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa and of Pacific Homecare Services, Governor of Radio New Zealand (Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa) and a Board member of Te Papa Tongarewa / The Museum of New Zealand, the Cook Islands Investment Corporation and Pacific Co-operation Broadcasting Ltd. Her previous governance roles include Chair of the Pacific Business Trust, and Board member of NZ On Air (Irirangi Te Motu), the Charities Registration Board, Le Va and a Trustee for the Eastern and Central Community Trust. In 2018, she was conferred with an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance and the Pacific community. Caren is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM, CNZM, CMInstD

Dame Kerry Prendergast is the former Mayor of Wellington and former Vice-President of Local Government New Zealand and holds an MBA from Victoria University. She is a distinguished alumnus of Victoria University of Wellington and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

Kerry is currently Chair of the New Zealand Film Commission, Wellington Free Ambulance, Wellington Opera, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

She is a Director of Oceania Healthcare, Fish Serve and a Trustee of the Wellington International Arts Foundation, the New Zealand Community Trust, and the Victoria Foundation. Kerry is also an Advisory Board member of the DIA Three Waters, and of the Phoenix Football Club.

In January 2019 Kerry became a Dame Companion (DNZM) for services to governance and the community, after being awarded a CNZM in 2011 for her services to local government. In July 2016 Kerry was also awarded a Lifetime Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Local Government.

Ikhlaq Kashkari

Ikhlaq has held senior management positions in NZ and overseas helping organisations improve their business performance and governance. He has worked with Board members and “C” level management teams to help build robust business processes, performance measurements and governance structures.

As the President of NZMA and member of FIANZ Council he works closely with our diverse community of 60+ ethnicities. He represents Muslim community at various government agencies including INZ, OEC, DIA, DPMC, Auckland Council, NZ Police, NZSIS etc. He has been working interfaith communities like NZ Diversity Centre and Auckland Interfaith Council towards building better understanding between faiths.

Ikhlaq conducted supply chain training across Asia Pacific in conjunction with the Supply Chain Council, Clariden Global and Xelocity. He provided tailored training and mentoring service to organisations in NZ and Australia. He was the only approved APICS Supply Chain Council trainer in Australia and NZ.

Ikhlaq has served as the President of the Australia and New Zealand Supply Chain Council Chapter and has chaired and presented at supply chain events and conferences in Australia and NZ.

Having been involved in property market for over 25 years, he owns and operates property development, and property management businesses. His current focus is on developing apartments and townhouses to help reduce Auckland’s housing shortage and provide high quality housing.

He has passion for supporting communities. Currently Ikhlaq holds several community roles, these include:

President New Zealand Muslim Association (2014 – Current). NZMA is NZ’s first and largest Islamic organisation
Council member of Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ) (2014 – Current). NZ’s national umbrella organisation for Muslims.
Advisory roles - Government and agencies
President Kashmiri Association of NZ (2020 – Current)
Working with interfaith communities to foster greater understanding and tolerance (2014 – Current).

Jim Donovan CFInstD

Jim is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Director with wide experience in technology and infrastructure businesses. As a CEO, he led business turnaround and growth in high tech manufacturing,.energy, and professional services. He has advised major corporations and industry groups in NZ, Australia, and SE Asia on strategy, performance improvement, and industry reform. His governance career spans the public and private sectors, industry groups, and not-for-profit services (including the IoD and Skylight, the leading specialist provider of specialist services to help children and families cope with trauma, loss, and grief).

Jo Cribb CMInstD

Jo has had a long career working on some of the toughest issues facing New Zealand – child poverty, violence against women and entrenched unemployment. She has been a senior public servant, leading the Office of the Children’s Commission and most recently as chief executive of the Ministry for Women.

She is an experienced NGO governor with roles including Royal New Zealand Navy, IHC, VSA, Literacy Aotearoa and was chair of Scots College. Jo recently published research into the governance capability of social sector NGOs. Her current portfolio includes working with leaders in New Zealand and internationally to achieve their diversity goals.

Jo believes good governance is the anchor for our organisations across all sectors. Good governance is the work of a diverse team of directors working to add value to the organisation's kaupapa, and so adding value to communities.

Jo has perfected distilling her own gin and is completing her advanced qualifications in wine. When not studying obscure Greek grape varieties, she can be found with her nose in a historical novel or trying her hand at adventure races.

Joanna Pidgeon

Joanna is a Director of Pidgeon Judd, a boutique property and commercial law firm. Joanna is currently chairperson of Auckland City Mission, and a past President of the Auckland District Law Society. Joanna is a property law expert and gives expert advice and evidence in property law issues, as well as providing transactional advice on buying, selling, leasing and developing all different types of property for a wide range of clients. She chairs the Unit Titles Working Group which has led to the current Unit Titles reform bill which looks to reform unit title legislation. Joanna is a member of the NZLS Land Titles Committee and the ADLS Property Law Committee and regularly makes submissions on legislation relating to Property Law. She is President of Auckland Speech and Drama Inc which runs an annual speech and drama competition and enjoys supporting her daughters in their water polo and lacrosse endeavours also.

John Gallaher AFA CFInstD FCA ANZIM BCom (Otago)

John is a Company Director and Senior Investment Advisor with over 40 years of financial services industry experience in funds and investment management, commercial and chartered accounting, management and banking. He has been involved in Governance for 20 years and is currently Chairman of City Forests Ltd, Mercy Hospital Ltd, Grow Dunedin Partners and Te Kupenga CLI, Deputy Chairman of NZCEO Ltd/NZCEO Finance Ltd, and a Director of the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust Ltd. He also has an active involvement in the non-profit and sporting sectors as Chairman of the Catalytic Foundation NZ Inc and the William Sherriff Charitable Trust. Previous roles include President and Chairman of Basketball NZ and a member of the FIBA Finance Commission.

Judy Whiteman CMinstD

A director, facilitator, mentor/coach and consultant in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, Judy is passionate about helping people achieve success for themselves, their people, and their organisations. Judy has many years’ experience in senior management and executive positions in the global financial services industry, both in New Zealand and abroad.

Judy has been a director (executive and non-executive) on various boards. Her governance experiences are deep, diverse, over many years and several countries. She is currently an Independent Director, Bank of India (New Zealand) Ltd and a Trustee, NZ Housing Foundation. Previous governance roles include Presbyterian Support Northern (Independent Trustee, Deputy Chair, Chair of Investment Committee), Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis Ltd (Independent Director, Chair), Dress for Success Incorporated (Chair) and ANZ Staff Superannuation (Australia) Ltd (Director).

Judy is a Chartered Member Institute of Directors New Zealand, a Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Kevin Drinkwater MInstD

Kevin Drinkwater was CIO at Mainfreight for almost 35 years. During this time he was responsible for creating and implementing many of Mainfreight’s new and innovative business systems. PreCovid, his role required a significant amount of travel which enabled him to observe business and technology in many different countries and companies. Previous Mainfreight roles include CFO, GM of the Warehousing and Logistics division and Sales Manager.

Kevin is chairman of Duffy Books in Homes NZ and is also a director of its sister organization in the USA. He is on the advisory board of A-Ward Attachments. He has previously spent 10 years as a director of SPCA Auckland and 6 years on the Board of TUANZ.

Liz Lovell MInstD, JP

Liz has a communications and education background engaging with communities through work in local government, education, philanthropy, and business sectors.

She runs her own strategic communications business for clients in a range of industries.

Liz has extensive Board experience in a variety of governance areas on both commercial and non-profit Boards. Her strengths are strong interpersonal skills, strategic practical thinking, and a proactive positive approach.

Her passion for education, and particularly its availability to all, attracted her to complete Post Graduate qualifications in tertiary teaching to teach both online and face to face. Liz understands the diversity of our community and the workplace, and through teaching and other initiatives in this area, has seen first-hand how education can positively change people’s lives.

Liz is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and an accredited Justice of the Peace.

Mele Wendt MNZM, MInstD

Mele Wendt has extensive experience in leadership, management and governance. Her roles have included being a high school teacher, the founding pacific islands liaison officer and manager of the student recruitment office at Victoria University of Wellington, and then the executive director of Fulbright New Zealand for ten years. In the last few years, Mele has been doing a mix of consultancy work and governance.

Mele currently serves on the boards of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The NZ Correspondence School), Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, the Real Estate Authority, and the Wellington Community Trust. She also currently chairs the Steering Group which developed and launched the National Action Plan for Community Governance in 2020, and is overseeing its implementation. In the recent past Mele served as chair of Massey University's Pacific Student Success Working Group, and chair of the Pasifika Education Centre in Auckland.

Mele is a member of various professional and community groups and she is a White Ribbon Ambassador. In January 2019, Mele was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to governance, the Pacific community and women.

Mike Purchase CMInstD

Mike has been involved in the telecommunications and technology industry for the last 33 years. The last 22 of which have been in Executive roles. Well versed in organisational change, talent management and governance, Mike brings strong sales, technical, commercial and strategic experience.

Joining Vodafone after their acquisition of WXC in 2015, Mike has senior executive experience and is a skilled relationship and people manager. He held senior positions for multinationals along with large New Zealand corporates, such as New Zealand Post and Telecom, before becoming a shareholder in WXC, employing over 70 people in the NZ Telecommunications Industry.

Prior to this Mike worked for Reuters Ltd in offshore positions in South Africa, London and Australia with responsibilities for the East Asia markets.

Outside of work Mike is extensively involved in Coastguard volunteering, holding a Rescue Vessel Masters Certificate, Maritime NZ Skippers license, and previously chairing the board in the role of President of Coastguard New Zealand. Mike is an avid motorsport fan and competes in the BMW Series in the North Island.

Well organised and driven by a constant improvement mentality, Mike has a proven track record of driving projects and positive change. Mike has a philosophy of collaboration to achieve results and is a strong communicator. His experience in both large corporates and volunteer based organisations, provides him broad experience in applying this approach for results.

Pene Wilson

Pene is currently Chairperson of Leukaemia Blood Cancer NZ, having been a director on the board since 2011.

Her interests in this NGO began with her history with blood cancer with diagnosis and treatments from 1996 – 2004.

As Chair, Pene’s focus is the development of this significant charity to enable the growth of resources to increase support across the country, along with a strategic focus to develop a channel and voice for change and advancement of care ensuring that the leading science, pharmaceuticals and treatments are available to New Zealanders. The opportunity to cross pollinate with other Cancer NGO’s to strengthen this communication is key.

Research is a critical area of support and developing increased funding for.

LBCNZ raises approximately $6.5m per annum, predominantly from the creation and development across the years of major events. The pandemic has been a significant challenge yet LBCNZ has performed above expectations and budgets.

Nursing from 1981 – 1994, in 1985, Pene was appointed as Charge Nurse / Unit manager across several speciality areas. At that time she was the youngest charge nurse appointed in NZ at 24.

From 1994 – 1999 Pene developed a clinical risk unit for Senior medical staff.

Selling residential homes in the central and waterfront areas of Auckland since 2001, she has sales that have achieved national and suburban records. Pene started Milne & Co Real Estate in 2008, specialising in high end luxury homes across Auckland, with a focus on central suburbs such as Herne Bay. She then joined New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty following the acquisition of Milne & Co Real Estate by Sotheby’s in 2015.

Pene has three adult children, ages 29 – 33.

Peter Harris CMInstD, FRICS- Chartered Director & Chair, Chartered Surveyor

Peter has a career spanning 30 years in the fields of social and co-operative enterprise, governance, management and construction and property advisory. Peter’s key driver is raising quality and standards of governance to optimise social outcomes, value, economic returns and stakeholder benefit.

Peter is an accomplished and sought after Board advisor, Independent Chair and Company Director. Peter was awarded the prestigious 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

He has led complex commercial projects / programmes and held Chair, Director, Board Advisory and Senior Executive roles for a wide variety of organisations across multiple sectors including;

Interflora Pacific Unit, Fonterra Shareholder Council, RICS, Facilities Management Assn of NZ, Hurunui Water Project, NZ Organic Dairy Co-Op, Landcare Research, Lincoln University, Air New Zealand, Telecom NZ, Goodman International, Telecommunications Carriers Forum, Presbyterian Support, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, the Office of the Auditor General, Canesis, CBS Canterbury (now Heartland Bank), Animal Health Board, Horizons Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Life Education Trust, The Prince’s Trust, CPIT ( now Ara), Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce, Goodman International, Cosgroves, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Nurse Maude Association.

Peter is a beekeeper and is married to Ali. He has five children and lives in Rolleston, Canterbury.

Prabha Ravi QSM

Prabha Ravi is an experienced director and a well engaged community leader with over 20 years of senior leadership experience in the education and arts industry in both the private and public sector.

Prabha is committed to helping public and not-for-profit sector organisations and private businesses grow to their full potential through best practice governance. In the past 10 years, she has provided a sustainable long term vision and strategic direction to the boards she has served, providing clarity to the management team to execute them effectively.

Prabha currently sits on a number of national and regional not-for-profit boards and is committed to diversity and inclusion in governance. She has a special interest in raising the profile and supporting talented ethnic women and youth sitting around the board table. Prabha was awarded a Queen’s Services Medal (QSM) in 2017 for services to ethnic communities and dance.

Rawiri Bhana

“It takes a village to raise a child”. This quote clearly articulates the upbringing and professional governance journey of Rawiri Bhana. Being raised equally by his Kaumātua and his parents in the villages of Ohinemutu and Maketū. The eldest child of a founding Polynesian Panther member and a family steeped in the iwi political scene of Ngāti Whakaue, Rawiri spent his childhood either at political rallies and meetings or on his many marae submersed in the discourse of tribal business.

Prior to entering his current role as the Māori Policy Advisor for Toi Moana, Rawiri succesfully ran his own outdoor events company Nduro Events.

Rawiri has spent the last 15 years on a wide variety of iwi trusts and incorporations having governance oversight on a diverse array of iwi owned business, lands trusts, NFP and PSGE trusts and incorporations. He is currently the Chair of Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue who oversee numerous government contracts and also Chair of Mokoia Island Trust, a pan iwi trust overseeing the largest inland island sanctuary of protected flora and fauna.

Known in Rotorua for his “Mokopuna Decisions” mantra, Rawiri has a passion to support and lift the capability of those in governance roles in the community, not-for-profit, and non-government sectors especially amongst rangatahi (youth), Māori and Pasifika. And has most recently joined the board of IndigiShare that aims to allow macro and micro financing to those indegionous businesses that may not normally be able to raise capital though traditional methods.

Rich Easton CMInstD

Experienced leader of change bringing about improved business and customer outcomes, with 36 years industry exposure. 22 years of leading business and customer operations teams through significant periods of industry change, delivering sustained business improvements, increased customer satisfaction and company shareholder value.

Broad stakeholder management experience at all levels. Extensive change management experience both in merging in-sourced teams and de-merging operational business capability, whilst maintaining cost focus, service outcomes and staff engagement. Leader of complex Programme, delivering online transformation for major corporate’s digital customer experience.

Extensive skills in service delivery, focusing teams on customer experience outcomes across consumer, business and wholesale channels. Developed new operating capabilities and grew business teams to meet significant organisational growth.

Eight years’ experience in Not for Profit sector at strategic and business planning level, plus mentoring young adults. Over 30 years in corporate sector with background managing large Customer / technology teams (BT, Spark, IAG)

Fourteen years as a volunteer in the not for profit sector with organisations including Springboard Trust, First Foundation, Volunteering Auckland. CEO at the Neurological Foundation since Sept 2017. On the Board at Volunteering Auckland for 6 years of which almost 5 as Chair. On the Board at First Foundation for 4 years, with 3 as Chair.

Richard Spilg MInstD

My purpose

Leaders are increasingly focused on figuring out their fundamental purpose – questions such as “Am I realising my full potential?”; “How can I be a more effective leader?”; “Is the work I’m doing aligned with my values?”, “Why aren’t we gelling as a leadership team?” are all too common. This has made me reflect on my own purpose – in a nutshell, I support leaders in taking charge of their futures and fulfilling their true potential – thereby enriching their own lives as well as those of others they influence. The value I add comes through the practical application and combination of my commercial, executive, international and coaching experiences.

How my business experience helps

My career in investment banking, private banking, financial and professional services has included involvement with start-ups through to management of complex, highly regulated, multi-jurisdictional businesses. My CEO and Board experiences in South Africa, Australia, the UK and New Zealand have given me a unique understanding of what it takes to adapt to new environments, successfully engage across diverse cultures and build sustainable businesses. Relevant executive roles have included:

Chief Executive, BDO New Zealand (interim role)
Chief Executive, BDO Investment Management (UK)
Partner, BDO LLP (UK)
Chief Executive, Ansbacher Group (UK)
Chief Executive, FirstRand International (UK)
Chief Operating Officer, RMB Asset Management (SA)
Executive Director, RMB Australia (Au)
General Manager, Rand Merchant Bank (SA)

In addition to my executive roles, I have been involved in voluntary coaching and mentoring programmes that have given me insight into the motivators of diverse groups of individuals and how to be an effective contributor to their successes.

Rob Simcic

Rob is a company director specialising in the New Zealand food sector and community wellbeing initiatives.

Rob holds a degree in Applied Science from Massey University and currently serves as Chair of Life Education Trust New Zealand – a charity that educates and empowers children to make healthy choices so they can live life to the full; and CEO/Director of Little Beauties Ltd - a specialty food company creating the world’s most delightful fruits snacks from New Zealand produce.

Previously Rob spent over 15 years in ANZ commercial and Agri banking, most recently as a Food and Beverage Sector Specialist. A role dedicated to supporting the sector by connecting people across the food system and developing insights to inspire innovation and investment.

He firmly believes in the foundational role the Food and Beverage sector can play in improving social, health, economic and environmental outcomes for our communities via the sharing and implementation of collaborative, innovative and long-term thinking.

Rob has also past Board roles for Eat New Zealand, Life Education Trust - Marlborough, Feast Marlborough and been part of advisory boards to MBIE Food & Beverage Information Project & Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy.

Today Rob lives on a 12ha organic orchard and vineyard located in sunny Nelson-Tasman region, with his wife Niki and 4 children.

Tone Borren CFInstD

My experience to date includes 18 years as a CEO and more than 15 years of multiple directorships, before which I had 6 years of design engineering. During this time, I took two sabbatical periods that were used to write. (there are 2 books in my name).

As CEO, I operated in the telecommunications industry using my engineering background to establish the NZ arm of a Canadian mulitinational (Mitel). Following that, I was part of the initial Telecom NZ Executive management team, while being CEO of Telecom Wellington Ltd and taking Board responsibility for the company-wide IT project: ICMS. In my last year with Telecom, I headed up the Strategy and R&D departments. When Bell Atlantic and Ameritech took over Telecom, I went on my first sabbatical in France, from where I moved to MD of Alcatel NZ.

I experienced a wide range of management roles, from a successful start-up (Mitel), to a massive change management task (helping NZPO become Telecom NZ), and the turn-around of a non-performing Alcatel in NZ, into one of NZ’s largest suppliers in the telecommunications industry.

My governance experience has involved me in engineering, telecommunications, R&D and the non-for-profit sectors, working for listed and un-listed businesses. My business experiences led me to having strong involvement in research and development, IP commercialization and international marketing, for companies like Open Cloud, CityLink and Holmes Solutions. Pikselin Ltd (once Shift Ltd) is one of NZ’s leading internet design companies.

In 1999, I was invited onto the Board of Cricket Wellington and after 10 years, I moved onto the Board of Hockey NZ, more closely aligned to my own sporting career. More recently I took on the task of Chairman of the Board of the non-for-profit The Tomorrow Project, a social messaging company promoting safer drinking.

Since completing the IoD Company Director’s course, more than a decade ago, I have been on a number of their Director Development courses, like the Chairman’s course. I was consequently made a Chartered Fellow of the IoD.