Our team

Chair

Sarah, who lives in Hamilton, became a Trustee in August 2021 and Chair since January 2026. She works as a Community Advisor across the Waikato region and has much experience in the ‘for purpose’ sector, from both operational and governance perspectives. Sarah’s brother died of a brain tumour before Brain Tumour Support NZ was set up and recognises her family’s journey would have been different if there had been some advice on practical decisions and resources . Her aspiration for the Trust is that it becomes sustainable and is always accessible to anyone wanting support on their brain tumour journey. Sarah was the instigator of Brainy Beanies and so loves to see how this flagship initiative is developing.

Founding Trustee‍ ‍

Chris is a Founding Trustee of the charity and the Chair from 2021 to 2025. He is also a Senior Advisor to the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA, UK), a Patient Expert in CNS Tumours for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), a member of the Co-operative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO, Australia), and a member of the executive committee of the NZ Aotearoa Neuro-Oncology Society (NANOS). Chris runs his own business and marketing consultancy and is the current Chair of the New Zealand Taiwan Business Council. Chris’s wife Lynda is a long term survivor of a glioblastoma. The couple live in Wellington.

Trustee

Moira was a child and family psychologist for 35 years until 2019 when her daughter Kate was diagnosed with a brain tumour. As a mother, Moira has learned about the devastating impact of a brain tumour, the support needed, and the positive impact of Brain Tumour Support NZ. In early 2021 she became a Trustee.  Moira brings a wide range of governance experience. She lives with her husband Ian and daughter Kate on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Trustee

Michelle became connected with Brain Tumour Support NZ through an organisation that she and her family run called Frankie to the Rescue, which supports families with a child receiving palliative care. Michelle's son Frankie passed away in 2021 from brain cancer, aged 3. She is passionate about the work that Brain Tumour Support NZ do and jumped at the opportunity to be a Trustee. Michelle has worked in High Performance Sport for the past 15 years and lives in Christchurch with her husband Warrick and daughter Scarlett. 

Trustee

Simon’s connection with Brain Tumour Support NZ began as a patient. The support he received from BTSNZ was vital for both him and his family. The care, encouragement, and people he met along the way inspired him to give back to the organisation. He is deeply grateful to now be part of the team as a Trustee. Simon currently works as a National Business Development Manager for a Council Controlled Trading Organisation. He brings governance experience from both the education and commercial sectors. With a strong background in commercial management, including serving as a company director .He is committed to supporting BTSNZ’s long-term sustainability and helping to raise awareness of brain tumours as widely as possible.
Simon lives in Waikato with his wife, where they enjoy spending time with their horses and getting out on the tractor.