Chair and Founding Trustee

Chris is a Founding Trustee of the charity, becoming Chair in 2021. He is a Senior Advisor to the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA), a Patient Expert in CNS Tumours for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and 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’s wife Lynda is a long term survivor of a glioblastoma. The couple live in Wellington.

Founding Trustee and Treasurer

John is a Founding Trustee and the owner of First Class Accounts New Zealand. He has joined the Board to look after the Treasurer duties and the accounting responsibilities. He adds a wealth of business knowledge to our team.  John lives in Nelson with his wife and two lovely daughters and is heavily involved in rugby and soccer.

Trustee

Tim lives in Coastal Manawatū with his three teenage sons. Tim is an Area Sales Manager for a National electrical wholesale supplier who brings an operational, sales and financial background to the Board. The loss of his wife Wendy to a glioblastoma in 2020, following a nine year battle, solidified his resolve to offer people and their families dealing with brain tumours a deeper level of support, practical information and assistance.

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

Sarah lives in Hamilton and has been a Trustee since August 2021. She works as a Community Advisor across the Waikato region and has much experience in the not for profit sector, from both operational and governance perspectives. Sarah’s brother died of a brain tumour just before Brain Tumour Support NZ was set up. If the Trust had been around, her family would have appreciated the support. Her aspiration for the Trust is that it becomes sustainable and is always accessible to anyone wanting support on their brain tumour journey.

Trustee

Tania is based in Tamaki Makaurau and became involved with the Trust when her husband was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2020. The support Tania received as a carer and through the loss of Adrian has inspired her to remain involved and support the mission of the Trust. Tania is a clinical psychologist and has enjoyed being involved with the development of the Support Friends programme and the new BTS Kidz website. Tania is currently the President of the New Zealand Psychological Society. She has three grown up children and one granddaughter.

Founding Trustee

Mandy is a Founding Trustee and was the inaugural Chair of the charity from 2019 to 2021. She has been a midwife, a school counsellor and a primary school teacher. In 2017, Mandy was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma brain tumour. Following a successful surgery and after many months of rest and recuperation, she was able to return to work. Her experience taught her that there is much that needs to be done to support patients living with a brain tumour. Mandy is determined that if you hear the words ‘you have a brain tumour’ that the Trust will be there to provide the support you need.

Founding Trustee / Secretary (2019 - 2023)

Marie was a Founding Trustee and Secretary of our charity. As co-owner of Nelson design company HotHouse Creative, she was instrumental in the design of our website and printed materials. Marie's expertise in marketing and her passion for helping brain tumour patients helped shape our brand and culture. Although no longer a trustee, Marie continues to provide significant support to Brain Tumour Support NZ as a volunteer and adviser.

Founding Trustee (2019 - 2023)

Gavin was one of the founding trustees of the charity. After losing his wife Natalie to a glioblastoma in 2018, he became an advocate for others living with a brain tumour, before connecting with Chris Tse and Mandy Bathan to become a founding trustee. He went on to make a significant contribution in many areas of the charity’s work in its formative stages. Gavin works as a sleep physiologist for Te Whatu Ora, Te Tai Tokerau, in Whangarei.

Chief Executive

Our newly appointed CEO Sarah is based in Cambridge and brings many years of experience in marketing and for-purpose governance. When Sarah's daughter Ruby, was diagnosed with a Craniopharyngioma tumour in 2015, she and her family's world changed forever and the devastating effects of this tumour have led Sarah to understand the need for Brain Tumour support and the positive impact this organization delivers.

A strong advocate for communication, activation and belief, Sarah describes herself as a glass-half-full thinker who knows how to navigate a very complex health system and build strong relationships to achieve positive outcomes for whānau and communities

Sarah is passionate about leading BrainTumour Support NZ to a space where they are known about before, they are needed.

Cultural Advisor

Shane is of Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Ranginui descent and has broad governance roles across a range of sectors at national and local levels. His experience has led him to a number significant leadership and advisory roles in Government and across the community sector. A former Head of Social Sciences and Māori Studies at NMIT, Shane received his Masters Degree at Te Waananga o Raukawa in Māori and Management. We are grateful for his advice and guidance.

Support Co-Ordinator

Support Group facilitator

Support Group Facilitator

Support Group facilitator