The EMA
Board

Meet the Board

Insight and thought leadership

The EMA Board represents some of the greatest business minds in the country, from a diverse range of sectors and industries.

Your success is our commitment. We arm New Zealand businesses with knowledge, wisdom and connections so they can shape their future their way.

Our Board 01

EMA Board of Directors

Melanie Dyer

President

As President of the Board, Melanie brings extensive leadership experience across people, culture, safety and organisational development. She is Chief People Officer at Craigs Investment Partners and previously served as General Manager Corporate Services at Port of Tauranga. Before that, she was General Manager People and Culture at Trustpower. With more than 20 years’ experience across New Zealand and Australia, Melanie has a strong track record of leading organisational change while strengthening culture, capability and performance.

Sarah Caunter

GM - People and Capability, Auckland Kindergarten Association

Andrew Hunt

President, Business NZ

Sarah Duffin

Independent Director

Jugdis Parbhu

Managing Partner,
BDO Auckland

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Sarah Caunter

Sarah is the People and Culture Director with Corys Electrical. She has a proven track record in spearheading change management for large-scale and individual restructures and implementing cultural and technology change. She gained her Post Grad Diploma in HR from the University of Northampton and has held HR management roles with Burger King NZ and Placemakers. Sarah is also a member of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ).

Andrew Hunt

Andrew is the President of Business NZ.  He is also the former EMA Board President and was made a Life Member of the Association in 2023. He is the owner and Managing Director of IT consultancy firm Kinetics Group, which he founded in 1996. Andrew is also a chartered member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.

Sarah Duffin

Sarah is a senior banking and finance leader with 20+ years’ experience across New Zealand and the UK. Sarah brings broad cross-sector insight, and a strong track record of delivering growth and strategic outcomes. Sarah is passionate about championing for sustainable growth and innovation to support the success of NZ Inc.

Jugdis Parbhu

Jugdis is an Advisory Partner with BDO. He is currently the Managing Partner of BDO Auckland and has been a Partner of the firm (and preceding firm) since 1991.  Most of his clients are NZ owned SME’s operating across a wide range of industries. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia.