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.
EMA Board of Directors
Colin Birch, President
As President of the Board, Colin is the Managing Director of Smart Climate Solutions and a Director of Lilies Ltd. Some of his previous positions include Chief Executive of Admark Visual Imaging and Wyma Engineering in NZ and Managing Director of companies in India and the UK. He is also active as a national rowing umpire and is a business mentor in the Waikato region.
hANNAH yOUNG
cAROLYN bANKS
ANDREW HUNT
David Welsh
WENDY HAMMONDS
Hannah Young
Hannah is committed to growing privately owned New Zealand businesses and not-for-profits through best-practice governance. She is passionate about wellbeing and diversity, and is a graduate of the 2016 Be.Leadership programme. In 2015, she formed The Therapy Box, a charity that supports diversional therapists and people residing in aged-care facilities. In 2017, it launched a New Zealand first – an aged-care activity library.
Carolyn Banks
As the CEO of Venus Network, Carolyn is dedicated to fostering a community of women who are a driving force for the growth and development of female-owned businesses. For nearly 20 years she built her own IT business, and she wanted to share her skills and experience with other women who needed a hand. In 2017, Carolyn bought Venus and transformed it to a not-for-profit that builds a network of women who work together to grow and develop their businesses.
Andrew Hunt
Andrew is 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. He previously held the role of IT Manager at Rudd Watts & Stone. Andrew is also a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.
David Welsh
David is the General Manager Commercial of the Concrete Division at Fletcher Building. He has over fifteen years of general management experience in manufacturing, processing and natural resources both in New Zealand and internationally, across the food and building materials sectors.
Wendy Hammonds
Wendy is the GM of People & Capability at Foodstuffs, a position she has held since 2016. With more than 20 years’ experience in developing talent and leading people, Wendy is passionate about driving high-performing culture and strong employee engagement in large organisations. Prior to joining Foodstuffs, she led the HR team for the B2B and retail business units within Spark.
JUGDIS PARBHU
Frank Cui
Sarah Duffin
Melanie Dyer
Saia Mataele
Jugdis Parbhu
Jugdis is an Advisory Partner with BDO. He has been a Partner since 1992 with PKF Ross Melville, which merged with BDO Auckland in January 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Frank Cui
Frank is the founder and Managing Director of SureCapital Group. He has held several senior roles in the financial industry. His most recent role was Head of Migrant & Asian Banking Division. He is passionate about supporting local businesses. In 2016, he set up E-Wisdom Business Forum, an NFP which helps SMEs and individuals grow in areas such as real estate and wealth management.
Sarah Duffin
Sarah is a high-performing, driven Leader and Senior Banker with 16+ years' experience across Consumer, Commercial, Corporate and Risk in New Zealand and the UK. In her current role she leads the Newmarket Commercial team, with a focus on supporting its customers by providing a banking offering that helps them to achieve their financial goals and aspirations. Customers range from privately owned NZ businesses to mid-sized corporates up to approximately $100m revenue.
Melanie Dyer
Melanie joined Port of Tauranga’s Senior Management Team in August 2020 from Trustpower Limited, where she was General Manager, People and Culture. Her current role includes developing the strategic people approach to capability building, industrial relations, legislative and legal compliance, policy development, strategic risk planning, and company strategic planning processes.
Saia Mataele
Saia is a proud Tongan and South Aucklander, passionate about enabling and connecting people, and advancing community and Pacific success. Saia is a trusted advisor to the private, public and not-for-profit sectors on economic development, equity and digital transformation in New Zealand and the Pacific. He is also actively involved in community initiatives with a focus on bridging the digital divide and opportunity gap, youth and leadership.
Kim Campbell
aLEX zHANG
sARAH cAUNTER
Aston Moss
Kim Campbell
Kim was EMA Chief Executive from 2011 to 2018 and has also been CEO of Masport Limited, PSM Healthcare, Soul Pattinson Manufacturing, Zuellig Equipment Group Limited, and Interphil Pharma Corp (Manila). He is currently a Board Member of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Embark Education, Novalabs Systems Limited, New Image International Limited and Chair of Pathways to Employment Trust.
Alex Zhang
Alex is CEO and Principal Immigration Adviser at Chance Immigration and Education. He is a licensed Immigration Adviser and specialises in providing immigration and education advice to clients and international students. Before this, he had worked at senior management level in different private training establishments. Alex is the Executive President at Canton Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand and an Executive Member of New Zealand China Trade Association (NZCTA).
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).
Aston Moss
Aston is the Chief People Officer for leading New Zealand retailer Briscoe Group. He joined the company in 2015 to lead its people functions, bringing more than 25 years’ experience working in operations and human resources. Aston began his career with Woolworths (NZ) Limited and has since worked for various retail and non-retail organisations in New Zealand and Australia.
