Our Board

Sue Sullivan is a dynamic leader based in Christchurch, New Zealand, known for her strategic insight and passion for community-driven growth. With a strong background in tourism, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, she has played a key role in advancing commercial initiatives that celebrate and promote growth. Sue is valued for her collaborative approach, clear communication, and ability to bring diverse voices together to achieve shared outcomes. Her work consistently reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, innovation, and meaningful partnerships across sectors.

Simon is an experienced Chartered Accountant and business adviser with demonstrated expertise across privately held businesses, government and public interest entities in New Zealand and a track record in strategic planning, analysis, project management and risk management. Simon’s specialities include: Sale and purchase of business, Valuations and litigation support, Strategic planning, Business turnaround and restructure, Financing proposals, Business succession and planning.

Jess is an experienced lawyer and environmental advisor at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. She has previously worked at commercial law firms in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, specialising in resource management, planning and local government law. Jess is also a co-owner of Offcut; a social enterprise saving remnant fabric from the landfill and turning it into caps. Jess currently sits on a number of other community-focused boards. Jess holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts and has certificates in te reo Māori. She is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and is admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Jess, her husband and their three young tamariki live near the beach and love being involved in their local community and exploring the great outdoors.

Professor Ekant Veer is a Professor of Marketing in the Department of Management, Marketing, and Tourism at the University of Canterbury. His research focuses on applying marketing and psychology theories to improve individual lives and society. Ekant is a multi-award-winning teacher and researcher, having been named among the Top 40 under 40 Business Professors worldwide in 2017. He has received the Ako Aotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award, the UC Teaching Medal, and is a six-time recipient of a UCSA Lecturer of the Year award. Ekant is also a trusee with Aviva and the Māia Health Foundation and has a strong passion for driving health research and impact.

Logan is a cancer geneticist and the current Associate Dean Research, at the University of Otago Christchurch. His research focuses on understanding the impact of genetic changes on health. After completing post-doctoral training in Australia, and returning to the University of Otago, his research programme was significantly strengthened by being awarded a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (Health Research Council) followed by a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship (Royal Society Te Apārangi).

He is an invited member of several international groups tasked with improving protocols for genetic testing around the world. This work includes developing RNA diagnostic guidelines for both the clinical and research setting, and providing expert advice about the implementation of these guidelines and the interpretation of genetic test results. In collaboration with multiple international consortia, he has also contributed to and led some of the largest genetic association studies to discover inherited DNA copy number changes that increase or decrease susceptibility to cancer.

Ross Hutton is an adviser with Craig's investment Partners. He has extensive experience in the finance industry, having been an investment adviser for 35 years. In his free time time, Ross is very active participating and watching sport. He also enjoys the Arts. Ross holds a Bachelor of Laws, Canterbury University, and is both an AFA and NZX adviser.

Before becoming UC’s Acting Executive Dean of Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health in 2022, Associate Professor Cathy Andrew had a significant impact on nursing education here in Aotearoa New Zealand and offshore. She has previously held nursing roles in intensive care (ICU) and mental health units, which led to her initial research around whānau and their experiences.

As Head of Nursing at Ara Institute of Canterbury for 20 years, Cathy developed the first graduate entry pathway in Aotearoa New Zealand which led to a master’s degree plus nursing registration. The Dedicated Education Unit: Canterbury Model was another initiative that transformed clinical teaching models in other organisations and increased the numbers of nursing graduates nationally.
Cathy supported the development of other health-related programmes in Ōtautahi Christchurch and further afield and led the introduction of a range of other programmes of study to grow health workforce capability.

Cathy’s career has spanned New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the South Pacific. She has served on advisory groups, panels, and committees for groups such as Nurse Maude, Health Quality and Safety, Nursing Council of NZ, Vanuatu Qualifications Authority, NZ Qualifications Authority and the National Nurse Leaders group.

Sir Robert Stewart is the founder and chairman of SKOPE Industries. Based in Christchurch, SKOPE is one of New Zealand’s leading manufacturers, of leading-edge refrigeration units, and a successful exporter. Robert Stewart was a founder of the Christchurch private radio station Radio Avon and has also been heavily involved in car racing all his adult life. He is currently the chairman of the Health Research Council. His wife, Barbara, has been actively involved in Christchurch local body politics and in the city’s arts and culture life. They have three children, two of whom, Guy and Alexandra, are actively involved in the SKOPE business.