Jacqui describes herself as a social entrepreneur who is part of a growing number of entrepreneurs who choose to direct their life’s work to social good.

Jacqui has a nursing background, holds a Master of Business Administration and has been involved in the development of multiple organisations throughout New Zealand.

As co-founder and previous joint chief executive of the Wise Group, Jacqui now holds governance roles throughout the group.

 

Shelley is Pou Arorangi, Chief Executive of the Wise Group.  

Previously CEO of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society, Shelley has held roles as chief executive at Sir Peter Blake Trust and Waikato Primary Health.  

Shelley’s extensive background in the health sector saw her become a member of the New Zealand Health and Disability System Review Panel 2019-2020. She oversaw the Better Sooner More Convenient health business cases for the Minister of Health’s reforms in Auckland. 

Shelley was the co-chair of the Cancer Agency (Te Aho o Te Kahu) and chaired the Minister’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Taskforce. A member of the New Zealand Order of Merit – health and disability, she is also an Honorary Captain of the Royal New Zealand Navy. In 2007 Shelley was awarded a Sir Peter Blake emerging leader award. 

A strong advocate for reducing health inequities, Shelley believes the most effective health systems are those that invest in and develop community and primary health care services and supports. 

 

Julie Nelson is the Chair of Wise Trust. 

Julie has vast knowledge and experience in the areas of governance, infrastructure services, leading complex services and development of community-based solutions. 

Julie is a strong advocate for quality housing and effective wrap-around support services for our most vulnerable people. She is proud of the pioneering role she has played in bringing Housing First to New Zealand. 

As co-founder and previous joint chief executive of the Wise Group, Julie now holds various governance roles throughout the Wise Group. 

 

Dr Mike Pratt is a business advisor and professional director. He holds a doctorate in Finance and is a chartered accountant.

He is a Lead Reviewer for the State Services Commission’s Performance Improvement Framework.

His company Sustainable Enterprise Ltd provides peak performance development services to companies, NGOs and government agencies. From 1990 to 2007 Mike was Dean of the University of Waikato Management School. Mike has published extensively in academic journals and the business press, and is known for his “Peak Performance” books and workshops.

 

Tēnā rā koutou katoa

Ko Taranaki te tupuna maunga
Ko Te Atiawa, Ngāti Ruanui, Waiohua, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Porou ngā iwi

It is my privilege to sit on the Wise Services Board. I hope to bring Māori and indigenous insights and worldviews, that were taught from my kaumātua, to the board table.

Kia ora tātou katoa

 

Dean is of Ngati-Porou (father’s side) and Ngati Hei (mother’s side) descent. He is the father of four boys, two of whom are on the autism spectrum.

Dean has worked in mental health and addiction for over 25 years. In 2017, he was appointed to the Safe Practice Effective Communication (SPEC) governance committee, and the Health Quality Safety Commission’s Māori Advisory Group working towards zero seclusion. He was a panel member of the 2018 Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, and in 2020 was appointed to the Māori expert reference panel for the Suicide Prevention Office. Between 2021-2024 Dean was Te Aka Whai ora, Oranga Hinengaro Lived experience Principal Advisor and a reference group member for Mental Health and Addictions with the Royal Commission into state abuse care.

Dean is extremely passionate about capacity and capability building for Māori workforce development and peer support in the mental health and addiction sector. He believes in putting people and whānau at the centre in everything we do and listening to their voices. His mantra is to be a servant to the people.

People might not remember what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel.

 

Cassidy is proudly of Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāpuhi and Samoan descent and has served as a board member with Workwise over the past few years.

They are a passionate advocate for improving equity with a background in Māori health promotion, policy development and research. Having completed studies in finance, te reo Māori and health sciences, Cassidy currently works as an advisor in local government.

An active committee member of their marae and marae collective, Cassidy holds a number of governance roles with non-for-profit organisations and has broad governance experience spanning Māori, environment, health and youth sectors.

Cassidy hopes to bring their skills and experience to support the wider Wise Services Board to deliver the best services to communities across Aotearoa.

 

I am proudly of Te Atiawa ki Whanganui a Tara descent, living in the Hutt Valley.

I am an experienced senior public servant who has been involved in disability and mental health provision both at a service provision and national policy level. I have worked as a teacher and registered psychologist and at a flax root level, many years ago as a support worker, I was involved in establishing one of the first community houses in the Hutt Valley for people moving from long term hospital level services.

My experience in governance has been developed through involvement in a number of governance entities across government as well as in government/non-government initiatives.

Building on what Pathways has achieved developing great services for those with mental health needs and supporting opportunities for the future is what motivates my participation on the Wise Services Board. I look forward to bringing perspective as a family member of a person who has been a user of mental health services into my role.

 

Jan Gatley is an advisor to the Wise Services Board. 

Jan is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with almost 30 years experience in private practice.

She is passionate about the community sector and holds governance roles on several charitable Boards. She has worked alongside the Wise Group for many years, primarily with Workwise Employment Limited.

Jan looks forward to bringing her strong commercial skills to the Wise Services Board to continue the great work it delivers.