The BrainTree Team

The Canterbury Brain Collective - a partnership between Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson's Canterbury Charitable Trust and Dementia Canterbury - was established in 2017, with the goal of developing a wellness centre for local people living with neurological conditions. This wellness centre is called BrainTree.

The BrainTree facility is the base for our two founding partner organisations, as well as other like-minded non-profit organisations in Ōtautahi-Christchurch. It provides a space for people and their whānau to connect with others who understand the condition, as well as encourage engagement with the support services, information and activities available in our community.

Our Staff

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Phil Marshall-Lee
Phil Marshall-Lee

General Manager

Phil wants to help other people living with these neurological conditions to live a better life. He also sees BrainTree as a great opportunity to put his broad commercial, management and property experience to good use to develop a first of its kind holistic wellness centre for brain health in New Zealand.

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Leesa Loffhagen
Leesa Loffhagen

Front of House Manager

Having a family member with very high physical and cognitive needs, the transition to working in special education was an easy one, enabling children from a variety of ages and backgrounds the opportunity to become the best they can be, and the skills to lead full-filling lives.

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Ange Charity
Ange Charity

Project & Events Coordinator

Ange joined the Braintree team as Project & Events Coordinator and adds extensive expertise in supporting business executives, business units, office administration and customer service, having worked in both private and public sector organisations in a variety of roles.

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Ella Batstone
Ella Batstone

Cafe Supervisor

After leaving school Ella began working in Cafes and found her niche as a barista. She joined BrainTree in January 2024 as our Cafe Supervisor.

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Michelle Morrow
Michelle Morrow

Event Fundraising Manager

Michelle comes to us from a Program Management background, bringing large scale IT & Marketing products to market. Living abroad as an expat for the last 12 years and only recently returning to Christchurch.

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Loretta Richards
Loretta Richards

Barista

Loretta has recently joined the BrainTree Café Team as our Barista; bringing with her, a passion for creativity and love of coffee and food - a perfect match!

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Our Board of Directors

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Maria O'Halloran
Maria O'Halloran

Director/Board Chair

Maria O’Halloran has been the CEO of Ballantynes since 2013. With a proven history of broad commercial acumen, and expertise in strategy, transformation, and execution. A passionate brand guardian, focussed on positive outcomes through collaborative strategy in line with company values.

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Simon Challies

Director

Simon Challies knows first-hand what it’s like living with Parkinson’s. Before joining the Canterbury Brain Collective, Simon was Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive of Ryman Healthcare.

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David Gibbons
David Gibbons

Director

Dave Gibbons brings clarity, purpose and energy to any Board setting. He thrives on creating operating models, developing capabilities and building cultures to execute strategies and transform businesses from the top down.

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Craig Armitage
Craig Armitage

Director

Craig Armitage is a Senior Partner within PwC New Zealand who leads the Christchurch office and Deals business of PwC in the South Island. Craig has a strong focus on providing advisory services to Government entities, Infrastructure, Construction and Food and Agricultural sectors.

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Angela Dunbar
Angela Dunbar

Director

Angie brings 35 years of legal experience to the BrainTree board table.

She is a Principal at Mortlock McCormack Law Limited in Christchurch.  

Angie is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and its Property Law Section, and a previous member (six years) of a Standards Committee appointed to deal with complaints about lawyers.

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Travis Gordon
Travis Gordon

Director

Travis Gordon is a passionate advocate for individuals affected by neurological conditions, representing Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson’s Canterbury Charitable Trust (MSPC). His dedication to enhancing and expanding services for those impacted by MS and Parkinson’s is evident in his commitment and leadership.

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