Maria O'Halloran
Director/Board Chair
Maria brings extensive executive leadership experience to her role as Chair, including over a decade as CEO of Ballantynes and, more recently, as CEO of Nutrient Rescue.
Board Chair/Director
Maria O’Halloran brings extensive executive leadership experience to her role as Chair, including over a decade as CEO of Ballantynes and, more recently, as CEO of Nutrient Rescue.
She is known for her customer-driven approach, strategic mindset, and commitment to team culture. Passionate about integrity and purpose-led leadership, Maria is dedicated to driving meaningful impact through innovation and values-based governance.
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.
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.
He has a broad range of commercial experience across Insurance, FMCG, Retail and eCommerce along with a formal background in accounting and legal public practice means a willingness to challenge the status quo and an ability to think across different business models, solutions and approaches.
Dave is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Institute of Directors (IOD).
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.
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.
With 25+ years, he has a broad range of experience in governance and holds a number of executive and advisory roles across different sectors.
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.
Director
Angie brings 35 years of legal experience to the BrainTree board table.
She is a Principal at Mortlock McCormack Law Limited in Christchurch and 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.
Angie is the Chairperson of the Dementia Canterbury Charitable Trust Board. She has personal experience of the impact of dementia on sufferers and their carers - her vibrant Mum, Judy, died after a long battle with Alzheimers.
Angie is proud to play a part in the life of the Braintee Wellness Centre and is a strong advocate for the services and environment it provides.
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.
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.
Travis began his journey with MSPC in mid-2021, initially serving as the minute secretary and was then invited to become Trustee later that year. In 2024, Travis’s leadership and vision for the organisation culminated in his appointment as the Board Chair of MSPC, along with joining Canterbury Brain Collective as a Director.
In his professional life, Travis is the Business Manager for a people-focused corporate dairy farming group in Canterbury. He oversees the business support, human resources, and finance functions - ensuring the smooth operation and strategic growth of the organisation. His responsibilities also include providing support to the Board of Directors, leveraging his expertise to guide the company’s direction and policies.
Natalie Thain
Director
Natalie Thain brings over a decade of governance experience across charitable, not-for-profit, and commercial organisations, including seven years on the Crusaders Board. She also has more than 30 years’ experience in organisational development, including 15 years leading her own consulting practice, advising Boards and executive teams on strategy, leadership, performance, and change.
Director
Natalie Thain brings over a decade of governance experience across charitable, not-for-profit, and commercial organisations, including seven years on the Crusaders Board. She also has more than 30 years’ experience in organisational development, including 15 years leading her own consulting practice, advising Boards and executive teams on strategy, leadership, performance, and change.
She is known for her collaborative, pragmatic approach, strong commercial acumen, and ability to build trusted relationships. Natalie is committed to effective governance and supporting organisations to balance performance with meaningful community outcomes.
Colin Slade
Associate Director
Colin is a proud Cantabrian and has been an Investment Adviser at Forsyth Barr since 2022. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.
Associate Director
Colin Slade is a proud Cantabrian and has been an Investment Adviser at Forsyth Barr since 2022. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.
He brings strong financial literacy and is actively building his governance experience, serving on a local school board and contributing to several executive committees. His elite sport background underpins a disciplined, collaborative approach to governance and strategic decision-making.
Colin is known for his clear thinking and values-based leadership and is deeply committed to his community. He is passionate about supporting charities and organisations that deliver meaningful, lasting outcomes".