Maria O'Halloran

Board Chair/Director

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.

In her spare time, Maria finds physical challenges are a powerful stress release and is currently training for her next Adventure Race. In this she will run, bike, raft and navigate for anything between six to twelve hours - depending on her team’s ability to not get lost along the way. 

Simon Challies

Director

Simon Challies knows first-hand what it’s like living with Parkinson’s. He took on a directorship at the Canterbury Brain Collective because he wanted to help other people with the condition, while also utilising his extensive experience in property development and design, establishing community spaces, and understanding the needs of older people and people with health conditions.

Before joining the Canterbury Brain Collective, Simon was Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive of Ryman Healthcare – one of New Zealand's most successful companies on the NZX and in the health sector globally.

Simon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, was Deloitte Top 200 Executive of the Year in 2014, INFINZ Leader for 2013 and New Zealand Shareholders’ Association Beacon Award recipient for 2011.

Simon continues to help establish and grow social and commercial enterprises. He is currently a director of Kilmarnock Enterprises, a leading Christchurch social enterprise that unlocks the potential of people with disabilities through employment and training. He is chairman of social enterprise Nutrient Rescue, and co-founder of positive storytelling project Braveheart Christchurch.

​Simon believes the new Canterbury Brain Collective wellness centre will give people powerful opportunities to connect with others in the same situation. This will create positive impacts for people with neurological conditions and their families, and ultimately support people to remain independent for as long as possible, decreasing reliance on public health services.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.