Our People
Our Team
A tight-knit, dedicated team delivering support, awareness, fundraising, and programmes nationwide.
Peter Huskinson
Chief Executive
Peter leads a diverse team, all working together to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in Aotearoa. For two decades, he worked as a senior health leader in New Zealand and the UK, leading a regional public sector health organisation serving 4 in 10 New Zealanders and delivering initiatives to strengthen and redesign cancer services. In the UK, Peter worked to secure nationwide access to innovative new medicines for cancer and rare diseases. He holds a Masters in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and a degree in Business Administration.
Sarah Watford
Head of Marketing and Communications
With more than a decade of experience leading strategic communications and marketing across the health and consumer sectors, Sarah brings creativity, purpose and a deep commitment to impactful storytelling. She leads BCNZ’s marketing and communications mahi – raising awareness, amplifying patient voices and growing the organisation’s visibility across Aotearoa.
Whitney Gernhoefer
Head of Fundraising and Partnerships
With over a decade of experience driving fundraising growth for health-related charities across Australia and New Zealand, Whitney is passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives. She leads all areas of BCNZ’s fundraising programme, working closely with our generous community of donors, fundraisers and partners to raise vital funds that support our services.
Jo Morgan
Grants & Funding Lead
With more than 20 years’ experience working with not-for-profits, Jo plays a vital role in securing funding that allows Bowel Cancer New Zealand to expand its services and support more people across Aotearoa. Her skills and experience have enabled the organisation to apply for and secure significant funding – helping ensure patients and families can access the help they need.
Victoria Thompson
Patient Support Team Lead
Victoria is a vital point of contact for patients and families, providing emotional and practical support to individuals and their whānau affected by bowel cancer. Her reassuring and expert guidance ensures people – whether newly diagnosed or further along in their care – receive the right information and feel confident asking the right questions.
Kath Ellis
Bowel Cancer Nurse
Kath brings more than 11 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse across community and primary care settings. Her background includes roles as a Māori Clinical Nurse Specialist – Diabetes, District Nurse, Healthline tele-triage nurse and GP Practice Nurse. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, her iwi affiliations are Ngāti Kahungunu and Tūwharetoa. Kath is passionate about community engagement and health promotion, and is committed to providing culturally responsive, compassionate care.
Jill Porteous
Bowel Cancer Nurse
Jill is a Registered Nurse with experience across clinical education, community and oncology services, including more than a decade working in hospice care. Her career has centred on walking alongside people facing serious illness and ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout their care.
Odessa Weber
Finance and Support Administrator
After 10 years working in the Financial Services industry in London, Odessa moved to New Zealand with extensive knowledge of the finance sector and a desire to channel her skills into something more meaningful. Her role sees her supporting the team across a wide range of areas, helping ensure the organisation runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Renée Patterson
Administration Support
Renée brings over 30 years’ experience in administration, executive support and community engagement across corporate and not-for-profit organisations. Her strong organisational skills and attention to detail help ensure the team can deliver vital services and support efficiently and effectively.
Tessa Reardon
Corporate Partnerships Executive
Tessa works with businesses and community partners to grow awareness and fundraising that supports people affected by bowel cancer across Aotearoa. With more than 15 years’ experience in fundraising, partnerships and communications across the not-for-profit sector, she enjoys building strong relationships that bring people and organisations together.
Board of Trustees
Our board provides strategic governance and brings together expertise in healthcare, law, business, and the not-for-profit sector.
Stefan Corbett
Chairperson
Stefan is the Chair of our Board. Since his diagnosis and treatment, he’s been on a mission to help the organisation grow and he brings significant leadership skills from his work as a former New Zealand Diplomat, trade negotiator and international legal adviser. Stefan had delayed going to see a doctor when he first noticed symptoms and admits that if he’d acted earlier, things could have been very different.
Annika Lim
Deputy Chair
Annika has been a firm supporter of Bowel Cancer New Zealand since 2010 and became a board member in 2019. Her professional background in law and governance, with over 15 years’ experience at top-tier law firms and banks in New Zealand and overseas, adds a vital skill to our organisation. It’s Annika’s own journey through breast cancer that drives her strong desire for better outcomes for those with bowel cancer.
Kevin Jones
Treasurer
Kevin’s career as a Senior Project Manager in the corporate world means he’s the perfect person to keep an eye on the numbers and make sure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Kevin’s been on the board since 2017 and has a keen focus on increasing income. Kevin’s wife has a family member with a history of bowel cancer and this has always driven his desire to give something back.
Rachel Afeaki Taumoepeau
Board Member
Rachel is a strong advocate for bowel cancer information and advice for Pasifika and Māori communities after losing her mother to bowel cancer and then her father being diagnosed with the disease. Rachel’s professional background is rooted in strategic business management, governance operations and advocacy in the community sector.
Linda Faulkner
Board Member
A career in policy, and a desire to share her governance experience, attracted Linda to the board. As a bowel cancer survivor, Linda is also living proof that you can never be “too young” to have the disease. Diagnosed at just 30, Linda feels very fortunate that it was picked up early and she had surgery within two weeks.
Jemma Balmer
Board Member
Jemma joined our board towards the end of 2022 and brings a wealth of experience in fundraising with a professional background in coaching not-for-profits. Family experience has brought her close to bowel cancer – this cruel disease took her grandfather’s life.
Mike Killick
Board Member
Mike joined the board in September 2024 and brings a skillset of governance, executive management and organisational growth. Having direct experience in organisations ranging from start-ups through to over $300m in turnover, Mike knows about the challenges and opportunities that exist. He is now focused solely on the healthcare sector within his professional life.
Edward Watson
Board Member
Edward joined the board in September 2024. He is a physician and an experienced clinical trialist with a long history of board governance and strategy. Currently CEO of Aotearoa Clinical Trials based at Middlemore Hospital. Both of his parents suffered from bowel cancer. A cancer survivor himself, Edward is passionate about ensuring access to clinical trials for New Zealanders.
Medical Advisors
Our medical advisory panel ensures our health information and programmes are evidence-based and clinically accurate.
Prof. Frank Frizelle
Colorectal Surgeon
Professor of Colorectal Surgery at Christchurch Hospital and Editor in Chief of the NZ Medical Journal. Frank brings decades of clinical expertise and research leadership to our medical advisory panel.
Assoc. Prof. Sue Crengle
GP & Public Health Physician
GP, Public Health Physician and a Professor (Hauora Māori) at Otago Medical School. Sue’s expertise in Māori health and public health policy is invaluable to our work in addressing health equity.
Dr Anne Mathieson
GP & Bowel Cancer Survivor
MBChB, FRNZCGP. Anne Mathieson, GP and bowel cancer survivor, offers a unique perspective from both sides. Her dual experience as both a clinician and patient provides invaluable insight to our advisory panel.
Kate Ellison
Specialist Dietitian & Bowel Cancer Survivor
NZ Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, and bowel cancer survivor. Kate’s expertise in nutrition and her personal experience make her an essential voice on our medical advisory panel.
Our Patron
Hugh Fletcher
Patron
Sir Hugh Fletcher KNZM has had a distinguished career in business and governance in New Zealand. He is a former CEO of Fletcher Challenge and has served on numerous boards. Sir Hugh became Patron of Bowel Cancer New Zealand to support its mission of reducing the impact of bowel cancer across Aotearoa.