Team
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is governed by a board of elected members and employ a team to control the day to day operations. Paralympics New Zealand also works with a team of volunteers and supporters from around the country.
View PNZ Organisation Structure.
PNZ Organisation Structure (readable version).
PNZ is very proud to have recruited and retained the following talented team members. Each person plays a key role in implementing the PNZ Strategic Plan 2021 – 2032.
Fiona Allan, Chief Executive
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0761
m: 0064 (0) 27 248 4828
e: fallan@paralympics.org.nz
Fiona is a well-respected strategic leader in New Zealand sport with a 16 year plus career. Since 2007 she has led growth of the Paralympic Movement in New Zealand.
Kylie Stevens, Administration Support
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
e: admin@paralympics.org.nz
Graeme Cochrane, Finance Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 21 835 669
e: accounts@paralympics.org.nz
Graeme is a Chartered Accountant with 30 years experience in Finance roles. His career started with 5 years at Deloittes, in the Business Advisory and Corporate Recovery divisions. Graeme has since worked for a variety of industries both privately owned and publicly listed entities. These have included Chubb System & Services, Tourism Holdings Limited and United Gaming.
Jenifer Hunt, Commercial Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 21 939 656
e:jhunt@paralympics.org.nz
Jenifer has extensive experience in sponsorship, marketing and partnership management. A 20 plus year career with commercial and sponsorship management roles in media and sport. She leads commercial partnership, business development and fundraising activities for PNZ.
Melissa Dawson, Strategic Engagement Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 204 0044 799
e: mdawson@paralympics.org.nz
Melissa has a wealth of expertise in project management, stakeholder management, communications, public relations, brand project management.
Lynette Grace, Games Campaign and Sports Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0766
m: 0064 (0) 21 990 030
e:lgrace@paralympics.org.nz
With a career spanning more than 20 years, Lynette has a wealth of experience in international and national event management, operations and logistics and High Performance Sport. Split into two distinct elements, Lynette’s Games Campaign role focuses on the operational and logistical delivery of the New Zealand Paralympic Games. Her role as Sport Manager focuses chiefly on working closely with PNZ Member Organisations, including National Sports Organisations (NSOs) and regional ParaFeds.
Sacha Wright, Games Campaign and Sports Coordinator
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 21 448 969
e:swright@paralympics.org.nz
Sacha comes to PNZ from High Performance Sport NZ where she worked in a HR generalist role, as well as in a volunteer capacity in the role of the Wheel Blacks’ Programme/Team Manager for the past five years.
Sacha will be supporting the Games Campaign and Sports Manager focusing on operational and logistical delivery of the New Zealand Paralympic Team. Having attended the Tokyo Paralympic Games with the Wheel Blacks, this has given her first-hand experience of what is required at a Paralympic Games.
Marguerite Christophers, Classification Manager
m: 0064 (0) 217 467 27
e: classification@paralympics.org.nz
Marguerite is one of the world’s leading Para sport classifiers, with 20 years’ experience in the sector. Since 2009 she has led the national Classification Strategy.
Dale MacDonald, Para Sport Pathway Manager
m: 0064 (0) 21 329 893
e: dmacdonald@paralympics.org.nz
Dale provides strategic advice and operational support to the development of Para Sport Performance Pathways strategies and programmes within PNZ and PNZ member organisations. A key outcome is to develop and improve the effectiveness of the performance pathways in Para sport to successfully identify, develop, support and progress Para athletes to achieve medal winning performances at international events and Paralympic Games.
Jenni Keeley, Education Lead
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 22 043 4584
e: jkeeley@paralympics.org.nz
Jenni Keeley is the PNZ Education Lead where she will lead the pilot of the ‘Seeing is Believing’ project aiming to change perceptions of disability in schools and kura through the lens of Paralympians, Para athletes and the Paralympic Movement.
Marianne Loh, Para Sport Community Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 22 567 2136
e: mloh@paralympics.org.nz
Marianne’s role aims to drive national and regional collaboration to achieve organisational role clarity, strategic alignment. She leads PNZ’s Community Para Sport Plan, covering increasing shared expertise, improving operating approaches and collaborating on shared initiatives to strengthen, enhance and align community Para sport outcomes across New Zealand.
Michelle Au, Coach Resource Developer
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 21 191 1625
e: mau@paralympics.org.nz
Michelle is the PNZ Coach Resource Developer leading the development of online coaching resources, targeted at building the capability and confidence of coaches in supporting Para athletes.
Sue Cardwell, Digital and Communications Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 22 081 9071
e:scardwell@paralympics.org.nz
Sue has been an experienced marketing communications professional for over 15 years in both Europe and New Zealand. A passionate advocate for an inclusive New Zealand, she has particular strengths in using stakeholder understanding to bring communications strategy to life.
Sue is responsible for the PNZ digital and social media strategy, as well as working with PNZ broadcast and media partners to develop plans to maximise PNZ broadcast coverage and promotional opportunities.
Rachel Barr, Marketing Manager
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 21 464 468
e:rbarr@paralympics.org.nz
Rachel will lead initiatives to grow Paralympics New Zealand and the NZ Paralympic Team brand awareness. Her role includes deepening the engagement of PNZ supporters and attracting new supporters, promoting participation in Para sport, promoting PNZ as a charity and maximising commercial outcomes.
In 2021, Rachel contracted to PNZ leading the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games marketing campaign including development of the ‘One Team, One Spirit’ brand positioning.
Frankie Busfield, Events and Administration Coordinator
p: 0064 (0) 9 526 0760
m: 0064 (0) 21 220 6461
e:fbusfield@paralympics.org.nz
Frankie comes to PNZ having completed a First-Class Honours Degree in Sociology, where he specialised in sport politics, media, and development. With a background in customer service and having been involved in community sport for most of his life, he is looking forward to working in transformative projects that engage youth, and enhance the experiences of disabled people in sport and beyond.
As Events and Administration Coordinator, Frankie supports the team to deliver against the objectives of the PNZ Strategic Plan and the PNZ Business Plan. Responsibilities include planning and delivery of PNZ events, CRM management and other administrative assistance for all team members.
Rod Corban, Performance Psychologist
m: 0064 (0) 21 941 765
e:rod.corban@gmail.com
Rod has worked within Para sport since 2006 as a psychologist supporting Para athletes mental health in their everyday lives and helping them develop their performance mindset.
Damian Wiseman, Para Cycling Performance Coach & Lead Performance Scientist
m: 0064 (0) 275 098 243
e: dwiseman@paralympics.org.nz
Damian is highly respected in high performance sport having worked in the sector for more than eight years, completing his PhD research as part of his role with the Cycling New Zealand track programme. He has been coaching athletes across a variety of sports since the late 90’s, with an emphasis in all disciplines of cycling in particular track sprint cycling.
Michael Johnson, SHOOTING PARA SPORT LEAD
m: 0064 (0) 21 643 018.
e: shooting@paralympics.org.nz
Paralympian #148 Michael Johnson leads and manages the PNZ Shooting Para Sport programme as PNZ Shooting Para Sport Lead. Michael supports the development of the Shooting Para sport strategy and engage with necessary stakeholders required to assist in the implementation of the strategy and scope the possibility of integration of Shooting Para sport into the New Zealand Shooting Federation.
Jack Cooper, Para Cycling Development Coach
m: 0064 (0) 21 090 70991
e: jcooper@paralympics.org.nz
Jack is responsible for identifying and developing talented Para cyclists who have the potential to represent New Zealand on the world stage by working closely with the Para cycling high performance team. He works with regional coaches and clubs to provide coaching and support to Para cyclists at all levels.
