Global reach, local impact

Dr Kate McConnon’s work history has enabled her to gain contemporary knowledge and practice of medical leadership in health service systems. Dr McConnon is very familiar with the systems and processes associated with clinical governance, medical workforce planning, accreditation and credentialing. She has experience in strategic planning for health services at the executive level and working with ongoing partnerships for health service delivery.

The Waikato District Health Board is excited to welcome Naomi Knight as the Operations Manager – Cancer & Chronic Conditions. Naomi is a highly motivated and experienced manager and leader with over 14 years’ experience in community, acute, elective, inpatient and outpatient health care across the lifespan. The strengths that she has gained throughout her career have enabled her to work across different specialties, and setting’s/ roles within the health care field along with her organisational knowledge which has enabled her to build relationships with others around the wider DHB and nationally. She thrives on opportunities and challenges to be a leader and manager who is innovative, adaptable, and creative and welcome to change.

The Waikato District Health Board is excited to welcome Daniel Harrison to his new role as the Operations Manager – Community & Rural- Thames & Coromandel Health Services. Daniel is an experienced people manager and leader with a demonstrated history of working in the health, sport, disability, wellness and fitness industry. In his most recent role as the Community Practice Manager at Connexu, Daniel navigates complex and challenging environments to advocate for clients, students, patients, employees, and whānau in a variety of situations, while representing the values of integrity and social justice. He also provides strategic and operational leadership to a variety of staff across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty and represents the disability sector in a positive light to create and promote positive change for all people living with or affected by a disability. Daniel’s previous work experience in various leadership roles has given him the opportunity to develop strong and effective relationships with all stakeholders and motivate staff for optimal personal and organisational performance.

Renee Graham is a proven leader in the Public Service with a track record of delivery. She has a strong social policy background and experience across a range of domains including education and employment. As the current Secretary for Women and Chief Executive, Ministry for Women, she co-led work to develop and implement the action plan to eliminate the Gender Pay Gap in the public service. Renee has also forged collaborative partnerships across the Public Service in areas that include the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry to improve outcomes for wāhine Māori, pay equity, women’s safety from violence, measuring ethnic diversity on boards, and gender in trade.

https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/resources/chief-executive-social-wellbeing-agency-appointed

Waikato DHB has welcomed Lisa Gestro to a new role: executive director strategy, investment and transformation. In 2000, Ms Gestro became the then Southland DHB’s first planning and funding manager. She held senior roles at Auckland and Counties Manukau DHBs, and her most recent role took her back south in 2017 as Southern DHB’s executive director, strategy, primary and community. Prior to this, Ms Gestro led a major programme at ACC.

Andrew Gay’s roles in organisations including CFO for Canberra Health Services and CFO and Chief Procurement Officer for Austin Health have required him to form relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, a skill that he would bring to future roles. He thrives on the challenge of proactively tackling projects and issues across operations. He communicates complex data and issues assisting with informed business decisions and commercial outcomes. Andrew is experienced in developing comprehensive KPI reporting systems to support organisational performance, business intelligence, risk management and audit, redesign to improve organisational efficiency and FTE savings and leadership of capital developments.