Board & Governance

Murray began his working career in the Canterbury Savings Bank, initially leading its computerisation and later the finance and then the banking function for Trust Bank NZ.

Following that organisation’s acquisition by Westpac in 1996 he has held senior management roles across a number of organisations including Assistant Governor in the Reserve Bank, Head of operations for ACC, and CEO of the Foundation for Research Science and Technology and subsequently the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

For the last 10 years Murray has been involved in the boards of organisations in various sectors including health, banking, tertiary education, retirement villages and electricity lines companies. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Murray is delighted to be on the Board of Comcare as he enjoys working with organisations that are making a positive difference to people’s lives while also facing the business opportunities and challenges that growth brings in the NFP sector.

Senior Advisor Health in all Policies, Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand

Sandy has an extensive experience in the health sector, holding management, research, funding and policy roles with much of that time as an independent practitioner.

Sandy is also a director of the governance company BoardClarity Ltd which offers governance training and support to large NGOs and companies in New Zealand. Sandy chaired Christchurch Resettlement Services for 10 years, and was on the Papanui High School board for almost 10 years, 4 of those as chair. She continues to contribute at board level across a range of organisation and joined the Comcare board in 2018.

Sandy is also a director of the governance company BoardClarity Ltd which offers governance training and support to large NGO’s and companies in New Zealand. Sandy chaired Christchurch Resettlement Services for 10 years, and was on the Papanui High School board for almost 10 years, 4 of those as chair. 

Mark is a Registered Nurse by profession and spent almost all of his clinical career in Emergency Departments both in Christchurch & Australia. He also has a Master of Public Health.

He moved into management and has held senior and executive management roles in District Health Boards in New Zealand and in Australia. He assisted in leading the response to the Swine Flu Pandemic in 2009, the Canterbury Earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016, and the Covid 19 Pandemic in 2020. Mark has been self-employed since 2017 and has been leading large health infrastructure projects across New Zealand, including Te Nikau Grey Hospital and the New Dunedin Hospital project, amongst others. Mark is currently engaged by the Infrastructure & Investment Group of Te Whatu Ora, in the Mental Health Infrastructure Programme, and is Project Directing across the South Island and Hutt Valley. This current role has immersed Mark in all thing’s mental health, including service planning, models of care and the pivotal role that community-based organisations play in the recovery of tangata whaiora, and he wishes to add value to Comcare to continue this important work. Mark has held 3 other Board positions, all in health-related organisations. 

Jaida is recognised as a visionary leader with a long history of executive leadership, underpinned by agile and comprehensive commercial and financial acumen and political nous. Jaida has spent the last 15 years in complex and challenging Government and quasi-Government C level roles, including: organisational redesign; business, culture and technology transformation; CE advisory and coaching; and Board advisory, assurance and capability development roles. Jaida has designed and delivered award winning transformational change in multiple sectors including health, higher education, and insurance.  In recognition of her work with refugee and first nation peoples, Jaida was honoured by the Governor of Victoria in Australia.

Jaida holds post graduate legal and business degrees, and is pursuing an Arts degree in Māori and Indigenous Studies. Currently a Trustee for the National Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and a Board member of Recovered Living NZ – a residential service working with people with eating disorders, Jaida is passionate about giving back.

As a Psychiatrist working with Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Health New Zealand Canterbury, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges faces in the community for those experiencing mental illness. As a member of the Board of Comcare it is a privilege to be able to share my awareness with an organisation that has proven it can meet these challenges and is ambitious about tackling the growing need. 

I have always had a curiosity about human behaviour and mental wellbeing. I initially studied Neuroscience at Otago University, where I gained a Master’s degree. This study consolidated my interest and with the aim of practicing psychiatry I embarked on my medical degree at the University of Sydney.  I returned to Aotearoa to practice medicine and have worked in Canterbury and on the West Coast. I completed my psychiatric training in Christchurch, Otautahi where I live with my young family.  I am currently working as an inpatient psychiatrist at Hillmorton Hospital. 

Brooke is an accomplished executive leader and recipient of the Institute of Directors Canterbury Branch First Steps in Governance Award 2023. Currently holding the roles of General Counsel and Chief Operating at Calder Stewart, Brooke brings a wealth of experience and a pragmatic, outcome-focussed approach.  

Passionate about building strong relationships as the foundation for strong organisational and board culture, Brooke is thrilled to join the Comcare Charitable Trust for a 12-month internship and to be part of the important work Comcare does in the community. 

Brooke’s expertise includes aligning organisational strategy with key business drivers, implementing robust enterprise risk management processes, nurturing both financial and human capital, and facilitating sustainable growth strategies. 

Michael is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Assurance Partner at BDO Christchurch. He has more than 30 years’ commercial and governance experience and currently serves on a number of both for-profit and not-for-profit Boards and Audit and Risk Committees including; Christchurch City Holdings Limited, Ara Institute of Canterbury, and Environment Canterbury. He is also currently the Chair of Golf NZ and has been on a number of sport related entity Boards. Michael also has extensive experience in the education sector having been a statutory appointee to a number of Schools around NZ.

Michael is married with three adult children. He enjoys using his skills to support local organisations and is committed to helping Comcare deliver for all those in the community it serves.

Tracy comes from a bicultural whānau. On her mother’s side – her family migrated to Aotearoa from Scotland, and on her father’s side – she affiliates to Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi. Tracy is a clinical psychologist, with a doctorate in Māori Health holding roles in ACC sensitive claims and with the Department of MIHI, University of Otago, Christchurch. Her greatest, and most important role is as a parent, and she treasures time spent with her now adult son. Tracy believes in a future for Aotearoa that is equitable, just, and inclusive, enriched by the diversity within our communities. Tracy is honoured to join the Comcare Charitable Trust Board, in support of their services supporting people who experience mental illness and addictions living well.

Michaela is a values-driven leader with over 16 years’ experience across the health sector, specialising in Māori and priority population hauora, equity, and quality improvement. Her work focuses on strengthening access to care, improving outcomes, and supporting system-level change through culturally responsive and evidence-informed approaches.

In her role at Pegasus Health, Michaela leads the Equity Leadership Team and oversees initiatives that build organisational capability, support priority communities, and embed equity and mātauranga Māori across practice. She has extensive experience in primary care operations, including Health Care Home development, outreach immunisation services, and workforce initiatives, as well as contributing to national quality improvement work.

Michaela holds governance roles across a number of organisations, including as Co-Chair of Ngā Matapihi o te Wairua Māori Leadership Rōpū (General Practice NZ) and Board Member of Brave Hearts NZ. She is also a member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Te Peka o Rāpaki. Through these roles, she brings a strong focus on equity, accountability, and community voice in governance and decision-making.