Our People
Leadership team
Assistant Retirement Commissioner
Peter Cordtz (Ngātiwai, Ngāti Hine)
My responsibilities as Assistant Retirement Commissioner include supporting the integration of our community work into CFFC’s Financial Capability team and its connection with the broader National Strategy system. Our community programmes focus on improving the wellbeing of New Zealanders most at risk of arriving at retirement in poor financial health, particularly Māori and Pasifika communities. Key initiatives support cross-sector partnerships by embedding financial capability into their programmes.
Director – Financial Capability
Nick Thomson
I lead a team that develops and delivers financial education for New Zealanders. This involves overseeing the design and innovation of learning strategies to ensure New Zealanders are equipped with the financial knowledge, skills and confidence to make good financial decisions at every stage of their lives.
Director – Marketing
Lyndsey Francis
I lead a team focused on effectively connecting trusted information to New Zealanders across the Sorted and CFFC programmes and services. We are responsible for understanding our audiences, where to find them and how best to inform and inspire them using technology, data, content and media to enhance our ability to change behaviours and improve financial confidence heading into retirement.
Director – Communications
Estelle Sarney
I lead a team that provides advice and support to the Retirement Commissioner and broader organisation for the delivery of strategic internal and external communication. We ensure the distribution of trustworthy information, assist in informed advocacy and help facilitate effective collaboration with our stakeholders to help improve retirement outcomes for New Zealanders.
Director – Corporate Services
Nisha Keetels (Ngāti Raukawa, Tuhoe)
I am responsible for leading the core operational functions within CFFC. I support the Retirement Commissioner by overseeing Finance, Human Resources, IT and the administration functions. My team and I ensure CFFC’s working environment, culture and operations are effective and comply with best practice. When we do our job well, the rest of the team are more effectively supported to improve the financial wellbeing and capability of all New Zealanders.
Director – Policy
Dr Suzy Morrissey
I lead a team that supports the Retirement Commissioner to shape the CFFC’s policy and research work and activities. I oversee the CFFC’s research programme, the statutory three-yearly Review of Retirement Income Policies, the National Strategy for Financial Capability, and the statutory role to monitor the effects of the Retirement Villages Act, the Regulations and Code of Practice.
Kaihautū
Dr Kathie Irwin (Ngāti Porou, Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu)
I help drive improvement in retirement outcomes for Māori by connecting and aligning the CFFC’s work with related state sector policy streams. My background as a Māori academic in tertiary education, and in senior management and governance for iwi and public sector organisations, enables me to imbue the CFFC and its work with te ao Māori so that we champion the Treaty of Waitangi, support diversity and inclusion, and implement Māori strategies to create positive change.
Policy
Retired Persons Lead
Position currently vacant
National Strategy Lead
Dr Brenda Leeuwenberg
Research Lead
Dr Celestyna Galicki
Research Assistant
Sophia Li
Financial Capability
Sorted Website Lead
Kate Reddington
Learning Development Lead
Tista Lythe
Learning Designer – EME
Su Min Ahn
Kaitakawaenga/Learning Designer MME
Marina Kawe-Peautolu (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu)
Learning Development Specialist
Tania Vercoelen
Learning Development Administrator
Liline Hewett
Learning Delivery Lead
Marc Harris
Learning Specialist Schools
Jill MacDonald
Kaikōkiri/Learning Specialist – Kura
Erin Thompson (Tainui, Te Arawa, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri)
Relationship Specialist – Communities
Ana Tu'inukuafe
Relationship Specialist – Workplaces
Marco Ghirardelli
Learning Delivery Administrator
Paul Nicolini
Marketing
Marketing & Content Lead
Kelly Phillips
Digital Marketing Specialist
Hannah Merceanu
Product Marketing Specialist
Felicity Weller
Graphic Designer
Abigail Kerr
Digital Assets Lead
Jason Gambitsis
Data and Analytics Specialist
Tom Maden
Web Administrator
Morgan Martin
Communications
Personal Finance Lead
Tom Hartmann
Communications Specialist
Lucinda Haworth
Corporate Services
Finance Lead
Gemma Fulton
People Lead
Kristy Allan
Business Lead
Nick Beard
Assistant Accountant
Shristi Singh
Governance Administrator
Rebecca Jenner
Business Administrator
Minna Birch