Our People

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.

Retired Persons Lead
Dr Michelle Reyers (from 22 February, 2021)

National Strategy Lead
Dr Brenda Leeuwenberg 

Research Lead
Dr Celestyna Galicki

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
Position vacant

Learning Delivery Administrator
Paul Nicolini

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

Personal Finance Lead
Tom Hartmann

Communications Specialist
Lucinda Haworth

Finance Lead
Gemma Fulton

People Lead
Kristy Allan

Business Lead
Nick Beard

Assistant Accountant 
Shristi Singh

Governance Administrator
Rebecca Jenner

Business Administrator
Minna Birch