About NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation \ Our People
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Board of Trustees
 Ronald MacGregor (Jock) Irvine, ONZM, Notary Public, Chairperson
Present Time
Chairperson of the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation.
Jock is also Honorary Consul in Auckland for SA, Chair of the Norfolk Islands Gaming Authority and Trustee of Sport Auckland.
Past
Jock Irvine was a senior partner of Auckland legal firm Simpson Grierson, Chairperson of the Casino Control Authority from its inception in 1990 until August 1999, and a member of the Norfolk Island Gaming Authority. Jock has also held several board positions in non profit organisations including Chairperson of SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust and Chairman of the Football Association. In 1997 Jock was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the legal profession.
Education
University of Auckland Law School (LLB).
 Andrea Brady BSc (Hons), MA (Comms Mgt)
Present Time
Board Member for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. Andrea is also the Director (owner/operator) of Catalyst Communication Consulting Limited, an Auckland based consulting business, specialising in corporate communication and healthcare public relations for clients across Asia Pacific.
Past
Andrea has worked extensively across the healthcare sector. Initially as a medical researcher for various women’s health issues including breast cancer, infertility and placental insufficiency, and then more recently as a communication specialist for corporate and healthcare clients including government departments, primary industry, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and not-for-profit organisations.
Education
Andrea holds an Honours Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a Master of Arts (Communication Management).
Summary
Andrea has a strong background in health and medical research, patient education and specialist healthcare communication. She has worked on numerous health campaigns ranging from childhood vaccines through to weight management and women’s health and wellbeing. Andrea works closely with NZ media and healthcare providers to educate the public about gynaecological cancers.
Specialties
Public education, healthcare communication, community consultation and media relations. Communication strategy, issues and crisis management.
 Dr Ai Ling Tan, (Auckland), Gynaecological Oncologist (MBBS, DipObs, FRANZCOG, MRCOG, CGO)
Present Time
Board Member for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. Currently working at Auckland City Hospital and Ascot Hospital as a Specialist Gynecology Oncologist.
Past
Graduated from the University of Adelaide and then worked as a postgraduate Doctor and National Women’s and Greenlane Hospital. Dr Tan went on to specialize in Gynecology Oncology at Sydney and Melbourne.
Education
Specialist Gynaecology Oncologist.
Summary
One of the few Specialist Gynaecology Oncologists in New Zealand. Extensive research and clinical experience.
Specialties
Pre malignant & malignant gynecology cancers, pre cancerous disease of the lower genital tract, colposcopy, vulva disease.
 Nicola Edwards
Present Time
Board Member for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. Nicola is also a self employed IT Consultant.
Past
Nicola has been a volunteer for several organisations in the not for profit sector including the Foundation since 2009. She has also held several corporate IT roles and has particular expertise in project management.
Summary
Volunteer, project manager and IT consultant. Nicola works exclusively in the not for profit sector both as a volunteer and consultant.
Specialties
Project management, governance and broad experience in the not for profit sector.
 Bridgette Jackson
Present Time
Board member for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. Sponsorship Manager and Member of the Coatesville Primary PFA.
Past
Bridgette has had an exciting and varied career in the legal sphere. She worked as a Researcher/Executive Assistant to the Hon Peter Dunne MP before working in the legal recruitment field. Bridgette then moved to Sydney and worked for Thomson & Legal Regulatory Group as a Product Manager for legal products. Then together with her husband Bret, founded and grew their own successful catalogue retail based business in Australia. Three years and two hundred staff later, the business was sold. Bridgette headed up a number of portfolios including human resources, administration and marketing. The highlight for Bridgette was establishing the business’ charity foundation. Bridgette is also the mother of four delightful children ranging in age from 9 years to 2 years.
Education
University of Otago Law School (LLB), Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, Massey University Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDipBusAdmin) (Dispute Resolution).
Summary
Sadly Bridgette lost her wonderful and viviacious mother to ovarian cancer in September 2009. Bridgette’s business knowledge and her personal experience has motivated her to follow her passion of assisting not-for-profit organisations, such as NZGCF, achieve positive and meaningful contributions in society.
 Sarah Hutchings (RNComp, RM, BHSc, MA)
Present Time
Board Member for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation, Director Orsini Fine Jewellery and Board member of Fertility New Zealand and Parnell Inc.
Past
General Manager for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. National Sales Manager for CSL Biotechnology. Sarah worked in London with leading Gynecologists with a company called Ethicon, advising surgeons on the correct use of gynecological surgical equipment. Key Account Manager for the women’s health portfolio for Schering Health Care,UK. Sarah also worked for the University of Auckland as a Research Midwife for several years and also worked as a Medical Team Midwife specializing in high risk patients.
Education
Registered Comprehensive Nurse, Registered Midwife, Bachelor of Health Science, Master of Arts (Health Science), Ultrasonographer (Part 1).
Summary
Sarah has a broad range of knowledge relating to women’s health, nursing & research. Sarah has an extensive professional experience as well as having personally losing her Mother to Uterine Cancer and having a sister-in-law who has experienced high grade cervical cancer.
Specialties
Womens health research, senior management, nursing & midwifery, patient education, retail.
Management Team
 Michelle Quirk
Present
Michelle is currently General Manager of the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation
Michelle is also a Mentor with First Foundation (www.firstfoundation.org.nz), and an advisor to US-based The Milestones Project (www.milestonesproject.com).
Past
After qualifying as a lawyer in the mid-1990s, Michelle worked as a corporate lawyer in Wellington before heading overseas for her OE in 1998. After a stint in the South of France at a French immersion school and two years at London Business School, Michelle spent several years in strategy and senior business management roles with global law firm Linklaters and later with Berwin Leighton Paisner where she helped the firm transform from a mid-market firm to a leading player in the London and European legal markets. During her time at Berwin Leighton Paisner the firm won numerous awards including the prestigious ‘Law Firm of the Year’ awards in 2004 (The Lawyer) and 2005 (Chambers & Partners).
After returning to New Zealand with a young family in late 2007, Michelle decided she wanted to use her experience and energy 'to make a difference'. In early 2008 Michelle joined leading educational trust First Foundation as Business Development Manager where she worked as part of the senior executive team to develop and expand the organisation's national scholarship programme. First Foundation was named 'NZ Trust of the Year' in 2008.
Education
Michelle holds a LLB (Honours) and BA in Politics from Otago University; a MBA (Distinction) from London Business School; and is a Fellow of Leadership New Zealand's Class of 2009.
 Jan Barker
Present TIme
Volunteer Financial Officer for the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation.
Past
Jan runs her own plumbing business called K&B Plumbing and has had many years experience managing the accounts.
Summary
Jan is a very capable accounts person, running a large family owned business, and has a vested interest in helping the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation as she has also experienced cervical cancer. Jan is very busy helping out with her 2 teenage sons sporting pursuits. Jan is also very involved with helping St Kentigern’s College Rowing teams.
Co-founders of Silver Ribbon Foundation (now NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation)
Silver Ribbon Foundation was co-founded by the daughers of Leonie Coates:
Rachel Brown, BA
 Rachel Brown (nee Coates) BA Soc - was co-founder of the Silver Ribbon Foundation. Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Canterbury University.
She worked voluntarily as a telephone counselor and face to face as a youth counselor (the later as part of her Masters Degree in Education – incomplete). Rachel had 4 years as a Recruitment Consultant, working in London, Sydney, Wellington and Christchurch. She worked for 6 years as an Account Manager for several multinational companies across both private and public medical facilities, in both Pharmaceuticals and Medical technology. In these roles Rachel gained valuable experience in the fields of Oncology, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Respiratory, Blood Collection and Intravenous Technology. Rachel then became Director of her own company, working as a Personal Insurance Consultant, with a focus primarily on women’s personal health related insurances.
Rachel is presently a Marketing Manager and lives in Queenstown with her husband.
Jackie Whiting
 Jackie Whiting is sister to Rachel Brown and co founder of the Silver Ribbon Foundation for Gynaecological Cancer.
Jackie is a director of a family-owned construction company.
Jackie is the mother of two young ladies, and has actively participated in school fundraising and committee events. She has also acted as a Regional Coordinator for the breast cancer Pink Ribbon Day.
Jackie has a strong social and business network in the Canterbury region.
In May 2006, Rachel and Jackie lost their mother, Leonie Coates, to ovarian cancer.
Advisors
Dr Peter Sykes (Christchurch), Gynaecological Oncologist - Medical Advisor
Margaret Heffernan, OAM (Melbourne), Author "Sex, Sanity and Survival, The Gynaecological Cancer Guide" (buy it here!)
Alliances
International Ovarian Cancer Community:
We hold quarterly telephone conferences to share resources, information and research updates.
Memberships
New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group
Australia / New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group www.anzgog.org.au
For information on the ANZGOG Committee and their role, please click here.
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