The Council is a group of future-focused thinkers, connectors and advocates who care passionately about advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US. We are fortunate to be well supported by our members via their governance leadership and assistance with the activities of the Council.
The Council operates as an incorporated society and in accordance with its rules of incorporation. These provide for the establishment and operation of two governance bodies – an executive committee and advisory board – and the position of executive director. Executive committee members, including the chair, are elected at our annual AGM to two-year terms.
Executive Committee
The executive committee meets regularly to set and oversee the Council’s work programme and the day-to-day running of the Council by the executive director.
Sam took the helm at Beef and Lamb New Zealand in 2016, after 3 years as CEO of the New Zealand Meat Board. He brings over 25 years of strategic thinking and management experience, primarily in the food and agribusiness sector. Sam’s extensive portfolio of skills include strategy development and implementation at both industry and organisational level, increasing organisational effectiveness, brand development, public relations and governance. He is an effective relationship builder who is able to bring disparate groups together, leveraging each other’s expertise and resources to achieve common goals.
In her role at New Zealand’s largest business advocacy group, Catherine works with government and other key decision makers on issues of concern to exporters and manufacturers. Her career as a lobbyist spans over 20 years, covering a wide range of industries on a wide range of issues, including climate change, the insurance sector and the agricultural sector. Catherine has participated in Prime Minister led trade missions to Indonesia and China, and represents BusinessNZ at annual Global Federation of Competitiveness Council meetings.
At Wisk – hailed as the world's coolest air taxi company – Anna is working on making the vision of everyday flight a reality for everyone. Anna has more than 20 years’ experience working with senior leaders in the public, private and community sectors - building brands, engaging with community and business, shaping market strategy and nurturing strategic relationships to create business and social outcomes that make a difference. She has served as a trusted advisor to Chairs and CEOs in New Zealand and overseas.
Jenny leads a team of people that drives Fonterra’s engagement and advocacy on strategic trade issues globally. She has over 15 years’ experience working in a range of trade roles, both in the private sector and with the New Zealand Government. This includes roles at both the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Jenny is an experienced trade negotiator, having been involved in a range of WTO and free trade agreement negotiations. She also served for a period as New Zealand’s Geneva-based agriculture negotiator.
Professor Jenny Dixon is responsible for international education and international relations, government and stakeholder engagement in New Zealand, alumni relations and development and Pacific strategy and engagement. Her research has focused on urban development and policy, environmental governance and sustainable design. She chairs a number of University and external bodies, including the University’s Creative Thinking Board, and represents the University on several international organisations, including Universitas 21 (U21), Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE).
Michael is a highly respected voice for business and has led the Chamber for more than 25 years. In his role as CEO he leads a management team dedicated to fostering business success by providing a wide range of business advisory and support services to the business community. He is committed to diversity in the workplace and achieving greater work-life balance. Prior to the Auckland Chamber, Michael spent 15 years within the manufacturing and supply chain industries involved with importing and distribution in New Zealand. In 2011 he was a proud recipient of a NZ Order of Merit for services to business.
Advisory Board
The advisory board provides strategic advice and contextual insight, meets formally 2-3 times per year, and advises on and is involved in the Council’s work programme.
Advisory Board Chair
FRAN O’SULLIVAN
Chair and executive committee member | Director of NZ INC Ltd
Fran was a founder-director of the Council in 2001, is chair of the advisory board and serves on the executive committee. She is the director of NZ INC (Ltd) – publisher of the newzealandinc.com website which focuses on New Zealand’s business engagement with top markets. One of New Zealand’s most experienced journalists, Fran is also a lead columnist for The New Zealand Herald – New Zealand’s largest daily newspaper – writing predominantly on politics, business and international affairs. She is a former Editor of the National Business Review – NZ’s leading business weekly and a former Assistant Editor at the New Zealand Herald.
Advisory Board members
Rt. Hon. Jim Bolger, ONZ
Former Chairman, NZUS Council
Leanne Cheesman
National Sales Manager, United Airlines
Erica Crawford
Managing Director, Tentpole Holdings
Chip Dawson
CEO/MD, International Business Management Ltd, Chairman & President, Baseball NZ
Charles Finny
Chair, Education New Zealand
Philip Gregan
CEO, New Zealand Winegrowers
Mike Hearn
Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand
Suzanne Snively, ONZM
Managing Director, More Media Enterprises
Dr. John Wood, CNZM QSO
Former NZ Ambassador to the US