Our Board and Patron
Our Board meets monthly to develop strategies and oversee operational matters.
Simon Gutschlag
President
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Herman van Gessel
Treasurer
I have a background in management accounting and experience working in not-for-profit organizations both in New Zealand and overseas.
Liz Gilliespie
Board Member
I'm the Office Manager at Age Concern Nelson Tasman, served as the Office Manager for Hearing Nelson, and as Board secretary. As a partially deaf person, I appreciate the support offered by Hearing Nelson and Hearing New Zealand. I'm proud of the broad services provided by Hearing Nelson, and offer all my skills to continue our work within the community.
Ann Wheatley
Board Member
I've used hearing hearing aids for more than 30 years. The remarkable technological advances of the past 20 years enabled me to continue my professional practice despite a severe level of loss. I joined the board in 2024 to help ensure that services of Hearing Nelson reflect the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.
Jackie Clemmer
Board Member
I have been an audiologist for nearly 20 years, and have experience on various professional boards, clinician training, philanthropic audiology and management in the public health service. After sensing an increasing need for high-quality and ethical private options, I opened my own successful practice in 2019. This small business has grown sustainably, and now employs two more fantastic people. Committed to both improving hearing and preventing hearing loss, I joined the board in 2023.
Wendy Brydon
Board Member
Philip Woollaston
Patron
A former mayor of Nelson, MP and cabinet minister, Philip also has over 20 years of experience as a local vineyard and winery proprietor. Married to former Hearing Nelson board member Chan, he has moderate hearing loss and wears hearing aids (when he remembers!)