Image above: Top left Sandra Matthews, top right Felicity Evans, bottom left Dr Michael Wynn-Williams, and bottom right Dr Nicola Ngawati.
Endometriosis New Zealand, Aotearoa’s national endometriosis organisation, has announced the appointment of four new members to its Board – Dr Michael Wynn-Williams, Dr Nicola Ngawati, Sandra Matthews and Felicity Evans.
CEO Tanya Cooke, who joined the organisation in May, says the new Board members were selected due to their strong and diverse skill sets, as well as their commitment to improving outcomes for people living with endometriosis.
“I’m looking forward to working with our new Board to develop Endometriosis New Zealand’s strategic plan in 2022. Together, we will continue to strive for better management of endometriosis in our society and work towards growing our important services and programmes throughout the country,” she said.
Dr Michael Wynn-Williams is an Auckland-based Gynaecologist and Endometriosis Specialist with more than 19 years’ experience caring for people with endometriosis. He leads the Minimally Invasive Surgery Team at Auckland District Health board and is also a member of the Women’s Health Pelvic Pain Team at Auckland District Health Board.
Dr Nicola Ngawati (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Hine) brings her extensive experience in diversity and inclusion to the Board. She is a Director (Kaiwhakahaere Matua) at Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women, and is the Crown representative on the Joint Research Committee related to the Inquiry’s research programme. She is also a Ministerial appointment to the Board of Diversity Works New Zealand.
Sandra Matthews understands from personal experience just how seriously endometriosis can impact lives, as she and her daughter both suffer from the disease. Sandra has significant experience in the charitable and volunteer industries, as the co-founder of Farming Women Tairāwhiti (FWT).
Felicity Evans brings considerable executive experience as the former ANZ Human Resources Executive for New Zealand and Pacific Islands and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She is also a Board Member of Global Women and Chair of the Leadership Committee.
The four new appointments join existing Board members Glenda Harding, Dr Fiona Connell and Katie Holcroft.