Lync Aronson

President

President for Brain Injury NZ

I am excited and deeply honoured to assume the role of President, building upon my experiences as the former Vice-President of BINZ and as Chairperson of Brain Injury Association Otago. In my current role as Chairperson, my focus has been on fostering a welcoming and inclusive board environment. It’s vital that our Regional Representatives and Board Members feel valued and continue to contribute effectively to our national mission.

Dr. Kelly Jones

Vice-President

PhD, PGDipPsychPrac

Associate Professor AUT, Neuropsychology programme Lead, Brain Injury Waikato – Executive Board Chairperson

Kelly is an NZ Registered Psychologist, with extensive experience in the neuropsychological assessment of infants and children.

Kelly coordinates the Paediatric TBI Consortium that brings together researchers, clinicians, and others with an interest in this area. Kelly has particular interests in child outcomes following mild TBI and a range of other health conditions.

Kelly has been working with Brain Injury Waikato since first coming into contact about the ‘Brain Injury Incidence and Outcomes New Zealand in the Community (BIONIC1)’ study, funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand in 2010.

When she is not working or spending time with her husband and two beautiful teenage boys, Kelly enjoys overnight stays on the family boat at Lake Tarawera, hanging out with the pets, and walking ‘Daisy’ the dog.

Arnold Andrews

Secretary

Arnold is the Chair of Brain Injury Waikato, and is an experienced governance professional with a demonstrated history of working in local government and not for profits. Skilled in organisational behaviour, intercultural communication, accounting, event management, income tax, marketing, relationship management, and strategic thinking

Armed with a master’s degree in business and management from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, he holds postgraduate diplomas in Project Management and Human Resource Management. He is a proud alumnus of Kristu Jayanti College, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in commerce.

Iain Watkins

Board Member, previous Chairperson.

Whilst studying psychology at Auckland University I asked Professor Jenny Ogden if she knew of any voluntary work I could do as I had some time on my hands. She suggested I approached Dr Dorothy Gromwell at the Concussion Clinic, Auckland Hospital and that was the start of my relationship with Brain Injury. I worked for the next 3 years with Dr Dorothy Gromwell and Mr Philip Wrightson in the early 90s.

During this time the Stewart Centre was established under the banner of the Auckland Head Injury Society and I also made myself available to do some voluntary work there. I went on to become a neuropsychologist with a particular interest in working on the treatment side of brain injury rather than the assessment side as I could see that whilst people were being assessed and recommendations were being made there were very few psychologists at the time working on carrying out those recommendations.

I became the Vice President of the Northland Brain Injury Association in 2006 and then the president in 2008 when Alex Stewart stood down. In 2009 I became the Northland representative on the Brain Injury New Zealand National Council until it was wound up in 2011.

I have also been involved on the management side of health and was the Group Manager of Mental Health Services and Clinical Support at Northland DHB. I now own and run a medical centre in Whangarei in partnership with my wife who is a GP.

Nerrily Frith

Nerrily has been with the Brain Injury Association of Wanganui for about 10 years. She started off as a board member, then moved into the positions of president and liaison officer, and was added to the National board three years ago.

I’ve had a long history of volunteering for many charities and community groups. I sit on three Wanganui District Council committees that focus on people with disabilities and the elderly. My interest in the Brain Injury Association began when my daughter Nicole was knocked off her bike while training as a road cyclist. She suffered a brain injury, which led to epilepsy. Over the years, Nicole has worked extremely hard, and much of her brain injury has diminished or even gone. I enjoy giving back to the community and making a difference.

David Crombie

David is the Central Representative for the BINZ board, and has been a board member since
2015. As accountant and as President of Wellington Brain Injury Association he brings a
wealth of governance experience and knowledge.

Cheryl Hollis

Liaison Representative  

John Skelton

Chartered Accountant

Clare Havell-Shufflebotham

National Administration Officer