The Ember Korowai Takitini Group Leadership team brings together Operational, Financial, People and Culture and Innovation leadership talent across the organisation.
Governance is led by the
Ember Wellbeing Trust Board
Derek Wright, Chair
Derek has a long career in the mental health and addictions sector in Aotearoa and internationally. He authored the 1997 report that informed the Mental Health Commission Blueprint for Mental Health Services and has held governance roles with Careerforce, Platform, Navigate, and the Australian National Mental Health Framework Modelling Group. More recently, he has led the development of models of care and respite services across several regions in Aotearoa.
John Marsden CNZM, Kaumātua
John has a wide-ranging career spanning banking, education, and the health sector. He has held roles at Starship Children’s Hospital and helped establish the Ngāti Whātua Māori health provider. John now works at Te Puna Hauora on Auckland’s North Shore and brings extensive governance experience, serving as Chair, Trustee, or Director across several Māori organisations and as a cultural adviser to a range of groups.
Terri Eggleton
Terri brings experience across Chartered Accountancy, philanthropy, impact investment, and governance. Her background combines financial expertise with a strong commitment to purpose-led organisations and community outcomes.
Eddy Royal
Eddy founded the creative agency Curative in 2012 and has led a range of change initiatives in Aotearoa. Her work includes The Hive, a youth-led approach connecting government and young people, and D*List, a platform supporting disability culture and inclusion through storytelling.
Alison Taylor
Alison has extensive governance and executive leadership experience, including roles as Chief Executive of the Centre for Social Impact, the Ministry of Youth Development, and the Mental Health Foundation. She is a director of Ember Innovations and has served as a trustee of Philanthropy New Zealand and the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation.
Dr Peter Watson
Pete is an experienced specialist doctor who worked in Counties Manukau for more than 30 years, including as Clinical Director of Mental Health and Addictions and Chief Medical Officer. He now lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch and holds a range of governance and consulting roles across government and NGO organisations.
