Executive Leadership Team
Andrea Midgen
Chief Executive
Andrea Midgen joined Blind Low Vision NZ in January 2024 as Chief Executive.
Andrea began her career in an accounts office while pursuing qualifications as a Chartered Accountant. After leading finance teams in New Zealand’s building insulation, road transport, and England’s air cargo industries, she discovered a passion for people. Returning to New Zealand, Andrea joined Ericsson Cellular as GM Operations during the early days of mobile phones.
Later, at Vodafone (1998-2008), Andrea held pivotal roles, including Financial Controller, Executive Sponsor for a $500 million system replacement project, and Technology Integration lead. Then, as CFO/Strategist at Southern Cross Group (2009-2014), she focused on group financials and strategic planning.
From 2015 to 2022, Andrea transformed SPCA Auckland, unifying 42 independent societies into ‘One SPCA.’ Her significant achievements here include improved income streams, fundraising initiatives, and expanding the Op Shop network.
Beyond work, Andrea enjoys hiking, yoga, volunteering, reading, jigsaws, and spending time with her husband, son, family and friends.
Greg Hurn
Chief Financial Officer
Greg has over 13 years of experience at Blind Low Vision NZ as the Chief Financial Officer. He brings a wealth of experience in financial management, strategic planning, business development initiatives and customer service. He consistently demonstrates a capacity for swift decision-making and effective problem-solving.
Greg also oversees the property division of Blind Low Vision NZ and is a Board Member of Foundation Properties Limited. He was a key player in the development of the Mobility Training Centre, the new Parnell Office and Retirement Village project.
Greg believes in leading by example and fostering an environment of open communication and shared purpose. Greg’s aim is to ensure we are financially sound and sustainable over the long term horizon.
In his spare time Greg is an avid lawn bowls player and recently became a grandfather for the first time.
Liz Ansell
General Manager Client Services
Liz is a seasoned leader with experience across both public and private sectors including FMCG, banking, media and security. Following extensive experience in HR and managing change, she is thrilled to bring her skills into managing and growing a team of people passionate about providing first-class service in the not-for-profit sector
Mark Dickinson
General Manager Business Services
Joining Blind Low Vision NZ in 2018, Mark has extensive New Zealand and International operational and senior leadership experience in the commercial areas of banking, management consulting and IT management as well as business management roles in the public education sector.
Mark’s focus in leading the Business Services portfolio is to enable the development and implementation of creative business solutions to support our entire organisation as we strive to achieve best in class performance, delivering superior service outcomes for our members and clients.
Gwen Green
General Manager Engagement and Marketing
Gwen has over 20-years fundraising, marketing, and communications experience both in New Zealand and the UK. She has also worked with organisations across the globe to support their development of best practice fundraising strategies, notably in South Africa and across the Pacific. Gwen has a passion for developing donor focused fundraising, creating new income opportunities, and re-visioning existing fundraising strategies to maximise income generation in ways that are flexible to our ever changing world.
Marjorie Hawkings
Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive
Marjorie joined Blind Low Vision NZ in 2010. She has held a number of different positions during her tenure and has been in her current role since 2020. Marjorie is also the Compliments and Complaints Officer; manages the internal Travel Centre Team and is Board Secretary for Foundation Properties Limited and Bledisloe Royston Trust.
Marjorie consistently demonstrates exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the organisation. Prior to her employment at Blind Low Vision NZ, she spent many years overseas and has extensive experience as an accomplished and dedicated Executive Assistant with a proven track record of providing high-level support to executive management teams.
Catherine Simanu
General Manager People
Catherine is a seasoned leader of People functions at an executive level who has worked across diverse industries for over 20 years. These industries include Banking, Education, Technology, FMCG, and Health. As a member of Executive Leadership teams, she had reported to CEO’s and contributed at Board level on all matters relating to people.
Most recently, Catherine has worked for Te Whatu Ora (HealthNZ) during the transition/transformation of the previous DHB model to a unified singular National Health operation model. In this role, Catherine led the change programme for a Data & Digital shared services agency to transition this service into the National Data & Digital function as well as transitioning her own People and Culture team of 15 into the newly formed National P&C function.
Catherine is known for being resilient, pragmatic, and composed under pressure, drawing on her experience to ensure business stability during challenging situations. She can deliver at both a strategic and operational level and loves building and growing a team as well as advising senior colleagues on people related commercial issues. In her new role at Blind Low Vision NZ, Catherine is keen to champion a workplace and culture that is engaged, connected, and working to its full potential to be a ‘great place to work’ to deliver the very best to our clients and stakeholders.
