Meet our Board

Scott is an active participant in the not-for-profit communities in Australia and New Zealand. He co-founded Sweet Louise in 2005 and his been on the board providing guidance and support ever since.

“I am inspired every day by Sweet Louise. Our members keep telling us that we make a real difference to their lives. Lives that deal with big questions as well as day to day challenges. But lives that can be positive and fulfilling.

"Sweet Louise extends a helping hand, listens, explains and inspires – when I hear about what our wonderful team does every day, it warms my heart and reminds me of why Sweet Louise is so important to me”.

Dame Joan Withers chairs The Warehouse Group and has recently joined the Sky Board of Directors. She is also a Director of ANZ Bank NZ and the former Chief Executive of media firms, The Radio Network and Fairfax New Zealand, as well as being a former Chair of Auckland Airport and of Mercury.

Joan is a member of Global Women and a champion for board diversity and supporting women into senior management and board positions.

“Having known Louise as she faced her greatest challenge, it is a privilege to be able to serve as a trustee and in a very small way assist women living with advanced breast cancer. Louise’s approach and attitude and the support and love she received from Scott was and is an inspiration,” Joan says.

Janet has more than 30 years’ experience as a nurse. For 24 years she worked as a paediatric nurse at Starship Hospital before moving into paediatric palliative care. Janet has been a funeral director for seven years and she is now a Director of Aroha Funerals.

“As Louise’s oldest sister and having been very involved in her care, I had a clear idea about what she would want for other women in the same situation. With my experience as an oncology nurse, I also understand the kinds of issues, both physical and psychological, that women face. I also have an in-depth knowledge of the health system, both inpatient and outpatient, and understand the reality for our members as they navigate the health system.”

Dr Vernon Harvey is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Auckland Medical School. Previously, he was a consultant Medical Oncologist at Auckland Hospital, and he has recently retired from private practice.

In 2010, Vernon was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Medicine, in particular Oncology Research.

“I was Louise’s oncologist and was so impressed by her contagious zest for life. Louise recognised how important 'moments of joy' are for overall well-being. Sweet Louise aims to make these moments of joy possible for every NZer with incurable breast cancer.

Brett is the Chief Executive Officer of Craigs Investment Partners Limited, where he heads the Investment Banking Team. Brett is a prominent figure in the investment industry and has been named an Outstanding Māori Business Leader.

“I was blessed to know Louise and see the power of positive thinking and positive action and how it could both improve the quality and longevity of someone’s life. When Sweet Louise was established, I was grateful for the opportunity to become a Trustee, to see how we could take a proven approach of improving quality in a tangible manner and making that available to all women with metastatic breast cancer throughout New Zealand. To break down all barriers in terms of ethnicity, demographics and geography is our continual objective.”

Pip Muir is a senior partner at law firm Simpson Grierson, where she heads the Employment Law group. Pip is also the Chair of the Auckland Writers Festival and Chair of Fletcher Building’s Employee Educational Fund.

Pip says: “Louise was a wonderful friend and an inspiration to so many of us. I feel privileged to become a Trustee of Sweet Louise – it is a cause that I believe in and care greatly for”.

Chanelle joined the Board of Trustees at Sweet Louise in 2016. She has a strong interest in the arts and has been involved in extensive fundraising and awareness raising initiatives for arts organisations, including New Zealand Opera and Circle 100. Chanelle is also currently Chair of the Patrons of Auckland Art Gallery.

Chanelle spent 15 years in the recruitment industry, managing her own business specialising in office support and middle management recruitment before starting a family.

Chanelle’s interests include travel, playing golf and tennis and outdoor family pursuits.

Dr Sheridan Wilson is a medical oncologist and clinical lead for the medical oncology breast cancer team at Te Pūriri o Te Ora (Cancer and Bloods), Auckland City Hospital. She serves as a Director on the Board of Breast Cancer Trials, where she contributes to advancing cancer research and improving treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients. Sheridan also sits on the assessment committee for Cancer Research Trust New Zealand and is a member of breast cancer working groups for Te Aho o Te Kahu (Cancer Control Agency).

Sheridan's dual perspective as both a practicing oncologist and advocate for cancer research reflects her comprehensive commitment to improving outcomes and quality of life for breast cancer patients across Aotearoa.

"I am inspired every day by the strength of spirit I see in those living with incurable breast cancer. An advanced breast cancer diagnosis can be dominated by the burden of treatment and uncertainty, which is why the tangible support and community that Sweet Louise provides is so invaluable. It is a privilege to be part of an organisation that means so much to its members and makes such a profound difference to the day-to-day wellbeing of those living with incurable breast cancer."