Board Members

Iain Watkins

Chair

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.

Lync Aronson

Vice-President

During my time on the Board we have made significant progress towards serving our Members. From the recent release of the updated Liaison Officers Manual, to the materials we have provided the Regions for Brain Injury Awareness Month, I am very proud to have witness the progress we have made. I will endeavor to serve diligently as the Southern Representative and Vice-President for Brain Injury New Zealand.

Cathy Matthews

Liaison Representative  

Cathy joined the National BI NZ team in 2016 as the Southern Representative (Otago Region).

Cathy has experience in, governance (8 years on the Otago Head Injury Society Board), community committees, School Trustee along with 10 years self-employed.  Cathy has worked the last 10 years Liaison Officer for BIA in Otago.   Cathy is currently representing Brain Injury on the Ministry of Health Consumer Consortium as a family member.

Cathy has 30 years life experience living alongside brain injury gaining a wealth of knowledge along the way.   Cathy is a strong voice for Brain Injury understanding the impact an injury can have on individuals and their families.   Cathy uses her knowledge and experience to further the understanding of Brain Injury in the community wherever possible.  Cathy is committed to improving equity and access for those with an injury to good quality supports and services whether in a rural or urban setting.

“Education was the key for our family, it is my goal to ensure Brain Injury NZ continues to support the regions liaison service which makes such a difference for families.  We can only do so much on a regional basis but for real change we have to look nationally which is why I have committed to BI NZ”

Dr. Kelly Jones

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.

David Bonham-Carter

I am a Canadian-Kiwi based in Nelson. After joining the Nelson board in 2020 I was asked to join the National board. I am a digital marketing specialist working in a variety of sectors and those are the main skills I bring to the board.

I have a strong desire to invest time and energy back into the community and have a history of volunteering with multiple charities. With Big Brothers Big Sisters I started as a mentor and transitioned to an Ambassador. On the environmental front, I co-founded the Abel Tasman Tree Collective, a subsidiary of the Tasman Bay Guardians marine conservation Charity. I have also worked with the Cancer Society and currently sit on the board of the Tasman Bay Promotions Association.

My desire to get involved with Brain Injury was spurred by my 8th concussion/TBI in 2018. All the others I had walked away from with only a couple of weeks of mild symptoms, this one was different. After gaining insights into the trauma of the experience of a TBI I decided to find a way to use my skills to try and make a difference as my recovery progressed. Survivors of TBI are the most resilient community you will ever meet and I am honoured to be a part of it.

Nerrily Frith