Our People

Joan is a proud Waikato resident – born in Huntly and growing up in Hamilton.

As a Momentum Waikato Trustee, she shares her knowledge to help build ‘A Better Waikato for Everyone, Forever’.

Joan was originally a secondary school teacher of science and chemistry, first at Hillcrest High School and then at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.

When her children were young, she commenced her law studies, while also teaching school-aged patients at Waikato Hospital.

Following her graduation with a law degree from Te Piringa - Waikato School of Law, Joan was a lecturer there in Public Law and Resource Management Law. She is now a Ministerial Appointee to the University of Waikato Council.

Joan joined Harkness Henry in 2001 and became a partner there in 2009, between which she completed her PhD in 2006.

In August 2024 Joan began NZ Enviro Law, her own RMA-focused consultancy, and continues to advise clients on a range of resource management-related legal issues. She is a Past Vice-President of the Property Council’s Central Regional Committee.

Susan Hassall was Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School from 2000 to 2024, following her earlier career as an English teacher there.

Susan has extensive experience in education, in the management of change in an organisation, and in the leadership of a successful school.

She has also been an Executive Member of the Association of Boys’ Schools since its inception in 2002, and has an abiding interest in, and involvement with, gifted education, having contributed to the Minister’s Advisory Group for many years.

In March 2016 Susan joined the University of Waikato Council, becoming Pro-Chancellor in 2017, and then Chancellor in July 2025. She is also a member of The University of Waikato Foundation.

Susan is also Chair of the Hospice Waikato Trust, returning to its Board after being its acting CEO for 10 months in 2024-2025.

In 2021 Susan became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her ‘Services to Education’.

Susan contributes to the wider community as a Justice of the Peace and as a Funeral celebrant.

Meet Mark, a Hamilton native and University of Waikato graduate with a Business Management Degree, specialising in Accounting.

After a brief stint at Deloitte, he worked as an accountant in London for a global emerging-markets investment company. In his mid-20s, Mark transitioned to management, holding leadership roles until 2012, when he shifted his focus to governance and business investment.

Mark has founded or co-founded a number of organisations and involvement in numerous startups. He currently chairs six boards and serves as a director and/or trustee on three others, including Momentum Waikato.

May’s drive and purpose centres on creating an enduring legacy that benefits all.

May holds a number of roles at the governance and executive level. Her main current role is the COO of Kiwi Innovation Network, an organisation accelerating publicly funded research into investor readiness.

She has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Commercial Law and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics.

Originally born in Fiji, raised in Hamilton and studied in Wellington and Auckland, she now lives in Hamilton with her partner and three children and is surrounded by an amazing supportive village.

Holly Snape is a passionate leader in the not-for-profit sector. She has been involved at both a governance and management level in community and social service organisations for 15 years and has been the Chief Executive of Community Waikato since 2015.

Holly has a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Waikato and delivers guest lectures both there and at Wintec.

Holly is currently also on the boards of national peak body Community Networks Aotearoa and local access radio station FreeFM. She continues to be actively engaged in community development at a grassroots level.

Holly is an avid indoor social netballer and dog obedience instructor. She lives with two dogs and two cats.

Stephen has held senior positions in education, transport and local government. He first took up a Chief Executive role at the Whanganui Regional Community Polytechnic at age 34.

Since then, he has held Chief Executive roles with Franklin District Council and Tauranga City Council, before a decade in Auckland where he was Regional Director for the NZ Transport Agency for three years, and then Chief Executive of the Auckland Council for six-and-a-half years.

Stephen left Auckland Council after completing the first post-COVID budget in mid-2020 and joined Te Pukenga, where he spent two years as Chief Executive. He was then the Cyclone Recovery Lead at Thames Coromandel District Council for two years.

Stephen has supported philanthropic efforts throughout his career and has worked with several foundations. He also has wide governance experience and awareness, having been involved in appointments to Council Controlled Organisation boards and Special Purpose Entities.

Stephen is now semi-retired and based in the Coromandel.

Margaret has had a career in law, university teaching and research and public service.

She was raised in Morrinsville before attending the University of Auckland, graduating with a LLB (Hons) and a MJur (1st), and has received an Honorary Doctorate from University of Waikato.

As a strong advocate for the Waikato and a specialist in public policy, Margaret has held a range of significant local roles, including being the first Dean of Te Piringa Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato, a Deputy Commissioner at the former DHB, and Chair of the former Waikato Plan Committee.

Margaret was a Member of Parliament between 1999 and 2008, during which time she held several Ministerial positions, including Attorney General, as well as the Speaker of Parliament. She also has been a Director of the Reserve Bank and a Law Commissioner.

Margaret lives in Hamilton with her cat, Madam, and her sisters and is great aunt to six nieces and nephews.