Executive Team

Noel Matthews - President

Of Te Rarawa, Te Roroa and Ngati Whatua descent, Noel brings 30 years experience in the health and disability sector.

Other national roles Noel has held include President of the NZ Federation of Disability Information Centres and involvement on a number of national and regional reference and advisory boards.

Noel believes the current NASCA Executive has a strong balance in both operational and strategic experience and he is looking forward with great anticipation to NASCA's development over the next two years.

Anne Simpson - Vice President

Anne has been involved with needs assessment, service coordination, NASC agencies and the ongoing development of NASCA as an organisation since beginning work in this area in 1995.

Having served on the NASCA Executive for a number of years, Anne was seconded back onto the Executive in 2009 with particular responsibility for leading the NASCA 2010 Conference Committee.

Craig Hutchison - Treasurer

Craig Hutchison has been a part of NASCA since its beginnings many years ago. He has served on the executive committee for many    years and has been the Chair or President on two occasions.

Craig owns Lifelinks, which is a company he began in 1995, providing Needs Assessment and Service Coordination for people with disabilities under 65 years of age.

He has also been involved with many advisory and reference groups with the Ministry of Health as well as being a member of the steering group for the development of Socrates - the national information system.

Penny Feyen

Penny Feyen has been employed in the Health sector for 26 years, in large and small hospitals, in New Zealand and Australia.

Moving into a nurse management role in 2000, she has held positions as Duty Manager at Gisborne Hospital and Ward Manager at a private surgical hospital.

In 2007 Penny took up the NASC Manager's role with the +65 years DSS NASC at Tairawhiti District Health (TDH) and also manages a community Mental Health NASC which sits within the same service. Penny is currently studying towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Service Management through Massey University.

Sonia Hawea

Sonia has qualifications in law and history, experience in research, central government policy and programme delivery.

 For the past seven years she has managed the -65 NASC for the Auckland region and has served as a NASCA representative on   several projects and groups.

Sonia has previously held membership on the NZ NASCA Executive, including one year as Treasurer. Sonia currently represents NASCA on the MoH Disability Strategic Implementation Plan Group and HCN Plan Approval Panel.

Marlon Hepi

Marlon has worked in the disability sector for 18 years, his career has moved him through employment, health, policy and qualification environments.

Marlon has held the role of NASC Operational Manager for LIFE Unlimited for Hutt Valley and Gisborne NASCs for the past six years.

He is the Chairperson for Maori NASC Manager Group - Te Arero. He has been on the current Executive for three years and is part of the portfolio for IT and Maori Development.

Marlon is currently studying towards post graduate qualifications in business management.

Don Sorrenson

Don is the Regional Manager of Support Net in the Bay of Plenty. He has been in the position for four years after working for the Department of Child Youth and Family as a Social Worker, Practice Consultant, and Manager. Don has an academic background in Social Policy and Social work with a particular interest in community development and the 'intentions and realities' of government policy and law. He also has significant experience in the hospitality industry so brings a unique mix of skills and knowledge to the NASCA executive team. Don has lived in Tauranga most of his life with strong family connections to that area and to the Taranaki.

Judy Bilderbeck

Judy has a background in health, both clinical and management. She has worked in the disability sector for the last 14 years and her current position is Chief Executive of Access Ability, a position she has held for five years.

Debs Webster

Debs provides administrative support to the NASCA Executive. She is first point of contact for general enquiries which may be emailed to: info@nznasca.co.nz

Raven Baird - Financial Administrator

Based at Lifelinks in Christchurch, Raven has 11 years experience in financial administration and has been administrating NASCA finances since July 2009.